ngower81

Hello, all. Any of you PhD wannabees interested in postmodern lit? If so, to what programs are you applying? I'm interested specifically in postmodern American novelists (Paul Auster, E.L. Doctorow, John Barth, etc.) stretching into contemporary literature. I have a M.F.A. in creative writing, so much of my time has been appropriately spent in post WWII lit.

To the person who posted the "Accepted with Fellowship" result for University of Louisville's Experimental PhD program: Could you post (either on this thread or send me a PM) some info about yourself? Reasearch experience, GPA, GRE scores, academic interests, etc. The reason I ask is that, because of family reasons, the only PhD program to which I will be able to apply next year is Louisville's, and I was curious what your credentials looked like seeing as you had a successful go of it. If you don't want to share, no problem, of course. I just thought I would ask.

It looks like we have hit the calm before the storm. Who else is gearing up for English PhD apps? To which programs are you applying? Why? Here is my tentative list: Vanderbilt Michigan Minnesota WashU Duke Cornell Iowa Georgia (creative dissertation) Florida State (creative dissertation) Illinois I'd love to apply to some schools in Boston and New York . . . but there is no way my wife and I can afford to live there without taking out a bunch of loans, and we don't want to do that. I'm still trimming the list; it's a bit long as is. What about the rest of you?

You are right . . . most lit programs aren't going to give much weight to the quant section. Still, I have seen a handful of schools with websites that explicitly say that you must have at least a 1200 combined score. Which means if you aren't 100% sure you are going to score 700 + on the verbal, that 500 quant could potentially become a factor. I agree that you should aim for 600 + with the quant just to be safe. I was in the same situation as you - last math class was years and years ago, and I am applying to English lit programs. But, I spent a little time brushing up on my math and got a 680 on the quant (as opposed to my low 500s first practice test score). Even if you have a healthy fear of numbers (like me!), the quant section really is quite manageable if you give it a few hours of study. That said, don't spend so much time on the quant as to jeopardize your verbal; a 700+ verbal will be far more important than a 600+ quant (which you already know, of course). By the way, to which programs are you going to apply? Just curious . . . .

Good point, Minnesotan . . . one that I have considered. That is pretty much the only thing that gives me hesitation. After mulling it over and seeking advice from some people I really respect, though, I think I am going to retake the GRE. I feel confident that I can score in the 720-750 range on the verbal. I have taken multiple versions of practice tests and average around a 730, and I scored a 770 and 720 respectively on both of the ETS powerprep practice tests. I know practice tests aren't always indicative of actual scores, but I rarely (if ever) scored below a 680. The thing that gets me the most (and trust me, I'm not blaming the system . . . I understand that the GRE is necessary and important as an objective comparison between canidates) is that when I took the GRE, I had two verbal sections . . . one, of course, was not scored and was used by ETS for research. When I finished the test, I knew I was going to be really happy with my verbal score, or really dissapointed depending on which section was scored. I know my 640 belies the fact, but I have studied my butt off on vocabulary, and I feel that even if I went in and took another test cold that I would score higher than a 640. I am not going to do that, of course. I am going to study, study, study more vocabulary. Thanks for your help everyone. One more thing . . . anyone have some good advice on reducing test anxiety? I can't shake the fact that I felt extremely nervous when I took the test, which could have hurt my score as well.

I'm sure most of you know this by now . . . but if not, I wanted to officially invite you to be ticked off with me. ETS will be increasing the additional score report fee from 15 to 20 dollars per-score reported starting July 1st 2008. I know, I know . . . it's only 5 dollars. But the whole application process is so expensive as is . . . it just seems that this increase is a slap in the face (especially considering they are just reporting a freakin' score . . . and they are increasing the fee about 33%, which is ridiculous). Anyway, just thought I would give you a heads up if you didn't know already.

Thanks for the help, Minnesotan. I am aware that school ranking doesn't equate to being a good program specifically for my interests, and that my reputation will not ultimately depend on the school where I earn my PhD. The reason I am most concerned with applying to schools that are ranked higher is that the higher ranked schools (at least the private institutions) are more inclined (read: able) to give higher stipends. And when you have a family to support while you're spending 5 years earning a PhD, the amount of the funding is anything but a trivial quality. I am sure there are schools sub 50-60 that offer good funding, but I don't know of any that offer a stipend 15,000 plus for PhD in the humanities. Do you know of any such schools? What about the rest of you? I'm still looking for people who had a similar verbal score (640, 91%) who were admitted into top-mid programs. I guess I am just wrestling with the idea of re-taking the GRE. I really feel like I could do significantly better on the verbal section . . . .

