thestranger009

Cool, that's a critical function for me - I often consult 20+ sources for a paper, and I like to consolidate all the useful information into a single document before I decide what I'll actually work with. I think there is an iPad in my near future . . .many thanks!

I'm so glad I came across this thread . . . great information. One question - I was wondering how easy it is to copy/paste text from the .pdf into a separate document? I've resisted experimenting with the iPad because I'm afraid I might just buy it without really having a use for it, so I don't know my way around one at all . . . this makes it sound worth the investment, though.

Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to know. I would love to park my car and forget about it for most of the week. I was worried about spending a lot of time in transit, but It didn't even occur to me that I might be able to get stuff done if someone else is driving (which tells you how rarely I have had the opportunity to use public transportation). And I kind of figured anything within walking distance will be very expensive or very loud . . . Now, I can be zen

There don't seem to be many options, and UW does not give out-of-state waivers - I asked. There is also the leave of absence option mentioned earlier in the thread, so at least you won't be facing more than one or two quarters of full tuition. You just have to figure out how to fill the spare time (hopefully with any kind of job!). I decided to accept for two reasons, despite the funding problems. First, I already have a Master's, and UW will accept between 25-30 of those credits, which is nearly a year of study. Every other program I applied to only takes between 9-12 credits. Second, I already live in an incredibly expensive area - housing costs are very similar (an maybe even less) in Seattle, so after the initial moving expenses, it won't be a big change in my monthly bills. That's how I justify it, but I still wonder if I've made the right decision. If I didn't love Seattle, and if the department hadn't been so nice, I would never have committed. If none of that applies to you, it's an incredibly difficult choice. If anyone else has ideas, please share. Making it through the first year is going to be tough.

I've spent a few weeks browsing the Seattle housing scene to get some idea of the neighborhoods and price ranges around UW, and it feels like an almost impossible task to make a decision from the other side of the country . . . I need advice! I'm mostly concerned about the commute time - there is nothing worse than fighting traffic and that panicked feeling I get when I think I might be late to class (especially if I'm teaching it!). I'd like to keep my commute at a maximum of 30 minutes . . . how close should I try to live to the campus to make that a realistic goal? For example, one mile if I'm going to walk, three miles if I'm going to drive, or maybe four miles if I take the bus? I don't bike, and I have never ridden a bus in my life (mass transit is a joke where I come from - I love it when I visit well-planned cities and can actually take the metro). And I don't know how much of a hassle it is to drive to UW campus (at my current campus, if you don't show at least 45 minutes early, you can forget finding a parking space unless it's on the grass and a mile away - no exaggeration). I would be extremely grateful for any help

Great to hear . . . all of my correspondence with them has been really positive, and I visited the area last year on my way to Oregon, but it's hard not to be nervous about moving across the country to work with people I've never met in person. It sounds like they care about their students. I've already committed to attend, and I can't wait . . . I check Seattle apartment listings almost every day!

I still haven't heard anything from this school - I inquired a little over a week ago, and they told me my app was still under consideration. Anyone have better information? I had the general impression that they were only taking a few people, and there were a few posts on the results board a while ago . . .

Sorry to see you go, but good luck with the other two! I'm still hovering on the funding wait list and holding out hope . . . and, of course, looking at Seattle housing costs and wondering if taking the bus everywhere will help . . .

I sent the DGS a note with some questions, and he replied quickly and was very nice. I wouldn't worry, if there are things you want to know, then just ask . . .they understand that we all have decisions to make. PM me if you have any other questions . . .

Since someone asked . . . My field is science fiction, and I work mostly with postmodern theory.

Congratulations! I also received admittance letters yesterday - I'm beyond ecstatic. No mention of funding, though - I'm relieved to know that I wasn't the only one. For those who are curious about how they made decisions, here's an interesting link the DGS's blog, which I didn't find until yesterday: http://arcade.stanfo...w-narrow-enough Good luck to everyone still waiting . . .

