WendyMoira

This is a gem. Thank you. *forwards to all other literary friends*

UT-Austin is comparable, just different. No first-year fellowship (you begin as a TA right away and then move on to AI in third year), but more money overall and almost guaranteed dissertation fellowship. That's the problem with this horrible decision. They each edge each other out but in different ways.

I think year two is 1:1 with something like $15.5K and after that it goes to 2:1. I get the impression, though, that later years get increasingly more individualized as far as funding goes. They guarantee it, obviously, but it seems there are different types of things to award to different types of students. For example, I didn't know until I asked that they award a dissertation fellowship to a Victorianist each year, specifically.

I've heard of people changing their minds. It would probably piss of the reject school pretty badly, but on the other hand, it would make the wait-listed people's day. My goal is to decide tomorrow. IU is giving me some pressure, especially because I'm holding up a first-year fellowship spot, but I'm just not ready to commit yet. I keep flip-flopping. I feel like I need to lean toward one school for at least a solid day before I sign anything.

Actually, I joke about not wanting to go to such a bright red state, but my bigger problem is the heat. I hate it! I'm sure Texas is like everywhere else--much more complex than one observes from a distance. Austin seemed to be as open and relaxed as most people here are describing it. That said, I don't think there's anything wrong with choosing a school based on several factors, including where you'd like to live for several years. I have a spreadsheet with probably 30-35 major issues to consider.

Visit was great. The department seems really collaborative and relaxed. Motivated people that obviously have fun doing what they do. In fact, the department head mentioned "fun" several times. The professors I met with actually really knew my application and had suggestions for how I would fit in with the department, which was reassuring and exciting. I believed their suggestions since they seemed to have put so much thought into them. I'm still on the fence, but leaning toward Texas. At this point, for me, it's not about the schools so much as about what kind of scholar I want to be.

Swagato-- I don't know how many programs are like this, but I got a pretty explicit description from Pitt, and it seems to make sense. They do extend more offers than they want to enroll (for example, 25 offers for 15 slots, or whatever), but the graduate school usually promises the department to fund all of those 25 offers should all of them accept. They also keep a wait-list of 8-10. When one of those 25 declines, though, they can extend that offer to one of the wait-list people. But, that doesn't mean they still end up funding all 25. By the time they are able to extend those wait-list offers, it's often so late that the wait-listers have already made other plans. Thus, by the time all is said and done with those 25 (or so) "slots," they have a combination of original offers and wait-listers that tends to be around the target 15. Make sense?

Also, this made my day.

I am dancing between Indiana University and University of Texas. No decision in sight...

Marlowe- looking forward to meeting in person. What other school, if you don't mind sharing?

Yeah, I went for the visiting weekend. It rained the whole time and I was pretty sick...soo...some of my impressions of the actual place were colored by that. Overall, though, campus was stunning, people were really friendly, and I felt like studying there would be really productive. I was iffy about funding. Then I returned home, and they offered a top-up fellowship. So, all in all, a pretty good choice. I'm also focused on Victorianism, which I'd kind of IU's "thing." But then, Texas hasn't had their say... And I hear great things.

hahaha. ComeBackZinc- I have heard this from not one but two of my recommenders, who both went to Purdue. Then they said to go to IU. On another note, do you know if Purdue is done notifying? Sorry if you've been asked this 424236 times. My SO is waiting to hear from them... bdon, I know what you mean. At this point, I'm not in love with either school. We'll see if Austin is beguiling enough to make me turn down IU's much better funding... Good luck at UNC. Too bad I won't see you at either of the others. It's my personal goal to go to school with at least one GCer. Kidding. Sort of.

I published twice and presented twice. The publications were through my undergrad; presentations were professional. I don't think they really made or broke my applications. And, it was entirely coincidental. Three of us from my graduating class applied at the same time, and I know publishing was unusual. I do think that since my interests require a little big of legitimizing, they made me look more serious than my claim to want to study children's culture may have come across. I second everyone here saying don't publish before you're ready. I only went ahead because it seemed the best move. When I first presented, I was terrified. I thought they'd all just KNOW I was an undergrad and chase me out with pitchforks. Guess what. No one knew. (It wasn't a secret or anything, but no one commented.) In fact, even though I didn't march in there going, "I am READY!" I left feeling that I'd been more than prepared. If you do try to present as an undergrad, make sure it's something you're strongly confident in, and then remember: once you've done that research, you're the expert. It was a comfort to me that no one knows more about rhizomatic fictive kin structures in Peter Pan andthe Harry Potter series than I do. I would say, all said and done, do it if there's a conference or journal that seems like a convenient and good fit, but don't panic if you can't. Tons of successful people don't--many of whom I met during my visits to schools and are already in their third year.

bdon, have you made a decision? I'm right smack halfway between UT-Austin and Indiana-Bloomington. Can't decide! Hoping the visit this weekend clears things up...

