lyonessrampant

Since I have to go unearth a big file dealing with humanities degrees, I will post all of the links tomorrow. Of course, obviously, STEM fields translate into higher income potentials (unless you have hyperspecific reasearch areas that aren't sale-able to industry researchers). Apart from the articles that you may anticipate (and I would broadly encourage since everyone here is considering a profession in this field): I think it is critically important to interrogate an elitist approach internal to the field and the implications that has for widespread acceptance. Look: Lit theory texts used to be widespread. C.S. Lewis's Allegory of Love was not as popular but pretty popular in comparison to the Narnia texts. Robertson in the 60s was widely read. A few scholars today still are. I speak for my field so I cite people like Greenblatt, but there is an integral connection between dismissive elitism and alienation from wider readership (or even appreciable readership in the field). The moment you dismiss popular appeal is the moment you have limited your potential reach and, I would say, applicability. Further, I'll look for the sources from which I glean this information, MA holders aren't disposable (for the funding of MAs) OR a limited degree (a seemingly contradictory position). There is a specific utility to the MA and it is wider spread (though across disciplines). I would argue that in the US the MA is similarly far more widespread than 5% and increasingly useful. Again, I'll get you the links, but as our economy becomes hypercompetitive, degree requirements increase. Finally, English has quite a broad employment niche. It equips you for editing, graphic accompaniment, legal support, teaching, research, nonprofit support, etc. I don't feel the need to enumerate this as you can google it. .. Some research skills, yeah, that comes with the English degree, too.

Wow, thestage, really? There are actually lots of studies out there that support ComeBackZinc's position. . .and you just resort to an assumed elitist position? That's cool. . .I guess (not).

Yeah, the DGS (Brian Reed?) and I had a convo last year and I didn't get my rejection until well into March. I didn't match with a prof in the dept, which I knew when I applied, but I would have loved to stay in the PacNW, so I applied. He was super nice and had clearly spent a lot of time with my application materials. He knew one of my LORs (they'd gone to grad school together) and was really nice. He just seemed agonized over the fact that in review there was no prof to be my advisor. Since we talked after a recent hire (though post my rejection), he told me they'd hired someone new so I should apply the next year to work with him. Since I had offers, I declined, BUT the experience did intimate a few things for me: 1) The awkward rejection is on the basis of legal language to prevent appeal. 2) The AdCom and DGS in particular spend a TON of time on the apps that make if past the first cut or so. 3) UW has limited funding but they have lots of awesome profs and try really hard to make the most of their money and their talent. .which means it takes time. Anyway, Seattle is great (though expensive to live in) and there are some awesome profs, but it will take much of March to get sorted out. Best of luck to you all!

Any early modernists among the acceptances? They didn't take any last year, and Egger, in particular, is quite an awesome prof, so I hope some of you going will get to work with her! Congrats to you all! I'm thrilled they admitted more (and sooner!) this year. Congrats to you all. . .but look to live outside Boulder. Especially on that stipend, your money will go a lot farther if you live in the burbs, BUT you get to live in beautiful CO, so that's totes worth it!

ComeBackZinc: You would have more authority than me on this area since it appears to be more related to your focus (I'm a medievalist/early modernist after all!) but for our required pedagody seminar last fall, we spent TONS of time on the evolution of the discipline, especially since the 70s when the contraction in TT jobs began, and your arguments reflect all of the peer-reviewed articles we read (and that I found in addition for my research project). If you're interested aspiring folks, PM me and I can give you some links, but while it is somewhat of a generalization to say that MAs make more on average (the definition of average), it is backed up by stats, especially if you get that MA smartly through a funded or at least partially funded program to attenuate your debt.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I did UChicago's MAPH program with partial funding. As soon as the official Chicago rejections come out and then the MAPH offers, there will be a giant thread about this. Many will say it is a cash cow (many will attack NYU and Brown and others similarly). To some extent, this is true. In another realm, having access to those profs, that environment, etc., was pretty remarkable. I didn't know about funded MAs when I first applied, and I only applied to, like, Chicago, Harvard, Brown, Cambridge, and Notre Dame. . .and I turned down a beautifully funded offer to Notre Dame to do Chicago's MAPH (because of personal situations involving a partner and all that). I do regret it sometimes, but I'm a better scholar and writer as a result of my experiences. I would say, though, that especially if you're young and have nothing but an unfunded offer, I would recommend that you wait a year, improve your app, and apply very broadly to a range of PhD programs and lots of funded MA programs. Reassess your options at that point. In this economy especially, follow the money.

Ours is not the only discipline experiencing this situation (of potential joblessness after extended education). The benefit, however, is that we get PAID to get that degree. Granted, putting six or more years into a degree and not getting the job of your dreams at the end can be frustrating. Similarly, unless you're one of the lucky few who get the $25,000/yr plus offers from the Ivy league or well-endowed private schools, you're living well below the poverty line. However, current statistics implicate--between reported unemployed, under-employed, and long-term unemployed who no longer report--between 17 and 20% of Americans as facing worse economic situations and without the hiring potential that a Ph.D. can give you. Look, not everyone gets a TT job. Not everyone gets to teach at an R1, but you know what? Not everyone WANTS to teach at an R1. Community colleges, liberal arts schools, non-flag ship state universities, prep schools for high school, and public schools (though you might want to underplay that Ph.D. on those apps) all need teachers, and if you're willing to diversify your job hunting, there are options. Additionally, focus on doing internships and adding graduate minors in fields like museum studies, writing studies, rhet/comp, etc., or really other fields besides your primary focus to demonstrate a diversified portfolio and skill set. Bottomline: current statistics for the average MA/PhD applicant (of age 22-35 or so) aren't great, especially if you're on the younger side of that range. If you get a funded offer. . .you've got a job, and like any job, you can choose to LEAVE that job and that is more of an option than many people have. The statistics for actually completing the Ph.D. (especially in 5 or less years) are awful, and they are even worse (factoring in those who elect to leave the PhD program) for getting a TT job a year or two from completion of degree, but based on a research project I was involved in this past semester, at least for the stats I reviewed for my program and generally nationally, most people who finish the PhD do get a job. There are options long term. Prepare yourself for professionalization and consider multiple options and you can make your degree work for you. All of that practical stuff aside, I love what I'm doing and I get paid to read books about stuff I love, write papers, and work with some brilliant undergrads who are often eager and excited to think about new things. That's fun. . .and WAY better than the "real world" jobs I've had for years.

