
stillthisappeal
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I'm headed back for my PhD this fall after taking three years off to work full-time and pay off student loan debt. Much to my surprise, I've inherited and saved a fair amount of money over the past few years, and would be able to afford a down payment on a moderately priced home (50-80K) in a decent neighborhood near my school. By my calculations, the mortgage payment would be lower than most rents (for example, my TA stipend is high enough that I've been looking at apartments that cost TWICE as much per month in rent). Both of my parents seem to support my move. In my dad's opinion, purchasing home is not about paying it off but keeping up with the monthly bills (which, I've established, should be easy to do). And this spring I've met a few grad students who have purchased their own homes and seem happy. Still, the idea still strikes me as kind of funny. After all, aren't grad students supposed to be poor? Does anyone on the board have experience with home ownership and grad school? Can it be done?
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Radical Change of Heart/Mind
stillthisappeal replied to litperson6541's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I don't think it's a big deal. Most graduate programs have waiting lists, and many are able to carry-over unused funding from one year to the next. If you are worried about your reputation, it might make sense to speak with the DGS via phone and explain (without too many details) that this simply isn't the right time in your life to start work on a PhD. -
The visits went well. Here are a few questions that worked for me: -What is your approaching to mentoring/ teaching? -What are your expectations for graduate students in your courses/ at the dissertation level? -In your opinion, what do graduate students struggle with the most, particularly in the first year? -In your opinion, what has made your best students so successful in their careers? During the best meetings, professors had specific questions for me about my interests and aspirations. When they didn't, I felt somewhat frustrated with their blunt, "What do you want to know?" attitude.
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I've also let the program know that I won't be attending. Similar fields: Victorian and modernist literature. Good luck to everyone waiting in limbo.
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Four options for Ph.D. programs in English...
stillthisappeal replied to thetargetmarket's topic in Decisions, Decisions
I have a friend in the English Department at the University of Kentucky and, from what I can tell, she's had a positive experience. As I'm sure you know, UK is also the highest ranked school of the four on U.S. News and World Report. All other things being equal (i.e. no disparity in placement statistics, $10K fellowship, or notable differences in faculty), I would go there. But as always, it's a good idea to visit and/ or ask the DGS lots of questions. As a PhD student, you should be particularly interested in placement stats. A good program will have very specific information for you. A final note: you might use your preference for UK to get Arkansas to make an official fellowship offer. What's holding them up? -
I didn't visit any campuses when I was applying for my MA, but when I made "the rounds" during my first semester, it didn't seem like any of my professors cared too much about sharing the details of their work (even though they were producing a lot of it). If you're confident and prepared enough to broach the subject, it can't hurt to bring up their research interests, but outside of "rock star" professors, I don't think most faculty members expect you to be well-versed in the particulars of what they do. But I could be wrong.
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I have a few campus visits coming up this week and I'm a little nervous about the whole ordeal, particularly meeting with faculty members. Beyond talking about upcoming courses and particular research interests (and hoping that mine don't seem vague or uninteresting), what topics should I bring up for conversation? I'm worried about filling the half hour on my schedule! My initial thought is that it makes sense to ask for advice on the first year, their expectations for students, opportunities for RA and TA work, and their thoughts about the undergraduates at their institution. Does anyone have any other suggestions? How have your visits gone?
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I posted the move from the wait list. My area is in late Victorian and modernist literature. I have a visit scheduled for next Tuesday and will hopefully reach a decision around April 1st. From my phone conversation, I got the impression that the DGS was interested in filling spots for every line of funding they have. So if you are still in the hunt, don't give up hope.
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UC Riverside
stillthisappeal replied to weatherwax's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I just withdrew my name from the wait list. Good luck to everyone who is still in the hunt. -
Here are are a few tips I've heard from others: -It's easier to read print than a computer screen. -Hold the thing you are reading in your hands (as opposed to letting it rest on a table). -Read the first and last sentence of every paragraph. -Look for key phrases (for ex., "The most remarkable thing...," "The point is...")
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I did my MA at a program U.S. News routinely ranks in the 60-80s range and had a great experience. Upon graduation, I published a few short pieces, took some time off, and wound up teaching for a semester at a private liberal arts college in my hometown. Soon thereafter, I secured a full-time gig at an open-access state university. Since then I've published a few more articles, improved my GRE scores, and am now looking at offers from programs U.S. News ranks in the top-25. I recognize that my experience is somewhat uncommon, but I think that, in most cases, the work you do is more important than your pedigree. I would pursue an MA at your top acceptance. What's the alternative? Spend the next year working on something not connected to your career goals? Your MA program will give you a sense of what life is like in the field and help you decide if an academic career is worth the hard work.
