Thanks for the feedback. I'm interested in Medieval literature and the conflicts and reconciliations between paganism and Christianity found in it. I haven't really gotten any more specific than that. (One reason I was hoping to apply to a MA program first! I want to get a little more general background before I really commit myself to a specific field.) More about me: I graduated from college 9 years ago with a BA in Theater Ed and a minor in Lit. I was a very unmotivated student and although I managed to graduate with a 3.08, I did so poorly my senior year that I was put on academic probation my last semester. I wish I had some awesome work experience to compensate, but I spent the last 4 years working part-time as an SAT tutor while staying home with my daughter. Right now I have no academic references, so I'm going to take a course of two this year. (I'd like to take more, but money is a huge issue) From what I've seen on this board, I'm in no way competitive in the PhD admissions game, so I was hoping to try for a terminal MA program. I'd obviously rather go straight into a PhD program, but I'm scared I'll be laughed right out of application pile!