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I think we're sort of splitting hairs: what would the point be of proposing a thesis in the American system? We are 3-4 years away from even writing a proposal. No program thinks that after 2ish years of coursework, and oral/comps, you're going to be in the same place, with the same interests that you were at as an applicant. If you are that's crazy. I've seen PhD students in my program migrate from medieval to modern, or Romantic to post-modern, or American modern to 18th century brit. I think the point of the statement is to illustrate that we can articulate interests, that we can recognize productive questions.

I'm applying to Duke English and I'm pretty freaked out. It's blisteringly competitive, but of course, one the best in the country. I'm going to try to have mine up and out today--all I have to do is tweak my statement--can't take TOO long, right? Good luck Cquin--from a fellow New Yorker to another.

Thanks, Trip! Good luck and hope to see you in a class next year.

Is it just me...I can't seem to find the place to upload the writing sample on the Rutgers application. Is it supposed to be mailed in? Am I just unable to read applications now?

Reading Metahistory by Hayden White. It's fascinating and useful.

Question: Is New Historicism new anymore? Answer: Try again later.

The only argument I'd make is this: Yes, maybe it doesn't help, but it might hurt. And it's 11th grade math--with a little studying you can pretty much ace it. With a little diligence I got a 770. Will it help me anywhere? Likely not. But might the 500ish I could have gotten hurt me? Well, probably not, but maybe. Why run the risk?

I've heard that Upenn makes their first cut based on combined verbal and quant scores. I don't know what the number is, however.

Two down. Thirteen to go.

http://english.fas.n...rad.progreq.phd "Applications submitted directly to the department are not considered. The department withdraws from consideration all applications that are missing supporting documents one month after the posted deadline." 1 month grace? WHAT?

*sheepishly raises hand*

Right now there's a message in embark saying they're having upload difficulties. Has anyone tried upping a text doc? I'm getting close---not yet though. AND UCLA STILL LOOMS.

Yes-- I can, and that's likely what I'll end up doing. It just feels so silly and arbitrary. Most of the 15 programs I'm applying to say something like 15-25 pages--basically do what you think best showcases your work. NYU, on the other hand....

I suspect a personalized LOR looks deceptive--like what is the writer hiding? It should be about the skills and potential of the student and that shouldn't change depending on the program. I think programs came smell out when they're being pandered to.

Is anyone planning to do this for NYU? I have a conference style paper that I could send, but I'm tempted to send the first 12 pages of my (20 page) writing sample and then an abstract saying, "I go one to do this, that, and the other." Crazy?

Yes there's always more to add, but as a piece of advice, I'd say avoid mentioning a dissertation. I got back copies of my statements with entire paragraphs crossed out and notes like "this sounds like a dissertation proposal--not a statement." Apparently committees are suspect of people who already have a dissertation topic--which I think makes sense. The whole structure of two years of coursework and then a comps/oral exam assumes that we still need to learn.

It's frustrating because I've been advised to keep the "lightest touch possible." And a lot of people have had success with that approach. I don't want to add more! What will be gained in specificity will be lost in succinctness.

I can't imagine they'd disqualify people because "hmm this seems a paragraph shorter than the other ones."

So I've basically written one SOP that will go, with minor changes to all the schools. Writing more, I've been told by profs was a waste. I just noticed that NYU wants 1000 words--mine is about 600. Are people taking the length requirements all that seriously for the SOP? It seems like most programs just say 1-3 pages. It just seems like NYU is ornery.

Is this a recent change? I had it down for Dec 15 for a while now.

Does your writing sample use culture & history to discuss a text(s) or text(s) to discuss culture & history? Or is there a difference? And who else hears "Time's winged chariot hurrying near" as the Dec 1 deadlines loom? (GRE subj studying is useful!)

I'm sending 4 LORs to all the schools. They can deal.

I've got two Dec 1 deadlines---let's just say you aren't alone. It's gonna be tight.

The only fear I'd have is the risk of using an adjunct at all. Has anyone encountered this? All my LORs are full or associates, and I suspect prominent enough that any adcomm member in their field (or an adjacent one) will know who they are.

That last post of mine makes me realize how much harder this would be if I wasn't already in a graduate level program. Something about doing the work, soaking up the atmosphere, and knowing what profs want/expect I think is helpful. Not that it seems impossible to do from an undergrad, obviously they get close to professors as well. Props to everyone.