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Ohio State acceptances
stillthisappeal replied to fall-11's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
Anyone going to the April 1st open house? -
Indiana?
stillthisappeal replied to the once and future grad's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I see an email-reject on the results board. Has anyone received an official rejection letter? This is my "x factor" at this point. -
GRE Sale
stillthisappeal replied to againstourfaces's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
Banking your admissions on a new test sounds like a pretty big catch to me! -
Miami University of Ohio
stillthisappeal replied to DisneyLeith's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
Eek. That is a notable decline, but not entirely unexpected. MU did not seem to be very wise with its money before the economic collapse. In the summer of 2008, they started construction on a multi-million dollar student center. Soon thereafter, they became one of the first universities to stage a hiring freeze for the 2008-2009 academic year. That said, congratulations to those who got in. Miami still has a solid graduate program. -
Miami University of Ohio
stillthisappeal replied to DisneyLeith's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I think three lines of funding is standard for MU. I did my MA there several years ago and my class had three Comp/Rhet and four Lit PhDs. -
Quitting Law School to Pursue MA/PhD
stillthisappeal replied to ZugTheMegasaurus's topic in Decisions, Decisions
http://www.nytimes.c...ness/09law.html It's interesting to note that the current job market for lawyers doesn't seem to be much better than the market for academics. The only difference: debt. I don't know where you are in your program, or where you go to school, but my opinion is that law school makes sense the most sense for people who are 1) independently rich and can pursue fulfilling non-profit work or 2) people who make it into top 20 schools and can anticipate a high salary upon graduation. It sounds like you don't fall into either of those categories. If that's the case, your best bet might be to "get while the gettin's good." The PhD/JD track is a great idea, if you find a program that will accept you; however, it's my impression that this track is only offered at elite universities (for example, Duke has a well-known program, but, as anyone on this board can attest, the competition for admission is every bit as fierce as the Ivies). Another approach that is popular with many young lawyers, at least in theory, is to work for a few years to pay off debt and return to school for something they love later on. Of course, this approach assumes that you will have the stamina to complete your program, will be able to find a job, and will be interested in returning to school in your mid-thirties, when most people are settling down to start a family. My advice: think long and hard about whether or not your frustrations are temporary. It sounds like you're in your first year of law school, which everyone tells me is the worst. It's likely things will get better in year two and become a cake-walk for year three. Only leave if you're absolutely sure things won't get better. Good luck. -
English PhD: Harvard or Cornell?
stillthisappeal replied to lizczard's topic in Decisions, Decisions
In a situation like this, I think fit is the most important thing. Have you visited both campuses? Did you have a chance to sit in on a seminar? How do you feel about Cambridge versus Ithaca? At the end of the day, it's ultimately about which offer feels best for you. -
Thanks for the feedback. One last question: Is the teaching load typically 1:1 for graduate students? Edit: N/M I found my answer on the "Career Preparation & Placement" tab on the English Department's website.
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Assistantship
stillthisappeal replied to snappysorbet's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I think it's important to keep in mind that graduate teaching spots vary widely in terms of workload and compensation. For example, a 1-1 for a composition class capped at 26 students might require substantially more effort than a 2-2 teaching literature recitations as a a true TA under a tenure-line professor. In a similar vein, a 20K stipend with health benefits for teaching on a 2-2 schedule at a rural university with a lower cost of living might be a better offer than a 14K stipend without benefits to teach on a 1-1 or 1-2 schedule in a city with a high cost of living. Simply put, assuming other variables are equal, your goal should be the most money for the least amount of labor. At the same time, it's a mistake to assume that calculation can be performed with a simple 1-1/ 1-2/ 2-2 comparison. -
Would anyone care to clarify ND's funding package? I found the following on the Graduate School's website: "Of our doctoral students, 94 percent receive multi-year assistantships or fellowships that provide stipends. For the 2011–2012 academic year, Notre Dame’s standard stipend for doctoral students is $17,500 on a nine-month basis for humanities and social science students, and $18,000 to $21,000, according to program, on a nine-month basis for engineering and science students. Note that our Notre Dame/South Bend community has a very low cost-of-living index. The University offers a number of select fellowships that provide higher levels of support—up to $35,000/year—and full health care coverage." Is this information accurate? Does the service-free first year carry a $17,500 stipend as well?
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University of Illinois Urbana-C
stillthisappeal replied to woolfie's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I was also pleasantly surprised to find an acceptance from Illinois in my inbox today. I have a thread comparing Urbana to Illinois at Chicago in the "Decisions, Decisions" forum. I would appreciate feedback from people on this board. Thanks. -
I’m interested in hearing feedback from the board as to which school has a stronger English literature PhD program: the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) or the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)? According to U.S. News, it’s Urbana; however, the NRC rankings suggest that there are big things going on at UIC. My sense is the Urbana may be the better program because it is part of the flagship university with a more substantial funding package, a lower cost of living and a slightly higher placement rate. I’m also attracted to it because of the number of faculty members in my immediate area (4 versus 1) and it’s proximity to my significant other (2 hours as opposed to 5). In short, I think I could afford to live in Urbana, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and end up with a worthwhile degree. But then again, UIC has several rock-star professors (Walter Benn Michaels, Gerald Graff, etc.), a slightly lower teaching load, and access to the cultural resources of Chicago (lecture series, libraries, etc.). I have always wanted to return to a big city like the one where I earned my undergraduate degree. At the same time, with my limited means (I have savings but not a trust fund), I’m not sure if “big city living” is the best path to a PhD. Is there a way to look at this objectively? I should mention that I am working on Victorian & modernist literature. In addition to the Illinois schools, I am close to moving off of Notre Dame’s waitlist and may potentially receive an offer from Indiana as well. I have also received admission to Purdue and waitlist status at Ohio State, UC Riverside and Missouri, but I don't have plans to attend any of those schools. Thanks for your help.
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lower ranked phd vs. MA?
stillthisappeal replied to lit864's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I agree with the others: you shouldn't doubt the integrity of a top 50 program. With sound research in a field that coincides with traditional course offerings, you will find a teaching position. The only reason to delay your entry into a PhD program is if you have reason to believe you will get into a significantly better school in two years (for example, by making the leap from a #90 school to a top 30).