cquin
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Posts posted by cquin
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I'm not sure about other programs out there because I didn't really research this when I was applying, but my own program, Cincinnati, is in the process of unveiling a program that would allow you to earn an MA in women's/gender/sexuality studies and a PhD in English.
Wow, that sounds great! I'm assuming "in the process of unveiling" means it'll be a bit of a wait, huh? I'll still look into it, though. Thank you!
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Michigan, Northwestern, Princeton, to start.
Yes, Michigan is definitely one of my top choices at the moment. Princeton, well... I'd like to encourage myself to reach for the stars, but I would also like to save myself the $90 application fee. I didn't think of Northwestern, I'll check it out. Thanks!
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So I know you posted this about two months ago, BUT for what it's worth, I am currently taking a graduate class at Hunter (as a non-matriculating student...I got my BA a year ago and was urged to take a grad class in the interim to improve my writing sample). So far, it's been great. My professor is extremely knowledgeable and the course material is engaging. Most of the students are very active in class which makes for great discussion. I cannot comment on the program as a whole, of course, but I think this class is a good indicator of what the academic community is like.
Aaaaaand I love Woolf too! I'm interested in her mainly as a Feminist author, but even if one were to read her work in a vacuum, totally divorced from any theory, she would still kick ass.
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So I'm having a hell of a time solidifying my list of schools. I'm looking at English MA and PhD programs with a strong emphasis in Feminist Theory and/or interdisciplinary studies in Women/Gender Studies. So far my top contenders are Duke, Cornell, Michigan, and WUSTL. However, these are all very competitive, top-tier schools, so I'm trying to look at some--how shall I say this?--slightly "safer" programs. Does anyone have some suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
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I guess I'm just curious if it is understood that schools will accept the lit scores after december 1st if everything else is turned in, or if I should contact the places individually.
When I applied last year, I had a similar issue. I called all of my schools with early deadlines and they told me they were fine with receiving GRE scores late, as long as all of my other application materials were received on time. So most likely it won't be an issue with you. If you really want to set your mind at ease, then I would give the schools a call and explain.
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Hi all,
As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm retaking the GRE because my scores seriously left something to be desired. I know there are a lot of differing opinions on this topic, but I've decided to take a Kaplan prep class. Kaplan offers classes on all GRE content, and also classes exclusively on the verbal content. I'm wondering if, for my wallet's sake, I should opt for just the verbal class. I've heard time and time again that ad coms pretty much ignore your math scores, which leads me to believe that I should dedicate most of my studying to the verbal content and perhaps do some very basic math review on my own a week or so before the exam. What do you all think?
Thanks everyone
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Hi cquin, will be rooting for you this upcoming application season! When you say that you only applied to top tier schools, what ranks were these schools? Were they all top 20?
Thanks for the support!
And yep, all eight of the schools were "Top 20" (or maybe "Top 30" or something--those rankings can be so subjective). In hindsight, some were clearly a poor fit for me and, aside from their prestigious name, probably wouldn't offer me much. I will be reapplying to three schools, though--Duke, CUNY Grad, and Cornell--because I think they're excellent fits for me regardless of ranking. -
Congrats on being ready to give it another shot! Just remember that no one can ever keep you from applying again. Soon enough you'll find your place. (My first round was a disaster, but I've had two thrillingly successful ones since. Grad-school applications are such a long-shot sometimes and for so many crazy reasons. Rejection does not mean you aren't well-suited for grad-school! [The MA program I was in had 14 people in it. Next year there'll be 8 in it. Does this have anything to do with the quality of the applicants? Nope.])
As others are saying, you're completely on the right track. And I couldn't agree more with everything that runonsentence said, in particular. Contacting faculty makes a huge amount of difference: a) it breaks the ice,
it makes your application more memorable; c) and a lot of professors pay the closest attention to people they know really want to work with them. This is the best piece of advice I got from an undergrad professor: get in touch, express enthusiasm for the person's work, ask lots of questions.Don't be shy about requesting letters-of-recommendation. First of all, writing LORs is part of the job (and if you choose well, they'll enjoy writing compliments about you!). Second, your professors want to help you succeed: in fact, when you report to them that you didn't have any success, they might feel just as bad about it as you do! So go for it.
