Troppman

I sent you a PM, but i'm also posting here because of the thousands of lurkers. Many Canadian institutions are warm to projects such as these and, despite what we are often told, the funding, benefits, time-to-completion, and placements can be fantastic! Best of luck to all.

1) Congrats! 2) I did the application online at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/mycic.asp. It was really straightforward, and it cost something like $120. 2 weeks later my application was approved, and I printed the approval letter. At the border I showed the officers my approval letter, and they then issued me a physical student visa--stapled into my passport. I recently received an e-mail about union issues and how this might effect visa application wait times, so you might want to go ahead and apply online. I am now living in Canada: getting to know both the country and my program. I stressed hard over the visa, what crossing the border would be like, etc, and It all turned out to be super easy. I even catalogued each and every book I was bringing, estimated their values (over 1000 titles), and arranged this list alphabetically (as the website says to make a list of everything brought). It turns out all they wanted was a hand-written short list approximating quantities and qualities... Total time at the border was under 20 minutes... I hope this helps in some way. To affirm your angst: the guidelines are extremely ambiguous!

Moved to my new country, met with my new dept. chair, met with a few students... A dream come true, really. One of my comps-to-come is a standard list, so I'm casually getting started on some of the less familiar titles. What is most exciting about my new institution is that I expect to learn from my peers: they are all brilliant, and the camaraderie is strong. Also, protip: 30x25" sticky-note-things exist: an excellent resource for mapping out ideas for those of us not yet up on scrivener and whatnot. Best wishes to all! (and for the 2014 applicants reading this thread: I was rejected from most places I applied to, but I was accepted at my hail-mary top choice with awesome funding and amazing scholars. Cool things can/do happen).

Philosphy, philosophy, philosophy. Data comes and goes; the ability to productively negotiate data is imperative.

Pm sent!

I've found it useful to ask for syllabi. "Hey ____, i'm planning on taking your course next fall. Is the syllabus ready? If so, may I please have a copy of it now?" This is applicable for courses offered in the past as well. For example, I'm done with a first reading of the material listed for next year's courses already. I did the same for my MA program. The point isn't for me to be a know-it-all come seminar time (these people exist). Rather, the point is for me to feel comfortable in having the time to do multiple readings and take in as many secondary sources as I can, as early as possible, in order to form term papers that can possibly turn into something more. This might be common sense--sorry if it is!

Politics as usual. Pm sent!

Some basics (for your noted interests) might include: Mourning and Melancholia The Dissolution of the Oedipus Complex On Narcissism Beyond the pleasure principle Three essays on the theory of sexuality (Sorry if you're already familiar with these. If you are already familiar with these, and they are at all of interest, perhaps check-out some Irigaray, Cixous, Fanon) Edit: shoot me a PM if you are interested in modern moves in psychoanalysis regarding queer theory. Best of luck to you :-). 2nd edit: Because i've been thinking about it in terms of syllabi, i'd start with Kristeva's "Women's Time" if that's the sort of route you might also take ('French' 'feminism').

edit: Freud.

Quick: describe any perceived changes in gravity! (grats!)

The affirmative to your question is, of course, sex or what? Same! Atlanta and the bay were fun, but chi-town last year was a blast!

I just want to echo this point.

Be comfortable: the detectability of impostor syndrome is exacerbated when existential angst is mirrored by physical discomfort. Pro tip: I don't mean wear sweat-clothes; for the long run this entails building a wardrobe of professional attire that you don't dread wearing.

There are well funded American studies programs at several Canadian Uni's. Several of these even have fully funded MA programs. Edit: anyway, good luck to all! I hope that a highly self-motivated, well read, and frustrated American student finds solace and possibilities in these posts for next year's cycle.

Word. What about Canadian schools? I ask because I too was told not to go international and, fortunately, I did not listen. I was rejected from nearly all of my American choices (or admitted with no/limited funding), but accepted with incredible funding to nearly all of my Canadian choices. And, regarding "Cultural Studies" or interdisciplinary theory-heavy projects, Canadian schools seem much more embracing, competent, and accommodating. These are all generalizations, thus necessary wrong, but I dare continue to say that most of the Canadian schools that I looked at require/encourage/foster a much more independent, project/career oriented student. This is in contrast to the domestic programs that I was considering, many of which explicitly stated that they wanted to know my interests and not my proposed trajectory. To offer another oversimplification that merits easy/sleazy critique, Canadian schools offer the best of American and European systems: less coursework and more emphasis on, or assumption of, the fact that you are a competent student ready to tackle a dissertation. Of course there are benefits to a 5-8 year program in the states that requires heavy teaching loads, but i'm just sharing my thoughts and encouraging people to look abroad because i'm glad that I did so :-). The job market is dismal, period. Success is largely determined by one's hustle. Just some thoughts...

