fanon_fanatic
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Posts posted by fanon_fanatic
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I have yet to make my decision but will be visiting Brown in March. I'm really excited about this school and my program (Africana Studies). Anyone know anything about Providence?
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I second @moogie about connecting with current grad students and reading as much as you can from the website. I'm in the same situation as @Foreign Guy and have a program I can't afford to attend. In order to make up for that, I emailed the graduate coordinator and asked if she could put me in touch with students who have similar research interests, and spoke briefly as well with a faculty member. I'm not, however, so happy with the response to my request, and it's helped me to realize that the program is probably not the right one for me (I have yet to get an email address for a student from this program, and was directed to the website listing of graduate students, which felt really dismissive given the fact that I'd already read all the information on the website!). However, other schools I've been accepted to have already connected me with students, and it's really been a positive experience. Beyond that, I'm visiting all of the schools that I can afford to, and I really feel that it's made all the difference in terms of helping me decide. I don't think I will be attending any schools I can't visit except in an extraordinary circumstance, and I feel good about that choice. 5-7 years is a long time to go into a situation blind.
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@frozenroses, what a wonderful problem to have!!
Are either of the programs pressing you to make a decision right away? Because if not, I would take a couple weeks to just sit on the decision--don't think too much about it, just let it lie for a few days, and then come back to it. That always helps me to see things more clearly. I've also made a list of pros and cons about the programs I've been accepted to, and I've listed everything from coursework, cities the schools are in, financial aid packages, people I want to work with, placement rates (if available), and anything else I could think of. I agree with @tillium that thinking more broadly will help you make a choice, especially when it comes to advisors. You want to make sure your advisor is both available and enjoys a solid reputation in the field.Good luck with your decision, and congratulations on being so wanted by two programs!!
Take some time to think if possible, it will probably help you a lot to step away for a bit. -
Bump. Anyone heard anything?!
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@frozenroses, to add to the confusion.
I am also an interdisciplinary scholar, but am taking this as a strength. I would check to see what the requirements are to teach in each of your fields. For my fields, I have a masters in one discipline, which is what I need to teach in that discipline at community colleges. But I'll probably be getting my Ph.D in a different discipline, and then teaching in an interdisciplinary field like American Studies/Cultural Studies/Area Studies. I take it as a strength of my own application that I am qualified to teach in more than one discipline, and since I want to be in interdisciplinary fields when I graduate, I know that I can have degrees in multiple fields (courses) and be an asset to the program. I think what's most important is that you get to pursue the research you want to do. At least in the US, English Ph.Ds can end up teaching in a variety of places. In fact, two of my professors at my MA program in Communication were English Ph.Ds (both with film emphases actually!!). On the other hand, if the requirements at the places you want to teach are extremely stringent, then you might want to go with the program that prepares you for the career you want. But in my own experience, there's really nothing better than having an advisor that is supportive of your research and can mentor you into being the type of scholar you want to be. You might also see if there's flexibility in either of the programs in terms of coursework (seminars, lectures, classes you take)--can you get a minor in another field, or take seminars outside of the department? That may help you feel more comfortable if you decide to go with school X but want more background in the areas that school Y offers. My read on the way humanities is going is that being interdisciplinary is pretty much the "way of the future" and necessary for career survival, so I think your chances of success seem stronger at program X IF you're able to get the classes you need in the area you most want to teach in. Just my 2 cents. -
I am married, and understand the viewpoint of those putting their careers first. I think though that only you can really answer these questions for yourself, with your SO. My SO and I spent considerable time apart early in our relationship, so we know how to do the long distance thing. My spouse has never stood in the way of my dreams, however, I likewise have always been sensitive to the extenuating circumstances in our relationship. My SO has children from a previous marriage, so when I first started looking at programs I looked primarily within a certain driving distance of the kids, because I would never want my SO to be far from their kids. On the flip side, my SO felt it wasn't fair to ask me to stay within a certain distance of the kids if there were programs better suited to me, so that changed over time as well. One of the understandings we have is that wherever we go for school, my SO gets to make the next move/decision. My only request of course is that we move to a place that has colleges so I can apply for jobs.
I think part of this is about age too. I spent 7 years in the professional world prior to going back to get my MA, and now I'm applying for my Ph.D. I think time teaches you what is important to you in your life. For some people it's their career, and coming out of undergrad that's really all I cared about as well. As I've gotten older, the little things matter so much more, like having a partner that I can build a meaningful life with. This means that I make sacrifices in other places, but I can't tell you how beautiful it is to go home after a long day at the library and have a person to come home to who will give me a pep talk, a foot rub, or listen to the very boring (to them)/exciting (to me) research discoveries I made that day. For some people the research and their jobs are what truly make them happy, and if that's you, then you have to follow that value.
I think at the end of the day, it's important to realize that no situation is perfect, and at some point there will be some sacrifice or giving if you're in a relationship. It's impossible to be in a healthy relationship without compromise, but healthy relationships are also supportive ones, where each partner supports the others dreams. Sometimes that means living in different places for a time, or agreeing to go to a school that's less prestigious, or working in a job you hate for 5-7 years while the other finishes school.