Okay, so I apologize in advance for adding another "what are my chances" post when the site seems overwhelmed with them already. My question isn't technically the classic "rate my chances" anyway. I'm directing this specifically to people who have been accepted to PhD programs in the humanities (English, specifically). Have any of you been accepted to a mid-level programs with a GRE verbal score sub 650? By mid-level, I am talking anywhere between 10 and 40 best programs for English; programs like Vanderbilt, WashU, Duke, Virginia, Iowa, etc. I just took my GRE general test and scored a 640 (91%) on the verbal. I feel like the rest of my profile is great (4.0 undergrad GPA, MFA in writing with discursive evaluation, great references, great samples, and really great profs who are willing to look over my SOP when it is ready), but I'm worried that the verbal score is really going to hurt my chances. I know the traditional answer is "each program will take into consideration your entire profile, and writing samples, LOR's, and SOP are the most important factors." But what I am looking for are responses from people who have been admitted to mid-top programs with around a 640 verbal. Are any of you out there? Where did you get in? Where did you get rejected?

It depends on your program and the school. I am applying for English Lit PhD programs, and it has been my experience that it is rare to find a school willing to admit in the Spring, and almost impossible to find a program willing to offer funding for students entering the Spring. If you wait to apply for fall admission, you will have a lot more flexibility.

I apologize if there is a similar post to this elsewhere on the site . . . if there is, I can't find it. I am scheduled to take the GRE general test soon, and I am wondering if anyone would share which practice tests out there most accurately predicted your GRE general test scores. Of course, I am excluding the test prep produced by ETS . . . which I would assume is the most accurate. I am just wondering because my scores range drastically depending on which practice test I take. On some tests I score around 740-750 verbal (which is all I am really concerned with at this point), while on others I am scoring mid to upper 600s. So, I don't know whether to be confident or nervous.

Thanks for all your help/advice everyone! Yes, I know 18 is way too many. And I know I am merely being paranoid. I think I have a great profile, so I just want my applications to be as strong as possible. I've already narrowed my list down to 12 . . . so I'm making progress. I have given myself a goal of getting down to 10 . . . and I don't think 10 is an outrageous number of apps to send out. Again, thanks for your help everyone.

Okay, so as I said in a previous post, I am just getting warmed-up for the circus that will be fall 2009 application submissions. I know many of you have just made your decisions on where to go for fall 2008, so I thought this was a perfect time to get some input. How many applications did you all send out? I'm looking into English Lit PhD programs, and I've got 18 schools on my "interested in" list, which I know is too many (if I'm going to get rejected from 15, I'm probably going to get rejected from 18), but I just want to give myself as many options as possible. When is enough, enough? I guess, to make this unweildy post a little more managable: How many schools did you apply to? What kind of variety? (i.e. 3 long shots, 3 safety schools, 4 moderate . . . etc.) How many offers did you receive? Of those offers, how many were funded? Just trying to get a grip on how to narrow my list . . . or if I should.

A big thanks to all of you for some helpful info. Point well taken about waiting longer to take the GRE . . . the reason I scheduled to take it next month is, in all my over-zealousness to hurry the process (which can't/shouldn't be done, I know), I started some pretty intense test prep about a month ago, and I feel like there is a finite amount of time one can prepare before the wheels just start spinning. I feel pretty good about taking it next month, as I still have several weeks to go, and I have been steadily improving each week in my test prep. Anyone have some good, practical advice on the SOP? From what I have seen, it seems that good SOP's intend to be captivating, but not too terribly anecdotal. They also seem to be very specific, and show knowledge about the program. Anything else that could help? I pride myself on my writing abilities . . . but so does everyone else applying for a Lit PhD, so what will make me stand out?

Hello, all. Okay, so I know everyone seems to be in fall 08 mode . . . but for those of us who are just now beginning the process and are looking to begin getting things ready for fall 09 (assuming I'm not the only one), I'd like to have some input on what my chances are of getting into a mid to top tier PhD Lit program. Here's what I'm looking at: Undergrad English major with 4.0 GPA MFA in Writing with discursive evaluation 1 publication in a very small literary journal (trying desperately to get more) Really good references who are well-known, highly published teachers, and who know my work well Good (I believe) critical writing sample 2 years undergrad composition teaching experience Now, I know what everyone is waiting on before you can make any sort of accurate judgment . . . GRE scores. I am taking the general test later this month, so can't give them quite yet. However, if practice tests are any indication, I should get between 670-700 Verbal and around 650 Quant. I am still debating on whether to take the Subject test, depending on where I want to send apps. One of my top choices is Vanderbilt because I love the area, and they have a great program and funding package. What do you think? Do I have a decent chance?