jlaser
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Posts posted by jlaser
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I got offered two fully funded PhD’s: one from Harvard and one from Northwestern. I chose the latter because the fit of the faculty was better and the department seems to place quicker (but not any more than Harvard, just quicker). My field is very small so I feel like this was a stupid decision in retrospect because Harvard is more legible regardless of field (or is it?) whereas it’s unlikely most search committees will know that northwestern is the top of my field. I wanted more job security and idk how the hell I convinced myself that that was better than Harvard just because it’s program is ranked better. Even my mentor told me to go to Harvard and now April 15 passed and I feel like a fucking idiot. Could someone shed (honest) light on how much these brand names matter on the academic job market?
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Is there a consensus on the rankings of American Studies programs? According to NRC rankings, Yale, Harvard, Brown, NYU, UBuffalo, and Washington State are among the top. However these rankings were collected 10 years ago. USC isin't even on the list, despite being (according to a mentor) among the top 3. I've never heard of UBuffalo or Washington States programs. Harvard's I've heard has declined as has Brown. UMichigan was considered top but I'm not sure now that Phil Deloria and Tiya Miles have left. I know Yale is still considered the top but its unclear how exactly reputation and ranking work within this field (challenges of inter disciplinarity)
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Trying to decide between two programs. The one in my city is better (but not *alot* better). Students also seem happier. That being said, I have this strong urge to get away from my home city and state (getting sick of it) and someplace else. But I don’t know if that’s a juvenile and no strategic decision. How important have you all felt moving has been to your personal growth?
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For example, if students of the program were placing into schools like UPenn, USC, Brown, Uchicago from 2004-2010, should that even be considered as part of the placement rate? Or do only the last 3-5 years count as an indicator of the kind of schools the program places into?
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I'm deciding between two schools right now. The first one is #1 or #2 in my field. Intellectually - the fit is great. And it places its graduates its in TT programs I could see myself working in. The only thing is - its in the same city I went to undergrad in (not same school) and have lived in for most my life. The past few years especially, I've really begun to dislike this city (the people, the feel, the density, the noise, etc) Full disclosure: I've had a lot of negative things happen the past few years as well so being fully honest there is this negative association and urge to get away and start my life somewhere else. It's childish but it is what it is. Being here is comfortable because its familiar, even if it is a ambivalent comfort, if that makes sense.
On the other hand is the second school, it is still top ranked (probably because its an elite ivy league institution) but not seen as on the cutting edge of anything. The fit isint as great as the other school, but still good. More issues with the program here. Nothing intolerable, but just some things I'll have to grapple with. They are giving me slightly more money. And the cost of living is cheaper. I'll have a campus, wide open green spaces, and be able to "go somewhere" specifically to do my doctorate.
For those of you who had gone through this before - how much of a factor did location play for you? Was it important to leave your "nest" in doing your doctorate? Did you wish you had stayed? Did it seem to matter and in the end you were so busy that you hardly cared about location? Do I just need a therapist instead of a move lol?
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*in contexts where everyone got along and clicked during the visit weekend. I want to know who might be staying or going for my incoming cohort but I don't know if this is weird to ask.
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School 1 is widely considered to be "the cutting edge" and one of the leaders of my field. An impressive array of scholars. The fit (culturally, intellectually, interpersonally) is *really* good. Great funding package. Great networks and connections.
-Only downside is that it is in a location I really don't like and is not too conducive to my mental health (I've lived here the past 17 years - so it's not a prejudice haha). Will I become depressed? Probably not, but it'll definitely eat away at me. I could move far - but it would make my commute upwards of 1.5 hours and prevent me from being around the school, my cohort, etc.
School 2 is considered also a top 5 program but def not the cutting edge or leader. It's seen as more conservative and still "finding itself." You can see this in the student and faculty research demographic. You have a weird mix of "cutting edge" and hip scholars and then some who do very "conservative and outdated work" (in the words of a mentor, not mine). Whereas School 1 there is more of a synergy within the department, in this one it seems as if there is an odd mix between keeping things as they are and keeping up with the cutting edge. So there are faculty considered cutting edge who I could work with, but its not like school 1 where the department as a totality has that reputation. Might be more risky coming here for that reason? (in terms of fitting in)
-I know department rank matters more than school rank, but another factor is that this school is the or one of the most well known ivy leagues in the world. Only mentioning that pedigree power would work in my favor if it decide to pursue work outside academia.
-Also very great funding package (slightly more than school 1). Area would be very nice for mental health. Big campus, wide open area, very relaxed energy all around.
Both seem to place their candidates in tenure track positions well. I'd dare say that because of reputation, school 1 is slightly better.
Please make my life decision for me (kidding) but would very much like to hear opinions, past experiences, thoughts.
