Oklash

I’m going to be perfectly honest and I hope that this aligns with what you want to hear but doubling debt is not worth one MA degree. Especially if you plan on getting a PhD. As someone who didn’t start my MA after undergrad b/c of getting unanimously rejected, I’m glad I took a year off. It hurt but I’m glad it happened. After the year had passed, my application had become so much stronger and it didn’t even feel like that long of a wait. I didn’t even do anything that glamorous during my gap year, I just worked at my parents restaurants and tutored school children via care.com. But it gave me a lot of time to improve my application material. I got to talk to people who were admitted, speak with my advisor who told me not to give up and I got to take a breather from school. The year also made me realize how badly I wanted the career i was trying to have and how determined I needed to be in order to make it happen. A gap year to improve my prospects for next time was so much more beneficial than the debt I would have undertaken to avoid it. I still wish I had gotten in the first time I attempted grad apps but now I have been accepted into 3 fully funded programs and waitlist for a 4th. Again, the only thing about my application that changed was the time taken to re evaluate myself, talk to other people, and improve my application. At the end of the day, you know what’s best. And if you really want to take out loans, go ahead. But waiting it out for a year is not easy. But when it does work out, you will have much more drive and motivation. Good luck!

The US. News ranking system of graduate programs irks me. I’ve gotten into 3 schools (I got 2 acceptances in 1 day!). But the school offering the most funding with a great faculty is ranked lower on US news grad ranking system than the other two. Im not even sure how trust worthy this list is but now I’m wondering if I should follow money and faculty or should I follow prestige that looks better on paper. They are both only MA programs but still...

When sending the letter of recommendation request, I almost addressed it to a "Daniel" instead of "David."

I've recently been admitted to an MA program with an 20K stipend. I know this is generous for an MA program but I am trying to gauge my loan and student debt prospects. Anyone else with a similar stipend? Has anyone found any other ways to get funding? Has anyone managed to get scholarships that are separate from the particular university or department? Any jobs? Did you even need a loan?

The reason why my interests are changing is a very good question! I had been set on american modernism after taking some particularly interesting classes during the beginning of my undergrad. Maybe I just really enjoyed the professor or the novels read but after doing so well in those classes I was convinced that modernism was for me. What changed? While researching faculty I did notice that lots of modernist faculty didn't have research that particularly interested me. I know its a bit foolish but at the time I was just trying to make my application as good as possible and I didn't have the time (nor the mental stability) to seriously consider my options. I enjoyed researching each faculty member and thier research but now that a few months have passed I have come to realize that other interests of mine, religion, philosophy, poetry align much better with victorianism than with modernism. I mentioned that I would like to study religion and research with modernist texts but I would really like to make the switch to victorian My writing sample was actually about the rhetoric devices used by Oscar Wilde. (lol) I've spent the last few months reading "staples" of both modenism and victorian lit and I think I just like victorian literature more. The schools I have chosen still have great victorian faculty though. As for African American literature, I am an African American so I feel as if I'm obligated to study this genre. I do love the genre and would be interested in studying religion in it as well.

I want to give my letter writers a small gift as thanks for thier submission. They are all literature professors so I was hoping to give them stickers from redbubble as a nice way to say thanks while being sentimental. The stickers aren’t anything fancy, just quotes from Mary Shelly, books, and coffee. Is this too cheesy of a gift?

This may sound a little cheesy but I’m giving my letter writers stickers from redbubble. The stickers are just funny quotes, pictures of books, and thank yous. I’m hoping that they will stick it some place and remember me forever. It’s personal with a bit of sentiment. If you know your letter writers well enough try gifts like this or something else that’s specific to the relationship

In all honesty, there are no such thing as “safety schools.” The application process is very competitive and there might be a chance that your credentials can increase your probability of getting in but even that’s not a garuntee. Instead look for universities and programs that are a good fit with your particular research interests. Credentials are very important but when it comes to final decisions it’s all about which student best matches the grad committees interest. To put it in perspective, I applied to 10 schools. 3 ma programs & 2 phd were state schools that I thought were “safe” . I was rejected from each one of my safe programs and accepted into my number one MA program with full funding and was put on the waitlist for a another really good program. That’s because those programs fit with my research interest and experience rather than pure statistics. My advisor told me a similar funny story. He had amazing credentials. He was rejected from his nearby state school and accepted into Princeton. When I was rejected from my safe schools, I felt horrible. If I couldn’t get into my safeties how in the world was I ever going to make it any other programs?! But I learned it’s not always about that. So try to hone in on what schools fit the best and apply widely in that range. Of course some universities are more prestigious than others but once you get through the doors, academic integrity becomes much more about the work done than it does the name attached to it. Look at the faculty, the campus and the post grad employment rate and mention that in your statement of purpose. I had a low GPA too. I applied to mostly MA programs b/c of this but I put a lot of work into my statement of purpose. Sell yourself as much as you can in this part of the application. Read the research of faculty, talk to current grad students and try your best to show that you are a match for each particular university. good luck!

Hi I am applying to english grad programs and have been accepted into two fully funded MA programs. In my statement of purpose I mentioned that I was interested in modernist, 20th century, and African American literature. However, after spending post submission time reading, and reviewing my undergrad work, I think I would be much better and off studying 19th century literature and late victorian literature. I know that MA programs do not expect perfect commitment from undergrads entering MA programs but this seems like a very dramatic shift, and honestly, I don't know even remember why I was ever so committed to modernism. I will be visiting the campuses that offered admissionship soon. Should I ask to speak with faculty aligning with this new research interest or will the faculty not like this? Should I just suck it up and stick with modernism? Will I ever be able to take a little time to really decide on what specific niche I would like to invest in?

