HappyCat

I didn't quite want to bump a dead topic, but in case anyone saw this and felt like throwing in an application last minute: the March 15th deadline is for MA only.

If your interests are interdisciplinary, that's probably the right reason to do MALS. However, the Grad Center's faculty teach at the various other schools (I have had the pleasure of working with many of them at my CUNY school), so don't feel like you won't obtain that experience at other CUNY schools--a lot of the grad classes are taught by these faculty. Also, as far as funding: realistically, funding at CUNY is a difficult situation and I truly feel that you shouldn't get your hopes up for an added likelihood of funding because you are coming from CUNY. Many wonderful students who have been through CUNY don't receive funding. That said, teaching opportunities are pretty bountiful and help you pay off your degree, but it's a lot (LOT) of hard work.

They sent out acceptances and waitlists, and considering the open house is next week, I'm pretty sure it's implicit rejections at this point.

My cheap one is New Castle, but I tend to like abbey ales: Leffe, Hoegaarden, and Affligem come to mind. I'm a fan of blonde and amber beers. I'm also a vodka martini girl. My brother in law and I argue about this all the time because he's a gin martini guy. However, at the end of the day--I'm totally a whiskey gal. Wild Turkey American Honey whiskey is great, if not, Jameson, if not Jack.

I'm also wondering specializations...I'm an 18C specialist and was wondering if it seems they're taking more modernists (etc) or what at my various programs.

Seems like they both got emails though...

English Advising Bear! Personally, I like the one on specificity--it reminds me of my students. http://www.youtube.c...ishAdvisingBear (EDIT: Oh an Old Books makes me sad as an 18th century person )

15 out of 500+?! Welp. I'm out. lol (At this point, I think all I can do is laugh at rejections.)

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH. /quivers, shakes, and sobs uncontrollably

Congratulations on your acceptance! Did they ask you to mail an official copy of your transcript prior to your acceptance? I thought they ask "finalists" to do so.

I have an MA. I haven't TAed--I'm actually an instructor who created, organized, structured and taught (and am teaching) classes. I've done multiple conferences, have been invited to talks, and have great professional experience. I've been rejected from two schools already and know many, many people who are currently in my position. Stressed, afraid, and incredibly volatile. That being said, it's probably not the best idea to bring up such a topic, but since you have I will answer your concerns with my honest opinion. If you are concerned about the load of teaching and doing a PhD, I truly believe that is a legitimate concern. However, you can easily ask about what the teaching load (perhaps it is only one class?) and gauge the situation from there. TAing one class wouldn't be too bad. Being afraid of that balance is totally normal. IF your concern is that you're not "good enough" or that you're not the best of the best because you didn't get free money, then--really?--you ARE just being petty, like your subtitle suggests. The most brilliant people in the country (and the world) are applying to all of these programs. Hundreds of smart, talented, wonderful people put their hearts and souls into this process and get rejected time after time after time. Some people need to go through the process more than once. To get through this process at ALL is a test of wits and endurance. You have already come out of the race successful in MULTIPLE schools. Now you're going to feel bad for yourself for getting a 24k-health-benefits-included-stipend? Many of us may only get accepted to one school (if that) with NO funding. I would KILL to have the option to teach while going to school. Why? I LOVE it. I love my students, I love my classes, and I love how my class and research can tie together and how 18 yr old freshman can inspire me. Perhaps you should think about what you really want to do--including ending up becoming a professor fighting for tenure and needing to balance publications, committees, and teaching many classes. EDIT: I used the word "now" like 3 times and it sounded ridiculous.

Separate doctoral programs, yes. But another thing to consider is, for example, English PhDs with a concentration in comp/rhet. I'm not sure how those play out compared to straight comp/rhet PhD programs in the job market, however. Places like CUNY don't have a separate comp/rhet degree, but with scholars like Ira Shor and Sondra Perl they are able to provide a strong comp/rhet concentration.

Sorry for double posting. I haven't heard anything yet either, but I've been informed that not all decisions have been made yet. The only thing I'm guessing is that if we still receive an acceptance, it will be without funding at this point.

Indeed, I teach comp in Queens (which can be a pain--no subways go to that campus, so if you're in Manhattan, you need to take a subway to Queens and then take a bus to the campus) and the class is capped at around 20 (with up to 2 overtallies). Other courses like lit surveys have had their cap increased at Queens--I think it may be around 30-40 now? The size of the course depends on the type of course--a higher level Writing Intensive course (students are required to take three to graduate) will be capped at 20 or less. Creative writing workshops are capped at 18. Also, these will differ somewhat from school to school. Queens has generally had smaller class sizes than schools like Baruch, so a lot of it depends on where you end up.

