runaway

Thanks, CageFree! I figured as much, but it's nice to have the inside perspective. I did have one professor, who went to Berkeley, warn me that now was not the time to apply to UC schools because of the budgeting problems. She made it sound like general pessimism & morale was an issue. Do you think that's the case? (I'm applying anyway, but sort of curious to know what to expect.)

Would love to get in on the swapping, although I have nothing beyond a brief outline of mine so far. Yikes!

I'm curious if anyone in CA can shed light on Prop 30 for us non-CA people applying to state schools there. How might this affect funding for new students? If at all?

Working on my SoP and for some reason it feels so much harder to write than my MA SoP. I'm wondering, if attending (but not participating in) a conference helped formulate some of my current research interests, is it worth mentioning? Or should I find another way to explain my current interests while focusing more on my own accomplishments?

A few applications actually ask for your GPA recalculated to include only your final two years, so you'll be fine.

I would type it out if it helps you start writing-- then as you're editing, cut it and leave just the supporting evidence you've given to convince them.

Re: taking photos in the archive-- I'm a photography hobbyist, so I use Lightroom anyway, but have found it's very useful for organizing archival photos. If you can upload batches from your camera to your computer as you go, it's easy to use Lightroom to tag each batch according to the archive's organizational method. Then later as you go through the photos, you can tag further based on keywords relevant to the content. You can use a similar method with other (less expensive) programs, too, I'm sure. I also take careful notes on paper just in case anything happens to my computer, and back up all my images remotely. I've also found it's easier to use the images I take with just my iphone than my DSLR, fyi. I'm tempted to invest in a point-and-shoot with more megapixels just for archival use, although I haven't really had problems yet with my iphone images.

I'm currently skipping German to catch up on my Groys (and, ok, ended up procrastinating on GradCafe anyway) and you've successfully guilt tripped me D:

Sorry to jump back a few posts, but just wanted to say: The Phoenix in Boston is akin to the Village Voice (and owned by same umbrella); it's low-budget but not necessarily low quality. The article re: the 'binders of women' was verified by the MA Political Women's Caucus itself, so the information is accurate.

A much better option than TFA, especially since you live in Ann Arbor, is 826 Michigan (http://www.826michigan.org/). If you're not familiar with the 826 centers, they're creative-writing focused tutoring and mentoring programs throughout the country. They take interns, but also always need volunteers, which can be a flexible commitment in terms of the number of hours you can give a week. Beyond getting to work with kids on their writing, which is a lot of fun, the other volunteers are generally writers too, meaning you could have a built-in network of people to discuss your goals and aspirations for an MFA. Good luck!

Question about reporting my GPA: If an application asks for your 'graduate GPA,' should I report classes taken for credit towards my undergraduate degree but that are listed on my transcript as graduate level classes?

I'm a vegetarian, I use mostly vegan health care products, and when I was in tenth grade I wrote a 20-page research paper instead of dissecting a pig. So I realize I have a very specific viewpoint, and I'm sure you can guess what my decision would be. But I wanted to add something nobody else has mentioned: that this research would be the foundation for the rest of your career. Maybe within your professional circle this kind of work doesn't carry stigma (I'm a humanities person so I don't know much about your field), but I know I would be uncomfortable putting this research on my CV. I'd also definitely feel uncomfortable at cocktail parities if someone asked me what I did for a living. It sounds like you wouldn't have posted here if you didn't have deep qualms about accepting the money, so maybe you should listen to those instincts.

I just started contacting professors last week and have only received form-letter-esque responses, despite writing what I believe to be well-written, concise but perceptive emails, using a lot of advice gleaned from successful applicants here. Is it maybe just too late? Have I missed the boat for contacting POI?

