Rupert Pupkin

I have a question about Rutgers as well. Do we really have to fax in a copy of our GRE scores? I don't even think I have my actual paper copy, and I definitely don't have a fax machine. I'm hoping that it isn't a big deal.

NYU's deadline is tomorrow. I can't upload my transcript to their app and have been trying different things for several days. The embark system keeps timing out. Judging by the embark support site, it seems as though this is an ongoing problem. Their site also claims that they are so backlogged with support requests that it will take a while to get a response. I emailed them on Monday and am still waiting. I am not even sure if my other materials have been properly uploaded either as after I upload them I get a message saying: "To view your document in PDF format, click the "Preview" button above." Problem is, no "preview" button appears. It really blows my mind how cheap and faulty some of these application systems are.

The paper I am using for my writing sample was 16 pages originally. After trimming all of the fat to satisfy NYU's length requirement, I actually prefer the shorter version and would like to use it for every school. How bad would it look to submit a 12-13 page paper for schools that ask for 15-20? Also, I hate how several of my schools state their length requirement as "no more than 20 pages" or "no more than 25 pages" Technically, 12-13 pages is "no more than 25 pages," but I fear that it may seem skimpy. Why must they be so vague? Any ideas on the minimum length for schools like this? There really needs to be some kind of standard length requirement for all schools.

I don't know if it is a comment on my work ethic or not, but it seems pretty insane that I have been engaged in this process (at least in some form) for about 6-7 months, and I am still struggling to complete these apps before their deadlines. I feel like I am about to collapse inches before the finish line. I have pretty much everything done except for a final writing sample revision and fit paragraphs. I am just so burned out that I don't feel like my final push is going to be good enough. The fit paragraphs in particular are killing me. I have conceptualized why I would like to attend each school during the past several months. It is just a stressful task when you are applying to 10-15 schools. I am shamelessly applying to several schools where the fit is not obvious. I was thinking about tossing a last minute application to UC Davis, but when I got to the "Personal History" component of the app in addition to my SOP, I just felt powerless to write another word. To make my night even worse, I just realized that I spelled the first name of one of my letter writers wrong on an app. In the words of Rick Perry: "oops".

As I feverishly work all weekend to get as much done before the work week starts, I figured I would make a thread for my fellow gradcafe'ers to discuss the pains of working long hours while applying to grad school. I work a tedious job Monday through Friday, leaving me too burned out to work on apps during the week. Anybody else finding it extremely difficult to dedicate enough time, focus, energy to your apps due to work? I am not starting this thread to complain. I just wanted to hear how others are coping balancing work and apps. I feel like my experience working a mind-numbing job will make it that much sweeter if I am accepted. But also, that much more depressing if I don't make it in.

Scores are still not up, but I was able to see mine on an application status page (Texas). So if a school you are applying to has a similar page, maybe you can get your score for free as well. I made a 580. Not as good as the rest of you guys, but something I am completely satisfied with based on my performance on practice tests. I'm hopeful my 580 is good enough to make this component a non-issue.

Differs by school. Some don't send them out until you've paid the app fee. Some send them out as soon as you register the letter writers. Some don't send them out until you've completely submitted your app.

What exactly is their logic for charging here? The scores have already been sent to the free score report schools. We don't have a right to know? As much as I would like to find out, I refuse to hand over any more money to these con artists.

Is anyone else going through the Texas application? They ask you to copy/paste your SOP into a text box. However, none of the formatting transfers. This is fine for the most part, but it is impossible to have any italicized words. I mention several works in my statement and am afraid I will look like a moron with no italicization. Am I freaking out over nothing? Will they know it is impossible to italicize something in their system? I also am confused about whether or not I can go back and enter my SOP after I submit my app. I would like to go ahead and submit my app to give my LOR writers ample time to submit their letters, but once I get to the submission page it says I will not be able to go back and edit anything after I submit (contradicting some other info on the site).

I too am curious about this. CUNY has a very confusing website. No specific application instructions on the English site, just a link to the generic Grad Center page. The $125 app fee is outrageous.

Timshel, If you are concerned that your specific idea wouldn't be a good fit at a particular school, I understand if you don't feel entirely comfortable stating it. However, from what I've heard, you are not locked into the research proposal you outline in your SOP. I recently spoke to one of my professors who told me he changed his stated focus. He also said that it was completely normal and he knew many others who have done it.

You think ETS SWAT agents are gonna bust down your door after they've hacked your gradcafe PM's?

This really annoys me. As of the last time I checked the site (a couple weeks ago), they still required it. I would have not included NYU on my GRE Subject score reports had I known this. I could have used their slot for another school that requires it. As the subject test won't be sent out for 6 weeks (and I strategically selected general and subject scores for NYU instead of using them for one of my free general test score reports) , my scores will be sent unnervingly close to their Dec. 1st deadline. Not to mention that my subject score will probably be the weakest part of my application. Ugh.

