picklejar

I've lived in Athens for almost three years. One frustrating thing about the area is that you'd expect it to be a lot cheaper than it is, but that fact that Athens is essentially deadlocked by the highways or the river means people will charge more for in-town rentals. Besides that, though, my advice would be not to rent in Nelsonville or The Plains. Both areas can be a bit sketchy, and the commute (particularly from N-ville) is nothing to sneeze at, particularly in the winter. Plus, with gas prices where they are, it might be worth it to live in Athens and avoid a daily commute. In general you want to avoid the Mill Street/Palmer Street area, as they are party central. The eastside neighborhoods tend to be nicer, both the neighborhood between E Stimson and E State, and the one just north of E State east of the 33 overpass. As far as apartment complexes go, I can only speak to the one that I help manage: Putnam Square, on Home Street. I think they are in general considered among the nicest apartments in Athens. Fairly new, very energy efficient. Rents between $600-$800.

Commoner, why don't you let us know where you're waitlisted (and other who are, too) so that people can respond specifically? I have turned down an offer from Southern Illinois University. I am currently choosing among three schools, so will be turning down a couple more eventually.

I'm curious about all the duplex communities in Athens. I'd be moving there with my husband and our baby, so buying a duplex, living in one half and renting out the other would be and ideal situation. But what kind of opinion do Athens residents and students have about these duplex neighborhoods? Are they seen as quality housing? What kind of people live there?

I just got an acceptance to UMass-Amherst. This is the best school so far that I've heard back from, although I'm still waiting on my top three programs. Yep: UMass, Kansas, Southern Illinois Nope: nobody (!) Waiting: Rice, Vanderbilt, WUSTL, Nebraska, Harvard, Purdue, Georgia, Loyola, Ohio, Iowa

I know, I know. I think we're in the weird limbo stage...maybe we've made it to round two of consideration, but after this week, the poo hits the fan. Not quite bomb-shelter worthy, but I might at least shield my face from flying feces.

Oh, crap, Minnesotan. That sucks! Good luck on the rest of them.

I haven't heard anything from Loyola yet...when/how did you get your waitlist notification? My Ohio is Ohio University, where I got my MA. OSU is a great school, though. Good luck to you, as well!

I've gotten acceptances two days in a row, and just had to pinch myself after typing that because I still can't believe it's true. One from a school near the bottom of my list, with a fellowship nomination, and one from a school in the top half of my list, with no word on funding. Still very exciting news. I am sure my sad thinvelopes from my top three schools are still on their way, but for now, I feel good. I'm in English, by the way. In: Kansas, Southern Illinois Out: Nowhere (yet) Still Waiting: Minnesota, WashU, Indiana, Purdue, Loyola Chicago, Georgia, UMass Amherst, Colorado, Iowa, Ohio, Nebraska

Congratulations! I know...I keep thinking the same thing...no matter what, I'm getting a Ph.D.! I'm going to make my husband start calling me Dr. Picklejar.

I got my first response this week--an acceptance into Southern Illinois University's English PhD program. In addition, I've been nominated for a fellowship, which might just make SIU a contender (it is sort of at the bottom of my list for a few reasons). But it's nice to get a positive response first, nonetheless! Good luck to all those who are still waiting for that first response!

Well, since you shared that, I'll disclose even more: I got a 4.5 TWICE. I suppose I could take that as irrefutable evidence that I am a slightly-below-average writer. Or I could take it as a sign of my inability to rock the five-paragraph essay. I'M A REBEL! YOU CAN'T FENCE ME IN!

anonuser--I have no idea, to be honest. I would be really surprised if someone who knew even a little bit about the GRE would look at my verbal score (99th percentile) and my subject test score (90th) and my crappy writing score and not think "Huh..." But whether that "huh" translates to throwing my application in the bin or deciding to take a look at my (accepted for publication) master's essay excerpt I think depends on the program. I can say this with ease and aplomb NOW, of course, but do I really want to go to a program that trusts the GRE writing segment as a true test of one's writing abilities? Ugh. Ask me again when the rejections start pouring in, and we'll see.

Yeah, I got a 4.5 on the AWA. And I am a professional, published writer. I must not have read the right code-cracker for this one. I'm hoping my writing samples and other stellar test scores will outweigh this stupid assessment.

Now that English admissions are starting to trickle in, I'm going 10x more insane. I'm no mathematician, but I'm pretty sure that's an impossible amount of insane. Never mind that they're to schools to which I didn't apply...doesn't matter to my poor, crazy brain.

WHAT!? Early acceptances ALREADY!? I thought I had at least three weeks left before the gut-wrenching jealousy kicked in.

Uh, I meant relevant. Ugh.

One of my fellow students and I had long debates over the personal/anecdotal SoP versus the professional/research-proposal, and how one would strike a balance. We could never really come to a consensus. Also, I had several faculty members look over my statement, and their remarks varied quite a bit. One praised my "anecdotal" introduction, saying it would certainly get a committee's attention and set me apart from the pack. Another drew a giant "X" through that entire paragraph, with a terse note: "Cut this. Not relavent." In the end I feel I found a good middle-ground. My personal always relates to the professional, and doesn't take up a bulk of the statement. But I still feel some anxiety over the SoP...

I agree with much of what Minnesotan said. Like you, Grifter, I applied to both MA and PhD programs, but got the best offer from an MA. Now, three years later (I got my MA in August, and am now teaching while applying to PhD programs), I'm really glad I did. I think I am a much stronger, more focused, more polished candidate this time around. Of course, we'll see if that's true in a few weeks... And I might be in the minority, but what's the rush? I'm in no hurry to stop being a student and enter "real life." Particularly when my studenthood is funded.

I thought I was the only one!

Well, the one good thing about smaller college towns is that they're much more likely than non-college small towns to actually have sushi, brewpubs, etc.! I've always been a small-town girl, so for a new experience I'd love to live in a city. But with a baby, college towns (like Bloomington, Lawrence, Athens) definitely seem less intimidating. I guess it would have to come down to the actual places in question--cost of living, education, crime, etc. Considering my top two choices are in Minneapolis and St. Louis, I might be persuaded to choose city life after all.

That's interesting, Minnesotan, because those geographical considerations came into play for me, too. I'm wondering, if it came down to it, whether you'd prefer city or college town?

It is a full-time job...and my husband's doing it, thank goodness. He's a writer, and he stays home with the li'l pickle when I'm in class/teaching/researching.

I also had this problem. I discovered the letters from one of my recommenders were missing...three days before deadline for four schools! Ugh. One thing I discovered, which might be helpful to you, is that several of the schools were willing to accept an emailed draft of the letter from my recommender as long as the hard copy was in the mail.

Ha! I know. I was regretting my decision about halfway in. But I'm in the middle of a "year off" (finished my master's this summer and am adjuncting this year) so money and time were a little more ready. Although with an 18-month-old baby, that's all relative!

Hello, all! I sent of the last of my 13 applications yesterday, and am celebrating today by planning my syllabi for next quarter's teaching. Ah, the life of a part-time instructor. I'm interested in interdisciplinary work and the formation of female subjectivity in American lit, and have tried to apply to schools that offer a minor/concentration in American Studies. My list is: U Minn UT Austin (American) Washington University in St. Louis (WashU/WUSTL) Purdue Kansas Nebraska Brown University (Modern Culture) Saint Louis University (SLU) Southern Illinois University Georgia UMass Ohio University Iowa (american studies, not English) All over the board (but mostly in the midwest) as you can see.