riverbender

It's something I heard *once* somewhere and has stayed in my mind but I have no idea where it came from. I think that person simply meant it was better to have customized letters but again, I don't remember where I heard it. Thanks for sharing your success story using it, it definitely is encouraging to hear!!

I was talking to my advisor about the uncertainty of this year's cycle and the possibility of being shut out being more likely if cohorts are smaller, etc. He recommended having my letters of rec submitted on interfolio so I would have them ready to go this year and next. I was a bit shocked by this because I thought interfolio was a big red flag in academia. So out of curiosity, is it something people use and I am completely missing out or is it a big hurdle to one's application? (I'm aware some schools allow it and some don't. Mostly interested if anyone has used it or has any insight on the matter)

Hey! Me in about a week! I've been in a bit of purgatory deciding whether or not I actually want to apply and well, I think I do, despite everything. It seems the best time in my life (for now) to apply and at the end of the day I'd rather apply and get rejected than not apply at all and be thinking "what if?" in April. I'm behind on my SoP because of the break I took to decide but I'd love to swap as soon as I get a good early draft myself.

Hey friends! Joining this chat. I was originally planning to apply to English PhD programs but a combination of factors have led to me to deciding to pursue the MFA route or a combination of PhD/MFA programs for the upcoming cycle. My career plans as well as my desires align more with MFA route but I always thought I'd do a PhD because it seemed the most straightforward on paper. I feel like I'm scrambling to get stuff together as I just decided to apply so having support here is significant! I'm applying for poetry and hybrid programs and looking to stay on the east coast or north/east coast.

Hey guys! Still applying over here as well. Just curious - is anyone else not taking the GRE this cycle? All but one of the schools I'm looking at aren't requiring it. Also, would LOVE to swap materials this Fall with anyone/everyone!

So, anyone have any good ideas/etc for the best way to use few months off to prepare for applying to graduate school besides working on the applications materials themselves? Language learning? Internships (and in what)? Just saving money?

Joining the party! I am teaching abroad this year and applying in the Fall. I applied to a few MA programs this year where I was able to defer my admissions decision so I am thankfully have some sort of back up. My interests are 20th British/American, modern and contemporary drama, psychoanalysis, law and lit, crime, Appalachia lit (gender in appalachia/the rural), early American religion and literature, American christianity and womanhood. I am still figuring out the schools to add my list but hoping to stay somewhere along the east coast.

Hey! A lurker and a 2021 PhD applicant here. Would anyone be willing to send me an example statement of purpose as I start to work on materials this summer? I would be forever grateful!

I would not be able to defer my GTA but they told me I could email them around admissions time to be re-considered so it's a 50/50 chance I think.

I know this has been a long debated topic here and elsewhere but I cannot decide for the life of me. Here's my situation deciding between getting a MA or applying to PhD programs for the 2021 cycle. I am about to graduate from my undergraduate. I have, in my eyes, a pretty typical English experience. Honors English Literature BA, graduating magna cum laude, honors thesis completed, solid recs from professors who know my work. I applied to 6 MA programs right out of undergraduate even though my advisor said I could try PhD programs (my eventual plan/goal at this point) but I was hard on myself and told myself I was not good enough. I got into 5/6 programs. One, more a safe option (I'm not exactly pumped about the school and location), is offering me a GTA and another gave me a merit scholarship that covers only the first semester. The rest are not funded so I am not even going to consider them at this point. However, while I was getting my acceptance letters, I also found out a received a Fulbright ETA. Right now, I'm most likely accepting the Fulbright (I have until the end of this month to decide and I'm waiting to hear back from my commission regarding COVID-19) and deciding whether to defer one of my MA programs until Fall 2021 or reapply this fall for PhD programs. I guess I want to apply for the PhD but the part of me that did not apply in the first place is tempted to accept a MA as a safe option. I know the Fulbright will give me time to work, teach, and write outside of school which will help me in a future application although not guarantee it. So, I guess my question is: if you were in my shoes, would you recommend trying for the PhD or going through with accepting a MA program now? My main motivation for PhD programs is the fact I like the idea of gaining an MA in route to a PhD and working closely with the same faculty for 5+ years but I also do not want to get a shut out application cycle and regret not deferring the MA.