Hello,
This is my first time posting on the forum. After seven years of working in the so-called real world I've decided to try to apply for a PhD program in English. Although, in general, I'm fairly confident I can bring myself up to speed once I get back into the swing of things, I'm a little concerned about my application and whether or not it will be competitive enough. Here's where I'm at...
-Graduated from R1 University in 2001 w/ a 4.0 GPA in English; took part in a competitive year-long exchange program in the UK.
-Took the GRE's in Oct and got a 640 on Verbal and 510 or so (I forget) on the math
-Still need to take the Subject test and am planning on reading as much as I can off of this list:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/5187/gre.html
I met with the only professor I can remember from my undergrad and he recommended that I take a literature class to get in the habit of being a student again and to hopefully make new contacts as I don't have anyone else to ask to write a me a letter of recommendation since I've been told professional references mean little and I don't even remember my other professors. He also suggested I write a new writing sample instead of using something almost a decade old.
I was hoping there might be some folks on this forum who might have some advice for me. Perhaps you've gone back to school as an "older student" (is 28 older?) or you know someone who did? Also, how do you go about finding a faculty member who interests in some way reflect your own? So far I've just been clicking down the lists on the individual sites and that takes forever!
Sorry this post is so long, but I would greatly appreciate your help!
