Two Espressos

Currently, I'm sweating through 95-100 degrees in my corner of the Northeast, and I hate warm weather. Needless to say, I'm applying to the coldest regions possible for graduate school!

I like the new layout, but it will take me some time to get accustomed to it.

Hahaha. Excellent "snarky" post! My favorite part:

Wow, what a fucking ostentatious idiot! Haha that was very amusing. Thanks for sharing.

I'm still an undergraduate, but I'll chime in with some thoughts. Firstly, I, like ZeeMore21 and others, switched from a science to the humanities (in my case, it was from pre-pharmacy to English). It's extremely common. Unfortunately, many students choose to do this for less honorable reasons than you, I, ZeeMore21, etc: mainly, they want a major that is "easier" (I think this phenomenon contributes to the anti-humanities bias that is present throughout popular culture and some corners of academia). Anyways, I'm in English rather than History, so I cannot comment upon which graduate programs you should research. I would, however, encourage you to look into MA programs in addition to PhD programs, as admission into these programs is less competitive. They would serve as excellent preparation for PhD programs. Although I do not know the nuances of the conversation, I would agree with your advisor to a degree: as it currently stands, it would be pointless to apply to PhD programs. Most English graduate programs require a 3.0 minimum GPA for admittance; I would expect History programs to be similar. That being said, there's no reason that you cannot completely turn things around, as you have two years left and a sincere desire to improve. My GPA was rather poor in my first year, but I've since improved. With determination, you can do the same. I'm glad you've chosen a field that fascinates you! Too many students choose majors based on their job prospects, which is very unwise. I wish you the best of luck.

This is outright terrible reasoning, no matter which way you look at it. It's like a grossly misinterpreted version of "let he without sin cast the first stone." I feel sorry for any program that admits you.

I agree completely, hence why I stated earlier that I wouldn't take the rhet/comp route "simply for the better job prospects." As much as I love literature/literary studies, I have issues with the way they are approached in literary theory (partially--though incompletely--explicated above); if rhet/comp could facilitate my research interests, I'd be very interested in pursuing it. I definitely will not spend 7+ years "pretending" that I like a certain sub-field--I don't think I'd be able to pull it off. This is very solid advice. I stated earlier that I was "pretty sure" I wanted to attend graduate school. Let me revise that: I'm positive that I want to attend grad school and obtain a PhD, but I'm unsure which route I should take and when I should take it. I think teaching outside of the United States would be very interesting! I plan on studying abroad next summer. If I enjoy the experience as much as I think I will, then teaching English overseas would be a great alternative to prematurely jumping into graduate school. Anyways, thanks for your input!

Yes, you did suggest rhet/comp before! I shot down that recommendation too hastily. I apologize! Truth be told, I have no idea what I should commit myself to for 7+ years. I am interested in what theories do. Literary theory is very interesting, but I dislike the approach in which one uses an author outside of literary studies as a "lens" for reading a text (I realize that this approach is extremely prevalent in literary studies. It just doesn't seem right to me...). If rhetorical studies are concerned with what theories do rather than using theoretical lens, then it may very well be up my alley. I may be entirely wrong with the way I'm characterizing things here; feel free to correct me! I'm extremely interested in taking relevant courses outside of my main concentration. If I did take a rhet/comp route, I would want to take some supplementary courses in, say, the philosophy of language, linguistics (wholly relevant, at least I would assume so. Plus linguistics fascinates me.), etc. I realize that most graduate programs in English (whether lit or rhet/comp) allow this, but I would want to attend a program that strongly encourages this kind of interdisciplinary approach. I have always been interested in pedagogy. I've thought about ways in which English studies could become more formal, perhaps drawing more from philosophy. I'm not naive enough to think that I'll change the discipline or anything, but I'd love to study/theorize possible approaches to changing the discipline, even if they only get applied in my own classroom. All those research interests sound fascinating! I personally wouldn't be interested in concentrating in writing program administration, writing center studies, or cultural rhetorics. I don't really know anything about rhet/comp, but rhetorical theory/pedagogy/intersections with linguistics and philosophy seem interesting at this point. Everything that you've said has been enormously helpful: it's exactly what I had been anticipating! Thank you. I'll definitely check out the four texts you mentioned (along with the aesthetics/cultural studies texts from the other thread). If anyone else has additional information or advice, I'd appreciate it!

