Fiona Thunderpaws

I had a professor help me with mine over the summer--it was very helpful! But take the length requirement with a grain of salt. One of our GFers got into (I think) Duke and Chicago with a shorter paper that kicked ass. I know for me my best papers all end up in the 12-15 range, and I kind of think I should've stuck with that. Editing groups over the summer anyone? Whether or not I make it this round, I like editing stuff!

You all just gave me heart attack! I was at work and saw this thread exploded, and thought 20 people just got in off the waitlist.

Please, show me someone whose got it all together at this point in the game! No apologies required in these fora.

I'm in love. Please, please don't break my heart UTA! So glad everyone enjoyed their visit--hopefully we'll be cohort mates! If not this year, I'll be re-applying with Antecedant and we'll see you there in a few.

Hands in the air for dreams coming true off the waitlist! Congrats!

Fortunately for me (and others), I don't have this problem. A dubious gift indeed.

I think we've discussed the merits of SOPs tailored to different schools, but what about writing samples tailored to different schools? My diverse interests make it almost impossible for me to write on a topic that includes all of them, and while I wouldn't change my ideology to match a school's (as that kind of defeats the purpose of grad school), I'm really considering playing to my strengths at different places if it comes to round 2. Has anyone else really thought of what they're going to do with writing samples yet?

Once again TripWillis, you have picked the perfect song.

Datatape, I'm sorry to hear that things didn't work out this year. Hugs! I get what you mean about being bitter yet relieved at the same time though. I kind of want someone to put me out of misery one way or the other so I can't check my email like a normal person without my pulse racing while it loads. I also totally get where you're coming from rainy_day. I thought I knew was I was doing this application round, but especially after finding this place I realized there was a lot of stuff I could've improved on as well. It was never my intention to apply to grad programs at 22, but I'm glad I did because even if it doesn't work out this time around, I know how the system works, and I know I can play the game better if I get another chance.

Coping? What is this coping you all speak of?

Hell yeah!!! So psyched for you! UNC-Chapel Hill was the program I wish I had applied to. Congratulations!

I would have KILLED to find out this sort of information when I was applying! That being said, I don't think it's the sort of thing that's readily available for applicants unless you contact the department personally. Even if you can get a hold of someone though, I really doubt the schools have a lot of strict guidelines about what they're looking to accept. I think it depends on the caliber of the people applying, which professors are available to work with, the frequency of solar eclipses during months that end in "er." I think it's worth a shot to ask people in the department, and even if you don't learn anything helpful, at least you made an effort. Also, welcome new 2013 applicants!

I feel like we're going into battle. "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!"

I just have to say, I love the universality of postcolonialism. There's three of us here, and our studies overlap only marginally. Go postcolonial people! In other news, no reply from my DGS yet... I'm beginning to wonder if I have the wrong email, but that's not true, because gmail is pretty much idiot proof. *sigh*

Yes, it's UTA for me, and thanks! Checking my email this week will be harrowing. Best of luck with your waitlist as well

I'm a mix of gender and sexuality studies, Arabic post-colonial, and American popular culture/20th century fiction.

Chapter--best of luck to you as well! I hope your Easter was question-free! Mine mostly was--I think the news leaked out. I don't think I will sleep tonight, I feel like tomorrow will be an important day somehow (for UTA people, at least). Whether it is auspicious or soul-crushing is yet to be determined. Best of luck everyone as we head into this final week! I feel like some sort of St Crispin's Day speech should be in order, but my Shakespeare is rusty.

I'm sure there's lurkers considering it! And if my waitlist doesn't work out, I'm probably going to audit more classes there.

Antecedant--Yes! That's what will happen. Anxious--I don't know how the 15th being a Sunday will work, but I have seem schools make offers after the 15th. With the last two days of this whole thing being on a weekend, I wouldn't be surprised if we get a few last minute things happening after the weekend. At this point in the game, I kind of just want to know one way or the other. Easter Dinner's going to super fun tonight. I've been avoiding my extended family for a few months to spare myself the anxiety of answering their questions. But now there is no escape!

Thanks! Today's been one of those 'I have no original thoughts and will never be a grad student!' sort of days, so this makes me feel a lot better! (Also, confession time--in my dreamland when you return from the Highlands you get into UTA and we are excellent friends, and I really don;t want this dream to vanish!) I just laughed for about five minutes straight. Middle English is a good word for it. Everything I send to this department makes me feel like a crazy person. If they reject because I'm crazy, I would believe it. "Well, she seemed like a good candidate, but then she camped out on our lawn and now we're reconsidering..."

I just sent an email to the DGS asking if he knew when waitlisted people might hear back. The email was two sentences long, but it took me ten minutes to send it. I think this application process has clipped a few years off my lifespan due to the sheer stress.

Yeah Enzian! There is still plenty of time left in the waitlist game. CrunchySocks--welcome to the club. I can't tell you anything about those schools in particular, but let me assure you, we're all in the same boat here!

It's not over until it's over. Don't give up yet!

This just confirms what I already knew--GFers are awesome! Those blogs have shattered my work ethic for the day! Yeah, it's a bit of an issue sometimes, but she's my child.

I have a strong, though unconfirmed, suspicion that an unparalleled number of cat ladies reside among humanitarians! Torties are the best! The real Thunderpaws is 20 pounds of cat, plus long fur, plus a ridiculous attitude. Her favourite pastimes include attacking dogs, and eating my clothing. I approve of derailment.