jtractatus
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Posts posted by jtractatus
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WOWOWOW!! HUGE CONGRATS!!
Congratulations on getting in, August. If there are any other waitlisters biting their nails on this, I was notified by Sangeeta today that the final slot was offered to me--HOWEVER, I had already declared somewhere else and informed him of this like ten minutes ago. Hopefully this great offer trickles down to one of the other waitlisters.
The details were 4 years, health insurance, 18k-20k stipend, no teaching first year, then 2, then 3, then 2.
Good luck everyone,
James
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Hey Rachel,
I'm still fielding offers but suspect I end up at Lehigh. If I don't, maybe the fellowship will trickle down to you! Dawn finally sent me the "line" schedule this morning. A 300-level course is an honors senior class that graduates can sit in and usually just write a longer paper or do some additional assignments for graduate credit. Anyway, here's that:
Traister, early modern literature
Grodon, transatlantic 18th c conspiracy and paranoia
Dolan, slavery/abolition in British romanticism
Fifer, contemporary american poetry
Watts, creative writing and literary study
There will be 300s by Lay (Milton), Dominque (new 18th c prof), Moglen (US modernism and war), and Singh (James Joyce).
I'd go with Fifer, Watts, and Singh (I loved him).
Hope everything's going well. Congrats on declaring. Must be nice to know where you'll be living...
Hey Rachel, not sure if you're still checking this (don't know how to PM you), but I officially declared for Lehigh a few days ago. Look forward to seeing you in the fall. I might need to enlist you in advice regarding nice areas in Lehigh around June!
Best,
James
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James,
Hope you had fun at the Open House - I did, and am officially on board for the fall. I'm curious as to what you decided? Or if you had heard any possible class offerings for next year?
Hope all is well,
Rachel
Hey Rachel,
I'm still fielding offers but suspect I end up at Lehigh. If I don't, maybe the fellowship will trickle down to you! Dawn finally sent me the "line" schedule this morning. A 300-level course is an honors senior class that graduates can sit in and usually just write a longer paper or do some additional assignments for graduate credit. Anyway, here's that:
Traister, early modern literature
Grodon, transatlantic 18th c conspiracy and paranoia
Dolan, slavery/abolition in British romanticism
Fifer, contemporary american poetry
Watts, creative writing and literary study
There will be 300s by Lay (Milton), Dominque (new 18th c prof), Moglen (US modernism and war), and Singh (James Joyce).
I'd go with Fifer, Watts, and Singh (I loved him).
Hope everything's going well. Congrats on declaring. Must be nice to know where you'll be living...
James
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Hi, James,
Glad you'll be joining me - that's a nice surprise! I think I have the same schedule; I'm going to ask if Dawn could possibly arrange for me to meet with some graduate students in the afternoon after lunch, so hopefully I'll be occupied as well. Sorry to hear about Singh - I think we'll all be spending huge amounts of time in the library. (Both libraries are actually quite nice from what I hear.)
I'm sorry to hear about your other responses. I've had the same results. I still have not heard back from Lehigh regarding funding though - do you think it's too soon to email and inquire further? I just do not want to be too pushy! I would love to accept and get the process over with... advice?
Have a good weekend as well!
Thanks,
Rachel
Dawn said funding info would be out my early March at the latest, so my advice would be to hold off until the Open House if you can. If you still haven't heard by then, I think she'd understand your concern. However, if you're really freaking out to know--I would be--I'm sure a short, polite query to Dawn (or maybe Donna) on Monday wouldn't hurt anything--it's not like they would deprive you of the TA spot for asking!
Good luck,
James
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Best of luck to you as well! I hope the official rejections come swiftly. (I know they are arriving; I'm just waiting on official news.) It would be nice to be "in the know" once and for all I think. I'll let you know if I get any new feedback on the Open House.
Thanks,
Rachel
Hey Rachel,
Dawn invited me to the Whitley class at 9:20, so I'll be joining you there. At least with two of us, we can diminish the Lone Strange Outsider Phenomenon. Then she said there's some lunch thing at 12:00, then I'm meeting with her at 2:30, then the graduate student presentations at 4:00. Singh is on leave this year, so I have no earthly idea what I'll do to fill the time, but suspect it might involve a library.
