Rehana202

Got into Rutgers off the waitlist! I am going to go cry into some champagne now

CONGRATS! I am beyond thrilled for you, MUCH deserved! ??

YES! This is such amazing news-fingers crossed for you! ?

Thanks for this! Seems like some invite waitlisters, some don't. Hopefully we will see some movement on the UVA waitlist soon!

Any word on a virtual visiting day for Rutgers or UVA? I’m not sure if they usually invite waitlisters to these events, and also just curious when they might be held, as that might instigate some movement for all of us waiting.

Thanks for this!

Thank you for this! It does seem to be very school-specific, which just makes it all more confusing...does anyone have any insight on Rutgers waitlist process, specifically?

Wishing everyone the best of luck! It does seem like a lot of people end up in the situation @Tybalt is talking about, where movement doesn't really happen until the 11th hour. Does anyone have any insight on how many people usually get put on waitlists? I assume it depends on cohort size and other factors. Also, it seems there is quite a bit of variation in terms of how people get notified of being on a waitlist: people receiving calls, emails, or finding out on their own by contacting the school Wondering if any of this matters. Just thinking out loud.

@arrowseekersaaaame. So stressful. I really think some of these waitlists would be acceptances for us if it were a different year. I feel your pain! @cassidyaxxI’m in at UConn but am leaning against. I really hope it opens up a spot for you if I turn them down!

Hey all! Waitlisted at UVA, UNC Chapel Hill, Loyola Chicago and Rutgers. @arrowseeker, Rutgers is my #1, Af. American lit focus. Wonder if there’s any chance for us in a year like this...

I’d be interested in a waitlist thread! I have some offers but am waitlisted at 4 places including my top choice (uhg)

My understanding is that late letters are fine, as long as they aren't too late. As in, later than a week after the deadline or so. Can anyone else weigh in on this?

Thanks for these recommendations! I hadn't even thought about UConn or Emory. I'm slowly discovering some of interdisciplinary programs, too. Appreciate your reply!

Hi all! Wondering if anyone has any good recommendations for African American lit programs? I'm particularly interested in mid and low tier school. Thank you!

Hello all! I've been lurking here for quite some time, and have finally decided I need some targeted advice. Apologies in advance for the wall of text. Here is my situation: I have a BA from a state school (not great) with a 3.4 GPA, graduated 2011. This year, I received my MA from the same school with a 4.0 GPA and one year of teaching comp under my belt, plus one year of tutoring multilingual students. I have written a highly regarded thesis. On the advice of my advisor, I will be sending out a chapter of my paper to various journals this year in the hopes of getting published. I will also be applying to about 12 PhD programs this year, a mix of top 20's and lower and mid tier. Obviously, I am a little concerned about the large gap between my undergrad and graduate degrees. I was in a situation after graduating college where I needed to support myself pretty quickly and therefore took about 7 years off to work. I have been working in social services that whole time, and have also been running a dog walking business, and more recently, tutoring in a program for multilingual students. I was working full time all through grad school, and received grants and scholarships to cover tuition. It was challenging, but the experience illuminated my passion for academic research, essaying, etc. I believe I am applying to these programs for the right reasons: because I truly love researching and writing, and have a strongly defined area of interest that I am very interested in investigating (African American lit, particularly lit pertaining to the diaspora and black religious representations and how those inform the Magical Negro trope). I am eager for the opportunity to have time and funding to fully focus on this work without the added burden of working several jobs at the same time. I have very strong writing skills and several fiction pieces published in national magazines (not that those are relevant). My questions are: 1) Should I be concerned about my long gap between undergrad and grad? 2) Assuming I have strong LoR's, SoP and decent GRE's, should I be concerned that my lack of a scholarly publication will exclude me from most programs? 3) Considering my situation, how can I make my applications as strong as they can be? Should I address the gap in my SoP? Mention that I am multiracial? Mention fiction publications? I will be applying to literature programs only. 4) I am having a bit of a hard time finding any kind of definitive list of top African American lit programs. So far, I have on my list to apply to: UC Davis, Reno, Northwestern, U Chicago, Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, Rutgers, Vanderbilt, Cornell, LSU, Penn State, UT Austin. I have really tried to look for programs geared towards my research area, but am having some difficulties. I feel like I am in a bit of a different situation than most applicants, who are diving right into PhD apps straight from a BA, or with no educational gap. Unfortunately, my economic status got in the way of my progress and I was forced to not only take time off, but work long hours through grad school. Sorry for the wall of text, just looking for some advice here! Thanks in advance.