clara salmon

Hey, just lurking and wanted to say I'll be at NeMLA too! I was in last year's app cycle and am currently at UC Davis. I'll be going with a friend so we can surely all meet up if that interests you!

Hi there! I thought I'd throw in my two cents along with the others here. I'm echoing the same things they're telling you, but maybe with a little more optimism. While some might say that optimism is misplaced, I think you can read into this what you will and heed everyone's advice/considerations as much or as little as you desire. Everyone knows about the dismal outlook of the job market currently, so there's no other argument to be made there. My professors had all said the same, too. That being said, if you are open to going for your PhD for the sake of the PhD itself - meaning the research, the experience, the environment, all that - and not necessarily for where that PhD is going to take you afterward, it's something worth pursuing. We can't expect to have a job in academia after we're done with this, and we have to possess that awareness otherwise we'd be in for some serious disappointment and disillusionment. But if you can afford it and it works with your timeline, there's no one to say that the experience isn't rewarding for what it is in itself. It's up to you to judge that. There's also many other job opportunities that can open up outside of academia as a result of going for your PhD. So, I guess my point is that if you choose to pursue it, you'll have to go in with this awareness and be open to pretty much anything. You definitely can't be of the mindset that you'll be in a particular place or job position by the end of it. It sounds like I'm just saying to lower your expectations, but what I mean is just that if you can find this experience worthwhile, you have the time, and it will make you happy to pursue it (being within the means that you've defined for yourself), then do it. It is what you make of it, nothing more but also nothing less.

I'd be happy to share with you and/or @Hard times! some stuff I have if you find it helpful! I'm a first-year in an English Lit program. I've got my writing samples, personal statements, and a draft of a publication that is *very* long in the works ? Just DM me !

I've accepted my offer from Davis to their English program! Send me a DM if you'd like and we can exchange our worries/excitements!

Hi! I've accepted my offer at Davis and am removing myself from Albany's funding waitlist. Hope this helps someone!

I would also think reaching out can't be a bad thing! I'm waitlisted at Albany for funding, and in the decision email, the director said they would welcome a check-in email in a few weeks at which point they could give me a better idea of my status, etc. Good luck to you guys!!

Congratulations!!! Waitlisted at Albany as well, but with different research interests (ecocriticism, film, and horror). Good luck to you!!

Is anyone else still waiting on any response from Albany? Another case of seeing both rejections, acceptances, and waitlists on the Results page, but nothing over here. Tempted to email but I don't know if I truly care enough and/or have the energy lol

Someone earlier on posted (can't find it currently) that UB supposedly already sent out acceptances... but I also haven't heard anything and didn't hear anything else on the results page or otherwise ? Not really sure what's going on. Tempted to reach out and end the suffering~

Yes, it is for English! Had a great casual chat with the Davis faculty member yesterday - very enthusiastic about the school and the program! They seem flexible and more than willing to work with the ideas I threw out there. Thanks again @mashatheicebear, @Shake829, and @queenofcarrotflowers for the tips and advice!!

Agreed about the virtual visits point. They're definitely no replacement and I do wish I could visit the campus itself to get a better idea of the environment (even though it's across the country). Also, I might have used the wrong language in my original post - I'm meeting individually with the faculty member at Davis whom I am most interested in working with! They suggested a casual video call to ask them any questions about academic/everyday life on campus as well as questions pertaining specifically to their research. Sorry for the lack of clarity there. There is a separate virtual visit in March that I plan on attending, too, though!

Hey guys! I have an informal meeting over Zoom with my top POI at Davis (where I've been accepted) later this afternoon. I know I have some specific questions pertaining to my studies/the program itself which I'd like to ask him - does anyone have recommendations as to what other things I should probably ask as well? My mind is going a bit blank because I'm nervous and want to be sure I'm asking the right things and getting as much information as I can (without overwhelming them, of course)! Thanks in advance friends!!

Yay! Hope you get great news next week!!

Don’t take my word for it, but I would say it is still possible! I was accepted and I didn’t have to interview, though I don’t think they do interviews anyway. Good luck!!

I've been rejected from Cornell and currently waiting on Yale, UAlbany, Santa Barbara, and CUNY. My specializations are a bit all over but mainly environmental/ecocritical studies and food studies, with film/horror on the side. What do you do?! Let me know if you want to connect!