meleth

Hello GradCafe board, Long post to follow—apology in advance for the novel I discovered this forum several months ago and have gleaned an unbelievable amount of knowledge about the graduate application process and advanced study in general. I’m hoping someone can offer me some advice that’s more specific to my situation, because I’m really feeling lost and frustrated right now. I graduated a year ago with a bachelor’s in marketing, which for me translates into a ridiculous amount of debt, coupled with a deep and abiding distaste for the corporate world. I have a lot of skills that are valuable in business (time management, organizational, communication), but I don’t want to spend my life doing something I’m good at if it means I dread going to work each and every day. Thus begins my search. My research interests are many and varied, but I would really like to pursue an interdisciplinary approach to the genre of fantasy in various media (literature, cinema, art, maybe even video games!) I want to know why Harry Potter and company struck a chord in Western culture, why Zelda is one of Nintendo’s signature game franchises, why attention to detail in fantasy filmmaking can make the film's world totally believable. Heck, who am I kidding; I want an excuse to read Tolkien for days on end without neglecting “real-world” duties! Ha. I know that’s very broad, and there will certainly be a more definitive and better-worded version of those thoughts in the future. I suppose what I’m looking for is a jumping-off point for researching programs and potential applications. I know I’m rather late for the 2011 app season, and honestly, I think it would be good for me to wait a year to really solidify my interests and get my life in order. Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts/advice on the questions below, they will be much appreciated! 1. What types of programs should I be looking for? I’ve looked into cultural studies, comparative literature, and media studies, but none of them seem to fit quite right. 2. Do I have a chance of getting in with my business background? I have a 3.79 overall GPA (3.66 in my major thanks to all those darn numbers courses, 3.92 in my gen-eds and what was supposed to be an English minor), graduated magna cum laude, and plan to take the GRE in June or September. My CV is…well…essentially nonexistent. Research outside of class, for students in general and particularly in my department, was neither encouraged nor very visible at my alma mater (a small private school that isn’t well-known outside the Midwest). Now I know I should have sought out some opportunities, but…lesson learned. 3. I know I need a stellar SOP (a work in progress), but I’m worried about the recommendations. My professors love me and I know they’d write wonderful letters, but they’re completely outside my field of interest. Since I’m also worried that I don’t have the correct educational background, would it be worth it to look into getting a second bachelor’s degree in English at one of my state universities? (Relatively cheap, decent class offerings, generally not very prestigious—are you seeing a pattern here?) And I will stop rambling now. See why I’m so confused and lost?