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wanlichangcheng

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Posts posted by wanlichangcheng

    2024 East Asian Studies (EAS/EALL/EALCS/EALC)

    in Interdisciplinary Studies

    Posted

    Somehow, I got an offer from my first choice program, and I accepted the offer. I'm finally going to be a PhD student. But for anyone out there who is feeling discouraged, frustrated, or that maybe they're not made of the "right stuff" to get into a top program, let me note what it took for me to finally get an offer: 

    -Five years of my life
    -Four application cycles
    -An MA
    -Lots (and lots) of debt
    -A good deal of embarrassment and self-loathing
    -Significant opportunity cost

    Many times I felt certain I just wasn't good enough. For weeks on end I'd feel untethered, directionless, stuck in a maze of my own making. I knew I didn't have the smarts, or the motivation, or the knowledge, to do what my peers had done--which was to get over the line, to win the recognition of the faculty, to somehow make it through the gauntlet and come out ahead of dozens of applicants with stronger resumes and more compelling projects. 

    It is possible. You do have it in you to achieve this goal of doctoral study and research--if it's what you want. But it was not, in my case at least, easy, cheap, wise, or even rational. I stand ready to begin my PhD program fully aware that the argument that my doing so is crazy is a pretty strong one. 

    I wish you all the best in this mysterious, unpredictable mission to become scholars. 

    Congratulations, keep going, add oil, etc. etc.!

    2024 East Asian Studies (EAS/EALL/EALCS/EALC)

    in Interdisciplinary Studies

    Posted · Edited by wanlichangcheng

    Hi everyone, just wanted to add my two cents as a third-time applicant.

    I've been applying to Ph.D. programs (unsuccessfully) since 2019. So, you'd be justified in ignoring my advice right off the bat. That'd be understandable. 

    I am sure that all of you will come away from this cycle with a favorable result. But I'd like to give you some advice that I never got in previous years.

    First, this process can tend to be slow, even agonizingly so. Second, departments do not interact with every applicant the same way. The process is highly opaque; there is a lot we can't know for sure. Departments such as the East Asian Studies/Languages and Cultures, etc. programs that we've applied to provide laughably little information for applicants. If you don't believe me, go check out a STEM department. Or even an area studies department in the U.K.--where it is not uncommon for professors to indicate up front (in their bios, which are not all ten years out of date) whether or not they are taking new students. 

    Finally, I strongly recommend that you start to think about what your backup plan might be. At the very least, start thinking about what you might be doing this summer if things don't pan out. This is especially important, in my experience, for graduating MA students. Don't be in the position I was in last May, attending my graduation ceremony empty-handed, with no job to lean on, no opportunities on my radar, needing to move out and find a place to live, let alone something to do. Start talking to advisors or professors to see if they have any ideas about alternatives for at least the next year. 

    I will continue to check in on this thread as the decisions roll out. But I am old and weary now, and I am focusing on the other parts of life as I wait for the inevitable to come knocking on my Gmail inbox. 

    Take care of yourselves, get more sleep, and spend more time with friends or doing the things you enjoy. And think about the summer! 

     

    2023-2024 Application Thread

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    On 12/26/2023 at 9:26 PM, marykatherine said:

    Ugh, feeling pretty anxious too. I'm seeing a good number of status updates from STEM folks/programs, but not a lot in the Humanities sector? I'm super new to GradCafe, so if someone sees this and wants to point me to threads where people are posting status updates re: Art History/History of Art or American Studies that would be great. 

    Humanities decisions usually come out later. Normally humanities posts come en masse by the end of February and into March; there will also be some "interview" results posted in January. 

    2023-2024 Application Thread

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    On 12/14/2023 at 11:53 AM, Anonymous8_8 said:

    I am applying again this year from a disastrous last cycle: 17 schools, all rejects, not even one waitlist. I wouldn't be here if not for the fact that many professors had been kindly encouraging me to apply again, all 3 of my letter writers have submitted to 20 schools by now. I just submitted my application for most of the programs, and this is the last time I will be applying. This is no doubt an emotional moment for me, as I am standing at the first crossroads of my life.
    Almost all of my undergrad+grad life has been preparing me for academia and I have put almost all of my energy into becoming a good scholar;
    I wish the best for everyone here, especially myself, for I hope I have sufficient courage to survive the worst outcome. 

    I'm not applying to political science programs, but your post resonated a lot with me, as I am in a similar situation. This process can be brutal and heart-rending; hope builds up and then shatters in a moment. I am wishing you all the best this cycle! 