Couldn't make it this year. I presented last year, though, and ended up leaving with a whole stack of books from the giveaway. If i recall correctly, they try to be really good to grad students--don't miss it!

I declined my offer from UF yesterday. Hope this helps!

coffeecurls--maybe I should PM you. I think we were talking in another threat (maybe?) about being wait-listed at IU. Either way, I, too, was pulled from the wait-list and am now divided between IU and UT-Austin. I visited last weekend. Two of their three long-term Victorianists were out of town, but I heard amazing things about all of them. And, it really did seem like Victorianism is IU's "thing." Let me know if you want further impressions. Not sure if I can provide any insight, since I'm undecided myself, but it seems we're in almost the exact same position.

I would buy this book. And keep it on my nightstand.

Thanks, Thunderpaws. I actually just got back from visiting IU (after my longest absence from TGC in weeks). I really,liked a lot of things and felt sort of apathetic about others. It didn't help that I'm more sleep-deprived than I can remember being since writing my UG thesis. I was sort of bummed, because 2 of their 3 major victorianists were out of town. BUT, I did get to meet a Romanticist who really liked my work, apparently really pushed for my admit, and had some really cool suggestions on how to define my interests. So that was badass. Loved the campus (except for all the damn RAIN--oh, and the 1.5-hr-long tornado watch) and liked most of the current students. Long story short, I liked it a lot but still have no certain clarity. Still waiting for the visit to Austin. I am really pulling for you and GauteFeminist. Would love to see the wait-list work out for you both, especially (but even if I don't) end up at UT. Is it weird that I still can't let go of the idea of Pitt?

I got into Indiana off the wait-list before I knew I was on it. Early March. Pretty sure it all depends on when people decline, at least at most schools. And a lot of people have to wait to decline to visit. For example, now I'm between IU and UT, and UT's visit weekend isn't until April 5-6. So, unless Indiana just blows my mind (and offers me a huge stipend), I can't decline at either until then. Keep hope, though, guys. I was wait-listed at Pitt, and the DGS told me in not so many words that if I could just hang on until April 15, there would probably be a spot. Pulling for you!

I see your point, Timshel. I have two better offers, but when I got into UF, I considered it for a bit. It does sound like a really laid-back and enthusiastic program. But, I will be declining. You should, too, if they offer it to you. UCR will get you a job. (And now for more unsolicited advice with aeplo...

I'm with pinkrobot. I took one year off after undergrad. Well, really, it was deciding not to apply during my last year that did it. In that year, I published twice, presented at two conferences, retook the GRE and scored significantly higher, and revised my writing sample so I was truly confident in it. I think it made all the difference. I also think pinkrobot is right in that there are so many factors we, as applicants, don't see. I liked knowing I had the strongest app I could. And, looking at what my app would have been and looking at it with that extra year, I see a stronger scholar. BUT, all that said, my situation is pretty specific and you'll probably already be a much stronger applicant than I was by already having your MA. So I would ask yourself if the GPA is the only thing bugging you or if there are other things. If the GPA is your only concern and you feel like your app is the strongest it could be otherwise, why not apply? If you feel like you could use that time to strengthen other areas, why not wait? Two semesters go by so quickly anyway.

Well they are concerned about funding, (because IU has me wait-listed for a first-year fellowship and then fully funded after that, whereas Texas funds all 6 years) but they also said they would hire someone from Texas over someone from IU. Maybe "stupid move" was a little strong, and I'm obviously hypersensitive because I'm so invested and I tend to ask their opinions on everything. They weren't offensive about it or anything; I think they were just so geeked over Texas that IU didn't make as good an impression? I don't know...I'm so confused. I'm hoping to visit, but I also need to ask other people. I've heard from all kinds of people that I should apply to IU since I'm in Victorianism. I can't decide how much weight to put on what factors. Thoughts?

lyoness, I don't have an MA yet, so the issue stands. I am wait-listed for a fellowship, but I can't see that really coming through. Who turns down funding?

marlowe, I'm having a similar problem. I'm between two schools and one, I think, is pretty well-known for Victorianism. Or, at least anecdotally, whenever I tell someone I'm applying for Victorianism, they say apply to IU. The other is higher-ranked and is offering a little bit better funding. But I would rather live in IU anyway, and I'm strangely attached. I get the vibe my mentors would consider it a stupid move to pick IU over Texas, though...