Hello!
I am currently in an MA program (Literature) at a small school (that I have loved attending). This fall I will hopefully complete my Masters thesis, of about 40 pages- already have advisor, topic and much research completed and I really want to carry my studies on to the PhD level but I am not sure what kinds of schools are in my league etc. Here is the deal... I went to The University of Texas in Austin, BA in English- with a poor GPA. I then took classes as a non degree student to prove my self to the small University that I am attending in Pennsylvania- and since then have been accepted, I have all A's in my courses, I have been a research assistant and worked for the scholarly journal that is produced at my school etc. From the Research Assistant work I will get credit for compiling and annotating the further reading section in a world lit anthology, will have helped organize a major international conference held at the Library of Congress etc. I have presented at one international conference in London(Victorian Studies) in my main area of interest and I will be attending another one hosted by a scholarly journal in a few weeks (A paper on feminist film that I wrote for a class). I am not sure if this will make me look like I am passioante and capable or if it will make me look like I am too scattered etc in my focus. The main comonality in these papers is women's studies and feminist theory, so there is somewhat of a connection. Anyways, I am applying to some more conferences for some other research I am doing right now, so hopefully I will have more. Anyways My spouse is a 3rd year doctoral student in another field (philosophy) so I will probably wait to apply until he is done so...my geographic choices may be limited depending upon what happens with his things, I may even end up in Germany for a year. I still haven't taken the GRE which I am frightened of. I hear that it all depends on your letters and writing sample- in which case I would be better off. But I am not sure if my undergrad is too much of a handicap, and I don't know how much of the stuff I listed above counts in everything. I hope this isn't too long but I would appreciate some opinions if I have a chance and if so what level of school etc, or should I just apply everywhere I want to go and cross my fingers? Thank you!
