karablythe

Sure, PM me.

Seriously proflorax, thank you for saying that!

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! I think I will remove travel experience from my CV but include it in my SOP, as suggested. However, I also fully intend on keeping with my lovely lavender color scheme because who doesn't love a little rebellion

What are y'all's opinions on including travel experience? I'm applying to cultural studies programs and English programs with a focus in critical theory/cultural studies. Travel has been a huge part of my post-grad life; I finished undergrad in May 2011, and have spent essentially 6 months of every year since then abroad (India, Brazil, Spain, etc.). My interest in cultural studies began as a student but really blossomed as a traveler, so I feel the experience is significant... but I'm not really sure how to articulate that in a CV. Other than a 3 month internship at an NGO in India, most of my travel involved short term volunteer work at hostels, yoga retreats, and the like. So they weren't total touristy, party trips (I tried my best to really integrate into the culture and have as "authentic" an experience as possible) but I also wasn't there doing relative or reputable work. Thoughts? Thanks in advance! Afterthought: I just read Dr. Karen's Rules and saw that she advices against including overseas travel. Hmph. Her guidelines make for such a sterile CV! I was planning on doing my name in a lovely lavender color at top, which I doubt she'd agree with

Hi all, I'm applying to a few MA programs and am looking for some advice in regards to my writing sample. My primary interest is critical theory. I'm fascinated by gender theory, queer theory postcolonial theory, psychoanalysis, disability studies, performance theory... really the list could go on. I'm less particular about time-period, though I do prefer novels of the 19th and 20th centuries. My undergrad thesis (which I will likely use as my WS) deals specifically with post-war trauma, disability, and the performance of gender in the modern novel. I use Jake from The Sun Also Rises and Septimus from Mrs. Dalloway, and examine how each character's physical (Jake) and mental (Septimus) handicap affects their gender identity and consequentially their performance of gender. My major concerns are... 1. Does this sound like a solid topic for a writing sample? I'm not sure what a crit theory writing sample is necessarily supposed to look like. For example, would it be better if I instead took these two characters and examined them through 3-4 different critical theory lenses to explain how they suffer/cope with their trauma? 2. I'm extremely interested in cultural studies, postcolonial theory, diaspora, etc. and am worried this paper about upper-class white people and written by white authors will not convey that. I AM also interested in performance theory, gender, and what not, but I most love when all intersect. Does any of that make sense? Any advice is greatly appreciated! k

Good to know. THanks!

Hi, I have a quick question. I was planning to wait and apply to IHEID next fall, but have just made the impromptu decision to apply for the Jan 15th deadline. I see that references will be contacted after application is processed and then asked to submit letters of rec. Do they need to submit those letters by the 15th? Or can I just submit my entire application by the 15th and then IHEID will contact those references after the fact? Sorry if this question has already been addressed! Cheers, kara

Hey everyone, Here's the deal. It's my dream to be a professor one day, and therefore I have been looking into lots of MA and PhD programs that offer good TA possibilities. However, I had a question about how that works. I've been told that there are 3 basic types of TA experiences. 1. At big Research 1 universities (the UCs, UW, etc.) TAs typically teach small, break-out seminars; in other words, the TAs help guide a once-a-week class within the guidelines/expectations of a tenured professor who is responsible for the full class. Am I making sense? Proper grammar seems to be escaping me at the moment. 2. At prestigious, private universities that don't want grad students teaching their classes (ie. ivy league schools, duke, stanford), TAs typically just sort of...help? Their study is more focused on their own scholarship than on teaching. 3. At less prestigious, big state universities (like University of Arizona, University of Nevada), TAs are given their own classes and the freedom to teach their own curriculum. First, am I being clear? It's been a very long day and my communication skills aren't functioning properly. Second, is this a generally good assessment of the varying graduate student experience? Thanks, I'll stop blabbering incoherently now.

How do you see the results board? Do you have to have applied?

So many great recommendations. Thanks everyone! Any suggestions for space/place theory?

Hello friends, I am looking for suggestions of authors/articles/books that explore different areas of critical theory. I love theory, and would therefore really appreciate any and all proposals. And even if theory isn't your thing, I'm sure a majority of you have had some sort of experience with it, if only through researching your own field of interest. So anyway, any suggestions for theory readings? I am particularly interested in performance studies, disability theory, identity politics, diaspora politics, feminist theory, linguistic theory, Marxist theory...okay, let's be honest, I'm interested in it all. So please, help me form a Spring/Summer reading list! My first suggestion: On Photography by Susan Sontag. I'm reading it now and really enjoying it. It was written in the 70s so lots has changed in the field of photography, but I think she provides a very profound foundation for understanding the influence that cameras/photographers/photographs have had on constructing culture. Plus, her theories are made all the more interesting when applied to comtemporary photography and global technology.

Thanks for all the wonderful responses! I am seriously debating with applying to Sussex some time in the next few weeks for entry into Fall 2012. However, I am worried that if I am rejected, I won't be able to reapply in the Fall (along with a number of other schools) for entry into Fall 2013. Is this concern completely unfounded? I have tried looking up application info on their website, but am rather confused. They seem to suggest that students start applying as early as May and then that application reviews commence in November. Can anyone help me out? Muchas gracias!

Thanks for the wonderful information and links orangeMan. and antecedent, I know that this is a relative (and quite personal) question, but did Edinburgh give you any money? Just wondering because I continue to hear such negative things about financial aid for overseas students. Also, do you feel like Edinburgh is quite selective in their process?

I know UK programs usually have a different timeline for applicants; seems like a lot are rolling admission? When is it best to apply to these programs, especially if you are an international applicant hoping for financial aid? I'm most interested in the MA in English and Philosophy at University of Sussex btw. Anyone have any experience with this program? Thanks!

Hey everyone. Thanks for the responses. I figured I get a lot of "there are no safety schools" responses, but I figured I'd still ask. indalomena, unfortunately my BA school doesn't have a graduate program so I can't rely on that. Guess I will just continue the hunt...