Hope you've heard some good news from other schools or regarding funding at Lehigh. I've been rejected with extreme scorn and contempt from most of my others, so it's looking like I might commit to Lehigh within a week or two.
Have a nice weekend,
J
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I received the wait-list email from the DGS today too. My last name beings with MC. Hope this helps! Good luck.
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Hi, James,
Sorry I didn't realize an updated schedule was posted on the website. I would love to go to one of Singh's classes as well as that of Keetley. I will probably email to ask if that is okay as well, or if there is something else we might be asked to participate in on the day of. Thanks for the update! A quick question - when you heard regarding the fellowships, did they give any other concrete information regarding financials? It's my biggest worry...I think the day of the Open House if I have not heard anything else, I will definitely ask for follow-up info. It would put my fears to rest a great deal. (I'm glad the receipt of the fellowship came on a "good" day for you. It's interesting how much difference a little good news can make to balance out the bad.)
I'm glad you're attending the Open House! It will be nice to meet a fellow possible attendee come fall! Can I ask where else you applied (who you're waiting to hear back from?) I'm still waiting on Rutgers, University of Maryland, Univ. of Pennsylvania, NYU and Penn State (all in the top 30 I believe, all definite rejections) as well as Fordham and SUNY Binghamton. I think Fordham would also be a good fit for me (but alas, again I'm pretty sure it's a no - then again I thought this about Lehigh as well!)
-Rachel
Hey Rachel,
Sorry, Kramp (my contact) didn't mention anything about financials aside from my personal stuff. I guess you could email Dawn about it, but that might be weird. Not really sure about the etiquette. I'm sure you'll know by the Open House. Well, not sure, but I'd bet a lot of money on it.
Yeah, we're pretty much waiting on the same programs. I have a friend at Rutgers who said the adcomms made their decisions Friday, so we'll be receiving our probable rejections early next week, in theory. Applied to Penn, haven't heard from them, don't expect to (they accepted 6 out of 720 last year!!!!). I think Maryland is done accepting, so maybe we're on the waitlist, but probably not. I did SUNY-Bing (that application process was a pain the ass, right?) and SUNY-Albany because they have creative dissertations and I'm into creative writing. Also applied to the MFA/PhD at Cornell, which is a complete joke. NYU and PSU (I applied to neither) started accepting on the results board last week....
Let me know what Dawn says about classes and anything else about the 3rd. I'm still pretty vague on the details.
Good luck with Rutgers this week! Rutgers is the best program I think I have a tiny (crosses fingers) shot at--Cornell, Penn, and Maryland are insane: I applied simply so I would never have to think about them again
Take care,
James
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Hey Rachel,
The Spring 2011 schedule is available on the English department website. I just looked at the classes conducted Thursdays and decided which seemed most interesting. I guess I should go through Dawn and get permission from the various professors before showing up
--I actually wasn't invited to any classes, which I'm just guessing means that Dawn quickly detected a correspondence between your research interest and Whitley's class, while seeing no such connection(s) in my case...???...James
In case you don't feel like wasting your time checking, here's the Thursday schedule (perhaps erroneous):
Whitley, 19th Century American, ~9:30-10:30 (you already know this of course)
Singh, Modernism in England/India, ~10:30-12:00
Setton, Mediterranean Jewish Literature, ~10:30-12:00
Traister, 16th Century England, ~10:30-12:00
KEETLEY, Women's Lit and Global Violence, ~1:00-2:30
Singh, Post war Globalization, ~2:30-4:00
I think it's bizarre and amazing that Singh teaches two courses in one day; I love him already. I'd also like to check out Keetley's course: 1) seems sort of cool; 2) well, obviously, she's the DGS!