Hello, grad cafe! Many of you may remember an earlier topic of mine in which I received very helpful advice concerning literary theory, especially towards aesthetics. I'm still an undergraduate (a junior). I've vacillated ridiculously over the past year as to what subfields in English interest me most. I'm pretty sure that I want to attend graduate school, but I'm totally clueless as to what subfield (I've switched back-and-forth between rhetoric and composition, literature [especially aesthetics], and philosophy more times than I'd like to count.)! An acquaintance of mine (more like a friend-of-a-friend) received her PhD in rhetoric and composition last year. She now has a tenure-track job at a respectable university. When I asked her about graduate school, she strongly encouraged me to consider a degree in composition and rhetoric rather than literature. She said that all of her friends in composition/rhetoric found great jobs (she had multiple TT offers), whereas many of her friends in literature struggled to find positions. Sorry for this rambling post... I mean to ask: what sort of subfields exist in composition and rhetoric? I wouldn't attend a composition/rhetoric program simply for the better job prospects. But perhaps my interests, if framed correctly, could fit certain composition/rhetoric programs? I know that writing program administration does not interest me, but what other subfields exist out there? Would composition/rhetoric programs be open to interdisciplinary work that incorporated philosophy and aesthetics (if framed in the right rhetorical light)? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Also, if any of you could point me to introductory books, websites, etc. for the discipline, I'd be most grateful. Thanks in advance, oh wise grad cafe.

I'm still forming my application list for next year (and I will continue to do so until I begin applying in Fall of 2012), but I plan to apply to 8-10 schools max. Although doing so might improve my chances, I cannot possibly see myself applying to over 10 schools.

I second everything said here. Judging by this and other posts on this site, you seem to be a wellspring of negativity. I know several art majors. Art isn't a financially-lucrative field, but they're doing fine. They're also not accruing tons of debt. Like Mal83 says, how did you not know about these things before attending? Maintaining a "B" average in graduate coursework is essentially ubiquitous across all disciplines and graduate-level programs (MFA, MA, PhD, whatever): it's not something you can really bemoan.

An undergraduate professor in philosophy, whom you're close to, is definitely a viable option for your third letter of recommendation. Philosophy and English are very close disciplines; it's not like asking someone in the math department for a LOR at all.

With the scant information given, I'll going to second what greenlee said: you shouldn't bother applying to "ivy league and/or topnotch schools." Humanities PhD programs are extremely competitive; a 3.0 GPA, unless it is accompanied by fantastic LORs and a great statement of purpose/writing sample, is not competitive at all. Like greenlee said, many ivy league programs will likely reject you based on your GPA alone. On Harvard's website, for example, they state that applicants need a minimum A- GPA in English courses. You can count on many Harvard applicants possessing 4.0 GPAs. Like greenlee, I suggest looking into MA programs: funded programs do exist, though they are rare, and the competition for MA programs is much less rigorous (though acquiring full funding in MA programs is likely still quite competitive). Look to schools without PhD programs in English; their MA students will receive a lot more attention from professors. Look for programs that will give you a strong general foundation in the subfields in English Literature as well as allowing you to fine-tune your research interests. I'm still an undergraduate (so take this with a grain of salt), but I don't think you're ready for "ivy league and/or topnotch" PhD programs in English. Strong MA programs (Villanova, Wake Forest, etc) claim that that they place their graduates into prestigious universities (including Ivy league schools). If an ivy is what you desire, I'd look into such programs. Remember that the most important thing is fit: the ivies may not be as strong of a fit as lower-ranked (but still respectable) programs. Much research is needed on your part.

I completed the survey, but I initially had this problem as well. Do not put percentage signs (%'s) in the boxes where you tally up your percentages. Instead, just put the numbers that would add up to 100 total. Also, I think you have to put 0's in the boxes that you do not use.

