GuateAmfeminist

Children's Lit Studies/YA Studies/the like are definitely growing. I know that one person in my cohort here at University of Texas at Austin has that as her main focus and I know plenty of other people who have taught classes on video games. I'm not sure if that helps, but maybe it adds one more place you could look into.

It does state on the site:
 
So I would assume it's true (?) However, I would contact the program directly for further clarification. Their more prestigious fellowships might offer a waiver or partial waiver even if not indicated on the site. The only way to know would be speak with someone from the department.

Have you done much looking into The Lion and the Unicorn, the academic journal interested in children's lit? You might take a look and see who is publishing in it and where they have affiliation. http://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/lion_and_the_unicorn/

I'm feeling good! It's good to hear from you guys.
 
I'm teaching two classes this year with two different preps, which is a major time-suck, but I get to teach literature for the first time, which is exciting. I scored a peer-reviewed article pub in the offseason and I have another under review. Turning in a book review today. Trying to stay as busy as I can on the publishing front.
 
I'm tired, but in a really good way. My lingering doubts only come when my bank account is empty.

My first week was AWESOME. I haven't really gotten into the nitty gritty of school yet, since classes started on Wednesday, but the last few weeks have been pretty boss. I met the professor that I desperately wanted to work with, and she's amazing and really friendly. I'm still a little awed at how much time everyone spends hanging out together here, but I love it. I'm definitely not missing Pittsburgh right now.

One of the things I like a lot about that book is that it is resolutely anti-romanticism in academia, which I've found to be a real problem for a lot of people; they romanticize the university system so they have a hard time dealing with the inevitable disappointments. But I don't intend to post this in a purely or deeply pessimistic sense. In large part, I think the takeaway is first to forgive yourself if you don't get into that one program, because there is just such variability in readers on adcomms. Relatedly, cast your nets wide both in the sense of applying to a good number of schools (the author of the book advocates 10 as a sensible number) but also emotionally. Don't get overly attached to one department! 
 
Also, I agree with this person in the sense that the system has a lot of randomness and arbitrariness in it, but still tends to produce fairly just results in aggregate. I think an individual rejection or acceptance can be a genuine crapshoot, but that if you apply to a decent number of schools, you should hope to find that your luck breaks out even. I also think that you can trust that several acceptances from good programs are an indication that you have what adcomms want. (Not necessarily the same thing as an "objective" notion of academic value!) On the downside, I think if you strike out at many departments over a few separate application seasons, it's likely that you do not have an academic resume that projects the kind of things adcomms are looking for in the field right now.
 
It's natural for all of us to have a somewhat self-defensive attitude towards our own success or failure in this process. If you got into your top programs, you want to believe that the system is fair. If you didn't, you want to believe that the system is flawed. The reality is probably in the middle. More than anything, I hope people try to maximize their chances for success, but also that they don't get bound up in thinking that any particular acceptance or rejection is somehow indicative of their value as people or as intellects. Sorry to speechify. 

Well, for one thing, everything that seemed anxiety-inducing about grad school when I applied (language exams; balancing teaching, coursework, conferences, and publications, while still maintaining life in general; moving to a new place and knowing nobody) is no longer a big deal. This has left empty space for a new anxiety to set up shop - whether I'm doing "enough" at all times, in all grad things. But that's not atypical.
 
You, ComeBackZinc? Others?

I mean, it's going to depend on the individual department, of course. But it's not unusual for people who have MAs from disciplines outside of English to get into English PhD programs, provided that your MA coursework has classes that make at least some sense for lit, your writing sample shows that you can write about it, and your SOP reflects someone who has the requisite knowledge and applicable interests.
 
As far as certification goes, it really depends a great deal on the particular state. My advice would be to look at the teaching certification and credentials necessary in those three states and see what they're requirements are. As far as I know, there's no programs that you can go to that would result in your having a certification that you could take to any state. That's why ed programs tend to be so locally focused. Some states will let you immediately take the Praxis, I think, while others will require another step to state-specific certification. Bare in mind too that few states require the completion of a masters before you start, but many require that you demonstrate progress in one over time, or that you have one before you are eligible for certain types of promotion, tenure, and pay rates.

