lyonessrampant

Your list looks quite comprehensive, and you might want to apply to MAPH. I've met (in cyber land) a couple people who have been offered full-tuition scholarships. I believe they've started offering one or two of those a year. Obviously, it is super competitive, but I really did have an amazing experience in MAPH, though there are plenty of people who don't, too. Many of these places will also prepare you well if you end up wanting to be a medievalist. Doing the MA at Western Michigan, for example, will get you access to their own medievalists and also the awesome International Medieval Studies congress that happens there yearly in May. Edited to add that if you get funded MA offers and some funded Ph.D. offers, you may end up wanting to do the MA and then apply to Ph.D. programs. A few of the joint programs on your list don't have very good funding. I applied and was admitted to U of O back in 2010 (to start 2011) and their offer was a heavy teaching load and only around $12,000 stipend. Maybe it is better now, but there are a few programs on the list with a heavy teaching load and low stipend, which is really unsustainable stress for the length of a Ph.D., in my opinion. No disrespect to those schools or people who go to them, but a 1-1 load is not to be underestimated when thinking about completing the dissertation in a timely manner.

This was the British survey. Between asking them to read Christina Mirabilis untranslated (that wasn't a success; I'd forgotten how hard that text is and it was too early in the semester) and parts of CT, they certainly learned a lot! There is also an extra credit option for them to memorize and recite 25 lines of CT in "accurate" ME, which is fun. Your advisor sounds awesome, and I would guess you are very well prepared to be a medievalist as a result of working with her. Best of luck to you!

Maybe taking a bit of a vacation (even just a little staycation) with your current partner to remind yourself why you love him or her and why you married that person in the first place. Sometimes being married or together with the same person for a long time can start to feel routine so that attractions like this can be exciting even if there is no real intention to act on the attraction. That said, I think you're right about not wanting rumors to get started, so I'd say to try to spice things up with your partner so that your sexual and romantic attractions to him or her are renewed. This might help you feel less attraction and more just respect and camaraderie for your supervisor. If you find yourself unable to stop daydreaming or thinking about him, I think you might want to try out a couple of therapy sessions. Perhaps this attraction is standing in for something else, like you suggested, and maybe talking things through with a professional will help you sort your feelings out. Best of luck!

Since you're a medievalist, I don't think it is a disadvantage to not be working with OE or ME. Since so much of the literature is in Latin, you'll need to be able to work with it, especially if you're doing anything having to do with religion or official records. ME isn't really a worry since learning to work with it is something you can do independently, especially if you work with the more standard/London area dialect. My undergrads read Chaucer (not all of CT of course!) in ME with the aid of notes, so I don't think an adcomm would be worried about that. I would definitely stick to the writing sample you feel fits the most closely with the research statements you express in your SoP and displays your strongest writing. Good luck! Edited to add that I'm sure you can/do/have work with ME, not that you need to learn to do that! And also that I assume you make links to English lit in your SoP or reasons why you're applying to an English program as opposed to a history or Classics program, for example.

All of my publications to this point have been completed independently. I wrote up the manuscript, got some feedback, submitted it, revised, and published. I didn't hide that I was doing this work, but I didn't really volunteer it either. As long as you meet the expected deadlines for the dissertation, I don't see why you working on a side project would be a problem. Of course, we're in different fields, so things might be different for you.

On the translation question, it is also common to put your English translation in the main body and put the original language in footnotes. Unless you're doing close work with the original language (and it is also common to put short phrases or individual words in parentheses in the main text if referenced directly), an adcomm made up of people who don't read those languages is probably not going to spend the time checking or comparing all of your translations; they're going to want to get through it as quickly as possible since they have several hundred more to read potentially. And even if someone has reading knowledge of one of the languages you're working with, it's true that languages get rusty and reading in English is always faster for a native speaker, so they're probably going to maybe check a couple translations and then just read the English only.

