Timshel

Okay, so I'm sort of in crisis mode here. Every time I think I have my list of schools solidified, I find out something that I didn't know beforehand that is changing my mind. The biggest issue is that some of the schools I have thought about applying to apparently don't take many PhD candidates who already have an external MA. Two of those schools that I have read about (on here) are Penn State who usually only take 2-3 and Boston University who usually only takes 1. First, can anyone confirm or deny these statistics? Second, can we use this thread to add other schools that are known to not take a lot of PhD students who already have an MA. I have an MA already, and I really don't want to waste my time applying somewhere that usually take people with MA's in hand. Thanks!

I do the same thing as you on all counts, and I also teach composition.

I was 4th, really? Wow....

My writing sample will be on a book that came out in 2007, so I'm sure you're fine.

I mean, I could use a chapter from my thesis, but my interests have changed a little. My thesis was on trauma theory is 9/11 literature, and now I'm more interested in trauma theory in ethnic literature. Like I said, I have a paper from a latino/a lit class where I used trauma theory a little, and then later added more for a conference paper, that I think I could expand on to make my writing sample. It just makes me nervous that it's not something that has been officially "graded" or looked over like a thesis.

I think that's a really good point. I don't think I could edit any part of my thesis again. Ugh. It's too soon to look at it again. LOL

I have sort of a related question about the writing sample. I can't decide if I should use part of my Master's thesis, or go with something I am working. My two primary areas of interest are trauma studies and ethnic lit. I didn't become interested in the combination of the two until after I was half way through my thesis, so if I use part of it as my writing sample, it won't fully demonstrate what I am saying my area of interest is. However, it's obviously my best writing because it went through a year of edits. My other option is a paper I wrote for a latino/a lit class (while I was working on my thesis), that was loosely based in trauma studies that I did well on, and I later added a bit more of the trauma theory to it and presented it at a conference. I feel that that paper, if I expanded it, aligns more closely with what I am saying I want to do, but I guess I'm just nervous because it has not been worked on or as edited as much as my thesis has. Sorry if this is long and confusing, I'm just trying to get my thoughts out. I guess, in short, should I stick with my thesis that is kind of related to my current interests, or go with something new I've been working on that is directly related with what I would like to do if I get accepted somewhere.

Getting back to the OP question, I hear this a lot of from my students in my Intro to Lit class: "Why do we have to take a literature class? How is this relevant to my life?" I usually answer this in two ways. First, I tell them practically, that by studying and discussing literature, you learn analytical and critical thinking skills that can transfer over into any other job or situation in your life. Being able to analyze and think critically is invaluable. Then, I also tell them that many people believe that reading literature teaches you what it means to be human. They always seem very puzzled by this at first. But then, throughout the semester, as we read stories or poems, after we discuss one, I ask them, how does this story/poem help to teach us what it means to be human? By the end of the semester, I can honestly say, most, if not all, of my students have a better appreciation and understanding of the relevancy of the class. Teaching literature is more rewarding to me than anything else in the world, and I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

I am so freaked out I am practically stunted. I am retaking the GRE in a few weeks, and it is all consuming for me. I know everyone said it's the least important, but there is still a minimum I need to meet to get past the first round, and I am terrified that in that one moment, I could mess everything up so badly that I end up not applying. I'm scared to start doing anything until I take it again so as not to waste my,or anyone else's, time.

That's what I was thinking. I just wasn't sure if anyone knew for sure, or if anyone had similar issues at other schools.

Okay, I've discussed this on other boards, but wanted to address it directly in hopes of getting definite answers. I looked everywhere, and I can't find anything saying whether or not it's okay to apply to both Emory's English lit and Comp lit programs in the same year. I'm assuming that this might cause a problem with online applications and such, but I was just wondering what people knew about either Emory or other schools with policies regarding this type of thing.

I, too, am freaking out. I teach 4 undergrad English courses at a university that just started this week, and I work at the campus writing center, too. On top of teaching and prepping, I am planning to retake the general GRE in September and the subject in October, and although I have been doing a lot of thinking about my applications, I haven't really done much else. I am officially freaking out.

There have been several anecdotes on this board where people have gotten into schools where they said they required a certain GRE, and that person didn't have that high of a score, but they got in anyway.

I actually think that I will be taking it in two weeks, too. That is the plan anyway. I should double check and actually schedule it. I'm freaking out. I need to increase my score or I'm not even going to bother applying.

I am going to have to send two score reports because I am taking the subject in October, by my GRE scores (since I'm doing the new one) won't be available until November, so when my October scores are sent, it won't have the general, even though I will have taken it in September.

Yeah, I actually looked into that. I think I might do that instead.

I actually looked at their program and they are more interdisciplinary and theoretical, which could work for me. A LOT of their students are doing things similar to what I want to do....I wonder if I could apply to both their traditional lit and comp lit programs.

I guess I just thought comp lit programs were for people interested in literature of other countries.

So would it be crazy for me to apply to Emory's Comp Lit program since they have a Trauma Studies track, which is my interest, even though my primary interest is still American Lit?

I think it could work well for you if you try to make a secondary focus of yours psychoanalysis in literature. That is what my focus is, and a background in psych would work perfectly for it. Even if that isn't what you end up sticking with, it's a way you can sell yourself to departments, and then you can always change if you want.

So wait, what you're saying is that people with a comp lit degree may have a hard time finding a job in a traditional lit program? I know at my school where I got my masters many of the instructors got their degrees in comp lit, but that school also doesn't have a comp lit department..... I know that when I was looking at Emory, in their comp lit department, they actually have a trauma studies track, which was tempting for me, but I was thinking it could be better to go the traditional lit program and just take classes in the comp lit department, which they allow......

Thank you! I agree 100%

I agree with you, which is why I said RELEVANT extracurriculars. "School musicals" would not fall under relevant to most programs. But as the chair of the Graduate English Association (a relevant extracurricular), we held many workshops for students on what to put on applications, CVs, and how to get into PhD programs, and they have all said that you can put them on if they show commitment to the field or add to your application in some way. We are both entitled to our opinions, and I just feel that you can give advice and be helpful without making someone feel stupid for asking. Isn't that the point of this forum to begin with? But I digress.....I know how busy of a person you are.

I've thought about this a lot myself, especially since most schools that do trauma studies, which is my primary area of interest, do it in their comp lit departments. However, I have no other language skills, and most programs require you to graduate with I think 2-3 other languages under your belt. I know a bit of French, so I could pick that one up, but I don't know about two more. The reason they mostly do that, too, is because you are, from what I understand, dealing with books from other countries, whereas I am interested specifically in American lit. Does anyone have anything else to offer to this?

I've been told by professors that if you belong to organizations or participate in clubs that relate to your field and have relevancy, then you should add that (to a grad school application, not when applying for a job). Also, I'm not sure why your responses to me and the OP are so hostile and condescending.