Thank you for the words of encouragement! I will definitely be contacting professors in the upcoming weeks. I've already made some acquaintances at one school (the one where I'm taking a grad course at), so that's a start. As I narrow down my list of potential schools, I'll start e-mailing like crazy
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I've been told by professors that it helps when asking them for a letter of recommendation to give them a little packet of sorts that includes papers you wrote for their classes, a copy of your CV, a blurb about what your interests are and how it connects to each school, and anything in particular you want them to make sure to mention. I've heard the easier you can make it for your recommenders, the better.
I did provide my professors with a packet similar to the one you described, I'm just a little embarrassed about contacting them and sheepishly explaining that I need LORs again. :\
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It sounds like you are doing a lot of great things already! I am just wondering, have you now graduated from your undergrad program? If so, what are you doing with your time while you apply? Taking a grad class is great, but I am sure that there is still more time for you to do other stuff. Is there any way for you to get a job that might have something to what you want to go into grad school for or do with your Phd in a similar area with?(I hope that makes as much sense to you as it does to me)
Yep, I graduated in spring 2010, and I've been juggling three jobs since then: retail, interning at a literary agency, and working as substitute teacher for the NYC Department of Ed. I'm hoping that the last one in particular will be an asset--after all, it shows extensive teaching experience, right? Who knows, though. A faculty member at one of my top choices told me, "In the academic world, we don't care so much about real-life experience..." -___-
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The best thing that you can do this time around is find schools that are a good fit, not just a big name, and you're already doing that. You might want to try contacting faculty as well, this time around. I don't know about you, but I was never good at the "selling" myself thing; but, I've found that many faculty members are happy to answer some questions about the program, put you in touch with current grads, and tell you about what it'd be like to work with them, which can make contacting them less intimidating and/or artificial.
Also, when you choose schools to apply to: unless you already have a master's degree, you could also try applying to one or two funded master's programs to give yourself some more options once decisions come in. My first time through the application cycle I was rejected from all of my PhD programs, but I had an acceptance to a funded master's program and it was the best thing I could have done for myself. I didn't realize at the time how unfocused my research interests still were, and it enabled me to find a subfield (rhet comp) that I find even more rewarding and energizing.
Yes, I am definitely looking into both of those things! I didn't even consider MA programs last round, but now I have two or three serious contenders to which I'm going to apply. So far I haven't had much luck finding a funded MA that really fits my interest, but I'll keep looking.
Thank you for your reply!
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I worked like hell last year and applied to eight top-tier PhD programs for this fall semester, and received rejections from all. It sucked. A lot. I went into an emotional and intellectual funk for a while and had to distance myself from grad school, but now I'm feeling motivated and on track again. Time for round two. I'm retaking the GRE because my verbal scores were, well, middling and my writing score could definitely be improved. I've enrolled in a graduate course at a nearby university (one of my top choices, conveniently) and believe this will provide me with a stronger writing sample. I'm pretty much writing a whole new SoP and looking at schools that are REALLY good fits for my interests (feminist/gender theory, 20th century American lit, specifically Southern lit) instead of just applying to big name schools. What else?? I really want to do all that is humanly possible to strengthen my application. So any other suggestions? How about ways to delicately ask my professors for recommendations...AGAIN (I know they must be used to second-round applicants, but I just feel so embarrassed at the thought of asking them again).
I disappeared from this community for a few months, but I'm looking forward to returning
Thanks in advance, everyone. -
Thanks for the replies, everyone! I'll send you all PMs.
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Congratulations to everyone who received acceptances. I'm sorry if this post dampens the mood a bit, but I want to be as prepared as possible...
I struck out this round and, along with trying to pamper my bruised ego, I am already planning on how I can improve my chances for next year. This was my first attempt straight out of undergrad, so I think I'll have a much better understanding next time of what adcoms are looking for. So to those who were accepted-- Would any of you feel comfortable (privately) sharing your SOP with me? My grades, letters of rec, and writing sample were all strong, so I believe it was my GRE score and SOP that hurt my application. Looking over others' statements would greatly help me to refine my own.