That's okay! I'm a MA native but have also lived in Texas, so I know what a big difference it is. My understanding (and note that I don't even have my license anymore, so I'm not the best source of info, but I bet a quick web search could get you some numbers) is that the cost of registration, insurance, etc, is just higher in MA than it is in TX. Boston is also notorious for having high parking prices (think $30), but that's not the case outside the city. The T is the Boston public transit system, which goes slightly into the suburbs, and (like the name sounds) the Commuter Rail is a slightly more expensive train that goes further out from Boston and is designed to bring people into the city. It's easy to transfer between the two, but a public transit commute is obviously a bit more time intensive! I think there's also a good bus system in Salem, although I'm from the South Shore, so I honestly don't go there very often (there's a tad of a North Shore/South Shore rivalry). If you were interested in living IN Boston, you could commute out to campus, but that would probably be more expensive. One thing I find helpful when moving to a new city is to play around with a site that gives you transit directions, like Hop Stop. It's a good way to see how easy or hard it would be to get from a hypothetical apartment to places I'd need to go (ie, campus, grocery store, etc.) If I were you, I'd also get an insurance quote and see how that compared to the cost of public transit. I hope this is helpful-- feel free to ask if you have any other questions about moving between TX and MA!

Are you definitely going to have a car? That's one part of the cost of living that's definitely higher than in Texas, but if you've already made the decision to have one, then you might as well live rent-free in Saugus. Personally, I avoid having a car at all costs, and could point you to some less-expensive places along the T, but that wouldn't help much in terms of getting to Salem State-- unless there's good transit between campus and the commuter rail station?

You might also want to check out the #altac hashtag on twitter. It's pretty active, so you might find someone there who's taken a similar career path and who can give you their perspective.

Just wanted to add that I've noticed on a few applications that schools ask you to recalculate your GPA, usually ignoring the first year or two of your undergraduate study. They can easily compare this number (besides looking at your transcript) and understand that you improved over time. Your GPA over classes taken within history also matters, and it sounds like this would be pretty strong for you as well-- so you're just fine. PS: Nat, thanks so much for sharing your story.

I would assume anything beyond 20 pages wouldn't be read. But maybe someone who's already gone through the process can give a more concrete answer?

What about contacting professors outside your department? ie, "I'm not qualified to apply within your department, but my work is hugely informed by yours. If I attend your school will I have any opportunities to work with you/have you on my committee/worship at your feet/etc.?" There are a couple POI like this I'm hesitant to contact, but would like to.

I'm stealing this idea, thanks! Not sure about passwords though, since all the info needed to steal your identity is entered on these forms. Maybe password protect the document?

I think most programs specify you can only apply to one department each cycle, but this might vary. As for percentages, don't discount self-selectivity. A high percentage of applicants might be accepted, but it could be that the program by and large attracts applicants with very specifically tailored interests and extensive CVs which make them a good fit. Bottom line: just apply for the department, and with the POI, for which YOU are best suited to work with. The best way to hedge your bets is just to make sure your application is tailored to the program, and that you communicate why you are a natural fit for that program/school/dept. (caveat: I'm in the humanities, so things might be slightly different for the sciences. someone else please chime in if so.)

But make sure you leave time to read through it all again and catch typos! I tend to fill it in early on, then have everything complete with plenty of time to proofread it all before submitting.

The graduate application page says "The cycle for Fall 2012 is now open. Please visit the website below to begin your application. If you started an application before October 1st, you must begin a new one. Data entered in the 2011 cycle cannot be carried over to 2012." So I'm thinking wait until October 1st.

Don't worry about it too much-- really! I took the GRE last summer after almost a decade of not having taken any math classes. (I didn't have to take math after my Junior year of HS, and I had no undergraduate gen ed requirements.) It all came back really quickly, and there was zero material on the GRE that I hadn't covered at some point, even way back in high school. When I studied, I made a point of going over all the material, but didn't drill myself like I did for verbal. I would make sure you at least feel confident on the math, since feeling like you did horribly on a section could throw off your confidence for other sections of the test.

+1 But also, OP being a troll aside, this thread is full of some great advice.