ZeeMore21

You might also want to look at the University of Pittsburgh. I know for sure that there are 3 professors who do post-colonial literature. One of them-Shalini Puri- specializes in the Caribbean very smart lady: http://www.englishli...culty/puri.html

Thanks for the help!

No problem! I would definitely apply to Columbia, you never know what may happen! You also might want to look at Berkeley, outstanding school.

Also, I know that Spivak is at Columbia! Great school.

There is a thread where someone was nice enough to come up with an exhaustive list of questions: Hope this helps!

I have heard that Emory has a very strong focus in post-colonial lit. Other than that, I am not quite sure. I hope this helps a little!

Never too late to accomplish your dreams watmeworry...if you want it bad enough, go get it. I am sure there is a school out there who would be more than happy to have you. I would suggest that you contact the schools you are interested in and get a sense of how comfortable they would be in admitting someone over 50. In that way, you don't waste your time and you won't be as nervous about your age being a factor during the waiting process. If it makes you feel any better, there is a gentleman in my department right now who just started his Phd this year...he is in his mid 40s.

I don't think anything US News says is subjective, so I would appreciate if you would be a bit more respectful...and not rip schools to shreds that people work hard to get into. What I meant was that Vanderbilt is ranked high in the field of African-American Lit. I was using this as an example to say that for people applying next year, it would be wise to keep in mind the rank of the sub-field as well in making a decision about which schools to apply to.

Well put.

You obviously don't know anything about Vanderbilt....it is actually a very good school across the board...and for my field, attending Vanderbilt wouldn't be fruitless...as it is one of the top in my field. But anyway, I do agree with other posters that it is wise to apply to lesser prestigious schools in addition to your dream ones. Grad admissions is extremely competitive, which means that not everyone is going to be able to get into an ivy. This time around, I ended up applying to 14 schools lol. I am sure I overdid it, but knowing how competitive it would be this year, I wanted to be safe rather than sorry. I originally intended to apply to nine this year...but my advisor suggested I add a couple more. I also would suggest having at least 3 professors look over your personal statement and writing sample...these are 2 of the most important application materials for humanities admissions. Last year, I didn't get into any schools, but looking back at the personal statement that I wrote, I wouldn't have let myself in either! It was all over the place and lacked coherence. Also, my writing sample was not linked directly to my personal statement, so I made sure that this time around, my sample reflected by personal statement. Lastly, I did choose(albeit grudgingly) to take the GREs over again. You never know what piece of your application material will be the make it or break it so you have to make sure everything is as good as it possibly can be!

Actually your piece is very helpful! I appreciate it I guess I still am going back and forth about purchasing a car, but it seems that a lot of people suggest that it would be better to have one if I do head down to Nashville. I am from the Northeast so I have always depended on public transportation. Lucy

case study

Rooting for everyone this application season! Let's all try to understand everyone's frustrations...they are all important.

Woolfie, I still think that since you are so high up on the waiting list, it would be wise to go visit sooner rather than later--Being optimistic, I think you have a good chance of being taken off of the waitlist. In that case, you wouldn't have to be scrambling in April to make a visit since you would already know how you feel about the school. Just my two cents : )

I think it can only help you woolfie! I am not sure what kind of waitlist system they have at Miami though--do they have a ranking system or not? If not, I would assume that the most enthusiastic person from the waitlist would have more of an advantage. I have always heard that keeping in contact with the department is always good. You visiting the campus shows how enthusiastic you are about the school, and I think the department will take that into account.

Nella Larsen-Quicksand, Passing William Attaway-Blood on the Forge

I do understand where your frustration is coming from Starlajane...but I don't think being angry with your professors is justified. Last admissions cycle, I was encouraged by a professor to apply to their institution. The professor really liked my work, and I felt good that someone in that position truly believed I could succeed in academia. However, I didn't get into the institution-and though I was upset about the outcome, it never occurred to me to blame this professor. Although your work may be great, graduate programs are VERY competitive. But you can't blame a professor for encouraging you to apply in the first place: I would take it as a compliment that he or she believes you could do well in graduate school. And interestingly, I took the risk of applying to this same institution again to work with the same professor and got in. Being successful usually requires risk. And although the risk may not work out in your favor, you shouldn't be too hard on yourself--or your encouraging professors--for taking the risk in the first place.

Get more than one professor to look at your statement. You won't regret it, although it may hurt to get so much red ink!

Thanks Tybalt.

PhysAnthsApp, not to be harsh, but what if you don't get into either of those dream schools again next year? Will you just keep applying year after year?

PennState, I would start to improve your reputation by ending this whole bold and red type business...it's really unsettling to be honest.

I understand that PennState...but you are coming off kind of aggressive, and that might be rubbing people the wrong way. But I commend your enthusiasm for your schools.

Thanks SO much for this advice Gravity...have been struggling with feeling burned out. Just need to get through this semester and I think your plan will work : )

I did not vote down your responses...but I am not surprised people have.

Chill out PennState.