I don't whole-heartedly endorse the MA here because funding isn't certain for two years. If you're a MN resident, then in the case you might have an unfunded semester, the tuition isn't very expensive, and there are lots of jobs around you could work to live on. However, if you're not a resident, I'm always against paying for the MA. This might be something to keep in mind as well for Chicago, where you'll likely get a MAPH offer and perhaps some funding but almost certainly not a full tuition waiver. I did MAPH with some funding and learned A TON, but I regret the debt, as I've said in other places. If you get to seriously considering MAPH (or NYU's MA) I'd recommend searching the threads here where there is a lot of debate about those programs in particular. Basically, funded MAs (even at less prestigious schools) are better than unfunded ones from name brand schools. That said, for the MA, the division is usually pretty meaningless between English and Lit. Rhet/comp vs. the array of lit studies MAs are different, but otherwise, the degree is similar. For the Ph.D., the majority of programs are English, but there are programs like Duke's Literature program that is more like comp lit in terms of the prevalence of theory and decreased importance placed on subfield but without the heavy language requirements. There aren't a lot of programs like Duke Lit, though, so you'll still probably want to think about subfield. Focusing on faculty is a great way to decide where to apply. Look also at program requirements to get a sense of how supportive various institutions are of interdisciplinary work. Look for research centers that bring people together from various departments as well. For your interests, it sounds like interdisciplinary research centers will be very useful for you.

Since you want to work with philosophy and literature, you might look at some of those programs. I know there are programs like that at Purdue and Johns Hopkins. University of Chicago also has strong connections between those two departments. Most programs will let you/require you to do coursework outside of the department and many Ph.D. programs require you to have someone on your committee outside of your department, so an interdisciplinary interest is a good thing. That said, you'll want to use your MA experience as a time to figure out what sort of subfield you want to apply to. If you want to work with the Cloud of Unknowing and medieval mysticism, then that would mean you'll be applying as a medievalist, which means you'll want to learn Latin if you don't know if already. I'm not saying you must be a medievalist with your stated (admittedly broad) research interests, but I use this as an example of why/how you need to start thinking to prepare to apply to a Ph.D. program. Basically, your philosophical interests will become your framing methodology and you may even end up with diss. chapters on Heidegger or Laurwell or something, but you'll want to have a strong interaction without literature as well. No matter how interdisciplinary your work is, that diss and first book will be largely read by an audience of lit people. Obviously, that's a long way off, but thinking of your audience should be a part of how you decide where to apply/how to apply when you get to the Ph.D. stage. In short, start thinking about a main subfield. Lit (as opposed to English) programs will let you escape the subfield division a bit, but if you go English, you'll need to fit (somewhat . . .even if what you actually do is less bound by that, what you say you are in your SoP should be specific) in a subfield even if your methodology is transhistorical. Research philosophy and literature programs or English programs that allow you to do a graduate minor in another field so you could do all that work in philosophy. My university, for example, works like that.

I was going to add some things, but Proflorax's list is great and followup post, too. Seriously, this does not really get better, particularly as you near the point of going on the market and then it is like applying but worse, so figuring out a coping strategy now is great preparation, too. As tempting (and at times necessary) as it will be to drink/smoke etc. more than usual, try to make time to hit the gym and workout, too. Those endorphins will help and staying in shape will help you feel better, too. Deep breathing and definitely don't be ashamed to seek out a therapist or take medicine if necessary. I've been surprised to find that a majority of graduate students I've met either go to therapy regularly, take an anti-depression or anxiety medication, or both. Grad school is awesome but stressful, so again, learning coping strategies now will come in handy.

I filled it out before my first year and took some loans to help cover the cost of moving and my partner (who finished law school right before we moved and couldn't take the bar in our new state until Feb) not having a job for the first 6 months. You may (unlikely) qualify for some subsidized loans and probably certainly will qualify for unsubsidized, which are still better than private. That said, fellowship income is considered different from income you make as a TA/grader, so make sure that the financial aid office at the school you attend has the right information from the department. If you have a fellowship one semester and TA the other (and the fellowship comes second semester) the amount the FAFSA says you qualify for will be drastically different, and you may think you get a lot more loans than you do. When you are counting on some loan money come January and suddenly learn that not only do you not get said money but in fact must immediately pay back several thousand, you'll have a bad day (yes, my experience). So, do file but make sure to follow up carefully once you get an offer, especially if that offer includes fellowship funding. And you can just list the grad schools, but I would say it is actually going to be way more accurate if you wait to file it until you have an offer and/or know where you are going.