Any reason why most posters have stuck to American schools?

Speaking of absurd MA programs... My MA program required three comprehensive exams in addition to a thesis, or portfolio, making the average time to completion 3.5 years. I finished in two years with the thesis option, which is a record I think. We actually have students stay in the program for 5 years. At a recent department meeting it was decided that this model is indeed ridiculous. My top choice adcom was impressed, however, that I received so much training in two years. I'de say that the process of such absurdity--rather than the coursework or the content--positively impacted my abilities as a scholar; who couldn't benefit from an ulcer, right? Edit: All of my profs said a thesis is necessary to demonstrate competence to a PhD program. I completely disagree with that sentiment, but I can say that the thesis process has been a great learning experience. I also did an UG thesis of 70 pages, so hopefully all the training pays off come dissertation time :-). 2nd edit: You can publish, teach, network and present when you are an MA student. These boards sometimes make it seem like the MA position is impotent and petty.

"Is it worth the money?" is a personal and complicated question. For me, the answer is no: I would accept, move, explore during the summer and familiarize myself with the scene, then blend in smoothly fall term. So, I officially accepted my offer online a minute ago. The "conditional offer" is conditional upon submitting final MA transcript and obtaining a study permit. However, the program messed up and this letter disappeared. Obtaining a study permit depends on proof of this letter. D'oh! These are things that can be resolved. I'm reminded of that Common lyric "Why do I need ID to get ID? If I had ID I wouldn't need ID!"

The program that i've (graciously) accepted an offer from has course requirements for the PhD track, and I can petition to have some of my MA coursework stand in lieu of the PhD coursework. Although I want to get on with my exams and writings ASAP, and I think that I am prepared to do so given my MA coursework (and thesis/other professional development stuff), I'm not sure whether or not I should petition. After all, the PhD coursework is only six classes total and this program offers the coolest seminars that i've ever heard off. Also, 6 courses doesn't seem as daunting as the additional 30+ hours that some (many/most?) programs require. Coursework is always a good time to take notes, and write pieces to be set aside, for dissertation sections/exam time. The same goes for language training; I have already met the requirement through the option of previous coursework, but if I can acquire funding to go do another language immersion program (German) I'de much rather do so! If it's just another reading competency exam then i'll just petition or take it and get it over with.

This is definitely reassuring, and your explanation certainly reflects my anxieties. With four years of promised great funding, in a program that can be completed in four years, I think that it is in my best interest to get to my exams and writing as soon as possible--especially if I have coursework that perfectly matches the sort eligible for the reduction option...

Ok, here's a good one: My (new) program has a course-work reduction option whereby you can request to have some of your MA coursework count towards the PhD requirements if you choose to petition and the petition is approved (which is not uncommon for PhD programs from what i've seen). The same goes for language requirements. I have 30 relevant credit hours in my languages, and I can petition to have those stand in lieu of the proficiency test option (which i'm not opposed to doing again, it would just be a waste of time). This might be a silly question, but as someone who hasn't even begun classes there yet, is it in poor taste to inquire about the coursework reduction and language proficiency stuff? In other words, could doing so be considered arrogant somehow--even though this is what the process/option is for? If there is no reason not to inquire, should I call my POI, e-mail the director, or call the department manager? Should I wait a few weeks or even until fall term comes around? Sorry if these are all silly questions. I hope that in asking them someone else's angst can also be soothed.

Reading this conversation has proven a bit unnerving. Counter how the field has been presented here, there are works within the canon that actually elevate the fat body insofar as it signifies death. In other words the fat body--like the smoker or any number of other examples--has political purchase, according to some authors, insofar as it disrupts (social, cultural, and structured) illusions of vitality, autonomy, and (im)mortality. Fat studies isn't just 'fat people are people too' or 'we are amidst an epidemic.' Edit: To clarify, this isn't to say that such works claim people should be fat, neither are such works an attempt to encourage fatness. The argument that the fat body disrupts our cultural order--an order arguably premised on subordinating/denying thanatos--would find great support in some of the above posts. 10-4, checking out of this thread. Second edit: To asleepawake below: no doubt :-).

I'm with Sursie here. First off, I never imagined that i'de have multiple well funded offers. I think that i'm plenty qualified, but i've also seen plenty of impressive candidates not get in over the last couple of years (not to mention those who did get in for reasons unknown). The offer that I accepted (a few days ago!) is not the 'best' one financially. And, the other programs that hollered are extremely dreamy spots--in many cases 'better ranked' schools/programs. I am a good fit at all of these programs, and I wouldn't have applied otherwise. Maybe my opinion will change when I'm on my sixth year of ballin-on-a-budget, but for now i'm excited to be joining the community that has had the most gravitational pull during this process.

Same! Happy tuesday to all: may your check lists be checked.