asleepawake

I've noticed on Duke's applicate they only have space for 1 digit after the period in a GPA. Should I round up? I don't want to misrepresent myself, but rounding down is something I'd rather not do. My real GPA will be clear on my transcripts, of course. So, if my GPA was 1.57 could I say it was 1.6 or do I have to say 1.5 (using these obviously fake low GPAs makes me feel better about my not-Duke-worthy-GPA)?

Touché

So, I'm filling out my NYU application, and the school clearly states that they do not accept letters from Interfolio. However, doesn't Interfolio's e-delviery system work in such a way that I just use the Interfolio-generated e-mail instead of my LOR writer's? They don't seem to mention e-delivery, and Interfolio doesn't make it clear which schools accept it, either, but they certainly make it sound like it can be used on any/most online applications. I assume this means that they do not accept Interfolio letters at all. What experiences have you had with Interfolio's online delivery system?

Yikes! Feisty! No, you are trying--and failing--to seem superior, but maybe you're forgetting that what you're quoting is Spivak's translation of Derrida anyway, so it is far from the only way to express it. Remember how he was, like, a French guy or something? And no, I'm not misunderstanding Derrida (not this time, anyway...) and thinking that he means "everything that can literally be read is literature" (is this what you think I think it means?). Instead, I do think it has some relevance to the discussion of what we consider "worth thinking about," so I typed it up and caps locked it for the LOLZ. It may have been a LOLZ fail, but at least I'm not the jerk who said "There's much to relate Benjamin to poststructuralism. Don't tell that to English departments though, they sure love fads and poststructuralism came and went, now we have to talk about gay black people or we're off the team /suicide." I can't remember who said that. Was is Spivak?

THERE IS NO OUTSIDE-THE-TEXT. Did you ever think you'd read that in all caps?

I've been advised that a strong writing sample should have close reading, theory, criticism, and, if relevant, archival research. You don't want to come off as one-note. Is it possible to get some theory into your earlier paper, especially if that has the stronger close reading?

Some schools will allow you to submit a GRE score late if it is the only missing thing. Maybe e-mail the programs before you give up on them completely!

Well, I think it depends on the program. I am absolutely in the same boat, and I'm going with it, but I'm not applying to the Formalist University of Formaltown. Do the programs to which you are applying have a cultural studies or critical theory concentration? What kind of work are the professors there doing?

Even a lot of MA-level full time instructorship positions are temporary or at least with no job security, renewing yearly. I think if you're going to finish with the MA, teaching high school is the best option for career stability and benefits. The requirements vary by state, but I believe it's pretty easy to meet the requirements to teach high school English in Florida once you have a certain number of graduate credits in the subject (I think it is 16).

It sound good in theory, but I think it's too much. During peer review (just minutes ago! Now I'm on the grad cafe in an empty classroom...), I go around the room and talk to each small group about their thesis statements and answer their questions. This seems to get the benefits of working with them more closely without the formality (and cancelled regular classes) of too many conferences. Ok, now I'm way off topic from this thread... I'll bring in back! How long is the writing sample you're sending elsewhere? Hopefully they will just okay a longer sample, because cutting it for one school sounds stressful (kind of like writing a teaching statement for one school). My most likely writing sample is currently at 22 pages. I can probably get it down to 15ish, but NYU asks for "10 to 12 pages." This is an impossible task!

Oh, you poor thing. We only do conferences once per semester, and that's... plenty.

I think any footnotes/endnotes that are integral to your sample should stay, but you don't want to be David Foster Wallace... not yet.

I'm giving this a little bump in the hopes of getting a few more people in the group. We've got about six people in the folder right now. I just added a risky-risky docx to the folder in which I ask for feedback, so let's get started! Anybody else is welcome to share. I'm ready to give my thoughts on anything anybody has got!

I'm using a chapter from my master's thesis, which is still incomplete. I believe that my second chapter is stronger, but my first chapter is in better shape as a document, so it really depends on what I can get done by the time deadlines come around. Right now I am stuck on my statement of purpose, so I haven't even looked at my thesis for a while. Can it be January, please?

I would advise you not to do it. I think that humor MIGHT work it some scenario (though I'm not sure I can think of an example), but this doesn't seem to be it. I've been advised not to waste space with anecdotes about how you love your field. So does everybody else in your field, all the other applicants - it's a given.

I would say apply for a small number of PhDs this year along with the TA position. Apply to maybe 3 schools that you're really excited about. If you don't get in or decide on the TA position, you can always apply net year. If you don't get the French TA, there are lots of other options for English speakers to teach abroad, especially in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. I too have wanted to live abroad for a long time, but I haven't done it. You should absolutely do it while you are young and not tied down to anything. You are right that as you go on to the PhD program and then the job market, and potentially relationships, family, etc, it only becomes more difficult. I am applying to PhDs this year rather than going abroad or doing the peace corps (An MA in English is considered a scarce skill, so it's pretty easy to be placed quickly, I've been lead to believe) mostly because right now I want it just a bit more, and I'm already worried about being a certain age by the time I can even consider having stable employment. I'll probably go abroad to teach if I don't get into a program this year. Short answer: Keep your opinions open by at least applying to a program or two this year. If nothing else, it will help you to prepare for even more apps next year.

No worries. I was only talking about the subject test because I misread the thread.

I know there has been a lot of talk about sharing documents, but there doesn't seem to be anything organized at this point. I was thinking I could create a dropbox folder where we can share SOPs, writing samples, and anything else with the purpose of giving each other some general feedback, while also getting an idea of what some of our peers are up to. If you want in on this, please send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll invite you to the folder. If you don't have dropbox, it's free to sign up at dropbox.com.

Thanks - I finally caught up on that when sebastiansteddy said the revised test. I did not skip 40 questions on the regular GRE.

I noticed the Duke website has a great section about the SOP, so I've copied it here:

Really!? Since when!? That sounds like a reason to retake... I took it in April and skipped (aka didn't have time to get back to) at least 40 questions.

Thank you for this. Your posts are always extremely helpful. I think that I am struggling to find the right position between too specific and too broad, though.

I'm in the same boat, other than that I won't be e-mailing POIs (mistake? right choice? !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! AIDFHJPIADFN) and I will never look upon the Subject Test GRE again. Where has the time gone? My first application deadlines are December 5th. That's like... soon.

I would loveee to have a look at your SOP! Should we make a dropbox folder or something? Wasn't there another thread where folks were planning something like this?

We simply can't know what schools are up to unless they tell us directly. 83rd is on the low end for a top school, but you might get in if they like your application. I do, think, though, that you should widen your application pool. Don't only apply to Top 20s.