I was going to mention something to this effect earlier but didn't. I agree completely.

A 560V is a lower score, but it won't break your application if your LORs, personal statement, and writing sample are excellent. I would spend extra time perfecting your statement and writing sample, as these are the most crucial aspects of your application and can certainly make your application stand out, even with a lower GRE score. Granted, I'm still an undergraduate, but everything I've heard/read/researched seems to point to this.

I am also a prospective English PhD applicant, though I'm still an undergraduate. I have a few thoughts to offer... 1). Letters of recommendation absolutely matter (hence why every single English MA and PhD department, and likely graduate schools in other disciplines [though I have not checked], requires them). You are correct in that nearly all letters of recommendation offer glowering praise for the prospective applicant. Therefore, I would imagine that the best letters of recommendation offer specific evidence of a student's excellence (percentile in their major, etc) as well as frank, individualized accounts of a student's academic interests/goals and how these evince the student's readiness/dedication/etc. for a PhD in English. LORs should also discuss any explicit weaknesses/shortcomings, if they exist. 2). Grades absolutely matter, especially since many applicants to PhD programs in the humanities possess very strong GPAs/GRE scores and are, as a poster once mentioned, "deadly fucking serious" about academia (this seriousness is wholly necessary in the blood-thirsty academic job market). I would imagine that the students who are admitted to strong programs (I consider all three of your prospective schools to be so) have excellent LORs, writing samples, and personal statements that clearly demarcate why a particular program suits their academic interests, all in addition to strong GPA/GRE scores. That being said, a student with less-strong GPA/GRE scores (student A) could certainly be admitted over another, more qualified candidate (student A2) if student A's LOR, writing sample, and personal statement are better than student A2's. My point being, one needs to craft the absolute best writing sample and personal statement that one can. Really, your writing sample and personal statement are the most important parts of your application; they are the areas in which your application can most stand out from the crowd. 3). Conferences are a good thing and show your commitment to your field, but I don't think they'd add much to your application (this is coming from someone who is presenting at a conference this fall, and who plans to attend an additional conference or two while an undergraduate). Once again, your writing sample and statement of purpose are the most crucial aspects of your application. Good luck!

Haha well I respect medieval literature immensely, but I don't foresee myself falling head over heels for it anytime soon. But yeah, your advice is solid. I have to read more widely before I can talk about favorite theorists, but the specific issues I'm concerned with seem very contemporary, so latter 20th century/contemporary feels like the best fit at this point. Then again, maybe they'll change (they've changed too many times to count already!).

I'm still an undergraduate, but I expect my total debt after my BA to be somewhere around 20k, hopefully a little less. Assuming that I get into an acceptably funded PhD program (and that is quite a lot to assume, lol), I don't expect to accrue much more debt. Then again, I'm seriously considering studying abroad next summer, so my debt may skyrocket in the process!

I'll keep that in mind!

Ah, I see. Well, I haven't read enough aesthetic theory to list favorite theorists, but I'm most interested in canonicity, aesthetics and politics, and the ways that language plays into aesthetics...so I'd say that post-1945 to present would fit those interests best. Thanks!

I have another question to ask... So, after rereading this forum, it's quite obvious that I'll need to demarcate a historical period when I proceed to apply to PhD programs. I've been thinking: how specific does one need to be about this in a statement of purpose? For example, would declaring that I'd like to study aesthetics/aesthetic theory from the 20th century to present be specific enough? Or would I have to narrow this interest further? Is it possible to be too specific, thereby making one appear too narrowly focused? Thanks again, grad cafe.

I agree with ZeeMore21. Conference publications, teaching experience, and field-related publications might help an applicant, but not having them is not going to break the deal for you. Having those things certainly isn't a prerequisite. What's most important is your writing sample and statement of purpose, followed by GPA and GRE scores. If you can devise an impressive writing sample and SOP, you'll be a competitive applicant for the prestigious universities to which you are applying.

The fact that you are literally considering trolling these literature boards is indicative of not "being ready" for any PhD program.