Jump to content

grilledcheese

Members
  • Posts

    9
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by grilledcheese

  1. The Fellowship Information file put together by Prof. Rafia Zafar at WashU is very helpful. In case anyone is interested, https://sites.wustl.edu/zafar/fellowship-information Anonscribe, thank you for the link from the Chronicle. I was wondering if there is a link or a page which lists the PhD stipends at various schools. I am definitely thinking of re-applying, especially after reading this -- I was thinking of spending the first year at the PhD which has accepted me; my advisor says, I should consider two years. I am torn about this -- 2 years is nearly half-way through the PhD, is it not? Not that I told him this. It's significant that the first thing my M.A. advisor did was take a look at the faculty at the PhD program where I've been accepted, and then, check where each person went to school. Clearly, in terms of entry-level jobs, the school is important. Of course, what one does with the PhD is entirely up to each person's initiative. A lot of messages on this forum suggest getting in touch with a professor at the school one wishes to attend. Sorry to sound terribly naive, but has anyone does this? And how does one go about this? Do you just write the person an e-mail stating, I've read your work, I really want to study at your school, etc.? I'm a little awkward with the "cold-calling" thing, so I would love to hear any experiences. Thanks in advance.
  2. Thanks to everyone who replied. I really appreciate it. No, I am graduating with an M.A. this summer. My dept. does not offer a PhD program, which makes it imperative that I move to another school, and at least stay inside the academic 'loop,' so to speak. Since we have to pay for the articles on this website, it might be helpful to ask profs/advisers if your department subscribes to this journal. I tried to read some of the stuff, and the articles are largely for subscribers. Have you read the ones by Thomas H. Benton? He's a real prof. at Hope College, and he gives a very insightful perspective on English depts and the profession, in general. I'm going to look for this. Really appreciate your help. I spoke to my adviser, who was actually very encouraged that I was accepted anywhere. He says that transferring is not considered unethical; I shall not be 'blacklisted.' He says that "moving around is what academics do all the time." This is a part of the profession. I'd like some concrete advice from those of you who are/were in a similar predicament. I am considered excellent within my department, but I know there is stuff I need to work on and it's time to get my head out of the sand (my adviser could not suggest anything, apart from enrolling into the PhD program that has accepted me and doing well). My grad GPA -- 3.94. Subject GRE - 660. GRE Verbal -- 630; GRE Quant. -- 680. I have considerable teaching experience, but sadly, I have not attended any research symposia/conferences. Any advice is appreciated deeply.
  3. I would really appreciate advice on some quandaries I'm facing. I got accepted into my backup school for the ENG PhD with funding. I feel grateful for this, extremely grateful, but the reality is that I wish to transfer to another, better program. I was thinking I should go to this school (the one that's accepted me), stay for a year, and then transfer next Fall (2008). My questions are: 1. Is it unethical to do this? On the flipside: (a) The school that has accepted me has very very few facultypersons in the area that I'm interested in, and I am genuinely terrified of finding courses canceled, no resources, etc. ( The school's ranking is very low, and I was wondering if this will turn out to be career-suicide in the long term. 2. If any of you got accepted in your top-choice schools after a year of waiting, what did you do in the interim (gap) year? Did you take the GRE/Subject GRE again? More importantly, did you get something published, attend conferences/symposia, etc. to build your resume? 3. Finally, I was thinking of writing directly to the faculty persons at the programs that I am interested in. Is this a good idea? Or should I write to the grad directors? I don't know if faculty take kindly to the thought of writing to a total stranger, so I would love to hear if this worked for some of you. I realize that the answer will be different for every person, but I am trying to find out what went wrong with my application, which I thought (and my advisor thought) was outstanding. Thank you in advance for your support and any advice you have to offer.
  4. The reason they don't let us know the results by e-mail is because (and I've read this somewhere) they had a situation back in 2002 when the application decision e-mails went to the junk mail folders of the recipients, so they decided that postal mail was more reliable. As for phone results, well, I'm with you on that one. Get us out of our misery already! :x
  5. Hi-- Does anyone know what WashU's stipend is for English PhDs?
  6. Thanks, Torisen. This has been the most inspiring thing I've heard in this entire month. I think I'll end up going to the school that was my backup of a backup (you get the idea). I am trying to tell myself that I'm fortunate to get accepted anywhere at all and with funding. Also, I love my field of study and I cannot imagine not doing it. I imagine that we shall all find our way, despite these rejections. By the way, I called the Harvard GSAS at 4:30 PM (they answer calls from 2 to 5 every day) and the guy told me that I should call them if I don't receive my letter for another week. This is nice -- keep us dangling from the end of a rapidly-fraying rope. :roll:
  7. I'm real sorry to hear that. I've also been rejected by 8 of the 9 schools I applied to. It's a bloodbath out there. I suppose if 300 people and more are applying for 6-9 spots (for PhDs), that makes it difficult for everyone. And now I'll have to end up going to the one I didn't want to at all.
  8. I called the Harvard GSAS this morning and they refused to let me know the decision over the phone. They said the letters were mailed last week. Harvard is the last and final school I'm waiting to hear from. I don't feel too optimistic; the mailman should be here in a couple of hours. :cry:
  9. I applied to Harvard, PhD, English. They've been telling me (for the past week now) that the letter is 'in the mail.' There's no letter yet. Does it mean an implied rejection if they're this late sending out letters? I understand that at most schools the director of grad studies calls accepted applicants. It's almost April and I just want to get on with my life.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use