mashatheicebear

There is quite a bit of info on the other board about interviews. I'll see if I can find it and share here. The only interview I had was for Comp Lit at UCDavis and they basically wanted to get to know me, to know a bit more about my research interests and to understand my research process and motivation. I was very explicit in my applications about my career path, so I didn't get questions about that, but you might. The best advice I can give is PRACTICE. Take some notes on key aspects of your life (personal and academic) that you would like to share, your research and interests, etc, and practice speaking coherently and concisely about all of it. If you are able to practice (say, with a friend over Zoom who can ask specific questions and push you to improve your presentation), you will be able to go into the interview feeling a bit more confident. That was my experience, at least. Interviewers are not looking for perfection, but they are looking for proof of your commitment, enthusiasm and competence. Interviews are an awesome opportunity to show off your personality and your skills, not to mention getting some real-time answers to any lingering questions you may have about the program. Best of luck! I am sure you are going to kill it!

Hi all. So happy to see a comp lit thread on here! My focus is Slavic languages/lit but, due the number of programs not taking applications this cycle, I applied to one comp lit and one straight lit program as well. I've heard from three (two rejections, one acceptance) and am waiting to hear from three more. It is so funny (in a musing but miserable kind way) how stressful all of this is. I went to grad school for my MA about a million years ago, in the early era of electronic applications and before this site existed. Somehow, it both felt less stressful but also a whole lot lonelier back then. (I was also young, naive and extremely confident in my application package, so I had no doubts about getting in to schools back then...) If I am going to have to be anxious this time around, at least I have all you lovely folks who can commiserate with my/our collective plight! Sending good thoughts to you all for positive news before the weekend!

Feel free to drop me a note as well. I got my MA quite awhile ago (11 years, now), but am relearning the ropes as I get ready to enter a PhD program.

@AyoEmmy @Bopie5 @clara salmon Congrats to you all! (And sorry if I missed any other Davis admittees.) I also got into Davis and *think* I will be attending. Still waiting on a handful of programs but Davis was my only interview out of my six applications, so I am not holding my breath on the others. Which program did you all get into? (I'm Comp Lit.)

I hear you. Glad I'm not the only old fogy here! I will keep my fingers crossed for you, that whatever is meant to happen will. Honestly, I applied to some programs that were outside my specialization a bit, hoping that the uniqueness of my work would help me stand out and makeup for my distance from academia. I also have backup plans (like going to get my California community college teaching credential) so that I can still get to where I want to be, which is teaching English/Lit in a college classroom. I definitely think the perspective of age has been helpful with this process, and has also forced me to think of other alternatives, knowing the odds were not necessarily in my favor. Best of luck to you! I hope you are able to enjoy whatever path you find yourself on next!!!

THIS^^^^^! I took a gap year between my BA and my MA because I needed to figure out my next step. I was then able to do a killer MA program that I might not have considered if I rushed the process. Since then, it has been 12...let me reiterate...TWELVE YEARS since I was in school. I had a career in retail/restaurant management, started my family and have been running my own business from home for the last five years. Doing all of that made me a better me and will definitely make me a better professor. It may have limited my options for my education, but it DID NOT take me out of the running. That said, trust your instincts, y'all, and do what is right for you. And, if you don't get in this time around, don't give up! This year is weird. With so many funded programs not accepting applications (or accepting fewer students due to limited funding), I am sure many programs had a much larger applicant pool than they are accustomed to with fewer spots to fill, making competition even stiffer than usual. I honestly had no idea how being a (MUCH) older student would affect my chances, but I think it really comes down to finding the department that is the right fit for you. You want to join a department that is excited about YOU; your research but also you, as an individual. So, if this year doesn't work out, take the experience and learn from it so y'all can kick ass next year!

This seems to be pretty standard, unless you have a close relationship with someone in the department. I got the same from the Princeton Slavic Dept yesterday. Since I only got one interview and subsequent acceptance (UCDavis, Comp Lit - Yay!!!), I'm now just waiting on 5 remaining rejections. (Northwestern Slavic is one of them.) ? ? (I'm not sure if all programs interview, but it looks like all the ones I am waiting on usually do.)

No worries! I actually had my interview first thing yesterday morning. It was super informal and actually really nice to chat with a couple of members of the department. It was so kind of you to share this information and I am sure your perspective and experience will prove extremely helpful! For me, the most valuable thing I did was do a practice interview with my sister, who is an ex-academic. She was able to give me some pointers on both content and presentation; specifically how to couch some of my nervous verbal cues to make them less obvious. She also asked some pointed questions that let me iron out my thoughts on what I might want to share with my interviewers, as well as getting a sense of what might be asked and what I wanted to ask them, in return. It allowed me to feel comfortable not only in my qualifications but in my ability to articulate them while also being very much myself. Best of luck to all as this process continues! The waiting is so agonizing, but at least we are all in good company!

Thank you! That looks like an amazing program and very selective, so huge congratulations are in order! I was not holding my breath on it, since I didn't get an interview, but glad I can now put it out of my head. If I strike out this year, I will try again next, when more departments are accepting applications. It was an odd year for applications. Fingers crossed for you that you get two acceptances and get to pick your favorite!

@semiotic_messNo worries! Thank you for letting me know. @The Maritime ScholarThank you so so much for the info. It is really helping calm my nerves. I have no naive hopes of getting into most of the programs to which I applied, but at least now I know approximately when I will hear back!

@The Maritime ScholarWhere is this mythical results page everyone keeps referencing? I did a quick search but clearly have not mastered the intricacies of the search function on here...

The program is UC Davis. I'm sort of an odd bird in the applicant pool because I actually have an MA in Russian Lit from Columbia, which was conferred in 2009. I then joined the professional sector in a total different field and did that for the last 10+ years. I did interview with at least one program (Columbia) back then, but it was an in-person interview and I was so nervous, I literally don't remember what we talked about. I do, however, remember that it was fairly informal. Thank you for the advice. I will do some searching to see what I can find on here and will also keep an eye out for your upload. It's so kind of you to share your experience!

Hi all. I am new on here and appreciate seeing the updates on acceptances! The waiting is completely agonizing. I have my first (and, currently, only) interview with a Comp Lit department on Monday and would love any and all advice. I have no idea what to expect and am trying to prep in order to calm my nerves a bit.

I know Slavic isn't a huge topic on here, but was wondering if anyone else is waiting on pins and needles to hear from programs. Since several of my top choices were not accepting applications this year, I applied to four Slavic programs and two Lit/Comp Lit. Just got my first interview request for the Comp Lit program but am wondering if anyone has heard from the Slavic Departments at Princeton, Stanford or Northwestern yet. I know they send out acceptances first, and all were a bit of a long shot for me, but the anticipation is a bit agonizing. Would love any info you all might have to share!