Also, I encourage you to ask around at your programs (if doing Ph.D) to find out if you have to do your dissertation in residence. I have friends who have done their coursework and comps (in record time, like 2.5 years!) and then moved to finish their dissertation. This is probably more practical in the humanities, and is frowned upon in some programs. But if you're determined to finish your work, and you need that locational flexibility to keep peace at home, it's something else to think about. As many have already said, 2-3 years is much more palatable than 7 for any of us pondering a less-than-ideal location for graduate school.
Good luck! And don't stress about it. Just write about it in a journal and do some deep thinking/pondering about it. The answers will come if you give yourself the space to really think/feel on it.
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@scrapster, don't second guess yourself! In the event that you had applied to other schools and had another offer, you would be well within your rights to let other programs know that you had another offer and were wondering if they could give you some insight on timeline and decisions. This is what my own professor recommended that I do once I had an admit. I did so, and the schools were more than happy to give me timelines, or to tell me my decisions quickly. I don't see your situation being any different just because it's between a job and a school.
If you don't hear back on Monday, give them a call on Tuesday. Make sure to be kind and courteous. That's probably the biggest mistake people make when they call is act an a*$. 
Good luck! -
And BTW, LOVE your handle! I remember reading the Wretched of the Earth back in undergrad. A poli sci prof from Uganda had assigned it for a class. All the other profs were shocked--they thought it was pretty hard core stuff
@scrapster....lol. Fanon is nothing if not hardcore.
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@scrapster, in your situation, I would actually go ahead and contact the school DGS or Graduate Admissions Coordinator, and explain that you are under significant pressure to decide about another life opportunity and need to know something by early next week. Be extremely courteous and diplomatic, don't demand an answer but let the program know that you really want to attend if possible, but that a job opportunity has come up and you'd like to make your decision with all of the information. If you want, you can explain the situation you are in (briefly!
) but let them know that you need to know something because your choice is essentially between school and no school.As for a job and grad school, that's tough. It depends partly on your program (some programs require you to go full-time, which, with a new non-profit directorship, I think you'd probably implode), and mostly on what you think your job will require from you.
I would really take some time to evaluate the job opportunity, seriously. Going to school is rough, especially full-time. The money sucks, the stress is high, you lose your earning potential, etc. There are a lot of ways to pursue graduate study without going full time. When I was on my visit at Georgia State U, I met a number of Ph.D students who were attending part time and literally taking 1 course a semester, which the program is fine with. Some of those students had some pretty serious jobs (like, Executive VP of Scheduling for a major cable TV station!!), and they kind of eased their school work in with their regular work in a slow but steady pace. If Amherst has that option, I would think about it. Another thing to do is, consider taking a graduate course or two with professors you want to work with on a non-degree status for a year, again part-time, if Amherst gives that option. I know multiple students who have done this, and it's essentially how they got into the program. It would be a way for you to have your cake and eat it too.
You could make progress toward an eventual degree, keep your mind excited, and still keep the job. That's just my two cents! -
@AlexGuermantes, one of the ways that I learned about my program's reputations, and more importantly who was getting jobs, was to Google the phrase "PhD, Name of School" (so for you it would be Ph.D North Carolina State University or NCSU) and see who came up. I agree with all the previous comments that you will need to make your own way in the academic world via networking, rigorous scholarship and publications, and I also think that some programs are better than others in preparing their students for that academic world. Try googling to see where folks graduating from that program are ending up, especially teaching vs. research institutions. It might not give you a full picture, but it could be one useful piece of the puzzle.
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Thanks - I'm sure you'll hear soon. I see from one of your previous posts that you and I also have UAlbany in common. It's the only school I haven't heard from, and because I want to stay here in the Albany area, I am becoming very impatient! I know their deadline isn't even until Feb. 20, so it might be March before we know anything. But patience is not my strongest quality.
I feel you on this. I am officially tired of waiting...
I just want answers so I can get out of admission purgatory. -
Congratulations @brancan!
I would suggest rereading your personal statement and pulling out some main points from there, and add a few talking points to each of the pieces you pull out. If you know who you're interviewing with, read an article or two by them. Then, be prepared to talk about your research (concrete details--methods, interests, research questions, possible projects if you have them), your preparation, and your career plans. Review your writing sample just to make sure you remember what's in there. And then, do your best to relax. I know it's hard, but many times they just want to know you are personable and friendly and not an a**hole. I just got back from an in-person interview, and did the things I listed above, and felt very very prepared. -
Hi all. I just returned from an interview, though not from any of the programs listed in this forum. The program I interviewed for was an interdisciplinary humanities program. Before going on my interview, I talked to my mentor professor, and his advice (I thought) was solid. He told me to re-read my statement of purpose, and pull out 3-4 main "nodes" from the statement (in relation to your research, your preparation, your career goals, and your life experiences). Then, he suggested creating 3-4 talking points from those nodes and familiarizing myself with them a lot. This way, I had something solid to talk about easily that was a great conversation starter. Doing this calmed my nerves tremendously, and helped me to focus when I was struck with a little "OMG I can't believe this is happening" fear.
