rmgerdes

This is the best thread ever.

I wish I had never told anyone, not even my recommenders (we'll ignore the obvious logical pitfalls of this strategy)... so no one would ask me about it.

This is the best thread ever.

I wish I had never told anyone, not even my recommenders (we'll ignore the obvious logical pitfalls of this strategy)... so no one would ask me about it.

I'm officially going to OU to study composition and rhetoric (my current plan for an area of focus is response, but who knows!).

I think a factor in your decision should be the job prospects.

For example, if were like me, an English major, you would be insane to pay that much for a Master's degree. But if you could expect to make enough money with your degree for it to be worth it....

I think a factor in your decision should be the job prospects.

For example, if were like me, an English major, you would be insane to pay that much for a Master's degree. But if you could expect to make enough money with your degree for it to be worth it....

I think a factor in your decision should be the job prospects.

For example, if were like me, an English major, you would be insane to pay that much for a Master's degree. But if you could expect to make enough money with your degree for it to be worth it....

It is completely reasonable to ask these kinds of questions. I heard somewhere (but can't remember where, sorry!) that the dropout rate for PhD's is near 50%. Is it because they aren't smart and talented? Hell no! We all see everyday just how many smart and talented people never even make it in!

But after the first few years, many programs kind of have you direct yourself and lots of super talented people just can't make it work. They complete their coursework and not their disseration. (Obviously there are other, more complicated, reasons why people leave PhD programs as well).

If you're really questioning this, you have a few options.
1) Talk to people currently in PhD programs. Ask them what their days are like, if they think it was worth it, or if they have any regrets. Does their life sound like one you want? Also, since you're in the progress of choosing schools, you may find things that will be dealbreakers for you (For example, it is really important to me that English and Writing departments at my school get along; I've heard horror stories that made me scared to go to grad school at all! BUT, that is one of the things I'm taking into careful consideration as I choose a school.)
2) Talk to your profs or a mentor you have; someone you really trust. They should know you well enough to help you see if you are pysching yourself out or if you are bringing up things that may point to a different life path.
3) Look into the possibility of a deferrment for your top choice. For me, working outside of academia for a year was more than enough to show that this is my path.

And, most important, remember that you're allowed to make a mistake.

If you don't go this year and decide later that you want to, it isn't like all the things that got you in now will have disappear. And if you start a program and decide to leave, no one will come after you and poke you with sticks. Life is a journey. Let your life unfold. By all means, do your homework and trust your gut. But beyond that, do we really have any control?

It is completely reasonable to ask these kinds of questions. I heard somewhere (but can't remember where, sorry!) that the dropout rate for PhD's is near 50%. Is it because they aren't smart and talented? Hell no! We all see everyday just how many smart and talented people never even make it in!

But after the first few years, many programs kind of have you direct yourself and lots of super talented people just can't make it work. They complete their coursework and not their disseration. (Obviously there are other, more complicated, reasons why people leave PhD programs as well).

If you're really questioning this, you have a few options.
1) Talk to people currently in PhD programs. Ask them what their days are like, if they think it was worth it, or if they have any regrets. Does their life sound like one you want? Also, since you're in the progress of choosing schools, you may find things that will be dealbreakers for you (For example, it is really important to me that English and Writing departments at my school get along; I've heard horror stories that made me scared to go to grad school at all! BUT, that is one of the things I'm taking into careful consideration as I choose a school.)
2) Talk to your profs or a mentor you have; someone you really trust. They should know you well enough to help you see if you are pysching yourself out or if you are bringing up things that may point to a different life path.
3) Look into the possibility of a deferrment for your top choice. For me, working outside of academia for a year was more than enough to show that this is my path.

And, most important, remember that you're allowed to make a mistake.

If you don't go this year and decide later that you want to, it isn't like all the things that got you in now will have disappear. And if you start a program and decide to leave, no one will come after you and poke you with sticks. Life is a journey. Let your life unfold. By all means, do your homework and trust your gut. But beyond that, do we really have any control?

Ha! I filled out my bracket, as much as possible, on acceptances and rejects. Because not many of my schools are in the tournament, I resorted to blaming/rewarding entire states/sections of the country. If I hadn't heard from a school, they got to the sweet sixteen.

Oh lord, that's the next step in this grueling process! They are going to start monitoring our dreams to see how little funding we'll actually accept or if they are *really* our top choice....

I really don't think anyone should give up until the end of the March.

Good luck hanging in there!

Hear are some good tidings... after two years of trying and 9 rejections, March brought me my first acceptance!

3/3:

Insurance bill.
Rejection from Ohio State....
FIRST ACCEPTANCE!!!! From Okalahoma State, fully funded

This is coming from someone who is sitting on pins and needles, hoping with all her might that this time is the time I'll get in (this is my 2nd round applying).... but, here's what I learned after not getting in last year.

Life goes on it. And, what's more, it is still pretty awesome. I firmly believe that life unfolds with purpose, and while I would not have chosen to teach another year, it has been a positive, wonderful year. My partner made some important professional strides that he would not have been able to do without our staying here. I completed several personal goals (the most significant of which was final reaching my goal weight, after 3 and 1/2 years and 170 lbs). I strengthened my application and got more involved the department I work in.

It isn't as though, if we don't get into grad school, we stop learning. But this is something we all very much and so we make it more important in our minds than it is. And because there is rejection involved, in feels incredibly personal, as though we aren't good and worthy people. But your ego, like mine, will heal. And your life, like mine, will fill.

If you don't get it in this year, and it is something you really want, you'll try again next year. And you'll grow in the process.






All that said, here's to acceptances all around!