gradgirl

I've been looking quite awhile for a general forum where I could go to meet other grad students from all areas and chat about this or that (teaching experiences, life, etc), and I haven't been able to find one. I have a feeling that by the time all of these decisions shake down, I'm going to know some of the people on here, since, you know, suffering has a way of bringing people together :wink: and I'm going to be really sorry to see the forum fade into disuse in the coming months. Do you think there's a way that the forum could continue in altered form until next season--maybe have a few non-applicant-themed topics added to the index about grad student life, now that we'll all be moving on? It would be a great way to make friends/contacts across the country, and it could even be a service for prospsective grad students as well, as they could come to a grad student 'hangout' and get the scoop about various programs, the application process, even find a roommate, etc. And, it would definitely work with the coffeehouse concept. I know, though, that thegradcafe was established for a pretty specific purpose...do you think there'd even be enough interest to keep something more general like that alive?? I know too that you may not have time to bother with the site once you get into your dream school, meriondale... (Or, maybe plenty of general grad student forums already exist out there and I've just been looking in the wrong places? This one's awfully nice, though....)

Awesome, thanks so much. I really appreciate it.

I know rankings aren't everything and etc etc... but does anyone happen to have a copy of the most recent US News & World Report rankings for English programs? When I was applying I'd briefly glanced at the 2001 rankings that I'd found online for free, and I guess I'm wondering if they've changed significantly since 2001. I don't care enough to pay for it myself at this point, so if no one has it it's no huge deal. For some reason I'd thought Syracuse's English program was somewhat decently ranked, and the 2001 list is leading me to believe it's ranked quite a bit lower than most of the other schools I'm still waiting to hear from (like Penn State). I'm feeling really torn because if it comes down to having to pick between a program at a large research university or a smaller private one like Syracuse, I would really lean toward Syracuse--besides liking lots of things about their program I also like the idea of lots of personal attention, and my experience at a private college as an undergrad was MUCH better than my experience at a state university for my MA has been. However, I don't want to pick a program that's a good fit for my comfort level at the expense of not having a competitive degree once I enter the job market. I guess I'm worried about their small program size because I'm so miserable at my MA program right now. One of the things I hate most about my program is the fact that classes are constantly being dropped and changed due to low enrollment, and I had trouble coming up with even THREE faculty in my area for my thesis committee. I'm a little scared to go somewhere small for my Ph.D. when so many faculty here have been pushing me to get out and go somewhere bigger. I realize I'm totally putting the cart before the horse here since I may not even GET any acceptances from the other larger programs. But what do you guys think--which is more important, going to a large research university that's highly ranked where I would probably be fine, or going somewhere with small program that's not quite as highly ranked but possibly more my speed? At Penn State I know I'd love it, but there are other schools on my list that I'm not as sure about. Sorry for the freakout. I'm not trying to be whiny or petty, but I just hate not knowing and trying to weigh all these variables... I am thankful I've gotten at least one acceptance, though, and I'm definitely not taking that for granted.

I just got my first acceptance letter--from Syracuse! I'm thrilled... they're up there, one of my top 2! I got an "informal" letter from the department telling me that I'd be getting a formal acceptance package from the graduate school shortly. I haven't heard about funding yet, though... it says they'll let me know "as soon as possible." I'm totally in shock.

I really don't know... it seems like it would be ok, as long as you're done before fall... but I really have no idea. There's no easy way to ask that question to anyone who WOULD know, either, because of course you don't want to look like someone who can't meet deadlines as planned or something. And if you ask your advisor for his/her opinion, he/she might start expecting you to work through the summer whether or not you end up really wanting/needing to. I don't know what to tell you. In my personal situation, I'm not going to a top-ranked school right now so I'm feeling extra pressure to continually prove that I can exceed the minimum requirements for my program so I can hopefully get in somewhere better. That's why I think it's really important for ME to get it done this semester--just to show that I can. And usually, feats of great strength and endurance can be accomplished with a little coffee and a lot of sleep deprivation One thing, though... you might check and see if you can get a deadline extension without having to work through the whole summer. I don't know if this would give you enough time or not. I know my school "frowns upon" not having your thesis in by April 10, and they act like it's a hard and fast deadline, but last summer I worked in a department office and there were at least 3 grad students who missed the deadline and were able to get a month's extension or so without having to enroll for another semester. Then you'd be able to still graduate on time, maybe.

Oops, that was me....forgot to log in.

Is anyone else trying to do a Masters thesis during all this? I feel like I'm pulling my hair out. My thesis deadline is in about a month, and meanwhile, my future is completely indeterminate. I guess an awful lot is going to be settled in about a month, but the waiting is making it IMPOSSIBLE to focus on work. You'd think having a thesis to do would keep me busy enough that it would take my mind off the "not knowing" a bit... sigh..

No word yet on any of mine either... I'm waiting on: Penn State Syracuse University of Pennsylvania Temple Pittsburgh Delaware WUSTL Ohio State Anyone else for early 20th century lit?