andrewthomas

My understanding is that those hirings are getting rarer and rarer, but I know every school is different. My university (ranked in the 70s for English, and in the 50s for undergrad) has one prof from Trinity Dublin, and everyone else is from a top 25 US program. Often, if you're from a lesser known institution, it's more difficult getting manuscripts read or articles seriously considered. It's terribly unfair and pathologically elitist--but then again there are just far too many of us (aspiring scholars, that is) and it's a convenient way to eliminate a great number of potential applicants and job-seekers. @Grizbert: I wish you the best of luck!

A professor of mine once told me that while there are many reasonably excellent programs, the job market is not reasonable. It seems there are more than enough PHDs emerging from the top 25 schools to fill pretty much every tenure track position in the country. Are those people the smartest/best/wisest candidates for those jobs? Not necessarily, but they have been academically "vetted" by reputable, trustworthy institutions. It's an unfair, nonobjective crap shoot, but I realize (for myself) that if I don't get into a top-25, then the 6-9 years investment won't be worth it.

Indeed you're right! Thanks!

These have been my verbal scores on 6 Kaplan Cats and 2 Powerpreps, with dates: 7/04: 670 (Kaplan) 7/07: 730 (Kaplan) 7/14: 710 (Kaplan) 7/17: 670 (Kaplan) 7/19: 730 (Kaplan) 7/20 : 750 (Power Prep) 7/21 (morn): 750 (Power Prep) 7/21 (afternoon): 660 (Kaplan) In one day I have a score range of 90 points! The rest of my life is apparently determined by luck! Is this sort of spread common or are most people pretty consistent? Good luck!