Stately Plump

I go through periodic crises of self-doubt and questioning. I have to make sure to let these things really ruminate before making rash decisions. I'm not saying don't leave, but make sure it is definitely what you want. Think about it for a few months. Let it settle, and be serious and active about pursuing alternate options. It would be a shame to quit and leave only to find it really is what you want. On the other hand, if it really isn't right, it would be a shame to spend the next 5 years doing something you really don't want to do, when you could be doing something you really love (or at least something you like more than where you are now). Ultimately, you have to do what's right for you (cliche, I know, sorry). For me, figuring out what's right often takes a few months. I have learned not to make decisions too quickly. Best of luck with everything! I hope it works out!

I visited a prospective school and one of the students I met with told me that he drank way more as a graduate student than an undergrad. But, he admitted, that partly because he would get together with his cohort mates and drink while discussing the readings, etc. So he was more likely to pair drinking/social-ish life with the work he had to do. Depending on the intensity of the program, you may find that your social life is mostly a "school/work" oriented social life. Personally, I'm kind of excited to meet others who are as passionate as I am about my area of study.

I can completely relate. It seems sooo bizarre to think that I'll actually be attending. I can picture myself in the classrooms this fall, and I can imagine myself doing the readings/seminar papers/crazy other grad students things, but it hasn't actually registered yet. Crazy.

I don't think that an MFA would be hurtful to a PhD application. The DGS was being honest when she said that the MFA was "sufficient preparation." One could still have an MFA and be sufficiently prepared. But a creative writing MFA will not prepare you for doctoral study the way a traditional MA would. To be honest, I don't think either one would be hurtful to the other. You're right, most programs are 2 or 3 years. A few are 4 years. However, some programs, such as Boston University's, can be completed in one calendar year. At BU, students take 4 courses one semester, 2 another, and 2 over the summer.

You're right, for straight MFA programs, all they care about is the quality of your writing and whether they think you are the type of writer who will flourish in their program. Cornell's joint MFA/PhD program, however, is not an MFA program; they are just as committed to producing scholarly academics as they are to producing creative writers. And to get in at Iowa, one would have to apply to the PhD program in English literature, not the MFA program (unless one sought the MFA, which, as you pointed out, would be different). Not trying to be divisive, only making a (hopefully useful) distinction

I've been having isolated "omg the job market" freakouts lately. My advisor gave me some really, really good advice: don't worry about the years to come. For now, just focus doing the absolute best you can as a graduate student. Work hard. Enjoy it. Have fun and meet people. Don't be naive about the job market, but don't stress about it either. The days will come for stressing about the job market. Right now, just be a full time grad student. I know your post wasn't too serious of an "omg the job market" post, but I thought I'd share that advice nonetheless . And I must say, the closer it gets, the more excited I become.

If I were you, I would apply to rhet/comp PhD programs. You will have more job opportunities at the other end (and not just in academia! There are always jobs for skilled rhetoricians!). Plus, you can still write creative non-fiction while in your rhet/comp program; working the other way around is much tougher. Additionally, the chances of getting funding as a PhD student is greater than as an MFA student. These are just my thoughts. On the other hand, the MFA would likely only be a year or two. Ultimately, you need to follow your heart (I know, I'm sorry, but it's actually true). Write down the pros and cons of each, and continue to grapple with the issue. I think it will become clear what you really want. Best of luck!

Cornell will be wildly competitive. You will be competing against all other students applying for their PhD program, not just the students who are applying for the joint MFA/PhD. I may be wrong here, but I'm pretty sure that in some years, they have only accepted one student to the joint MFA/PhD (and they probably got about 6-700 for their PhD program). Keep in mind that their program is not a PhD with a creative dissertation, but an actual dual-degree program. As such, you are expected to produce the same quality scholarly work that the other PhD students are producing. The Writer's Workshop at Iowa does not have a PhD program. They are a two year residency program that confers only the MFA. However, in rare cases, PhD students may be allowed to do a creative dissertation via the Writer's Workshop. In order to do this, however, you must apply to (and be accepted in) the English Department's PhD program (which is technically separate from the Writer's Workshop). Once you have been accepted, and if your work is overly exceptional, you may (may) be allowed to do a creative dissertation. This is not guaranteed, however. You may be accepted to the PhD program in English Literature but not allowed to do a creative dissertation. I don't say these things to scare you, only to say that these programs (along with pretty much all creative writing programs) are really competitive, and you shouldn't be too focused on getting accepted at, say, Cornell, because even if your GPA was perfect and you aced the GRE, there would be no guarantee you would get in. Not to completely crush your spirits, and I definitely think you should still apply and you should still be excited about continuing your graduate studies, but your GPA is a bit low. If it was your undergrad, it might be overlooked if other aspects of your application made up for it, but as a graduate student, most schools are probably going to expect something closer to a 4.0. Remember that, across the board, more will be expected from students who have already done some graduate work than students coming straight from undergrad. I don't think it will sink you, and like I said, I think you should still apply, but it is something to consider. If your focus is creative writing, and you are completely opposed to MFA programs (which would only take a year or two...), I would consider these schools as well.

