antihumanist

Honestly: I am much, much more concerned about the people on here who go into a PhD program having never taken time away from formal education than I am of someone in your shoes. I took 5 years between my BA and my MA, and I'm so glad that I did. I think you'll find it's quite common.

With our internet points combined, Today: Gradcafe
                                                       Tomorrow: Reddit
                                                       The Next Day: The World
 

OP, you sound like you certainly have strong credentials, probably stronger than the "average" applicant, but realize that it all comes down to the SOP and writing sample.  It's not a "numbers" game, although scores and grades could get someone cut early in the process(yours certainly will not, assuming you get above 160 or so on the GRE V).  
 
Above all, work hard on your writing sample and make it great.  Easier said than done, I know, as I will also be applying this fall.  You can search gradcafe for previous discussions of what a good writing sample entails.

I mean, if you want to teach creative writing, then yes a PhD in creative writing can help you get a job, along with significant publications and teaching experience and ability to teach in more than one genre.  If you want to get a job teaching something other than creative writing, then that degree would not be a good idea.

Yeah, I should have said what Two Espressos said: it was all about fit. The DGS even said that they were convinced that I was a perfect fit for the program because that place fits my academic interests like a glove. I am a huge believer in the power of the SOP because the rest of my app was just enough to get me in the top pile, it wasn't changing any lives.

I mean, obviously you'll want to apply to quality universities thestage.  But to imply there's a firm "top 20" when there's so many different subfields and specializations is an impossible taxonomic task!
 
I mean, what is the "top 20"
 
I'd understand "top 20 early modern" but even then, are these top 20 for historicist/archival early modern or top 20 for theoretical/marxist approaches to early modern!  To imply that somehow there's a firm and set "top 20" that guarantees jobs is just silly.  I mean, how does one even qualify a general top 20!
 
It's more that I have a big problem with the very idea one can qualify a top 20 institution without a nod to subfield is just silly.  Like, sure you might be going to a "top 20" but if none of the scholars do what you do, you're gonna have a bad time.
 
This is to say, there's rankings for every subfield, but those rankings don't *always* reflect the standard "top 20."  This isn't to say the top 20 aren't strong in most areas, but you'll probably be better off doing your school search based on your strengths rather than general institution strength.

I mean, obviously you'll want to apply to quality universities thestage.  But to imply there's a firm "top 20" when there's so many different subfields and specializations is an impossible taxonomic task!
 
I mean, what is the "top 20"
 
I'd understand "top 20 early modern" but even then, are these top 20 for historicist/archival early modern or top 20 for theoretical/marxist approaches to early modern!  To imply that somehow there's a firm and set "top 20" that guarantees jobs is just silly.  I mean, how does one even qualify a general top 20!
 
It's more that I have a big problem with the very idea one can qualify a top 20 institution without a nod to subfield is just silly.  Like, sure you might be going to a "top 20" but if none of the scholars do what you do, you're gonna have a bad time.
 
This is to say, there's rankings for every subfield, but those rankings don't *always* reflect the standard "top 20."  This isn't to say the top 20 aren't strong in most areas, but you'll probably be better off doing your school search based on your strengths rather than general institution strength.

Really, there's plenty of schools that might not be top 20 overall that are amazing for specific interests.
 
The fact that there is even a list of "top 20 schools" ranked regardless of subfield kind of shocks me - shouldn't all rankings be based on subfield/area of interest over some arbitrary "general" ranking?
 
I mean, there's obviously schools with the resources to do all major fields, but even that doesn't necessarily equate to strength for a particular applicant.  For instance, I do very theory heavy approaches to early modern drama, and a school that is considered top 20 for early modern drama still wouldn't be a good fit (or arguably top 20) for me if they didn't have scholars who were interested in my theoretical approaches.
 
<edit>
 
for Two Espressos:
 

Episode 1

Chronicle of Higher Education (?)

Everyone on here is so mean, it's pretty amusing

My favorite gif.  Have an upvote.  Also, Tim and Eric are freaking geniuses.  Their Go Pro show is awesome.

Seriously, you have GOT to do more research. Everybody that is even considering going through this process should be a very strong writer. While you will hear repeatedly that this process is not worth doing unless you get into a top-20 program, you really need to broaden your lens. Think about what you want to study, and find programs that will give you the best preparation in that field.
 
Just as an example, I consider myself a very strong writer, and my statistics is are pretty damn peachy. I was still told to disregard all Ivy League schools because my acceptance into those programs was so utterly unrealistic.

I would never cynically use my cat for internet upvotes. This isn't reddit!

Which food should I feed my cat? I hear good things about both programs.

After being courted by several schools, I'm going to UC Irvine.  Glorious southern california sun-factory.

Hey I was accepted to irvine today

After being courted by several schools, I'm going to UC Irvine.  Glorious southern california sun-factory.

YOU GUYS!!!  I've just been accepted to UNC-Chapel Hill! 

I know :/ I feel like sort of a wishy-washy jerk in some ways but in the end it's the people in irvine that make it impossible to pass up. Theyre not offering as much money as either LA or Cal, and they're not as highly ranked, but that seemed to make the faculty even more driven to excel. They all talked about how their recent hires ad selection process was sort of specifically focused on becoming one of the top national programs in poetics, like they did before for creative writing. Instead of being jaded by already ranking highly, everyone was really motivated both to collaborate and to challenge one another in order to do rise to the top. The faculty and students were all just infathomably sweet and brilliant and fun and grounded. Sorry that was a lot. But for anyone thinking of applying in the future, I have nothing but awesome things to say about UCI and the only reason I thought to apply in the first place was that many of my professors at Cal lauded it so strongly. Looking forward to meeting my cohort! and happy decision-making to everyone!

Hooray I was like 95% sure that I would go to LA a couple months ago, then had my heart set on staying at Cal, and never really thought until the past few weeks that I'd end up picking Irvine, but at this point it's almost a lock. Almost.

I'm going to UT Austin. Yeehaw!

I have no more upvotes, but you are rocking it my fellow comrade!  So I will give you this animated gif.
 
(also, I'm happy to have been quoted :-D)
 

Oh lord, just got in off the Toronto waitlist.  These things do happen people.  Though now I have to make a choice, not sure how I feel about this newfound agency.

Oh lord, just got in off the Toronto waitlist.  These things do happen people.  Though now I have to make a choice, not sure how I feel about this newfound agency.

Thanks, though my liver does not thank me.  I'm playing "Grad School Chicken," or as my friend calls it "Playing for Pinks."
 
Rules (for those who have been playing along/want to play next year/want to catch up and join me):
1. every rejection before acceptances = 1 night of debauchery and drinking to excess.
2. any rejection after an acceptance = no drinks for you, you're already in somewhere you dumbass.
3. waitlists = bonus round.  You get to drink no matter if you're in or out.
4. Acceptances = get drunk as shit as well.
 
Even though I got one acceptance fairly early in the cycle, my waitlists were already breaking my liver, and now getting in off them = liver hates me.
 
While you don't have to take these nights of excess immediately after hearing word, it is encouraged.