Cryss

Feel the same. I only have 1 outstanding application because I need to submit a fellowship essay that comes with a prompt. My mind is tired. Thankfully this application isn't due for a few weeks. But I just want to be done ASAP.

I decided in July that I wanted to apply, and immediately started my prep. This includes a lot of research. If you haven't already seen this, check out the Fit Finder by @punctilious . You can find it here https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/93170-tips-for-applying-to-english-phd-programs/page/2/?tab=comments#comment-1058603368 I agree with @politics 'n prose I had a long list of about 18 schools I had researched (not just the program and faculty, but stipends, cost of living- rent, bills, food etc, entertainment, how accessible it is for travel). I was planning to apply to 5, but when I got some fee waivers, I easily added more because I had previously done all that research. I asked my professors for recommendation letters in July, during their summer break, which they all appreciated. Even if they don't start it until later, it was good for them to know what I needed from them before going into their semesters, before all their work piled up. There's definitely a lot of positives for beginning earlier, including being able to put aside your application materials, and then looking at them with fresh eyes weeks and months later. BUT, speaking from my experience, sometimes spending too much time looking at it makes you frustrated. I feel like I've looked at my materials too many times and things that are fine start looking and sounding wrong. Do lots of research, especially if you will be applying to some PhD programs, but focus on other things too. I would say, in terms of improving your chances, know the current academic conversations in your field (from the past 10-ish years if possible). You may be able to use some of this in your writing sample or statement of purpose

Isn't this exactly what you're doing by assuming that there is a "diversity regime" and diverse people who are hired are taking jobs from people not considered diverse? As though those diverse people may not be similarly or better qualified (while bringing different, important perspectives)?? Yes, I'd imagine it's difficult to say "I don't understand why diversity is so important" or "diverse people are taking all the jobs" in real life.

Do you think you'd still want to be based in Literature for an English PhD, but have the ability to have "minors" or concentrations in something else? Some schools seem to offer actual certificates/minors (in gender studies or film/media etc) that are housed in completely separate departments (meaning you would not only have to explore them as lens through which you see literature). Would that work to satisfy you, or do you just no longer want anything to do with English Literature? Other Options you can look into: I think some schools actually have official Interdisciplinary programs For your Russian interest, maybe a (funded)MA or PhD in Trans-Area studies, or some sort of cultural studies? Cornell offers a joint English PhD/MFA.

https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/86295-projected-acceptance-dates-for-english-phd-programs/

I vote none of the above. Binge watch some shows!

I would listen to your International student office. Sure, sometimes they get stuff wrong, but they ARE the people in charge of handling your paperwork, and they are often up-to-date with any changes in rules, and know lots of anecdotes of students having difficulty re-entering. It's probably from this perspective that they are giving you this advice. Based on what you wrote above, it doesn't sound like they are telling you that you can't spend over a year studying/researching abroad on F1, but rather that you need to visit the US during that time. If it's possible for you to do funds-wise, I'd do it. I did study abroad for 6 months while on an F1 and when I got to the airport, the immigration agent asked me a bunch of questions, then went to ask around to see if I was allowed to do that. Scared the ever-living crap out of me. Anyway, I'm of the opinion of "better safe than sorry," if you can afford it, of course.

Just realized that application platforms change your formatting if you upload it as a doc. For example, my sample is 25 pages on Word, but when I click "preview" on different application forms I uploaded into, it becomes 26, 27, or 28 pages (differs from platform to platform). So I changed it to a PDF and that works. Guess that's the only surefire way of standardizing your format/page count across any platform.

I "rest" my materials, for lack of a better word. If possible, I write the essays, or fill out the forms, then leave it for a few days (or weeks), then come back and recheck them. I imagine there will probably always be a bit of nervousness and anxiety, but sometimes for me, being too close to my materials makes me more paranoid. If I leave them alone and revisit after a few days or weeks, and see it from a fresh perspective, sometimes I either have more confidence in what I've done or I have a clear idea of what I should change, or mistakes I've made. Keep in mind, I haven't submitted even 1 application yet. ?

You might want to read and re-read individual school specifications for their preferences, but I've seen a few schools say that doing this is fine, as long as you put a note stating that the sample is part of a larger work (maybe even a sentence or 2 description of the larger work).

No prob! I totally understand. When asking my non-lit friends to read my SoP, they always act like I'm telling them to read the Lord of the Rings series or something. Good luck on your apps! I'm trying to send them in by the end of this month *crosses fingers*

Not sure about anyone else, but if it says "brief," I'm still gonna submit my 1000 words SoP. (it's only a page and a half single-spaced anyway). That's brief to me.

One school that I'm applying to specified 500 words, while most of the others were 1000. But this school also had a box with a question which required a short-ish answer in the application itself. I basically answered the questions they specified for the SoP in 500 words and whatever was left, I added it to the short answer space. You can also try shortening it by removing extended info about your past. I think removing an entire "point" would be the easiest way to go. But if you don't want to lose any idea/points, you can cut it down the hard way by shortening sentences, removing whole sentences, removing unnecessary words (as well as --> and; is able to ---> can), and removing adjectives that just add fluff. If you're really pressed and can't see yourself destroying your 1000-word SoP, then you might as well do a 500 word rewrite. Chances are, in rewriting, you'll subconsciously keep the most prominent things and leave out what your mind considers a little less important.

Yes! Quite intense.