Thanks in advance, and congrats again to everyone who received good news!
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And no, we do not have lemonade like the lemonade in the UK! I fell in love with Pimms & lemonade when I studied at Oxford, but I haven't been able to find the same kind of carbonated stuff in the US.
Oh, yes!! I also studied at Oxford for a semester and was introduced to the wonder that is Pimms and elderberry. AMAZING! Nothing in the States tastes quite like it.
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I have four rejections under my belt and technically am still waiting to hear back from four more, but I'm assuming that it's over for me this season. I only have a BA so it's a little harder for me to find teaching jobs (though I am certified to substitute teach in NY, but there is no consistency whatsoever, PLUS Bloomberg just laid off about 4,000 teachers). I know I'll definitely work my ass off revising my SOP and writing sample, probably retake the GRE, and try to attend some conferences; not to sure what I'll do about money, though.
Oddly enough, reading this thread made me feel a little better. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one feeling like the world is coming to an end
Also: to those who have presented at conferences, do you all have your MA? I'd love to present, but I don't know if I can do so with just a BA?
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Congratulations jprufrock! I may kidnap you and ask you to reveal your secrets...
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I also remember what it was like to be 24 - nearing the mid-20s mark - and feeling all this pressure to be doing something with yourself. So I wasn't offended by your "I'm 24 already I should just give up" comment at all. My parents were completely disappointed when I announced I was leaving my job and going back to school because they thought I was too old to be a student. I don't know if you're getting pressure from the outside, but usually that's the cause of so much mental anxiety.
Ugh, this. I'm only 22 but I'm feeling a lot of pressure from my family to look for a "real" job. The fact that I've received so many rejections thus far is only adding fuel to the fire. They're convinced I'm making the wrong choice, and that really takes a toll on a person.
To mattyd05: I wish I had words of inspiration for you, but all I can really offer is sympathy. I'm feeling just as discouraged. At least you're not alone there!
- HappyCat and sausundbraus
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Hi, that was me -- just got a phone call from the department chair.
I was rejected from Brown today so this was nice compensation!
Best of luck to all of you!!
Congrats, sadsac! Would you happen to have any details on number of admits, expected date to hear back, etc.?
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Just saw an acceptance for PhD... Anyone gonna claim it? Details?
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So I'm on rejection number 4 out of 8, and I have very little hope for the remaining schools. Though UMass rejected me from their English PhD program, they did offer me admission into their terminal MA program. My question is this: since my ultimate goal is obtaining my PhD, do you think it's worth it to pay out of the pocket the $20,000 a year (roughly) for my MA? Will it ultimately make me a more competitive applicant for my PhD? Or should I hold off, bust my ass revising my SOP and writing sample, and apply again for doctoral programs for fall 2012?
Of course, I suppose there is still a very faint possibility that I'll receive good news from one of my remaining schools, but I'm working under the assumption that I'll be rejected across the board (ugh...even typing that out was rough. This process has done a number on my self esteem).
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I don't know at all. I'm taking it as a rejection merely to emotionally prepare myself for the inevitable. It's possible that they have another round, but it looks like a lot of acceptances posted at once, and they've shrunk their cohort again this year. So for emotional stability, I'm taking it as a rejection.
I wish I had your willpower. Until I actually receive that rejection email, I will be foolishly, naively, senselessly hoping that I have a chance...
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Just got my email... sigh. I'm grateful there was no waiting game with this one.
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I just checked my horoscope for tomorrow, hoping it would reveal something about my app status. Have I officially gone insane?
Buffalo
in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
Posted
I'm also considering Buffalo! I still have a long, messy list of schools that I need to narrow down, but I feel fairly confident that Buffalo will make the cut. Are you all applying to the MA or PhD program? I'm torn, seeing as how I'd prefer PhD but wonder if I'll have a better shot at acceptance if I just go for the MA. Thoughts?