When it first happened, I thought, "maybe this isn't the right path for me, since I'm having these doubts." Then I remembered the past 5 months I've spent on these fora, and could rest assured that others were sharing my feelings.

I just received an email from my department with some information about the upcoming semester. I wouldn't worry about not hearing yet; a lot of schools are still finalizing their lists of who's coming and who isn't. Remember, too, that the end of the semester is approaching (or already here) and they are probably very busy with that stuff. Unfortunately, we may be on the back-burner until they have a bit more time (though it feels to us like we should be the priority). I can definitely relate with the odd calm after having accepted an offer. I just recently went through a roughly 48-72 hour crisis where I questioned my decision, doubted I wanted to attend graduate school in English, considered applying to a post-bac pre-med program, looked into requirements for medical school, considered getting a job at Google, and then finally determined that what I want is to go to graduate school in English. In the immediate 36 hours since that crises, I have become more excited than I ever was about attending, have made a list of courses I'd like to take, have figured out a way to pass the translation exam, and decided to join some extracurricular activities at my institution. + + + + + + + = (<--- how I feel right now; sunglasses to hide all other emotions)

My professors have had mostly negative reactions when I tell them about this site. They are thinking about the potential hazing/attempts at intellectual intimidation that might happen, and I think their opinions are based upon their own experiences as graduate students/at conferences where, unfortunately, that stuff can happen. I have been overwhelmingly pleased, however, with how supportive everyone has been on here, at least in the Lit/Rhet/Comp section. I really feel like there's a community of sorts here, and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone in person

literally lol'd.

I enjoyed this. Thanks for posting. Some of the comments are great as well. I particularly like the one about treating your PhD like your job in other ways, such as working 9-5 and taking weekends off (with the exception to do some overtime, like you would do with any other job).

The reason I applied to graduate school, where I will spend somewhere between 6-9 years making just about minimum wage (where some fellow undergraduates are making $50,000+ and starting to save/invest their money and work towards retirement), and where I will face untold sleepless nights reading dense and complicated texts, and where I will stress constantly about trying to finish my own course and manage the courses I'm teaching, and fret about comprehensive examinations, and then write a 300 page dissertation on a topic nobody else knows about (and very few care) is because I'm trying to avoid the struggles of the real world. That's just me though.

Omg. I didn't know about this. And I won't be in Boston for it. ARG. + = +

I'm hoping to become a professor. But I'm also going to get a PhD for the sake of the PhD itself. Even if I end up running the family business, I don't want to be 50 or 60 and have to think, "Would my life have been different if I had pursued my dreams of obtaining a PhD?" <--- no regrets sunglasses

I'll be there Registering sometimes has its perks, like free food. However, MLA is also notorious for the "check-nametag-and-ignore" routine; if you aren't important, you may be dismissed by some professors you (once thought you might) admire. Just a warning. Note that not all are like that, but I've heard that the MLA in particular is kinda know for that type of thing.

At this point, I have too much time on my hands.

Keep your heads up! I know you'll get it! Remember that, because the process is so competitive, not being accepted doesn't mean you weren't good enough, it doesn't mean others were better, and it doesn't mean that you can't do it. Seriously, the deciding factor is luck. Most schools probably have 50 students they would take if they could, and they probably have 25 they really, really want. At that point, there is really nothing that is in our control; maybe they already have a few girls (or guys), maybe they already have someone who's undergrad was at a small liberal arts school, maybe they recently had a few current students switch to your subfield so they aren't taking more applicants... Stuff like this, that is completely arbitrary, holds back many, many qualified students. Positive energy for the upcoming application year! +++ (<--- sunglasses to prevent positive-energy-blindness)

Sorry this is late, but congratulations! I'd been pulling for you, Fiona! It's so exciting when people succeed on here

Haha! March was calmer than February for both of us

Just thought I'd repost this

I didn't apply to Davis, only because I stuck to schools here on the east coast (it was primarily a method I used to cut some schools from my list...otherwise I would have had wayyyyy too many). Hopefully see you at ASLE!

The DC subway has a stop at College Park's campus, so you can access all of DC (i.e., the Folger ) via subway from the university.

Congrats Trip! For me, it felt so, so good to finally know where I'd be going and to be able to start making plans for that. I didn't know about your lit and environment interests; I share some of those, so perhaps I'll be seeing you at some conferences in the future!