    2023 East Asian Studies (EAS/EALL/EALCS/EALC)

    in Interdisciplinary Studies

    Posted

    2 hours ago, WanderThrougTheWorld said:

    Same here...My field is Early China. Even had been interviewed by Princeton and some others, this year's application does not turn out well at all. Right now my only hope is Oregon but I haven't heard anything from them yet. it is most likely that I will go through everything again this fall. just hope we will have luck next time:)

    I wish you the best of luck with Oregon! Otherwise, I will see you again next fall. 追求梦想的路若不顺，梦想达到了就更甜。

    2023 Applicants

    in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition

    Posted

    On 4/2/2023 at 4:26 PM, MAYSHU said:

    Does anyone hear more from Stanford Modern Thought and Literature?

    Relatedly, is anyone still waiting to hear from Stanford Comp. Lit? I've reached out to them twice now, and still nothing. I think I've been rejected and it's just not a priority for the department to inform me. Good luck, everyone (and congratulations if you have gotten an offer!). 

    2023 East Asian Studies (EAS/EALL/EALCS/EALC)

    in Interdisciplinary Studies

    Posted

    2 hours ago, junboroni said:

    Hi all, thanks so much for providing me info throughout this period. Am happy to announce that I got accepted into Stanford's and Columbia's EALC MA programme. But I was wondering how to decide between the two. Which programme is more prestigious?  I'm interested in Chinese genre studies where I examine modern web genres and identify their pre-modern influences. 

    Congratulations! I am not sure about Stanford’s program, but if you have specific questions about Columbia’s, feel free to message me. 

    2023 East Asian Studies (EAS/EALL/EALCS/EALC)

    in Interdisciplinary Studies

    Posted

    12 hours ago, HudsonWong said:

    Hello guys! Here I want to ask a question. It is hard for me to choose between UCLA EAS MA and Columbia EALAC MA. My research interests are material culture and its relationship with modern Chinese literature, and postcolonism. Any suggestions? Thank you very much!

    I can't speak for UCLA, but Columbia is strong in this regard. The department has strengths in premodern, Qing, and late-Qing through Republican era in particular. In my experience, there is somewhat less of a focus on the post-1949 era. And Columbia is a great place to learn about and do research on postcolonial studies; after all, Edward Said taught at Columbia for forty years, and Gayatri Spivak is currently at Columbia, as well. As an EALAC MA student you are required to obtain permission to take courses in other departments, however. I can't speak to that process from lack of experience. There are, fortunately, plenty of courses available to EALAC MA students that are cross-listed with History and perhaps other departments; and there are faculty - affiliated with the department and who teach courses in EALAC - from other disciplines, including sociology. Good luck! Feel free to inbox me if you have any other questions. 

    2023 East Asian Studies (EAS/EALL/EALCS/EALC)

    in Interdisciplinary Studies

    Posted

    I am waiting on one last EAS(-tangential) department, which is at Minnesota. After that decision comes, containing the somber platitude I know it will, I shall show myself out, and bid you all a fulfilling and joyous end to the cycle, imparting as I depart some lines of prose! Until then, I remain, weathered and disgruntled but glad nonetheless to have had all of your company throughout these agonizing and exciting months. 

    2023 East Asian Studies (EAS/EALL/EALCS/EALC)

    in Interdisciplinary Studies

    Posted

    6 minutes ago, Suesuesue said:

    Hi everyone, I can't decide between UW Seattle and Indiana U Bloomington. Is the Chinese program at the UW Seattle more prestigious? I'd like to hear from someone in this field. Appreciating your help!

    Both universities are highly regarded in China studies, and have been for a long time. I would recommend taking a look at their faculty or course offerings to get a feel for which suits your interests better. Good luck!

    2023 Applications: Cinema and Media Studies

    in Humanities

    Posted

    On 3/4/2023 at 9:34 AM, cinemastudies1408 said:

    Any tips on preparing for grad school interview? I've only done interviews for UK programs where the emphasis is on discussing the thesis proposal that is a core element of UK applications.

    -Prepare several concrete reasons "why (university)" 
    -Prepare to describe auxiliary/secondary research interests
    -Prepare to describe what life/intellectual experiences led you to your present research topic/question
     

    Good luck!

    2023 East Asian Studies (EAS/EALL/EALCS/EALC)

    in Interdisciplinary Studies

    Posted

    4 hours ago, BanjaraSoul said:

    Hi, guys! Just writing to inform you that  yesterday I have received my rejection from Upenn. Now, all my results are out and nothing is left. If all works well..I will be joining CU Boulder on Fall 2023. If anyone else here is also going to Boulder, please let me know because I would love to get in touch with you. Thanks to all of you for helping me to get through all these months of waiting without freaking out!! Wishing luck to all of you!!! 

    Congratulations, BanjaraSoul! I look forward to reading your scholarship sometime in the future!

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