kelannrob

This thread is exactly what I needed to find! Just had a discussion with my grad advisor about defining my field of specialization in relation to the dissertation topic I want to pursue. I was wanting to find a way to incorporate composition theory and pedagogy with Mexican folklore. He suggested using rhet/comp as the umbrella to cover it all, but I still wasn't entirely clear about how. You folks nailed it in these posts! Thanks for the great suggestions and good luck to all with your studies!

Thanks for the encouragement! This is all so new - I'm still a little nervous (okay...a lot nervous), but these forums and the folks I've met here have gone such a long way toward laying my fears to rest. Hope all goes well for you, too!

I've been accepted to an MA program that automatically grants all acceptees a grad assistantship. Yay, right? Here's the thing - I also would really like to work as a tutor in this university's writing center while in grad school, but the English assistantship only allows for GAs as graders or research assistants - not tutors. I'm friends with the director of the writing program, and she was very enthusistic about me joining their team - went so far as to say I'd be given a leadership role in the center from the get-go (she's familiar with my previous experience as a tutor and attended my presentations at conferences). Se suggested that I may be able to swing a second assistantship (with my English GA position taking first priority of course). I'd be limited to 10 hours a week, on top of the 20 hours expected for my primary GA position, while also enrolled in 9 hrs of courses. Is this too much? Does anyone else have experience with concurrent assistantships in grad school? If so, in addition to the time demands, could you offer any insight about how that affects the financial aspects. Does it equate to an additional stipend? Thanks in advance for any suggestions :-)

Just finishing my undergrad at 35 years old. I was looking forward to not feeling quite so out of place in grad school, but this forum makes me feel just as old sitting in class does (which is kind of sad because I *know* 35 isn't old, but tell that to my vanity when it sits beside the 17 year old in my Spanish class).

I'm not sure how to respond to an invitation to the MA program from the institution that also waitlisted me for their PhD. I want to convey my acceptance of the MA position while also saying the I would still prefer a PhD spot if one opens up. The letter from the DGS had a hand-written note acknowledging that I am still on the PhD waitlist even though I got in at the MA level, so I know they're aware of the situation. Do I even need to say it in my acceptance email? I was thinking something along the lines of "While I am thrilled to be accepted into the MA program, I still hope a space becomes available for the PhD, as that remains my ultimate academic goal." Also, would it be appropriate to ask for details about the assistantship (all MA students get one in this program) in the same email? I thought that would be covered during the recruitment weekend, but the schedule doesn't list any time for discussing assistantships or fellowships. Seems to focus only on meet and greets, class observations, and getting to know your way around the campus. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide and good luck to all still waiting to hear about results!

Out of curiosity, how many folks that are waitlisted applied as direct admits straight from undergrad? I only applied to one Ph.D. program and one M.A. program due to my inability to move away from the county I currently live in (husband's work, owning our home, and residency restrictions on child custody put the kibosh on moving for grad school). Luckily, I made it onto the waitlist for the Ph.D., and accepted to one of the M.A.s with a grad assistantship. I'm just curious what it means if the school says there are "very few students" on the list. My very few means 3-4; does the DGS mean more? Also, while the letter reassured me that they would let me know if a spot opens up sooner rather than later,they will definitely notify me about an official acceptance or rejection by May 1st. May 1st?!? I'll be bald by then from pulling my hair out! In the meantime, I'm planning on attending the recruitment weekend, setting up initial meetings with the professors I want to work with if I get in to the Ph.D. program, and lining up outside funding for my research.

I'd follow up with an email or phone call to the graduate studies office for the program you're applying to. Letters sometimes get lost, notices can be overlooked. Just a cool, calm "Hello, I applied to your program and have heard that notifications have been sent to other applicants. I had not received a letter, nor has my status through the applicant system changed. Should I be concerned? Thank you"