sundv004

Yes, don't feel bad! I don't know if you feel the same way, franxdux, but I would rather get a rejection at this point than more of empty air and static, so to speak. I know this sounds backwards, but at least I'd have the peace of mind to say, "Okay, not going to X next year." Good luck! You still have ten to go--I'm regretting only having applied to four...

Yes, burn the GRE and dance around the flames! (Isn't a critical mass being met, where adcoms must be getting as tired of the GRE as applicants?). And, though I think letters of rec are important, did anyone else find this to be the most frustrating part of the application process? I was in control of everything else, but getting my letter-writers to complete their letters and to do them on time was more than stressful :twisted: . One of my letter wrtiers--a very, very, very, very old man, indeed--did not even use proper letter-head or affix a digi-signature. But by the time this was brought to my attention--one of my dossier services was kind enough to give me a heads up--it was too late to find a new letter-writer. Ack!

Yes, yes: find professors that are congruent with your research interests and apply to their institutions. I think this is the best way to go about graduate school--at least if you want to be happy. I think that far too many students, obviously competitive (especially if they're attempting to attend grad school), put far too much weight and emphasis on "prestige," "notoriety" and "ranking." This means little in the end, as each school's department is going to be unique in their approaches and interests. Even a cursory examination of a handful of schools will demonstrate this. I can't help you with regard to schools that are more traditional in their close-reading approach to literature (as I am, admittedly, more a cultural studies cat), and though many schools are tending to sway in the direction of cultural studies, fear not. It is certain that there are plenty of professors out there who are interested in what you're interested in; and once you find them, I am sure they would be so jazzed that you're bound to not only end up somewhere, but probably get a good pacakge and be able to work closely with an appropriate academic mentor.

I applied to four MA English programs and have not heard anything back yet. Based on the results search page, the data I see from last year indicates that a lot of MA applicants should be finding out fairly shortly. I know that one of my applications only went to departmental review on Feb. 23. University of Florida said that they're backed up and behind schedule a couple of days ago. Etc. & etc. Good luck!!!

Programs similar to University of Minnesota's Comparative Studies in Discourse and Society: UC Santa Cruz, History of Consciousness; UC Berkeley, Rhetoric; University of Florida's English department is very much invested in cultural studies (including film, new media, gender, postcolonial, etc.); Stanford, Modern Thought and Literature; Emory has an interdisciplinary program that is suppose to be kick ass; University of Chicago, Committee on Social Thought; Brown, Modern Media and Culture; UC Davis, Cultural Studies; WUSTL has graduate certificates in American Culture, Film and Media Studies, and in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in their English graduate programs; North Carolina State has a Phd program in their English dept. called Rhetoric and Visual Media (though I don't know much about it); I believe Pitt and George Mason have graduate programs in cultural studies. Naturally, are lot of these schools are going to be focused in different areas. I currently attend the University of Minnesota (and am applying to graduate schools--still waiting for responses) with a double major in English and Cultural Studies (the undergraduate version of CSDS). I've taken three graduate seminars since I've been here and can say that, for the most part, the faculty here is pretty solid. But again, it depends on what you want to get into. I also know a lot of recent graduates from this program. Their placement isn't bad, but it isn't great; but, the good thing about it is that, if you don't find placement somewhere else, they will more often than not offer you a position as a lecturer for a few years. All in all, my assessment of the CSDS program is that it's middle-of-the-road when it comes to prestige: it's not Berkeley or Brown, but it's a contender in the field at large. I have been impressed with nearly every graduate student I have encountered in the CSDS program, and they're all cool cats to boot. Also, if you're not from around these parts, do take into serious consideration the fact that it gets ridiculously cold during the winter. I mean, watch out! I am originally from California and winters are still a serious emotional/psychological/physical struggle for me every year. What subject in particular are you interested in?

Why not six word statement letters?

Yes, I actually dreamt that I was accepted by the University of Idaho. I don't even know if there is a University of Idaho, although I am guessing there probably is (which is to say that I obviously did not apply to the University of Idaho). In my dream one of my professors congratulated me; but, needless to say, I was not very enthused.

UNC State U takes applications for fall until June 15th, and while they say this is for "without aid" one never knows unless one applies...maybe they will love you, woo you, etc.

I did my undergrad work at the U of M and they love their undergraduate cultural studies and comparative literature students to return to their comparative studies in discourse and society and comparative literature graduate programs, but it's true that it seems as though they want their English students to go elsewhere. I don't think it's meant to be a snub; rather, I think it's an institutional/pedagogical philosophy that one ought to continue their schooling in a school with a new department and a new agenda, etc.

I applied to the LCS masters program, and I am still waiting--not that that would be of any help for Phd candidates who are waiting, but thought I would share anyway. I haven't heard back from any masters programs yet; but this does seem to be the case for most masters applicants so far this year.

I'm still waiting for responses from all the masters programs I applied to: Carnegie Mellon, University of Florida, Miami University (Ohio) and Bowling Green State. Has any heard from any of the English departments from these schools--or any schools for English masters programs? I noticed that many/most Phd candidates have been notified, but I haven't seen too many responses (if any) from masters prospects. I'm getting impatient!