OctaviaButlerfan

I have not been unemployed long term, but I have been underemployed since graduating with my B.A. seven years ago. I try to address it realistically but positively. Even when I'm not asked, I will address it. For instance, when an interviewer comments on my "interesting" job history- and they do, because I have had a couple of jobs unrelated to my degree- I will say that my resume is a combination of the challenging job market/tough economy and my particular interests. Despite the underemployment, I have kept busy with school, part-time jobs, and research projects, and I focus on how I have continued to pursue my interests. By the way, two out of three times I answered that way, I was offered the job. Focus, then, on how you have been pursuing your advanced degree, and any other projects or work that relates to that.

There are cases in which you need the specific degree. For instance, with my MA in Liberal Studies, I would be qualified to teach English, but not History, at the nearest community college. I would recommend (as has been recommended to me) calling the particular community college(s) you are interested in teaching at to ask, or looking at their job postings.

Ha! This is SO me, overall.

I will also be presenting!

These are great replies- it's very interesting to see how people's decisions are determined. I'm considering Spanish as my first, partly because I have already studied some Spanish, and partly because in recent years there has been a move to study science fiction by authors from Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Spain. That might be done and gone, though. I'm not sure. I think that if I could study any language at all, just because, it would be an Aramaic language. I think that would be fascinating. I don't think that's likely to be practical, though, and I don't know what my second language should be (if one is required). Possibly Greek or Latin. I am interested in canonical and non-canonical women writers of the classical and medieval worlds.

I've heard that peer reviewed journals are the best option for publishing. I've also heard conflicting information about publishing: one, that it is best to diversify, and two, that it is best to try to become published in forums in which others who specialize in similar interests will notice your work. That said, how does a specialized anthology edited by an academic who specializes in interests similar to yours hold up to a peer reviewed journal?

How did you choose which language(s) to study for your PhD? Or, how will you choose? Also, if you had no constrictions on availability and/or practicality, which language(s) would you choose? Which language or languages do you feel are most relevant to your particular interests, and why?

I have also narrowed down my programs. I am applying much, much more widely than I have in the past, as I have decided that earning a PhD is definitely what I want to do. Therefore, I will relocate if necessary, and I am looking a bit more closely at fit. I'm finishing my M.A. in the next year at my alma mater, so that's a done deal, but I am working to strengthen my application by submitting to conferences, working in research assistant positions, etc. Louisiana State University University of Kansas University of British Columbia Vancouver University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Duke University of California Riverside Indiana University California State University Northridge University of California Santa Cruz University of Michigan English & Education

Wow. You heard back for one of them already? I submitted one proposal. I hope to hear soon.

Hi, I am in a similar situation, too. I am attending the same institution where I did my undergrad and began my M.A. 2 + years ago, because I didn't receive a funded offer. I may get funding off the waitlist, but I highly doubt it. It has taken me so long to get my M.A. because of lack of funding; most scholarship opportunities are only for students who have completed almost half of the credits required for the degree. I also have two young children. Something I began doing was scouring my school for funding opportunities. In the fall, I will be doing a work study, and I will probably be an RA as well. One of the reasons it was difficult to get excited about my school was lack of resources, but I have learned I have to make resources myself. To that end, I am applying for research grants on a personal research project, and submitting proposals to conferences. Check to see if your school has research grants and conference scholarships, if you haven't already. Finally, sometimes scholarships can be given to grad students as well as undergrads.. and sometimes there are special scholarships for people who have had a break in their education, or who have children, etc. I will say it is has been hard to find these resources.. sometimes various departments in my school (even financial aid) were not forthcoming. I hope it works out for you!

Anyone know of any good theoretical work on empathy?

Okay.. so, obviously, other people are frustrated, and anxious, too. But has anyone else had a similar experience of not getting responses from the DGS/Chairperson/Associate Chairperson? I was encouraged to contact this person, and yet, have received no response whatsoever after two e-mails. I hate that I most likely am not going to get any offer of funding, and if I do, I will have to decide the same day I find out. I also hate the idea of applying again, even though there is a small part of me that would like to expand my applications.

I raised my score by six points, I think - 161 to 167. My Analytical Writing score went from a 5.0 to a 5.5. There was a period of three years between the two tests, and honestly, I didn't study at all for the second one. I did, however, follow advice I had seen on various forums. For instance, in the AW section, I included as much supporting detail as possible. I tried for at least two examples or pieces of evidence for each body paragraph. I agree with ArizonaState21; reading a lot is probably the best thing you can do to increase your Verbal score. I was reading much more in the years between those two tests than I had been in the two years before I took it the first time. I had also been taking some graduate courses in the interim. Finally, make sure that you are reading work that challenges you.