Hope this helps,
James
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Hi, James,
Where did you find a schedule of classes to choose from? I was invited to Professor Whitley's class in the morning, and I'm very much looking forward to that, however from about 10:30 until the presentation at 4, I'm uncertain as to what I'll be doing. I would love to be able to sit in on other classes during that time if I'm allowed to do so.
Congratulations on receiving a fellowship!! I did not and I'm saddened by that, but I cannot say that it was a surprise. I hope I'll be hearing something regarding financial aid at some point soon or this will be a very short process for me...that being said I'm very happy for you! That's excellent news!
Hope you're having a good weekend as well! (Let me know if you hear anything else!)
Thanks,
Rachel
Hey Rachel,
The Spring 2011 schedule is available on the English department website. I just looked at the classes conducted Thursdays and decided which seemed most interesting. I guess I should go through Dawn and get permission from the various professors before showing up
--I actually wasn't invited to any classes, which I'm just guessing means that Dawn quickly detected a correspondence between your research interest and Whitley's class, while seeing no such connection(s) in my case...???...James
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Hi, James! Yes, I heard from Dawn as well, and I'm very excited to participate. This will be a different experience than the Open House in the fall. For one, I didn't get to meet any other professors, nor did I get the chance to sit in on a class. I look forward to meeting you as well; glad you can attend!
I have not heard back regarding fellowships either. I'm assuming they went to other people, or that Lehigh will send all financial package information at one time (for example, when the teaching assistantships have been decided). I truly, truly hope it does not mean that I'm not receiving anything...that would unfortunately be the end of my doctoral career... And I just started to look forward to the fall!
I've only had one other rejection - CUNY Grad. Center - other than that I'm living in the land of Silence as well. 7 more rejections linger in the cyberspace, waiting to be forwarded. But if Lehigh comes through with everything, I think I will be a happy camper regardless of the lack of offers to sift through/compare.
What class are you sitting in on?
Hope you're doing well,
Rachel
Hey Rachel,
I think I might sit on Singh's Literatures of Globalization class. Its post-colonial inflection is appealing to me, plus it conforms to the (provisional) schedule that seems prepared, i.e. the doctoral students reporting on their research @ 4, etc. (Not sure if there are any other plans.)
I heard yesterday that I received one of the Fellowships; I hope you did too, or else I seem like an asshole. If not, it was my impression that admission=TA/stipend opportunities, so if I were you I would just assume that I was receiving funding. Here's the sentence from Dawn over the summer that leads me to believe this: "When we admit PhD students, we guarantee them 4 years of a Teaching Fellowship." You're admitted, right? So...Of course, this could have changed, maybe I'm mis-interpreting it, etc. Obviously I can't speak for the program!
I got my first rejection (from Delaware) right after getting the Fellowship news, so that kept me grounded I guess...
Hope you have a nice weekend.
James
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This is a good point, and with absolutely no evidence, I will say that Delaware seems like they are like this in regard to the PhD program. I can't cite anything, but I do remember going on to the PhD as being more of an option there, as opposed to a place like UVA that discourages their own.
First of all, congrats to those who got into Delaware ( I was, um, rejected unceremoniously). In re: the MA/PhD question, I was corresponding with Dr. Larkin, the DGS, over the summer, and he admitted that the available PhD slots were first considered for internal MA applicants, and then--if any are left over--externals are considered. So obviously that's not good for externals, although one of the students ahead of me at Villanova did get accepted into the PhD program last year as an external MA applicant. I guess this was kind of a miracle. The girl was a genius, if that explains the miracle.
Perhaps the lesson for next year is to not apply for the PhD as an external MA unless you feel confident you're a genius?
J
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"considered" for TAships. It's slightly alarming that for a possible English PhD candidate - I have lost my ability to speak correctly.
Hi Rachel. So I guess you've received Dawn's news about the (provisional) Open House/Campus Tour/Class Sit-In on March 3rd? Fortunately for me, my university is on Spring Break that week, so I'll be able to attend. Do you think you'll be, or would that be redundant after doing the same last year? Anyway, if you are, I look forward to meeting you.
If you're interested, I haven't heard anything this week regarding fellowships, which I suppose means I wasn't selected. I hope you have better news to report.