Anyone willing to share their stats? I was hoping to make it into this program, but it looks like all the offers went out . . . it would be nice to know what the they valued there. Thanks, and congrats - it's great to see those few "admitted" results after then endless list of rejections . . .

I don't know if there are any PhD programs still taking applications, and I don't think anyplace has funding this late. I was actually considering an alternate plan that involves getting a second Master's, so that probably isn't what you had in mind . . . I want to stay in school and continue teaching, so it would be worth a few more years. I already wish I had applied to more schools . . . nine *seemed* like a lot, but now I feel like I was being way too optimistic. Ah, well . . . it's not over quite yet.

Yeah, I've barely looked away from a screen (phone or computer) for over a month now . . . I did have the foresight to set up an entirely new email account just for applications, so I don't have a heart attack every time I get regular mail. Of course, every time my phone rings I turn into an adrenalized wreck, even though most of the schools I applied to don't notify by calling. I'm also worried that all my rejections will show up at once, and maybe even on a day that I teach. I don't want my students to see me collapse! At this point I'm also thinking about looking for a few places with late deadlines . . . what else is there to do? I knew this wouldn't be easy, but wow, I had no idea I'd be such a mess . . .

Thank you! That was marvelously helpful. All this waiting and wondering is exhausting . . . any kind of answer to anything is welcome

Does anyone know what "Manual Review Req" means? My status at UIC was updated with this message today. Anyone else? I haven't heard back from anywhere I've applied, so all I can do is obsess over tiny changes . . .

Has anyone heard how many spots they have to offer this year? I'm watching the Results board constantly . . .

That's good to hear - getting to work with someone who is both knowledgeable AND cool almost seems like too much to hope for.

I contacted UW last week because my status had not been updated - they replied back almost immediately with a very polite email stating that they had everything in my file, and that most applicants could expect decisions in mid March. My status still hasn't changed, but I suppose they are super busy . . . I'm going to try not to think about it anymore until March!

I think I'm concerned because there are so few universities that really acknowledge science fiction as a valuable area of research . . . it's never listed in the program descriptions (whereas many departments advertise their focus in areas like Early Modernism or Victorian Lit), and it's barely mentioned in most faculty bios . . . including the bios of professors that I know publish in the field, or who regularly teach courses in SF. So, while I feel like what I'm doing is at least new, and perhaps interesting to some programs because it's unusual, I still worry. My thesis adviser always tells me I have to be twice as good because I work in SF . . . the challenge has made me a better writer, but as a result, I have some trouble gauging how my work will be received. It's good to read all of these posts that believe the committees will be objective.

The cyber-literati are some of my favorite people!

Thanks for the tip . . . I feel like I looked at every school in New York and came up with almost nothing. I'm from Florida . . . I wonder if the snow that far North would be the end of me?

Thanks, I'm encouraged. Oregon is beautiful, I would love to live and study there.

I'm curious to see who (if anyone) is out there with a background or interest in studying science fiction . . . I'm applying to PhD programs with an SoP and writing sample that are focused very specifically on the genre (with a strong framework of postmodern theory) . . . I'm concerned, of course, that many programs won't take my work seriously. I made sure to apply to places where at least one or two faculty members listed SF in their bios, but I suspect I'm going to spend the next few months worrying that I should have emphasized my secondary interest (that would be Milton). Is there anyone going through the same thing? Or anyone who has successfully applied after being very clear that their dissertation would be about SF? I applied to UC Riverside, U Oregon, U Chicago, UIC, U Kentucky, U Miami, U Florida, and WashU (the only place that does not appear to have SF faculty). Are there any other programs that welcome SF that I might have missed?

English PhD programs at: UC Riverside University of Oregon University of Washington University of Chicago UIC Washington University in St. Louis University of Florida University of Miami concentration in science fiction and postmodernism, with a side of comics . . .