Bopie5

@lyonel_ I'm feeling the exact same thing. What's submitted is submitted and I can't change it now, so no point in looking at stressing myself out! I'm in the exact same place, crossing my fingers for that one acceptance. Hopefully we both get it!

@Warelin That is important to know! I think I'm getting caught up in the fact that I don't have publications or conference experience, and feeling like because of that, my CV will be a strike against me in my application. Which may be the case but knowing that universities aren't expecting me to have as much experience since I'm coming straight out of undergrad is mildly comforting at least. And thank you so much for the link--seeing the sample CVs helps me to map out mine, especially in comparison to the resume!

@natalielouise @pgt2018 Thank you both so much--helps a lot! I'm still in undergrad and I've never done a CV before, so wish me luck haha!

Hi all! In general, when a program doesn't specify if they want a resume or a CV, is there one that is preferable? Michigan's website says "Curriculum Vitae / Resume - No page limit," and Columbia's says "a curriculum vitae or résumé," and neither of them specifies any more information. Should I just do whichever I feel more confident in/dovetails better with my overall application? Thanks for the help!

@The Wordsworthian that's EXACTLY it! I was like "Once I get them in, I'll feel so relieved" but that really wasn't the case...glad we all have this mutual space to work out our panic/anxiety over the next few months ahah!

Just submitted my first two apps! Now only five to go...I have a feeling my stress levels won't really decrease at all until I have all of my decisions haha!

@northwestnative Most programs that I've looked at say that citations/works cited doesn't factor into page count. For example, Northwestern says "Scholarly citations must be included, but do not count against the page limit," Michigan says "A writing sample of around 25 pages "double spaced, of critical or scholarly writing, excluding notes and bibliography. Notes and bibliography have no page limit," and UChicago says "Page count does not include bibliography." So I'd say with your argument concluding on page 23, you're good to go! I haven't seen any program websites/FAQs yet that specify that your max limit includes bibliographic material.

@Warelin Wow, that's a big relief to hear! I've been stressing--one of my letters is in, but neither of the other two has gotten them in. I think one of my letter writers will be late due to personal issues, but I hadn't thought of emailing Nate! Thanks for the advice, really helpful!

Is anyone else applying to Northwestern? Do you think they'll be lenient on LOR like NYU?

@Warelin So true! I've had a few Skype convos with current PhD students and recent grads and they've all stressed how many factors there are that I can't control, and how there really is a luck of the draw element (who's on the admissions committee, how many people also in my field who apply, if everyone wants the same faculty mentors, people from the same backgrounds, etc, etc). Just gotta be at peace knowing that it's my first round and I've done the best I can. There's a high likelihood it won't work out this time, but I can learn from my experiences and try again!

@Warelin Really!? I didn't know that! Wow, that's actually so comforting, haha. I feel like my application shows potential to acclimate, so fingers crossed!

I'm submitting my first app this weekend...feeling similar stresses to you @alexisnj! I don't have publications or conference experience, so while I have a good GPA and GRE and a decent writing sample (I think...can barely tell anymore tbh!), I feel like I won't come off looking as qualified or experienced as other applicants, since I'm coming right out of undergrad...

Random question--what's everyone's thoughts on beginning the SoP with my guiding research question? I have one broad research question that has guided most of my past work and also informs the work I hope to do in grad school, so I've begun my SoP with that. However, my friends who looked over said it was cliche to start with a question...generally, I'd agree with them, but is it different if it coalesces my research?

@jadeisokay @kef5 @pdh12 Would be happy to join in on this as well if anyone of you want to swap again!

SAME SAME SAME. I have none of my SOPs written. Taken the GRE, have my WS ready, have my schools picked, my LORs are requested but profs haven't submitted yet. But writing the SOPs has me stressed!

I've heard various things on this for English programs--some sites recommend contacting faculty, and others say it's better to contact current grad students rather than the faculty. Anyone have any thoughts or info on this?

Hi Resilient! I'm in the exact same boat--in my senior year, looking to hopefully move right into an English PhD program out of undergrad. I'm totally with you on feeling intimidated by everyone's publications and such! I've won a few small awards at my university, but I'm not published at all, and I'm getting nervous for sure...

Hi all! This thread has been a bit dead for a few weeks, but figured I'd put my info in here! I'm graduating in May with a BA double major in English Literature and Theatre. GPA 3.99, GRE 168V/159Q/6W. I'm hoping to get accepted into a PhD program, and I'm planning on applying to 5-8 schools. Can't do any more because of finances ? The list is currently UChicago, Michigan, Northwestern, Stanford, UC Davis, and UCSB, but I have a few more I'm looking at/thinking of. In my graduate study, I'm looking to pursue Feminism and/or Gender and Sexuality, focusing around ideas of embodiment, intersectionality, and identity. My writing sample is a Kristevan reading of Chaim Potok's My Name Is Asher Lev, focusing on the maternal body as a site of suffering that resists sign/signifier/signified relationships, and my current research surrounds the ways in which the 'evil' or villainous body is visually coded as "other" in Western animation. Also currently pursuing a full length theatrical project utilizing the poetry of T. S. Eliot and Anne Sexton as the basis for a devised piece of poetic theatre exploring the human movement towards the divine. Very excited for all of us, and want to wish you all the best of luck! Also if anyone has any advice/suggestions/help, I could really use it. No one in my family has gone to grad school before, so a lot of what I'm doing is based on my own research. If anyone has applied before and has wisdom to pass along regarding writing good SOPs, contacting current grad students, determining program fit, etc, etc, etc...basically I need all the help I can get! Hope the application process goes well for everyone