For my interview weekend, they hosted a dinner with the adcomm, and then we had a day (full day!) of interviews which were about 1/2 hour apiece. We interviewed with both the adcomm and with the POIs we listed on our applications. While they didn't tell us necessarily what the dress code was, I chose to dress up instead of casually (some folks chose casual) and I was glad that I did because it really helped my confidence and it helped me put my game face on. After our interviews we went out with the grad students already in the program and talked (and drank!), which was nice. Everyone in the group interviewing was actually really nice and cordial, so I encourage you to treat people there kindly (you never know who you might attend with, and I got the sense that we were watched for how we were interacting with people).
The other thing I did was review articles/books from the professors that I wanted to work with and that I was interviewing with so that I could talk to them about their research. I also encourage you to put together some questions of your own, including what their advising style is (for the ones you want to work with), and anything else that matters to you. While you are certainly competing for a spot, this is also your opportunity to get a sense for how the program feels, and whether it's a place you want to be. Make sure you find some current graduate students and take note of how they seem. Are they stressed? Angry? Competitive? Focused? Balanced? Friendly? The school I interviewed with went up in my rankings because the students there really seemed balanced (though very hard-working and focused) and the people were genuinely kind. My mentor professor reminded me that while the interview is indeed an opportunity for the program to choose applicants, it's also an opportunity for me to decide if it's a place I want to be for the next 5-7 years of my life.
And then, just be yourself.
I know it's hard because you're super nervous, but it's important to relax as much as possible. Good luck with your interviews!!! -
@S@lly, congratulations on your acceptance! I have been away from the boards for a while but was very happy to see that in such a short time you've received good news.
Amazing how quickly things can turn! -
Hi all! I know there are a few other AfAm applicants out there, I saw a few in American Studies and even in the Comm forum. I haven't heard from Yale. Has anyone heard from Brown or Northwestern either?
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@AlexG, there's really no way to rate chances accurately. For some programs, it's a numbers game getting applicants from the first round to the final round of reviews (they'll cut off at a particular GRE score), but then it's about the fit as expressed in the SOP. For other programs they really only care about your SOP and areas of research, and the numbers matter less. Admissions is a strange experience, you might get into an extremely competitive program but be rejected by all of your so-called "safety" schools. So what's important is that you researched the programs and chose ones that fit you well. If you did that much, then you've increased your chances considerably.
@S@lly your research journey is fascinating! Stay positive, there are so many programs that have only started reviewing applications, and won't say anything until the 2nd week in February or later. Comm programs run the gamut in terms of notifications. So there will be a lot of activity in February. It's still early! Plus, there's always the waitlist. A person from my program that I knew believed she'd been rejected from every single program until April 15th. Then she was called by a school and offered a full 5 year funding package and admission. I say that not because I don't think you'll get good news soon, but because this process truly doesn't end until April 15th, or until you receive a rejection letter from every school. I've even heard of schools trying to accept people in the early summer as their admits drop out for various reasons.
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Captain
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@waitingwaitingum, I'm writing you with a congratulations on your acceptance!
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@trippytraveler, what do you mean when you ask about integration? If you're talking about racial integration, it really varies by city and region, and some places are still very delineated according to racial lines, while others are very mixed in (like NYC and parts of Cali). But even though there's integration there's also a considerable amount of racial/immigration tension depending upon where you live. It really just depends on where you're living, and how large of a people of color and/or immigrant population is in that place. It also depends on whether you're heading to a large city or not. Even though larger cities have more people of color, many of them (like DC) have neighborhoods that are almost predominantly one race or specific areas where immigrant communities are located. So, yeah, it's special here in the U.S.
LOL -
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@gurlsaved, I applied to RTF Media Studies Ph.D, so I know their decisions are coming soon (so nervous). Congrats on your acceptance!
@trippytraveler, @pmustain, @agschmidt, @superbygk, @Ville, welcome to the forum! Lots of nice people over here in Communication, if I do say so myself. Seriously, this is a really friendly forum.
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@S@lly, that's great advice. I worked for a number of years after my undergraduate degree before my MA, so my spouse and I have been on our own for a while. But this gap year between my MA and Ph.D is driving me a bit nuts....and to think all the time I was in my MA program I wanted nothing more than to relax and "do nothing." LOL I am applying to any job I can possibly get my hands on.
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Thanks.
My interview is with Emory ILA. Good luck with your programs! I hope things turn out well for you. -
Very interesting. I don't automatically think of Kant and Hegel when I think of philosophy, but rather about the questions philosophy engages, and yours are certainly along those lines even if it's from a linguistic lens.
What, exactly, is an "epistemological skeptic"?
UT Austin, PhDs 2012
in Meet and Greet
Posted
Hi All! I was also accepted to UT-Austin's RTF program. I won't be able to visit sadly, so I'm uncertain if I will be going here, and I, like Vanilatea am concerned about the details of the funding. I didn't like that I'd have to pay so much per semester....I have plenty of loans from my MA. I'm sad because I really liked the program, but without a visit I don't see what else can change my mind. Are you all visiting?