DatGuy

The program is pretty good, I think, but I think what matters in grad school is less the program and the specific people you work with. If you can find two to three professors you gel well with, then you will thrive and have a great time. And yeah, I'm sure McGill's a lot better in terms of course variety than many other schools, but I do find myself being from that segment of the grad population that complains about the course selection/availability nonetheless! And I like the program quite a lot, but I've also been here five years and was able to really embed myself into the department right at the start of the program, which helps. This having been said— and this is not a biased statement— but McGill's graduate program is generally better for students by virtue of the fact that it is MUCH smaller than UofT's. I've heard really bad things about their graduate program and about supervisors not having time for PhD students, let alone MAs. This is something to know before you go there. A friend of mine did her MA at McGill, and went to UofT for her PhD. She was back at McGill for her PhD a year later after being frustrated with the program at UofT.

Good good. Are you a super cultural studies person/type? Do you like to think about the intersections between making art and producing scholarship? If so, chances are you'll like them. Both are quite popular professors in the department, though I find Alanna Thain's work/class format in particular to be on the more unorthodox of things in academia. Haven't taken classes with either since I'm a different subfield, but I have been here for both my undergraduate and masters degrees, so you can trust what I'm saying.

Btw, I'm a grad student finishing up in the department of English at McGill. If you have questions, feel free to ask me. (more about the program/people rather than the admissions thing itself. I don't have much info on that).

May the force be with you!

I basically was asked: 1. How my writing sample links to what I want to do for the doctorate. 2. An esoteric question pertaining to a book in my field, and how what I said in (1) relates to it. 3. Why I hadn't used the word postcolonial despite talking about postcolonial things for basically 8 minutes. 4. How I would teach a course on World Literature to undergrads. 5. What is the first thing I want to do upon entering grad school, and what is the first thing I should do. These were basically the five or so larger questions we talked about. Don't remember if there was anything else particularly notable, except for questions pertaining to my knowledge of the languages I want to work in. What about you guys?

Waiting on Penn, post interview, as are numerous others on this thread (I count four at least?). Excited and anxious to see what this week holds!

Wow! Those are hard questions, actually. I hope they went well! I got simpler ones: they asked how my writing sample fit into my doctoral project, for example, and how I would teach a course on World Literature if given the opportunity. Also, I work on South Asia but my personal statement was very much foregrounding a comparatist approach, so I think that's why I didn't get that Area Studies vs. Comp' Lit' question we often get. In any case, good luck, and here's hoping for the best!

I think it’s a combination of how all the obsessed nuts like us (who would likely be be stronger candidates on average) tend to be here, and what I think is them interviewing about 15-20 for what would be 6-8 seats at most. Anyway, here’s hoping! Also, shaarawi, since everyone on here has had their interview (at least from my calculations), would you mind sharing what you were referring to as curve balls? It’s fine if you’d rather not, but I think it’s worth a shot to ask!

Not at all. I believe they are just representing the GAC. I don’t think it’s meant to be with your POIs.

Quite informal, and thoughtful questions but none that were meant to throw you into a trap. Just know your research and yourself well, and you'll be fine!

I had my Penn interview today and both Emily Wilson and Rita Barnard were lovely! I'm pretty sure Penn Comp Lit' won't take more than 6-8 people (at the very most) in the end, which makes the interview stage so scary tbh.

Interesting! And do you have to be in any particular place to enrol in it? Sorry, I'm just confused because I don't know what these things look like!

Also I hope you’re not counting Penn as one of the implied rejections. They are still interviewing till at least Wednesday!

I’m thinking about this, but I’m a bit confused as to what you mean by this internship. Is it attached to an offer from one of your other schools?

Amazing! Congrats, guys! That’s amazing!

Amazing! I work on South Asia. Also, I find it absolutely insane that so many of Penn's shortlist is on a single forum. It really is astounding! Good luck, guys! Also, when are your interviews scheduled for? Mine is Tuesday!

Hold on yet still, I think. I have a feeling interviews are going to go on possibly for most of next week too!

I have a feeling regarding how the interview calls were structured. I could be very wrong, but I think they might be scheduled according to subfield! Do you work on anything within the broad field of postcolonial studies by any chance?

GUYS GUYS GUYS GUYS. I GOT A PENN INTERVIEW. WAITED FOUR DAYS, BUT IT'S HERE. THERE IS STILL HOPE.

Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know I just got accepted to UT Austin's Comp' Lit' program! So they're also rolling out email acceptances now!

So, my fellow Penn-hopefuls, I emailed Penn two days ago and asked them whether interviews had been completed/all the calls sent out. I have received this response— a great sign. Hope, that indefatigable bastard, lives! P.S. Apologies for the swearing— couldn't help it...

No other way to use a Comp Lit department if you ask me.

Fair enough. And alright. Thanks! Good luck for the rest of your process!

I’m sure your interview went much better than you think it did! What were the questions like, by the way? About your research interests and fit, or did they actually grill you very deeply about concepts and preparation etc?

Congrats to both you guys above! YTC, did he mention any reason why/do you know if they are still sending out interview calls? Any information would be helpful!