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Starlajane

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Everything posted by Starlajane

  1. For me, I always go with, "I didn't apply to a back-up; I want to go to each and every program to which I applied, for different yet similar reasons." And I say this b/c it is true, and also b/c, as I do not like to be considered a back-up candidate for any school (I want to go the one that really wants me rather than the one that kinda wants me), I now extend that same sensitivity and tact towards my prospective programs. I also try to extend that same sensitivity towards others and refrain from name-calling, etc. when I don't agree with someone.
  2. I definitely found the wording of the OP to be offensive: I didn't get into a PhD program, so does anyone know of an MA program that I can apply to at the last minute as a backup? I think that's pretty insulting, although I know that it wasn't meant that way; otherwise, I would have been really snarky. In fact, I think it's best not to refer to anything [in general, even] as a backup, safety, etc., which is not only insulting but doesn't exist when you get to this level. While many programs are streamlined and only offer PhD's, others offer an MA and PhD; it is usually the case that, if you apply to the MA program, you plan to go onto the PhD, which is why so many programs ended up streamlining. The only drawback to the MA is getting MA funding and, then, having to (re)apply (once you've received your MA) to PhD programs. Getting into to PhD programs can be difficult if you already have an MA.
  3. Well, as another poster stated [on a different thread] there is no backup at the grad level: if you applied to PhD programs and didn't get in, then most likely, an MA should have been your first choice rather than a last-minute backup. This is especially true for comp lit programs, which are extremely competitive. And please remember that it is insulting to those that applied to MA's as first choices that you refer to MA's as backup degrees. In fact, most MA and PhD programs have the same deadlines and a lot of applicants apply to both so that they do not end up in such a predicament. The only program that I know of is Kent State; they have rolling admissions for English/Comparative Literature.
  4. Just thought that I would chime in that I am still waiting to hear from six programs (out of nine); I've received two official rejections, one interview and one acceptance with funding notification. I assume that at least two of the programs are implicit rejections b/c others have posted both acceptances and waitlist notifications from them. The day I got my acceptance, I nearly exploded with emotion: all I could think was, "OMG, no matter what, I'm actually going now." None of the schools that I've applied to are safety schools; I want to attend each of them, for different but similar reasons.
  5. I am also waiting on UNC and UT for comp lit; both have already posted acceptances and waitlisters, so I imagine that they are done. It seems that schools are very principled about waiting until March to send out rejections; for whatever reason, March is rejection month, and I expect to receive both of mine then (and not a day sooner, although, apparently, the schools have already made their decisions).
  6. Well, if the funding is sketchy, and you already have acceptances at the other two places, then I really would move it to your "maybe" pile, although I have found that rankings don't mean squat; fit really is the determinging factor. Because no one wants to attend a high-ranking program for which he or she feels absolutely no affinity. Anyway, all of this is moo (you know, it's a cow's opinion, so it doesn't matter ( until you've visited every program and been accepted by them. I think that funding and fit (not just according to program but also according to city) should be your top priority--where you think you will thrive the most--because it is very difficult to do well in a program if you hate where you live and work and are starving to boot.
  7. You've really got to visit Berkeley first; it is nothing like SoCal and San Fran is right across the bridge. And I say that being a diehard New Englander myself. Berkeley itself is suburban, though, so maybe it isn't a good fit in that regard. But I would be surprised if you didn't like it. You will definitely know after you visit NYU. The thing that concerns me about NYC is the expense, which I think will be far greater than at UPenn. Vis-a-vis your interests, I think that most programs have that kind of focus: it's never straight up lit--culture and history are woven into every program, and a lot of programs have tracks that are divided into pre- and post-rev France (at least, UVA's program is). However, if NYU's program focuses specifically on the post-rev period, then you will definitely have more classes to choose from and more profs with whom to confer specifically about your interests. OTOH, with a more traditional program, your range may be broader, which can also prove to be an asset; I've learned a lot about nineteenth century French culture by going back to seventeenth century texts and topics and that research was not even for a French class, but a comp lit course. But that's just me. Suffice to say, you have a tough choice ahead of you. Hope the aforementioned helps.
  8. I think that you will know once you visit NYU. However, have you checked out the "Decisions, Decisions" thread as well as the "Cities" thread? You might get a lot of useful advice there... In the end, it depends on your personality. But also remember that you will have to be living in the city in which you are getting your PhD. You want to live someplace in which you are comfortable on all levels. If it were me, I would be torn between Berkely and UPenn; Berkeley b/c I already know (and love) it, UPenn b/c I already know (and love) it. I wouldn't even consider NYU b/c I wouldn't want to live in a very urban environment (and neither would my GSD).
  9. Is this really true, for all French departments? Why wouldn't they just accept a candidate that they wanted to attend? Mind you, I am seriously hoping that you are right, b/c if I get into the school with whom I have an interview this week, I will be over the moon! Still, I'm not going to get my hopes up; I am convinced that an interview means that they can always decide that I'm a completely inept dufus who looks better on paper than in person.
  10. I appreciate the aim of your post. However, I cannot agree with you. I will reiterate that I respect those establishments that recognize my potential/worth from the beginning and want a chance to cultivate it. What I don't appreciate are people and institutions who come along afterwards--after they have rejected me yet after someone else has given me a chance through which I have blossomed--to say that I have now earned their respect and a place in their program; it's arrogant, and I have loyalty to the people and institutions who initially see my potential and give me a chance versus those that don't and only want me after I have proven myself in spite of them because of the faith and belief of others. For me, it's a question of character rather than prestige. Thus, I am not an ambitious grad student who is going to take any and all opportunuties to suckle at the hegemonic power teet and do any and everything I can to get into the most prestigious program possible; clearly, I have a different set of criteria for the kind of program that I want to be a part of. Because, sometimes, the "best" program is not always what is "best" or appropriate for a particular student, which is why it really is (or should be) all about fit. However, by all means, have at it. I appreciate your "concern" but being who I am is precisely why one of those top programs--and all of the [what I consider] sycophantic pandering that goes along with it--are just not for me. I will always be a candidate who understands that programs need us just as much as we need them, that a healthy relationship is one of mutual respect, rather than one in which students should be humbly grateful and deferential for being even the slightest acknowledgement; really, do I sound like someone who is ever deferential?