For your interests, if you knew Mandarin or Korean or Japanese (not sure if you're specifying with Asiam American lit), then it would definitely be worth addressing your language skills. Since it is Spanish, though, and not directly relevant to your research interests, I wouldn't include it in the SOP. If a language is/will be obviously needed and you don't have that yet (as in Wyatt's case), it can be a good idea to address that, but they can tell you've got Spanish from your transcripts so I wouldn't use space in the SOP to address languages. Most English programs anticipate you'll need to do a reading X language course to cover one or sometimes even both of the language requirements.

--Adding only that while "If it were I" is technically correct because of the linking verb were, "if it were me" is WAY more common and likely will supplant the correct (whatever that means) version soon, so carry on with "if it were me" and GOOD LUCK!

As long as the MA is funded, you probably won't have any more of a problem getting into top-ranked schools than anyone else with an MA. Many of the top schools tend to prefer direct-from-BA admits, but it is definitely true that a funded MA is always going to be a stronger vote in your favor than an unfunded MA, even if that unfunded MA comes from a school whose Ph.D. program ranks highly (note the difference between Ph.D. and MA because there isn't really a ranking system available of MAs).

I would take the job and see how the applications pan out. If you get into a school you love, you might be able to talk to your employers and work something out. Or even if you did leave on bad terms, you're going to be doing the Ph.D. for 4-6 years and will be distant from any stain from leaving the Intel job early (assuming they don't send you on your way with well wishes if you get that dream admit). If you get into a school you like but don't love and like the internship, you might ask for a deferral at that school and then apply again next year and see what happens. At that point, you'll have been with Intel for more than a year so it won't look as bad to leave and you might get better offers because of the job experience. Or you don't get in, have this job, and then either reapply or stay in this job if you're happier there. No matter which way you go, if it were I, (I know that sounds pedantic . . . it is, but I'm an English Ph.D) I'd take the job. Bird in the hand and all that.

If you already have an MA, then you would be ineligible for a postbacc. They are programs or jobs that are designed to improve an undergrad's GPA or CV if said undergrad (now BA or BS holder) either has a weaker GPA, not a lot of science courses, or not a lot of lab experience. If you have a good relationship with any professors in your previous program, I would suggest speaking to them about potential options would be best. They'll know you and have ideas about how best to move forward. While you might be able to use one or two letters from your MA professors, you'll need at least one from the Ph.D. program. Maybe it can come from the prof of the course you got an A in second semester. This letter would ideally speak about your growth in that semester and say that this person thinks you have learned how to navigate and succeed in the US system. I think that either trying to get some work experience and then applying again to US programs or doing the European Ph.D. and US postdoc is really your only option if you're set on the Ph.D. Good luck!

Since you're in the sciences, I think you would be better served to get work experience (as mentioned above), try to do a postbacc (mentioned above) so you get some research experience and additional coursework, or maybe try to do the MA. In some research fields, the Ph.D. isn't needed for industry work, and it might even be a disadvantage. Is that the case for your specific area? Where do you want to end up (in a university or in industry)? Figuring that out might guide your decisions now. That said, I think you're going to find that it is very difficult for you to reapply having been dismissed already by one Ph.D. program.

Many top tier programs don't have funded MAs because that creates a trade-off for funds between their Ph.D. students and their MA students. The tradeoff also comes in terms of professor/department time and resources as well. Because the MA is a shorter degree, and because MA students generally need more guidance/support in their coursework and scholarship, a large MA cohort can take up time and resources that many top tier programs would rather invest in their Ph.D. students. Most of the funded MAs are either at programs that do not offer the Ph.D. (and so need MA students to teach) or at programs that may have a Ph.D. program but it is small and insufficient for covering teaching/tutoring needs. I'm not saying any of this is good, but it does help explain why most funded MA programs are where they are and also why the infamous U of Chicago MAPH and NYU MA programs are often criticized for being cash cow programs that use their brand name to attract MA students who pay a lot of money that can then be redirected to fund Ph.D. students and other things.

