catalysta

No problem While I feel like a major dweeb for posting a text wall of department drama, I know that I would like this sort of information on prospective schools. All my angst aside, I have really enjoyed my time here at UF. Gainesville seems tiny at first, but its quirks grow on you. So much that I'm staying here while I wait for the next application cycle to come around!

Hey, I normally don't post at all, but I have some information y'all might be interested in. I currently attend UF as an undergrad, and applied there for graduate admission this fall. Like everyone else, I went absolutely stir-crazy waiting for a response. Last week, I just decided to drop in on Dr. Murchek (undergraduate advisor). He directed me to Dr. Wegner's secretary, Kathy, who said the following things: *There were only six slots for this fall. I'm not surprised by this at all. The English Department's budget is comically low, as UF seems determined to slowly choke the life out of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. * She was writing up the letters as she was speaking to me, so I'm assuming everyone will be receiving them soon-ish. For the record, I was rejected. I'm not too horribly upset, since we recently lost my favorite professor and advisor. The rest of the faculty is absolutely wonderful, I cannot stress that enough, but the department is in a definite decline. Faculty are retiring/leaving, and not being replaced. Our only professor of 18th century literature is being forced into early retirement. Everyone is overworked and underappreciated by the administration. The UF Powers That Be decided recently that they didn't like the chair of our department, Dr. Gilbert. They gave the orders for a new one to be selected immediately, without a single explanation of why we needed a new one. The faculty is absolutely baffled, and no one wants to step up to the plate (understandably.) I'm not trying to scare anyone off or paint an entirely negative picture. If I was accepted here, I would still probably go. I love my professors to death, but the decline of the department over these last four years has been disheartening. I don't know, maybe things will be turning around shortly -- I sincerely hope they do. It's just that things aren't pretty right now. Anyway, just thought I'd give my two cents on the situation, since the department tends not to be too upfront about all of this. Good luck!