Hey Dorinda! How'd you like Duke? Did you get to meet Quilligan? I ask only to see if she is as awesome in person as her work One of the people in my cohort worked with Anne Lake Prescott (I'm a Spenserian and ADORE her) and getting to hear about how she is in person was pretty cool. Basically, I'm a nerd Good luck on your decisions. . and I agree with your evalutation of BA vs. MA vs. Ph.D. I've gotten (or am in process to get) all of those degrees, and the hierarchy reflects the degree not the person. Best of luck to all!

Congrats Rainy_Day. Feel free to PM me with questions about the department, the Twin Cities (though I really haven't lived her long enough to know much) and so on. Several people usually get in from the waitlist, so you're in a good spot!

Try to start by contacting the government agency who issues student visas and try to get information without revealing your name. I would avoid contacting the school right off the bat, and I would avoid a lawyer immediately, as they're pretty expensive. You may need to do both of those things, but start by contacting the Canadian agency who issues student visas and get information about your options and the process and go from there. Good luck! Edited to add that it's in your favor that the conviction is over five years old.

It is totally acceptable to reply asking about how the waitlist is composed, your place on it, and perhaps historical information about chances of moving from the waitlist to an acceptance. Good luck on getting in!

I can't speak for the accepted people, but in previous years all acceptances and, I believe, all waitlists come from the interview pool.

aeplo, that was exactly my reaction last year with Austin. I'm happy to be in Minnesota where it is not hot right now. It is in fact lightly snowing big, fluffy snowflakes I think location matters a lot. Good luck with your decision!

I was waitlisted last year and have a friend currently in the program who got in off the waitlist, and that is basically how we understood the waitlist to work. I couldn't get Lesser to email me back responding to questions, so I could be wrong about that. Good luck to everyone!

I travel all the time for coaching debate (I'm cool. . .I know ) and I find that packing takes FAR less time if you leave it to the last minute. Have fun in Durham!

Dorinda, feel free to PM me if you want. I did my MA at Chicago, lived in Hyde Park, and moved there from Montana. . .about as big of a shock to the system as one can get. I still whole heartedly endorse the school, am jealous you get to do a Ph.D. there (if you choose) , and know all the faculty you would be working with. If not, no worries. . .but seriously, don't worry too much. Either option really is pretty great. Talk to your profs

Not sure if this is still the case, but I've heard there is a lot of interdepartmental conflict at Columbia. This was a few years back, though, so maybe it is better now, but when you go to visit, I would certainly try to get a sense of that. Wanting to work with people who hate each other can put you in an awkward place (from friends in similar situations). Of course, like I said, that was a few years back, so that may not be a problem now! At least as far as the early modernists are concerned at Chicago, they are very collegial, and I loved weekly reading groups with faculty and grad students where everyone would read in advance and then discuss each other's work. Congrats on two awesome offers!

I enjoyed being at U Chicago. It is intense, but I wouldn't call it cut-throat. Lots of people do live outside of Hyde Park eventually, but I think that has more to do with the fact that other parts of the city are way better to live in (proximity to entertainment, security, environment, etc.).

I think cookies or a card or something is totally appropriate. I guess when I read "gifts" I was thinking something more extravagant. It really does depend a lot on your relationship, too. If your instincts say something would be nice/appropriate, then go with them. You know your recommenders, yourself, and your relationship with them. I certainly understand the stress and anxiety you all are going through. I was right there with you last year, and I feel anxious for all of you vicariously! Things, though, will work out. I'm quite happy at my program, my cohort is awesome, and I'm doing work I love. These trials will pass and then you won't have to deal with them again. . .until you go on the job market

Arrivant: Fellowships, from my understanding, are taxed, though you have to request to have taxes removed from your monthly amount. I believe they are taxed differently than, say, TA wages, though. Dorinda: I emailed my recommenders periodically to let them know where I'd been accepted and rejected. If you feel like you'd like some advice, I would email now. I can assure you that both Chicago and Duke are respected among the pros. . .I'm not sure why you would question that, but talk to people in your current department for their perspective. I would not give gifts; that can be perceived very awkwardly. Hearty thank-yous or maybe a card would, in my opinion, be appropriate.

According to my accountant as of yesterday, yep, you can write them off. You can also deduct costs related to visiting a new area to look for a new home/sign a lease.

I believe NYU or Columbia offers some relocation funds. You're probably not going to get anything out of state schools, but some of the private schools may have funds. It doesn't hurt to ask. Also, keep track of moving expenses. They are tax deductible. Most programs will offer some money to cover a visit, but it is unlikely they will pay for a plane ticket from abroad.

Last year in response to an email I sent, I was told I was accepted March 2, but the official email of acceptance with details about funding and all that didn't come until March 10. I think this is pretty typical of their time frame, so you all have some time, I think. Good luck!

Sorry ekant. Best of luck on your other schools!