I would disagree that you need to remove all the first person. It shouldn't be frequently used, but I have published two articles in peer-reviewed, respected journals and used some first person, and many of the journals I read use first person sparingly. Again, I wouldn't use it a lot, and I'd generally avoid "we," but it can be helpful to clearly distinguish what you are arguing from what other people, whom you may be quoting, have said. I do agree, however, that a film-based WS might be a bit of a hard sell to an English program unless there are people in the department who work extensively with film and your SOP makes a case for how film and lit go together and connects this methodology to the approaches of these potential advisers.

While I would agree that you need to communicate with your adviser, I think the above email is worded too strongly. I would recommend changing the tone to be more respectful and explain that you are experiencing a tradeoff in time spent reviewing these articles and your own work.

It is indeed a Pierce reference Even having the luxury of paying for the MA, I think you'll find that a funded MA will carry more weight than an MA from a program (in)famous for accepting lots of people to pay for the degree. Best of luck whatever you decide to do!

I mean both in that it is better for your pocketbook to not pay and better for your CV as well. I did a one-year MA at U of Chicago. It is a top school, and while I got partial funding for MAPH, I would have been better served, I think, to have done a funded MA at a place like Villanova (or any of the funded MAs really) than UC. UC and NYU in particular have a cash cow MA reputation that is pretty well known. While I did have an amazing MA experience and am a much better scholar and writer as a result, I regret the debt. That said, I believe they've started offering a very few full tuition scholarships. In that case, I'd recommend MAPH. I really did have an amazing year there. Funded MA programs here are 2 years because most fund you by having you teach or something like that, which is good experience in itself. They also often have language requirements, and filling them is a good idea since you'll have them for a Ph.D. You'll also either write a thesis or do comps (or sometimes both). A thesis may become your writing sample or your first publication in a very revised form. So do you want to work on medieval drama? Or do you want to work on early modern drama? You might consider the MA at Mary Baldwin's College that specializes in drama and early modern performance. Some other funded MAs (double check as this list is dated): U of Nebraska-Lincoln, Iowa State, U of Kansas,, Ohio State, Marquette, U of Connecticut, Kent State, SUNY-Binghamton (and many of the other SUNYs, too, I think), Auburn, Wake Forest, and there are others. You'll notice these aren't at Ivies and tippy top programs. Some do have Ph.D. programs, too, but the MA programs also stand alone as a terminal degree.

Unless the Dphil comes from Ox-bridge (or UToronto if you go north), you'll find it very difficult to get a TT job in the US system with a non-US degree. There are exceptions, of course, but the general advice is to do the doctorate degree in the US if you want to teach in the US. An Mphil abroad is a different story, though funding is quite a bit more difficult to secure there than at funded MAs here.

Also true, though. If you just need a reading knowledge to check off the Ph.D. lang requirement box, you don't need to do all that the above poster lists, but if you want fluency or near fluency, that list seems pretty accurate.

Definitely you can have Associate and Assistant Professors on your committee. As Mikers said, the problem of having an adviser who doesn't have tenure yet is that they could leave midway through your program. It can be best to have a full Prof as your adviser since this person will also probably have more clout when you go on the market, but that isn't a huge consideration.

What do you mean by a proper Masters program? Since you listed UK schools, which generally won't fund you, I'm guessing you mean something other than a funded MA. I would strongly suggest that you look at funded MA programs. It's much better to have a funded MA from a "low-ranked" school than pay for one from a top tier school. Search for funded MA in this forum and there is a list I remember seeing in a thread of funded MAs. It was from a couple years ago, and not all of those schools still have funded MAs I would guess, but it will help you lengthen your list.