dimanche0829

Now that we're heading into the thick of grad school apps, I think it's safe to say we're all a bit stressed. I find myself growing even more stressed out from all the "I'm stressed" posts - my own included - so I figured we could use this thread to come up with good motivators and your best methods for de-stressing. I've been keeping my dorm clean and orderly so that I'm not physically bogged down. Coming home to a bed that's made and a desk that still has visible space for working has helped to give me the sense of order that I desperately need right now. Using softer scents, like lavendar and lilac, have relaxed my mind. And given my overwhelming feeling of: "I need to get everything done NOW!!!!!!!!!" I've decided to create a schedule so that I only have to do just enough everyday without dedicating every waking hour to my work. It is important to take time away from the app packets so that you can return with a clear head and motivation to keep going. What are you doing to make this process easier?

Well, if your primary concern is job prospects post-grad (which is how it reads to me) then I can tell you that the legal field is also going through some bleak times of its own. Every year, the world is flooded with new grads and the number of people left without a job prospect is growing at an alarming rate. There are a number of attorneys nowadays competing just for $15-20 an hour legal assistant positions because they have nothing else lined up. There's always the route of private practice, but most lawyers do not have the necessary training to be successful business owners. What law school you attend also makes a difference. Do you have the credentials to make it into a solid program? I wouldn't drop a program just because of potential jobs (obvious, given that I'm an English major). Sure, it'd be nice to know that you've got something lined up at the end of the game, but you never really know what's going to happen until you actually try. Every field will have its ups and downs. Focus on doing what you LOVE and the job situation will work itself out eventually. You say you have an interest in law, but having an interest in something and having a passion for something are vastly different. Is a career in law something that you would LOVE? You're the only one who can answer that.

While changing fields will always pose somewhat of a challenge, it is not impossible. I studied classical flute for nearly 18 years myself (as a component of my education, though, not the focus) and remember learning a LOT about the political and social histories of various composers to help understand their compositions better. Since music was your focus, I can only imagine that you studied these histories at a significantly deeper level. So, use that knowledge to your advantage. How has learning about the worlds of various composers shaped your music focus and decision to transition into academia? How can your knowledge of music and those who composed support your PhD research? How has music helped shape the works of certain authors you like, etc.? See where I'm going with this? Humanities adcoms love little more than a solid writing sample and SOP. Show them how your concentration in music sets you apart from the rest of the app. pool and how it has shaped your interests today. My suggestion would be to apply to a range of programs, both MA (with funding where possible) and PhD. You might also consider applying to schools who value the study of music. Even though you want to transition into the humanities, schools with solid music programs are more likely to understand the high value of your knowledge base. Good luck, and I hope this helps!

Sorry to take this off topic a bit, but do any of you know of any good spots for writing that is specifically geared toward writers (I'm not talking Starbucks or the library, btw). Thanks!

No need to be embarrassed. I've taken a W before, actually. It is much better to show a W than it is to earn a low(er) grade from a course that wasn't a good fit.

Congrats!!!!

Thanks to both of you for your responses. Makes complete sense now that I've had a chance to stop reacting and start thinking. I had to officially name her as the reader last semester, but I think a quick note to her to say thanks but no thanks (obviously in a nicer way) should do the trick. I doubt she even remembers me, so with any luck she won't feel put out. But even if she is, I've never had a class with her, this is my last semester, and ultimately it's my project so I need to do what's best for me. Thanks again!

I'm mostly worried about getting the apps in on time. I'm taking 6 courses this semester, including a grad course and finishing honor's project, plus working, re-taking my GRE in October (right at mid-terms) because my score were awful, taking the subject test in November (just before finals), plus I need to actually fsubmit all the app. stuff. Now if only I could figure out how to add in an extra 30 hours to a day. I'm not worried about my SOP, grades, or writing sample, and the profs. writing my LORs are about as amazing as they come. Still, I know that having a solid app. doesn't guarantee acceptance. When I applied for undergrad, I took comfort in knowing that I had my pick of schools because I had great credentials. But now, there are so many factors outside of my control that can lead to rejection - faculty we want to work with is going on sabbatical, no funding, program full, etc - that there is simply no way for me to console myself during the wait period with "don't worry, somewhere will take you!" Instead, I can only hope with desperation that the stars will align for me in this process.

Adcomms know that life happens. Withdrawals aren't generally a warning sign unless you're showing a consistent pattern of Ws. If you're just dropping one class, it's pretty insignificant.

My school doesn't even offer A- as a grade (or any minus grade for that matter). If you aren't doing work worthy of an A, even if you've done better than B+ work, most professors will downgrade the student to a B+ unless the student is borderline. I agree with Sigaba, though. You can't do anything at this point to change what you've received, but you can help influence the adcomms' ways of thinking about your grades. Knock their socks off with a killer SOP and writing sample and prove to them that you really are capable of awesome work.

