rems

THE Ohio State requires a: "a summary page giving your undergraduate GPA and GPA for courses in English" What exactly are they asking for? How are people formatting this? Is it just a Word document listing GPA's, or a course list with points... OR WHAT?

Me too!! No tears yet, but I definitely am having a drink tonight.

ME TOO. I'm actually just taking a break between reading my diversity statement and my SOP for the millionth time. I really want to submit today, but I'm starting to do the last minute freak outs thinking I need until tomorrow or even, gulp, Sat. I need to suck it up, and just submit -- it's not going to get any better at this point. AHHHHHH. Good luck everyone!!!

I stand corrected.

Well now that's just fucking horrifying.

I can't imagine using Calibri would be an issue -- it is, after all, the default font in Word. If the school doesn't specifically state which font to use, I can't imagine a world where you would be cut because you chose the wrong font. Or can I...

Mine is roughly 2 pages single spaced, or really just shy of 2 pages -- about 1000 words. They said "no regulations" so... It seems a tab long when I read it, but a few other schools requested two pages single spaced, so I assumed it was standard to write that much. It just seemed like quite the change from Wisconsin and other's 500 word limit

I'm doing one page single spaced with mine. I actually am a little short, and can't figure out how to fill in the last few lines (maybe 5?) without going into a totally new story. It's not like my SOP where I can just include ANOTHER description of an essay I've written. "Perhaps shorter is better" said no one ever.

I'm also applying to Minnesota, and I'm titling all my SOP's with a header that has my name and then the title of the piece with a the page number in the right corner. So it reads: "Name Name -- University of Minnesota English Ph.D. Statement #1". I also have a little "informal" letter head flesh with the left margin that states my name, occupation (adjunct), school and location. I think it might be overkill, but I don't want them to ever wonder who's paper it is, so I kinda put my name all over the place. A prof told me that unless they specifically state what the format should be, we should assume we can format it however we want as long as it's not over the top -- AKA no fancy Word formats or headers or anything.

This is what I'm going with, I think. I think I might just write University at Buffalo in the first line and leave out the "State University of New York." I'm thinking it doesn't matter really as long as I kinda get the name right... If I leave out the subtitle, I think they'll understand esp. considering that they have a length cap. And the website does use UB to abbreviate itself so I'm assuming I can use the same throughout. Thanks everyone for your input!!

Great! Thanks for the advice everyone! And I wasn't aware of the importance of "The" for Ohio -- thanks for the tip!

I would suggest not trying to use a font "trick" to get your page number down. If anything, use 11.5 (it can knock out half a page of a significant work, and it's harder to detect). Also, only do that if you're using a PDF because they can change it in Word to see the full length. If the school specifically DOES NOT state anything about font requirements, then do either one in size 11. You could also stretch your margins out a half inch on the right side if they don't have margin requirements. It'll only look a little weird to the naked eye, but no one will say anything. A word of caution: Your adcom are English profs. It is literally their job to stare at Word documents all day. They would be able to recognize size 12, TNR, one inch margins, double spaced, in their sleep. Trying to downsize a little or move a margin here if they explicitly tell you specs would probably not look very good. I'm most definitely not trying to suggest that anyone on here is "tricking" the adcom, but just be aware that they'll be able to eye what font and what size you're using and if it's the right one.

... I am using a chapter of my MA thesis as my writing sample, and I'm considering including the abstract along with it in order to clarify the overall tone of the piece, and because I feel as though it's an important component of the piece. So, is anyone else out there also including an abstract with their's and, if so, how are you formatting your document? As in, how are you designating where the abstract ends and the body of the paper begins? Are you including a quick preface to explain that there's an abstract first? I'm not sure what the "etiquette" is for something like this.

Thanks! That definitely helps! I'm also applying to WashU, and I was wondering what to write for them as well. I currently have WashU in my SOP, and one of rec writers read it over and didn't say anything so I assumed it was okay. I am still considering going back through last minute and changing it in a typical grad-school-angst kind of way.