Just got back from this. Pretty much all reading comprehension, which was a bit different than the practice tests I had taken. The only matching identifying questions had to do with theorists.

This test is going to kill me. I have actually been studying for it pretty intensely for about a month. I've made hundreds of flashcards from the online resources. Read the Princeton Review book. Still, I am doing absolutely dreadful on the practice tests. I am scoring around 480-510. This is coming from someone who thought they actually had a decent command of the canon. Every second I spend studying for it feels like a giant waste of time considering only 1/4 of the schools I'm applying to require it. But the thought of making such an embarrassing score drives me to study. I would feel so much more productive polishing my Writing Sample, but this dreadful test is the most pressing need.

The larger question I'm pondering: do admissions committees actually closely examine transcripts? Or do they just make sure your GPA has been reported accurately? I have the unwarranted sense that if your Writing Sample, SOP, LORs, GPA, and GRE Scores indicate you are ready for graduate-level work, they aren't going to be giving your transcript (other than confirming the GPA) much attention. As I plan on not mentioning my withdrawals, I pray I am right.

Thanks for the reply. I see no logical place to add this information into my SOP. Would it put a damper on an otherwise persuasive SOP to include a brief "note about my transcript" at the end?

I have a dilemma regarding my transcript. I graduated in 4 years with honors. However, on my transcript, 2 semesters are filled with withdrawals. In my sophomore year, I developed an auto-immune disorder that caused recurring bouts of debilitating arthritis, which forced me to completely withdrawal from 2 semesters (not consecutive). I was debilitated by the illness for one semester, recovered enough to return to school the next semester (in which I completed 19 hours), only to be plagued by a second "flare up" of the illness. During this second lost semester, I finally received the proper diagnosis and treatment for the ailment. After this, I had no further complications. I completed the rest of my studies (including 5 summer courses), to graduate with honors in May '11 (the normal 4 year path for a student entering in Fall '07). This experience occurred near the beginning of my undergraduate studies. I am agonizing over whether or not to include this experience in my personal statement. On the one hand, it could highlight my perseverance in going above and beyond to graduate on time with good grades. On the other hand, it could draw attention to something that would otherwise not be focused on. I am currently planning on not including any information regarding this matter, but would hate to be pegged as potentially flaky when I have a valid excuse. What do you guys think? Could adcoms see 2 semesters plagued by withdrawals and use that as a reason to reject an otherwise worthy applicant? Or does the fact that I graduated, with high marks, within the standard 4 year window, mitigate this issue?

I have this exact dilemma. I selected both "general" and "subject scores" on my October subject test registration. Has anyone figured out exactly how scores will be sent if you did this? Will the general scores arrive by Dec. 1st deadlines?

What do adcoms prefer to see in a writing sample: the ability to conduct comprehensive research or the ability to conduct astute analysis of a text? I ask this because the paper I intend to use as my sample is predominately my own textual analysis rather than a research paper. I do give background and utilize sources to strengthen my argument, but I feel much stronger as a close reader than I do as a researcher. I feel my undergraduate work didn't prepare me enough for the rigorous research needed as a graduate student. In summary, do admissions committees value strong research over strong analysis in writing samples or vice versa?

I have a related question: After I take the subject test in October, will my general scores (already taken) be sent immediately upon requesting a score report for both the general and the subject, with the subject scores sent once they are available? Or would I have to wait until the subject test scores are reported to be able to send both sets of scores for one fee? I am trying to save as much money as I can. I would hate to have to spend two score report fees per school.

I've sent you a PM, ZeeMore.

Thanks for your help. My sub-field is Jewish Studies. With the 300-500 word SOP requirements I'm encountering, I would have to sacrifice some elucidation of my research interests to include some form of music related anecdote in my SOP. I'm not sure that'd be the best idea. Would music publications be completely out of place on my C.V.?

Thanks for the advice guys. I am having a hard time figuring out where I could insert some of my positive traits into my applications. I am both a published music writer and an accomplished musician. As these things are not completely relevant to an English education, I don't know how to include them in my applications without seeming like I am boasting. My current SOP draft has no place where mention of these things would feel natural. Although having some musical success isn't very relevant to my English studies, I believe it does help portray me as a well-rounded individual. I am thinking that one of my LOR writers could attest to these talents as a way to objectively inject them into my applications.

Most of the schools I am looking at ask for a CV or Resume. What do you do if you are fresh out of undergrad with no field-related publications (I am a published music writer), no teaching experience, no conference presentations, and no jobs related to academia? Surely the prestigious universities I plan on applying to don't care about my summer jobs and my volunteer work. Does the fact that I have none of these things imply that I am not ready for a PhD program?