I applied to 10 grad schools and I only got into 1. I was waitlisted for another and then later on pulled from the list and offered admission, no word on funding. I just can’t help but feel like an idiot for trying so many times, only to get into 1 school. I may just be a negative Nancy but I’m kind of embarrassed to tell people or even my letters of rec providers that only one program though I was good enough :/ I’m REALLY excited about the program, great school and full funding. But I keep thinking that maybe I’m terrible and the 1 school that accepted me just didn’t see it. They probably made a mistake

Im visiting a university I got accepted to, should I tell the department I am coming for a visit? I was recently admitted into the University of Alabama’s graduate program and will more than likely be accepting. I was accepted without an interview so I’ve only seen the campus in the context of crowded football games. I scheduled a visit to get a feel of the place and to let my parents look around but I’m wondering if I should let the English department know that I’m coming? Id like to ask some questions and meet a few people in person, but is it really needed if I am already accepted? Would they even want to make time for me? If I did contact anyone what’s the chances of getting reimbursed?

Hi I’ve been reading through this forum and have recently been admitted to an MA program? i want to get my PhD so does anyone have any advice on what I should do in my MA program that will benefit me in future PhD applications? Are there any tips I should keep in mind for the next two years that would really make my application stand out when the time comes? What is something you wish you knew during your MA?

I applied to 6 MA programs and 4 PhD programs. My goal schools were the MA programs and honestly, each PhD application was a reach so I wasn't surprised when I was rejected from them. It was also really difficult to find funded MA programs for English/Literature. Field/Program: English Literature Schools: MA: The University of Alabama, The University of Tennessee in Knoxville Texas A&M University The University of Mississippi The University of Missouri University of Maryland PhD: Vanderbilt Emory Rice The University of Texas at Austin Status: Accepted: The University of Alabama (Strode) The University of Tennessee in Knoxville Rejected: Rice I assume I am also not getting into Vanderbilt, Emory and UTA because the interviews and acceptances have already been sent out and I haven't gotten anything. I also rescinded my Ole Miss application soon after I submitted (good bye money). Anyway, I got into my number one school with full funding and a great lit program thats pretty well esteemed! Im gonna enjoy my time as an MA student but im determined to do a really good job b/c I really want to go to Vanderbilt once its time to start my PhD. P.S I took a year off between after undergrad. The application process was so brutal the first time around as almost everyone of these schools rejected me in 2017. The only thing different about this years application is a bullet point on my resume acknowledging how I've spent this past year as a waitress and a newly revived statement of purpose. Gap years are stressfull and I felt resentful a lot of the time but it made my application so much stronger b/c I had time to evaluate what I wanted to do with my life and why.

I was at Starbucks. As I was ordering, I got a call from the University of Alabama! The director congratulated me and read a few comments made on my application while I was trying not to cry in the middle of the coffee shop. From now on a vanilla latte with almond milk will always be my lucky beverage

This may be sound crazy but even though I got accepted into a program that I will definitely be accepting, the rejection letters I’m still getting still kind of sting a little. ?

I definetly know what you mean when it comes to friends being tired of hearing you talk about it. I feel like I have talked about nothing but the grad process since the beginning of September. (lol). My other friend who are applying to grad school seem to do it so quietly and Im literally refreshing the status of each application on a daily basis, even the ones that have turned out to be rejections. I guess I like torturing myself. Patience is hard, especially when you have such a noble cause. Any good luck!

!!!! I was just accepted to a great MA program. They have a great renaissance lit program and I’m so excited! I’m sorry if i seemed a bit melodramatic before but this has honestly been such a long process. I initially applied to 6 MA programs and 4 PhD, each with lots of hope/consideration. I also have two more apps still pending but it feels so good to finally hear a yes! Especially one that’s funded. And from a phone call of all things. Thanks again everyone for being so supportive. I will probably seek professional help in the upcoming months and I really appreciate everyone here.

I really want to thank everyone for their kind comments. This process has been a very long and arduous one but this thread has really helped. Its actually given me strength to look into internships and I've started on a few applications for those as well. If I get into a program I will definitely update. But I feel a lot more hopeful about what will happen in the future

It’s getting really hard to keep going. I’ve spent a year and almost $2,000 crafting grad school applications and in the course of a week, I’ve already been rejected from 7 of the 10 schools I applied to. I’ve even been rejected from safe schools. I took GRE classes, paid writing consultants and put everything into my volunteer work and gap year. But it still wasn’t enough. I don’t know why I thought I could do this. I don’t know why I thought I was good enough. Whenever I tell someone this, the only comforting response is “there’s always next year,” but this is actually my 2nd year applying and this will probably be the 2nd time in a row I’ve been unanimously rejected. I don’t think I can do this again. I wouldn’t say I was suicidal because that would hurt my family too much. I’ve also tried twice and neither attempt worked, hence my delimma. But I truly have nothing to live for. All my friends have gone to start thier careers but I’m still working for no pay at my family’s restaurant and caring for my chronically ill mother. I have no internships, no job prospects and nothing to do with my history and English BAs. I couldn’t even get a job at Sprint mobile. I have ruined my own life and I can’t even get admitted into programs that will let me do the one thing I’m good at, which is to say that I’m probably not good at it all. I wanted a career in academia and research but I think it’s time I just give up on this dream. It’s been made clear that I suck too much to even take the first steps in realizing this dream. If I don’t get into grad school this year, I’ll probably just keep serving pasta and living with my parents forever while wishing that I could be hit by a bus, struck by meteors and devoured by crows and a stray cat. Ive never been this discouraged before.