Anecdotally, I got into UT with an M.Ed in secondary English and a BA in English and Sociology/Anthropology. For me, it was actually even more helpful as it opened the door to more challenging (and better paying) teaching positions. Certification varies from state to state so unless you intend to stay in the same state no matter what, you may need to reapply anyway. Having the M.Ed. or M.A.T. is very helpful in fulfilling the certificantion everywhere, as far as I know though.

Boom! A personal example of getting into a great, great PhD program with a masters in ed.

Looks like the person who said she could PM people posted that back in 2012--just pointing that out in case you don't hear a reply...

New Criticism. That shit is hot.

I just want to say that I love being in grad school at UT. I am currently sitting in a house in Antigua, Guatemala, with my airfare, lodging, and transportation paid for by the university for a week. I saw a historic genocide trial, foresnic evidence that made me cry, and documents that few, if any people have seen. Where else could you make something like this happen in less than a month? I am not one to gush about much, but I don't believe that I could be happier doing anything else right now.

I just want to say that I love being in grad school at UT. I am currently sitting in a house in Antigua, Guatemala, with my airfare, lodging, and transportation paid for by the university for a week. I saw a historic genocide trial, foresnic evidence that made me cry, and documents that few, if any people have seen. Where else could you make something like this happen in less than a month? I am not one to gush about much, but I don't believe that I could be happier doing anything else right now.

I just want to say that I love being in grad school at UT. I am currently sitting in a house in Antigua, Guatemala, with my airfare, lodging, and transportation paid for by the university for a week. I saw a historic genocide trial, foresnic evidence that made me cry, and documents that few, if any people have seen. Where else could you make something like this happen in less than a month? I am not one to gush about much, but I don't believe that I could be happier doing anything else right now.

I just want to say that I love being in grad school at UT. I am currently sitting in a house in Antigua, Guatemala, with my airfare, lodging, and transportation paid for by the university for a week. I saw a historic genocide trial, foresnic evidence that made me cry, and documents that few, if any people have seen. Where else could you make something like this happen in less than a month? I am not one to gush about much, but I don't believe that I could be happier doing anything else right now.

I just want to say that I love being in grad school at UT. I am currently sitting in a house in Antigua, Guatemala, with my airfare, lodging, and transportation paid for by the university for a week. I saw a historic genocide trial, foresnic evidence that made me cry, and documents that few, if any people have seen. Where else could you make something like this happen in less than a month? I am not one to gush about much, but I don't believe that I could be happier doing anything else right now.

I just want to say that I love being in grad school at UT. I am currently sitting in a house in Antigua, Guatemala, with my airfare, lodging, and transportation paid for by the university for a week. I saw a historic genocide trial, foresnic evidence that made me cry, and documents that few, if any people have seen. Where else could you make something like this happen in less than a month? I am not one to gush about much, but I don't believe that I could be happier doing anything else right now.

I got into Brandeis. Having so many good feelings.

I legit reread last year's wait list thread a few days ago and you and fiona thunderpaws give me hope. (Cautious, cautious hope.)

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

Well, I don't know about the rest of y'all, but I've been converted to the Austin way of life! I had tons of fun, you guys are awesome, and I think I found a great place to live. All in all, not a bad two days. I know I met Sursie (I wish we had the chance to talk more!), but I don't know if I met brigadierpudding, although I might have a guess (I think I might have been sitting next to you at lunch). ghijklmn, I don't know if this means much to you, but I'm turning down awesome money for Austin; if you love it, you should too.

Yes, I was sitting next to you at lunch!  So your apartment search was successful?  Details!
 
I would like to add:  well done, UT Austin.  Well done.

So exciting!  UT-Austin seems like a fantastic program, and the Austin grad students on here all seem friendly and awesome.  Congrats!

Glad to hear the both of y'all had a blast.  Sorry if I wasn't able to hang out with each of you individually, but I met the most of everyone at the Thursday night dinner/drinks.  Hope to see you all in August.