Another thing to keep in mind is the department in which the program is housed. You can get a comp/rhet degree in a communications department, an English department, an education department, etc. Depending on the department, the focus of the degree will be different and thus a lack of an English (usually English literature) degree won't be as problematic. Explore different schools to see how they approach the subject. I don't know about Tech Com degrees and the job market, but the comp/rhet market is pretty good right now. The only thing I've been concerned about, however, is that everyone currently thinks comp/rhet is the way to go, thus flooding the market in the next 5-7 years.

I agree. The aforementioned prices (around $1200) for an apartment was how much my husband paid (before we bought a co-op) for a 2 bedroom (with a dining room that could convert into a third bedroom), huge apartment in Queens. I know some nice areas in Queens, feel free to PM me if you want suggestions at some point. EDIT: Also, check Zillow.com. It's used mostly for buying properties, but I'm pretty sure you can look up places to rent, etc.

Best scenario: Adcom 1: "Although her GRE scores are horrible, she's done a lot of conferences, she has a clear research proposal which is new and innovative, has lots of work and teaching experience, and a strong GPA. Does a timed test that measures words you know and not your ability to write really mean that much to us?" Adcom 2: "Remember when we did this stuff? I hated that stupid test." Adcom 1: "Me too. Accept?" Adcom 2: "Definitely." Worst Scenario: Adcom 1, squinting and turning GRE report upside down. "Maybe if I look at it THIS way..." Snatching it away, Adcom 2 glances at the scores and guffaws. "No, maybe if you added ALL the scores from ALL THREE EXAMS this would be acceptable. Next!"

Hubby will be starting to do a 2-weeks-abroad-1-week-in-US rotation for work for the next few months...on Valentine's Day. /sigh

If you don't mind my asking, who is your POI? Talia Schaffer? I took a great Victorian Body grad course with her.

I was told that not all decisions have been made yet, and I'm in the same boat.

I emailed the graduate English program about it and this is what I got in return: "Some decisions have been made, but not all. Everyone should be hearing very soon. Thank you." Also, the website says: "Nearly everyone in our MA/PhD program has a teaching assistantship, and we do not admit students we feel will not be competitive for this funding." So if they're doing interviews and such for TAships already or whatever, I don't think that bodes well.

Just heard more decisions will be made through the month. So as diehtc0ke suggests, hang tight (this includes myself! ) Also applied to UMass, so I'm a bit panicked about that one too

I get irritated at people who think I don't take my career seriously because I have limited my choices a bit more. I understand how women (and men!) judge women who choose careers over family (I live in NYC and see pleeeeeeeenty of women who choose career and are perfectly happy with that choice), but I think the inverse happens as well. People like me need to be concerned about how a school will view me if I want to start a family, or how other women will think I simply "caved" to my man. For me, the best balance was for my husband and I to really sit down and say "What are the most viable options that we BOTH can be successful and happy in our careers and with our family?" And to be honest, I don't think its me giving in to him OR sacrificing my career. To the original poster: It sounds like--I am filling in some vague holes in your narrative--you didn't necessarily have the type of conversation to see the best options for both of you (even if you both sacrifice a bit). Did you? It seems a bit more like "Well, he's happy with his job so I'm going to go around him" instead of "We're both willing to make whatever changes necessary to balance our personal and career goals." Also, is it possible to get your work visa extended? I know people who have been working more than a year on a work visa at my husband's company.

I feel your pain. My husband is a somewhat prominent figure in his company and cannot simply move to any locale, especially since he's in financial services (the city would need a good financial district). I limited my schools to places we knew he could find work (e.g. his contacts have offers for him). This hampered my ability to choose top programs for my field. Once in a blue moon, I regret that decision. I tell myself that I should be studying here, there, everywhere. But really, my husband is willing to make sacrifices (he's willing to get a job in another state and whatnot) and I'm willing to make sacrifices too. That's how marriage works. Frankly, I view my career as part of my personal happiness and thus I do what I can to create a balancing act--it's not like I'm sacrificing the PhD completely and becoming a housewife (which is totally not for me). Sure I could go to UPenn or whatever--but I'd be alone and miserable. My family is too important to me to do that. Of course, this route is not for everyone. I talked to a professor once who told me this: "I sometimes wish I did more--that I tried to be a great scholar and work at <ivyschool> or something. But I have a friend who is going for tenure at <ivyschool> and she publishes like crazy, does research grants all the time, and she's not going to get tenure any time soon. She's killing herself. And she's not married and doesn't have kids. And my family means everything to me." I think we all get that wistful feeling whenever we're put in a situation like this: What if I just left him? or What if I limited myself to stay with him? Ultimately, I suggest going with your gut, and try not to let the occasional pangs of guilt affect you too much.