I am on a waitlist for funding. This is so frustrating. Would you say it's a bad sign if you can't get any sort of communication from the associate chairperson for grad studies, and not for lack of trying?

Anzaldúa, Gloria. “La Conciencia de la Mestiza: Towards a New Consciousness.” The Woman That I Am: The Literature and Culture of Contemporary Women of Color. Ed. Madison, D. Soyini. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 1997. 560-72. Print. Lorde, Audre. “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House.” 1979. Sister Outsider. New York: The Crossing Press, 1984. Print. Smith, Andrea. “Native American Feminism, Sovereignty, and Social Change.” Feminist Studies. 31.1 (Spring 2005): 116-132. Print. Also, I would recommend This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color, which is co-edited by Anzaldúa and Cherrie Moraga, who also wrote "La Guera," which I would also recommend.

I have emailed the graduate studies director at a program which accepted me. I am still waiting to hear on funding, and while I mentioned teaching assistantships in my email, I made other inquiries about the program in general. I was encouraged to email the graduate director. It has, however, now been two and a half weeks. Any suggestions? Also, I'm not sure how to ask about funding packages, or the likelihood of getting funding. I am in communication with the graduate secretary, and she told me that it would be up to a couple of weeks before the budget is decided, but to feel free to ask her any questions I may have. I'm also going to the campus early in April, during a visiting day for potential new students. I've been given the impression, however, that this event will allow for very little detailed conversation.

So.. I will not be hearing anything about funding for up to a couple of weeks, and that is quite demoralizing. More practically, I may be able to do something about this (to an extent) by applying to many scholarships, assistantships outside of my department, etc. The thing is, I think I have to be enrolled to apply. So.. any thoughts on what it might mean if I didn't get the scholarships OR funding from my department, and had to leave the program? I'm sure in this economy everyone would understand, but it might reflect badly on me in a future application season.

Anyone know anything about Akers hall or Williams hall?

Any thoughts on whether I should e-mail, or call instead, a visiting professor at the university I am thinking of attending? She was recommended to me as a potential contact by a professor I know. I don't think she will be expecting me to contact her, though. Alternatively, I may be able to meet her when I visit. I just wanted to make contact with various people early enough to weigh my decision carefully, especially given that funding is still hanging in the balance.

Dear school of choice (a.k.a. only school that accepted me.. but.. but you were my second choice, really you were): Please, please, give me a fellowship or Teaching Assistantship so that I can read books all day, and teach, and pore over my most beloved literary works that otherwise I must always sneak reading in between other duties (or somehow work into my final papers for every English course I take). Signed, Your academic slave for at least two years

Any thoughts on contacting POIs and/or grad students once you've been accepted? Also, does anyone have any suggestions for how to respond to an acceptance when funding is yet to be determined?

Any thoughts on not moving out of state to do an M.A./Ph.D.? I know a lot of people do.. is there a general sense that it shows more willingness to take risks or make changes?

I was just officially rejected from Indiana University Bloomington. I was really hoping for a waitlist. I didn't think I would be one of those people who feels a need for more than one acceptance.. but I guess I am. I also really liked the fit of some of the faculty at IUB.

I'm in sort of a similar situation.. except that my only choice is between two schools in the state which I already reside. I've gotten the impression that it "looks better" if you move around a little. Any thoughts?

Ok.. here's my dilemma. I have been accepted to a school in which I'm sure I could be happy and productive. The graduate faculty doesn't necessarily specialize in my slightly obscure areas of interest, but I think I could make it work. I have read some of the work of their faculty. However, funding is yet to be determined, and is by no means guaranteed. I may or may not get a multi-year funding package, including assistantships. Beyond that, the school is ranked at about #63 in the field. The two other schools to which I applied, and was not accepted, are in the top 20-30. Currently I am in an unranked graduate program. If there is no funding, I don't have a choice to make. I will have to stay in my current program. If there is funding.. I can get my M.A. at this program and continue to their Ph.D. program, or apply to other Ph.D. programs. The question is, what are my prospects either 1) as an M.A. graduate from this program applying to Ph.D. programs elsewhere or 2) with a Ph.D. from this program?