Well, I'm in a totally different field so I can't tell you what to write, BUT if you have any friends already in PhD programs, a professor you get along well with, etc., I would recommend asking a few of them to take a peek and offer feedback. Also, this forum is super helpful and some people find it useful to post snippets of the SOP for comments. In general, your SOP should be professional and should include useful information about you that demonstrates why you are super awesome for X program and X school.

I'm also using the Princeton Review. I received a lot of recommendations for it and have found it nice that they help you learn what books should be read cover to cover, and what books can be read in snippets. Don't be petrified, though. Sure, it's going to be tough, but you're not going to be expected to know everything! If you think about it, we've already learned a great deal of stuff from undergrad and you'll be amazed at how much of that comes back to you in using the practice books. I'm sure you'll do great!

Any Neil Gaiman fans? I loved American Gods and enjoy his graphic series, too.

This isn't really a "grad school" question specifically, but it is related to my undergrad major and you've all been so helpful since I joined. So, here goes: In order for me to graduate from my school's honor's college, I have to do an honor's project. When I started the project, I decided to approach Professor X at my school, at the recommendation of my department chair, for a little advice on writing non-fiction. Well, X immediately thought that I was asking her to be my advisor on the project, which I wasn't (I hadn't even met X prior to my talk with her). She took it upon herself to decline the request I never made to begin with, but she offered to be the reader. I didn't want to be rude by telling her that I didn't want her on my project, so I took her up on the offer, thinking "What's the worst that could happen?" The truth is, I really wanted Professor Y to do the job- her style of writing is much more up my alley, I've known her longer, and she already knows my story from our conversations. Fast forward to now, and my reader is non-existent. In fact, we have not had any communication since our one and only talk 10 months ago (I tried to get in touch with her but she never responded). I also just found out from her website that she is spending this academic year out of state at another university to teach and do research. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't even remember me at this point. Thankfully, my advisor has acted as both advisor and reader so far, so I don't feel that the quality of my project has suffered. Nevertheless, my gut is telling me to find a new reader for my project. I just don't quite know what the protocol is. Is it poor form to choose someone else being that my project is due in exactly two months? And, considering our lack of communication, should I even bother telling X that I'm parting ways? Am I just overreacting in thinking that my reader should be more readily available? Sorry for the novel, and thank you for your advice!

In my never-ending quest to procrastinate, I just read an article about the rise of businesses employing students to take class notes in order to then sell those notes to whomever wants them. Some professors feel that this practice infringes upon their intellectual property rights, while others argue that there is no copyright infringement so long as the notes are not taken verbatim. I know that many universities employ note-takers to assist students who have documented disabilities, but I'm interested in your thoughts on for-profit businesses that sell class notes. Let's discuss!

I don't think this is a responsibility any of us would like to bear for you. YOU are the only person who knows what's best and it sounds like you've already made up your mind but want reaffirmation. Make your choice as best you can and live with the good and the bad that go along with that choice. Since we are not privy to any information outside of what you have included in your posts, there is simply no way that anyone else could decide your future for you. Just my 0.02.

I was just thinking the same thing! I'm already a big ball of nerves and I haven't even submitted all of my apps yet. I can only imagine how nerve racking the waiting process will be. Must. Keep. Busy.

Oh, no, I didn't think you were - Sorry if it came off that way! I meant it more to commend you on saying that you would choose love over career, but also to commend those who would choose the opposite. Both situations are incredibly tough and require an immense amount of courage to get through. I have nothing but the deepest respect for those who can weather a storm to do what they believe is right.

Might I suggest you do the same for my response? IDK, there's just something about: that doesn't really hit my sarcasm radar. Then again, this is the internetz.

I think it's difficult for both those who choose love over career and those who choose career over love, and that each person must choose what's best for them. At the end of the day, we can all say "I would never," or "I would definitely," but there are so many mitigating factors that can change the game in the blink of an eye.

Or maybe you're just pathetic.

What about suggesting a little post-class meetup at the neighborhood pub/bar? You won't seem needy. Academic minds love to talk with other academic minds, especially after a good class. Perhaps your particular group is just one of those made up of more quiet folk; maybe everyone else is thinking the way you are?

Mmmmm, frozen custard *drool*. I love it with strawberry and butterscotch.

Also, FWIW, just remember that most Lit programs take a holistic approach with applications; in other words, your GPA alone isn't necessarily going to be enough to either reject/admit you. Make sure you are able to provide strong LORs, a solid writing sample, and clear SOP. Your GRE scores, ideally, will be better than average, but that's a given!

When did the bad grades occur in undergrad? Most programs are primarily interested in grades received during your junior and senior years of undergrad; however, if you've completed a master's degree since then, they will be more interested in the grades received during your graduate studies. How have your grades been since your struggle? If you are able to show that your grades improved since the issue, you should be able to slide by without going into explicit details. If, on the other hand, your grades have been consistently up/down, or just down, then you might want to elaborate on the problem. You shouldn't have to say "I had XXXXX diagnosis and XXXXX symptoms," but you should address that there had been medical circumstances beyond your control. You should also be prepared to explain the steps you are taking/have taken to ensure that you will be able to successfully complete a PhD program. I hope this helps - even just a little. Good luck!