And how're your other schools going? I'm still in an environment of Absolute Silence--I'm not sure I exist, actually
Anyway, hope you got a fellowship and/or heard back from some other schools. Either way, I'm sure you'll regain your ability to speak correctly before Fall 2011.
Best,
James
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Hi, James,
Thanks and an update - Dawn replied to my email and said fellowships will be announced 2/14, and teaching assistantships by the end of February/beginning of March at the latest. She didn't mention needing to "accept" nor provide any other specific funding package info, so I'm not sure if I need to do something further, but I will follow up in a few weeks if I (we) don't hear anything. Are you planning on visiting? I am thinking that even if I do not receive any other offers, I'll feel better long-term about the decision to go if I sit in on a class or meet with some professors/current grad students. Now just to decide if I go now while nervous about funding and hearing back from other schools, or if I wait until say - March - when I might have more information.
Rachel
Hey Rachel,
Hmmm. The fact that they are "making decisions" about TA positions might refute my (ignorant) assertion that we're automatically funded--however, in order to be optimistic and minimize the Angst and Dread that is an ineluctable part of this process, I'd argue that, since we are both up for fellowships, then we might have a head start on those TA positions anyway. I'm probably wrong about this but let's pretend I'm right. I'm so happy the fellowship decisions will be communicated on/by 2/14--a lot earlier than I anticipated.
I probably wouldn't mind sitting in on a class and wandering around the campus. My father actually taught there (in the Education Dept.) but I never went up there with him. If we decide to visit maybe we should align our travel dates--I'm sort of shy and would be really anxious all by myself!
What other programs have you applied to? And are you coming out of a BA or MA? I'm completing my MA at Villanova University now.
Oh, and you mentioned a concern about the teaching load. In Dawn's email, she said one course per semester, which isn't bad. Not sure if Lehigh offers Summer opportunities.
Thanks for your sleuthing,
James
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I wasn't aware I had received the official acceptance letter, at least from the department. Did yours also state that we have to accept before they can provide us with a specific funding package? That doesn't seem like the normal way of things...Am very confused! Your thoughts?
I just received a letter stating that we have to accept before financial aid considerations are announced (we will be receiving some official correspondence from the Graduate Office soon, evidently). However, if my interpretation is correct, the "acceptance" is merely pro forma, for we can still decline after receiving the financial aid offer. I think that's the case, at least. The letter encouraged me (us) to send any questions to Donna Reiss (dmr1@lehigh.edu), the admin asst. in the English Dept.
James
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Hey Whitman, congratulations again on your acceptance. I was corresponding with the DGS, Dawn Keetley, over the fall, so have some additional information for you (or us) to consider. CAVEAT--this is in no way official and may have changed since I received the information; in no way do I speak for the administration. Anyway, Dawn wrote me that everyone accepted was automatically given a TA position for ~18-19 K a year for four years. In addition, after the first year, students are able to supplement their incomes by working in the Writing Center. Health insurance, she wrote, was either 50% or 100% covered, based on considerations I was unable to perceive.
What about the Open House was so appealing to you? I've lived in suburban Philly my entire live, but only went to Bethlehem once to see the Eagles' training camp.
And I'd be interested to hear your field(s) of specialty. I'm focusing a lot on post-postmodernism--writers like David F Wallace, Eggers, Monson, etc.--and contemporary literary theory; disability studies and postcolonial theory; and representations of psychological distress in literature (I was a social worker in a mental hospital for years).
Congratulations again.
Have a good weekend.
J
Maryland Acceptance
in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
Posted
Yeah, you're right. I'm more just pretty much anything after 1950 plus a bunch of weird psychological/ disability studies things. But perhaps that doesn't mean anything. I'll pray for you! She--I feel bad I kept referring to her as a "he" (I'm an idiot)--was working from home today, so perhaps she didn't have time to reconvene with the adcomm to determine who would come next. I really don't know, but wish everyone the best. I hope we all just get in somewhere and never have to develop hypertension through this agonizing process again.
J