  11. Really, I think you already know the answer to this: no. This is my second app season.
  12. Yeah, I'm definitely getting to the point where I am ready to cop an attitude with any school that waitlists me. Mind you, I wouldn't turn it down. But, just to maintain my self-respect, in the back of my mind I'm telling myself, "And now you're on my waitlist..." or "well, I don't want you if you don't want me; your loss, bozo" to any school that rejects me. If I didn't have this attitude, I would have blown my brains out a long time ago.
  13. That's something that I have always loved (and miss) about the Northeast: package stores that are willing to sell to minors and clubs/bars that don't care how old you are but how old you act. Those were, indeed, the days.
  14. I don't think that it's an issue of ego to not like being someone's second choice. Rather, it is about having a healthy self-esteem and respecting those who respect and appreciate you. Yes, a great relationship may come out of one with someone to whom you were not initially attracted, and that's actually the person/institution that I would rather be with instead of the one that is calling b/c others whom they considered better were not available. Do I really want to be what someone settled for? No, I don't. Hence, I would much rather be at a less prestigious school that accepts me right off the bat b/c I am one of their top choices than to get in off of the waitlist of an Ivy, the same as if I would rather be with a mate who is less attractive but who thinks of me as a knockout than the hot potential mate who calls b/c his A-list wasn't available. But that's just me. However, it's also about the point that you addressed about being treated the same as a top choice candidate once you are in. It is refreshing to hear that, at the very least, if you are accepted off of the waitlist, you are treated like an A-lister.
  15. LOL, that's so obnoxious, that would really piss me off, too
  16. The way that I see it, I want to be in a place that wants me and sees me as a top choice, not a backup, the same way that I want to be with someone who sees me as a dream mate rather than something that they settled for. The analogy has nothing to do with whether something is personal or business, nor does an analogy to a romantic analogy mean that I am being "romantic;" I made the analogy because the same "pecking order" is often involved. You might excuse/accept waitlists et al. as "reality," but such things are only a reality b/c people accept them. I actually think that schools should not be able to waitlist candidates; you either accept or reject but you don't leave people hanging on, the same as you shouldn't do that in other relationships, be they personal or business. As far as waitlists et al. go, if you want to accept a spot after being on a waitlist, that is your prerogative. However, at the moment, my top choice school is the one that contacted me first and sees me as one of their top choices rather than a backup.
  17. Well, I got my second rejection today and I can tell you that, regardless of the process, not hearing anything is not a good sign; as this is my second application season, I now know that schools actively pursue applicants that they want and contact them very early, at least for my area of interest; I've already seen them actively pursuing and contacting the applicants in whom they are really interested. I actually don't think that the process is any different from dating: if you really think that someone is a catch, you actively pursue them and make things clear from the beginning. All of this rationalizing from people sort of reminds me of the rationalizing people go through when they are dating someone who is really not that interested in them. If a school (or a member of the opposite sex) really values you, they let you know in a fast and clear manner. Hence, even if I do get on a waitlist, or a late acceptance, knowing that I was not a top candidate doesn't exactly endear a school to me; in fact, it's actually kinda sleazy. It actually makes me not want to go to any school that treats me that way, even if it is a top choice that deigns to offer me a spot.
  18. I'm right there with you. I got my second rejection today. Keep your chin up.
  19. Yes, another poster (from the French forum) got an interview from PSU at the end of Jan., although no one seems to have heard from UT yet. I also applied to Chapel Hill for comp lit and have yet to hear from them; I saw one acceptance from them on the results board a week ago, so I'm fairly certain that I've been rejected; it was the only PhD program to which I applied, and I highly doubt that I will be accepted there after being rejected from Indiana's MA program. Oh well. Persian lit sounds fabulous, I am certain that you will get in somewhere.
  20. Ugh, just got rejected from Indiana (comp lit). I am so depressed; I so far have one interview and two rejections, and I assume rejections from Penn State (French) and Texas (comp lit). I'm specializing in transnational modernism, aka comparative lit from 1850-1950 of Western Europe and the Americas, specifically trauma/memory studies, gender studies/feminism, text-image studies and colonial and post-colonial studies. My languages are English, Spanish and French. How about you?
  21. No, I haven't heard anything yet nor have I seen anything on the results board. I keep checking the website but it only says "In Review." I am assuming a rejection b/c they notify acceptances/waitlists early Feb., rejections late Feb., early March.
  22. This is exactly what I was trying to say. Some people might like to hope--in spite of all evidence to the contrary--that they have gotten in b/c they still haven't heard anything. However, I have found that it is usually in vain. And I also agree that it is very cruel to make applicants wait like that only to receive a rejection, which was why I was trying to put anyone in that position out of his/her misery. It's a lot healthier to just accept it and move on to something more productive.
  23. You're absolutely right; my post didn't really apply to those who do not hear until March. Rather, my post was intended for those who, like me, submitted apps in December and January and who "still haven't heard anything yet" but wait, with false hope. In our cases, not hearing anything usually means a rejection in March. I just hate the idea of people waiting with false hope.
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