rems

I actually have to agree with this. I don't know what anything about "animal studies" or "post-human" studies, but I can't help but think that we, as humans, cannot think and/or perceive outside of ourselves, so, good point. with Problem #1 above. Perhaps this is stemming from environmental theory and ecocrit, and that we, as humans, should stop being douche thinking that we're right all the time. Someone, please correct me on this.

AWESOME. I'm so happy for you! You're one of my favorite people on here, and I think you def deserve to carry on with your studies.

Does no one else find it offensive to discuss our diets on a thread that is discussing obesity? I have little to say about the field of "Fat Studies" as an academic field, and I'm pretty sure that OP just posted this to be offensive and cause 7 pages worth of worthless argument knowing that we would take the idea, get offended by it, get offended by others offensive, there'd be a snarky comment here or there (thanks thestage for playing your part, as always (I'm not even sure if that's a compliment or a dig -- I'll let you be the judge of that)), and it would get way off topic into realms that have little to nothing to do with obesity, the obesity epidemic, the politics of the aforementioned, etc. etc. etc. ETC. Let me repeat: This thread is stupid. And I will willingly admit that I have nothing better to do right now because a student is late for her conference, and I'm just waiting for her to show up. So, yes, I could just not read this. But I did. And it was stupid.

If I can jump in here, this is probably the stupidest thread I've read in a while. That is all. OH, and here: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/what-housework-has-to-do-with-waistlines/?ref=health Chew on that for a while. (get it? "chew"?)

I see what you're saying, and I agree. I also get annoyed when people say that being an academic isn't being in "real life." Because whatever you choose to do with your life, that's your "life." And so I totally understand defending the lifestyle and stuff. I think I was being defensive. Very well put!

Right, but you don't get to choose if you go if you keep getting rejected from schools. I don't think anyone on here is saying getting a PhD is a bad idea. At least what I was saying, is that I've never, ever, even considered the alternative, but I'm being forced to because I might not get accepted anywhere. I could apply again next year, or the year after, or the year after, but that doesn't guarantee a spot. So what happens then? Also, having to consider the alternative has required just that: considering the alternative. And when it's something you've never considered before, it can be eye opening. The grass is always greener on the other side.

This, and yes. I have been considering this for a while now. I only applied to six schools, have been rejected from 4, awaiting assumed rejections from 2 schools. That being said, I think it's best if I start thinking about other career paths. I've even started the application process for a few jobs I think might be a good fit for me just in case the other two schools turn out to be a rejection. I think what happened to me (I stress to me -- I by no means, by what I'm about to say, want to influence anyone else or say that you're making the wrong decisions, etc.) is these rejections have almost opened my eyes a little. Because I had to start thinking about Plan B, it almost has started to overshadow Plan A, a little. I say this begrudgingly because I really enjoy being in school, I love reading, writing, all the stuff. What I started to notice was how small my bank account is. What I started to notice was how much I hate writing seminar papers. What I started to notice was that even with a full tuition waiver and 19K stipend, I might have to take out more loans. What I started to notice is that even the best from the best schools end up as an adjunct. What I started to notice was 80 hrs. weeks. What I started to notice was not being to chose anything about my life because I have to go where the jobs are. What I've started to notice is that I want my day to end at 5 pm, not carry into the night trying to finish those annotations, or the proposal, or that seminar paper. All of that, is what I've started notice. And, honestly, I'm not it's really the life for me. I've actually never, NEVER, considered doing anything besides being an academic, but now here I am writing this response saying that I'm applying for other jobs and that I'm not even going to reapply next year. Honestly, I'm very tired of this lifestyle. I have been in "school" for 8 years now, and I'm not totally positive that I want to keep going. This is a totally personal decision, and I by no means am trying to say that someone should not pursue their degree if that's what they want. BUT, I think some of us, having gone through this process now, are starting to think it's best to move on and find another career. I hate to sound blunt, but at what point does one have to admit that they might not get what they want, get up, brush their pants off, and just move on? I'm not 100% sure about anything in my life, but I totally get that this whole thing is starting to make re-think my life.

You can have a separate section for "Accepted Papers" in addition to a "Presentations" section on your CV which lets them know the paper was accepted, but you didn't actually present it. I would assume, however, that more than one or two "Accepted Papers" with little to no actual "Presentations" would look bad.

So, my Minnesota page has now changed to "Final Review." Ek.

I never knew how to use commas.

Just wanted to say a big CONGRATs to everyone who has been accepted so far!!! I haven't been keeping up with those -- sorry about that!! I'm very excited for everyone!!! Hopefully this week will just continue to be filled with good news!! @Two Expressos, I would be seriously surprised it you didn't get in anywhere -- keep your hopes up until you know it's over!

YAH! CONGRATS!

ALSO, anyone else on the East Coast, and irritated everyday that it's 9:00 am here BUT the sun's not even up where most of your applications are waiting to judged? SUNYUNOCONSISTENT? EARTHYUSHAPEDLIKECIRCLE?

HOLY SHIT. 4 SPOTS????? That can't be right... Can it? PHDWHYUSOHARD?????

OMG I can't believe I missed this. This is awesome, and being around people like you is why I like being an English scholar.