elleblum

I'm applying to several medieval programs. My primary area of interest is French and English Romance, Mostly 12th/13th century or earlier. (Marie de France, Chretien de Troye, Chansons de geste, etc) I'm only applying to Columbia English/Comp Lit PhD, Cornell Medieval PhD, CUNY Comp Lit PhD, Toronto Medieval MA and Fordham Medieval MA, I don't have a solid language background, which limited by ability to apply to most Medieval Studies programs. Furthermore, as my boyfriend will be moving with me, I need to go to a school in a major city with a strong theater community (which narrows the field considerably- Cornell is the only one that doesn't fit the bill on my list) Also since I want to study French & English equally, comp lit seems the way to go, but finding a comp lit department with a strong medieval community has been rather difficult. I'm leaning more and more towards an MA program to get more skills under my belt before entering PhD programs and also so I have the year to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that grad school is right for me. Good luck!

One of my professors, and close friends is being nominated for a teaching award, and I was asked to provide a recommendation. I refer to my professor by her first name, however is it more appropriate to refer to her by Professor X in the letter? Thanks for your input!

Thanks, that's what I thought, but I would hate to make any assumptions.

I emailed the professor with whom I wish to work at a school indicating my interests and relating them to her work. She responded in kind, confirmed that we would probably get along famously and that we should meet when she returns from sabbatical (after the application is due.) Does one email and response allow me to put her name on the application where it asks "Have you discussed your application with a current member of the faculty? Thanks, She-who-needs-to-stop-obsessing-over-every-last-detail

Thanks so much for your replies. It was really helpful.

I have transcripts from four undergraduate institutions, which I'm afraid makes me seem impulsive and uncommitted, which is very much not the case. My transcripts: 1- From taking Syracuse U. courses through my H.S. 2- From my first undergrad college- I decided to transfer AFTER application season in need of a greater academic challenge 3- From the local university I attended while applying to a college that better fit me academically. 4- From my degree granting institution. Furthermore, academically I was all over the board, lots of dance, theater and random science courses that are completely unrelated to medieval literature. And I am weak in the language area. Do I use the SOP to discuss how I've been supplementing my language skills with individual study? Or explain my 4 transcripts, which make me appear unfocused, when the case is quite the opposite? Do I try to put a spin on how varied coursework will aid in interdisciplinary work within medieval studies, or should I not draw further attention to it? Applications would be so much easier if I had known all along that this is what I want to do. Thanks for your advice!

Cost is a huge factor for me, so I'm only applying to five schools. One in Canada. Four in the U.S. Three are Ph.D programs, two are MA programss. My research interests and geographic needs have narrowed the field considerably. If I don't get in this year, I'll work on my language skills and reapply. My thesis advisor expects that five is enough however. Good luck to everyone on their apps, especially those working on 10+. I'm stressed out enough with only five to worry about!