Hopefully I'm still on topic with this question, but can someone explain post-docs to me? I understand the general concept of what a post-doc is, but how does it work exactly? Do people submit applications for it simultaneously while looking for jobs? Is it typically subfield-specific? And how come I don't often see people suggesting this as a valuable option? Is there some sort of negative connotation attached to it? Educate me, my US friends.

I'm just specifying my proficiency in each language on my CV. I did 7 years French, but didn't take any college classes. I personally don't think you need to justify it by offering explanations.

From what I am understanding from research and observation, this is quite a complex question. Some schools may give you a second look because you attended a top 10 over a lower ranked one, but if you flourish more, contribute more to your subfield in that lower ranked one, I ultimately don't think they would ignore you because you didn't attend a top 10. This is probably why people push fit and culture, because you can go to a top program and be lost among the crowd with nothing to show from your time there. So, I would go with/apply to whatever schools you are interested in, even if they are ranked at or below 50.The job market seems to be a mess regardless. Just my 2 cents.

These are some great questions. I'm in this application cycle with you, so I will put my understanding of a few of these and maybe it can help you in some way. 1) So far, I've constructed my statements of purpose to include: first what some schools will call "your reason for doing literature beyond a general love of the field"-- essentially, what brought you to this field and why do you feel like doing a PhD necessary for you. Secondly, I describe my previous research, only the one I use for my writing sample, which is a portion of my master's thesis. Then I explain how I feel like I could expand the study or I ask some possible research questions I could approach. The second half of the essay, I write why specifically this school. Bottom line- I'd say go as in depth as you feel is appropriate and relevant in the 500-1000 words you have. If given additional space on the actual application to write something, I would carefully re-read both what they want you to write about in your SOP and what they want you to write in the space given. Often times, they are similar, like splitting hairs, but they do have differences. Sometimes they only want 500 words for a SoP, but you may have a 1000 word one. That space can be used for the extra info you feel is relevant that you weren't able to add to the SOP. Make sure you are specifically answering the prompt though, if there is one. 2) I would definitely include languages you are not fluent in on your CV. I believe language acquisition can be divided into Beginner/Novice/Elementary; Intermediate ; Advanced; Fluent/Native Proficiency. You can also say something like "Spanish- Intermediate Reading Proficiency, Novice Speaking and Writing" 3) I have 2 sections in my CV for experience-- work experience, then other leadership experience. For the first, I would add jobs you got paid for that is relevant. You can list the job title, but then add a description below it. For example: Tour Guide- In this position, I was responsible for leading and guiding large groups of people...etc. However you want to make it sound, your description is the place for it. Then under leadership experience, I put roles I was not paid for. If you were the president of a group for your extracurricular activities or any major role that showcases your leadership, etc. That would be a decent place for it, if you so choose. 4) I don't know. 5) If the school's application page requests that you list a secondary interest, I would. If they do not specifically say it, AND you do not see something you would want to add, then don't.

I agree with @Indecisive Poet I've heard a little spillage is OK, like if you took 11 pages instead of 10. But 20 seems like way too much for that page limit. Any way you can either put a more appropriate 10-page excerpt you want from your larger work and write a note explaining that it's taken from a larger work? Another option might be to just go with your current 12 page paper, maybe do minor trimming, and explain your theoretical and methodological position in your statement of purpose in less words. The third option, which is probably the hardest, would be to just write an entire new 10 page essay based on your longer one that summarizes everything you want to showcase for this school specifically, but in much less words.

I would leave it out and highlight your others. It doesn't matter if this one is a CUNY conference and you are applying to a CUNY school. Attending another conference would probably carry the same weight (a well-renowned one might carry a little more).

Have you done other conferences?

Check out the spreadsheet in the link above. It's a life saver.

Thanks for this. I know I read them all when I was looking at schools, but definitely did not double check and really think on it for the schools I have decided to apply to. I can't imagine the level of disappointment at being shut out, but I wholly agree with this. My husband and I have a contingency plan that also excites me, so much so that even though I would feel like a failure at being shut out, I know I would be happy to go through with our back up plan. I'm also gonna add that I think the top schools also have the funds and the presumed prestige to draw multiple big names to their department, which could easily convince us prospective students that those schools are strong in our sub-field and therefore the fit is right, but this may not be the case at all. Harvard, for example, has Homi Bhabha and Jamaica Kincaid but that does not automatically mean they have a strong postcolonial slant or Caribbean literature slant. Many times, these "superstars" may either be close to retirement, not taking students, or are Emeritus faculty.

This seems decent to me. I'm not in foreign policy though. I'm in English, but I believe the SoP for grad schools should include a few faculty members from that school you'd be interested in working with and why. I would add that to your 3rd or 4th paragraph if I were you, but maybe someone in your field can offer up some insight on this though.

You can indeed just keep your interests broad. 20th century American is probably enough specificity for now. I'd imagine some programs would be more stringent than others with regards to this, but it shouldn't be a big deal if you don't know exactly what you want your future thesis to be. When I applied to MA, my writing sample did match my interests, but I got the impression that the WS was more to gauge my critical writing skills than to actually perceive what research I was heading towards. This might vary from program to program, so take this with a grain of salt, especially if you plan to apply to more competitive programs. Another option is to explain that you are interested in what you've written about, but really want to take your research further by exploring it through the lens of [insert theoretical lens here] because [insert reason here]. Keep in mind that you don't at all need to adhere to this when you are in the program, nor are you expected to. You will need to write which faculty members you want to work with, so if you can find some commonality between the lens and the interests of the possible faculty advisers, that would be good.