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I think so yes!
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I was recently unofficially admitted (I think?) into a program, they are asking me to send a digital copy of my official transcript as well as to be mailed one by my institution. I told them I have an official copy which I could scan myself, the only thing is, at the top there is an “addressed to” which is for a different university. I also got this transcript in the Fall (I graduated long before then so in terms of coursework it makes no difference). Is it okay to scan this transcript even though it’s dated earlier and has a different school name on it? Since they’ll get another one from my school in a few weeks? Are these trivial details?
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Had an interview with my top program early last week...the committee just contacted me asking for my official transcript, is that a good sign? Or is it still up for grabs
- Foctest and spikeseagulls
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Do programs over admit by a few students knowing some will likely decline their offer? Or If they intend to only accept X amount of students - will they do so and then waitlist a handful of other candidates?
What happens when they have less or more students than expected?
(I'm in the Humanities, but answers from the social sciences and STEM are welcome
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Do programs over admit by a few students knowing some will likely decline their offer? Or If they intend to only accept X amount of students - will they do so and then waitlist a handful of other candidates?
What happens when they have less or more students than expected?
(I'm in the Humanities, but answers from the social sciences and STEM are welcome
)
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On 2/2/2020 at 9:48 AM, histofsci said:
I mentioned POIs in my SOP but not by name in the interview as well. It didn't feel like a big deal to me.
Did they not ask who you wanted to work with or about faculty? What was the interview focused on? And which discipline is this for? (I’m in English & Com Lit)
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14 minutes ago, histofsci said:
Short and intense describes it perfectly
The committee was lovely- really kind and engaging and thoughtful. One of my POIs was on the call, actually, which was really great. The interview really sold me on the program/school and convinced me that this POI would be a great fit for me. I'm not sure how many people get interviews (vs. accepted) but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Is 5-6 admits high or low for their program? Do you know?
Where did you interview?
Brown and Penn (not for American Studies though). What was intense about it exactly? And that’s great, I’m sure your enthusiasm showed! As for the cohort size, I *think* 5-6 is average? I applied a previous year to NYU American Studies and it was 6 if I recall correctly.
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5 minutes ago, histofsci said:
I think it went okay? I definitely fumbled a few questions, but overall I think it was fine. I felt prepared. It was my only interview so I don't really have anything to compare it to!
In general I'm trying really hard not to get my hopes up. I applied to a lot of very competitive programs and I'd rather assume the worst than spend a week in bed sobbing because I didn't get in anywhere (which I will likely do regardless). Trying to keep an even head about things.
The next 2-4 weeks are AGONIZING.
That’s awesome! I’m sure they know people are nervous so fumbling is expected. I had interviews with two schools and really struggled with the first one. I have a friend in NYU American Studies, he told me they’re accepting 5-6 this year, and to expect really short intense interviews (or at least that was his experience.) What was the vibe of the committee? And yeah me too. I’ve been getting so stressed, and interviews just add another layer.
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5 minutes ago, histofsci said:
I had one.
Nice!! How’d it go?
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What does the process look like? Is an applicants acceptance or rejection decided by the interviewers right after the interview (if it went really well or really bad)? Are their application materials reviewed again? Or are the interviews the final deciding territory?
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Who were the NYU American Studies interviews?
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Got an interview with one the top programs in my field. I prepared but my nerves got the best of me. When they started asking me about "why our department" I was being very vague and didn't mention faculty until later on, and when I did it was a quick passing mention of two faculty members. I realized they sort of re-asked the question once or twice because I wasnt being very clear or kind of moving around the question. I felt like I came off as unorganized and like I didnt know anything about the department. I did talk about the subfield focuses of the department and certain unique initiatives of the program (public humanities).
I realized afterwards that I choked because I was afraid of mentioning a POI or something specific about the department and then being asked a follow up question and drawing a blank and looking like I was faking it or like a fool. Which ended up happening anyways. Focusing on my own research and myself was playing it safe but ultimately made things worse.
The only upside was that they did say at the beginning of the interview that they were excited about my application and midway in they said a few times that my research was fascinating. Also, even though I failed to talk about POI's well, I did mention three in my SoP and why I believed they would be a good fit.
It feels like I had a shot at an incredible program and school and I wasted it by being too timid and coming off as unknowledgeable of the department. I spent days researching the department, its grad student handbook, faculty, local archival resources, and I just went blank and became so timid when the time came. Now I know my a huge weakness in my interview skills...but still I just feel so embarrassed!
Did I fuck up by turning down a Harvard PhD?
in Decisions, Decisions
Posted
I feel like I've been trapping myself in this miasma of "what ifs" and this really helped anchor me. Thank you.