To anyone who has/is applying or just knows anything about Buffalo's program: When referring to the program in the SOP, should one write the full name of the school, and, if not, which abbreviation did you go with? The full name -- University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Abbreviations: SUNY Buffalo, UB, University at Buffalo (leave off SUNY), SUNY at Buffalo, etc. Any ideas?

So, how much does it feel like you're unnecessarily bragging in your diversity statement? Because it states to write about what unique qualities you would bring to the department and how you would help to motivate other students in the department, how are you guys handling not coming off as totally arrogant? Or should we be coming off as totally arrogant? It just seems weird to even write the sentence, "And so this is what makes me a such a unique contributor to ..." as well as many others that sound kind of like it... I'm trying to put some finishing touches on mine since it's due, oh my, well, this Saturday at the latest, and everything I read over I hate and I think I'm being a douche. Anyone else feeling like this?

I agree with you on this one regarding length requirements and uploading additional documents except for the CV. I personally wouldn't provide anything outside of what they ask for except for a CV -- I think CV's are standard enough that it isn't "weird" or whatever to include them with your app. Anything outside of that would be really pushing it and probably pushing the adcom's patience as well. I had a quick, casual convo with a prof the other day about my apps, and I was telling him about how my writing sample still needs to be pared down. I also mentioned how I've read before that one can email the department and ask if a longer sample is okay. He looked really shocked when I said this, and responded: "I would absolutely not do that -- you're immediately setting yourself as that annoying student who's already asking for special attention and doesn't think they need to follow the rules." That being said, I think the same goes for additional documents.

I have a page attached to my transcript PDF(s) describing each literature course I took and what we covered. I use very brief descriptions like "Survey of American literature from Plymouth Rock to early 20th century" stuff like that. I just have it attached at the end as part of the PDF so if they want to see it (which one school explicitly asks for it which is what gave me the idea) it's there, and if not they just don't have to scroll down that far. I kinda see it as slipping it in under the radar so it doesn't look I'm trying to give them additional information; rather, it looks like I'm being thorough and thoughtful (that's how I'm justifying it to myself, at least). And I would DEF upload a CV even if they don't ask for it. It can't look bad or even "presumptuous" to want them to see it, and, like you said, if they don't want to look at it they don't have to.

I can't attest to how "Important" the diversity statement is, but I've heard that it usually helps you get in more than it keeps you out. I'm approaching mine as if they are asking me to describe what makes me unique and how that uniqueness lends itself to my ability as a scholar. Like, what has happened in your life so far to push to pursue your work/field, and why? Stuff like that. There isn't really a formula (which is what makes it so hard) because everyone's story is different. Hope this helps -- sorry there isn't much more to say on the topic without seeing a draft to see if you're off to the right start or not. Good luck!

I second this -- Hardboiled is one of my fav. books.

Yes, I am. But that's because the first two years of my undergrad are horrible, and my GRE scores ain't too pretty either. I'm not planning on waxing-poetic about it; rather, I'm going to just write two paragraphs with each one addressing each issue. I've haven't seen any precedents for this type of essay, so I'm just approaching it as very straight forward.

I'm approaching it as follows (and probably incorrectly): Statement 1 I'm writing as almost a research proposal stating what I want to accomplish, a quick paragraph or two on my background in the field, and then a "fit" paragraph and/or why I want to go to Minnesota. Statement 2 I think wants us to talk about ourselves and how we're not the "cookie-cutter" student or however you want to put it. So I think it can range from anything like a Good Will Hunting story to the time you were arrested for pot to the time you got to meet Joe Biden. Whatever you think makes you "unique." I'm also pretty sure there's another thread in the Applications section of this forum stating that Diversity statements can't really hurt you as long as they're not totally awful or offensive. SO maybe approaching it with that in mind could help -- this statement is more YOUR personality and not YOUR goals.

Ditto.

Um, this is awkward. That is my diversity statement. I hope we're not applying to the same programs.

The field of studying literature written in English is simply called "English" and not literature because it was termed as such in British schools in India. It was termed this to make sure that Indian children were fully aware that they were reading English literature (because it's the best) as a means to promote British society over Indian society. It carried all the way into the British school system, and then over into the USA school system. Hegemony at its purest. So, both of you are correct but that doesn't make it any less depressing.