toasterazzi

I think my time spent in my MA program really helped me to focus my research interests and provided me with more direct interaction with professors than I ever had in undergrad. I also got additional teaching experience, which really helped me to sort out my distinct preference for teaching college students instead of middle schoolers (though the two groups aren't always distinguishable lol). And I started my MA before I got into Grad Cafe, and I didn't really know much about conferences or publications or anything, and my MA helped to sort all of that out. I don't really know whether I would've been accepted into a PhD program if I had applied to one, but I will say that I felt more prepared starting my PhD program with my MA than I probably would've felt without it.
 
 
My MA didn't offer an exam option, but we did have the option to choose between doing a Master's Paper (30ish pages) or a Thesis (70+ pages) or a creative project (for the MFAs). The general prevailing advice was that if you were pretty going to go on to the PhD, then you should do the thesis. 

Huzzah! Welcome to the family. Feel free to send me a message if you have any OSU/Columbus questions

Everyone in academia has a mac. It's one of the rules.

yaaaaas congrats!!!!!!
 

USC just emailed. I'm. in. 
 

 
Actually crying real tears right now as I sit in a pile of books. 

Congrats BLeonard! One of my MA colleagues is at Brandeis now and enjoys it very much!

As for me, got an email this morning... In off wait list at Toronto...!

Haven't been posting lately because my focus has been on school and since I was rejected at every place I applied to and waitlisted at one, I was waiting for it all to pan out.
 
Well, it panned out. I got accepted into the PhD program at Brandeis with a package of around 22,000/year (exempting summers) for 5 years. I was thrilled -- but my decision is more complicated than it would have been a few months ago. 

One of the schools where I'm waitlisted said that they were supposed to hear back from one of their offers on April first. Also they said that I'm next in line for a spot off the waitlist.
 
(STARES INTENTLY AT PHONE WILLING IT TO RING)

OSU's visit day is tomorrow, so folks might see some movement in the next few days or so.

Wait a minute--are you saying there's some kind of job market crisis in the humanities?

I'm just here for the cheese dip.

Personally, I'm here for the Fonzie scheme.

I actually have different advice for an MA program: be open. Take classes that interest you. Write seminar papers that excite you. See where you end up.
 
I started my MA thinking I would study one thing (20th century American literature and feminist theory) and ended up studying something completely different (feminist rhetoric and disability studies). I'm so glad I took classes that sounded fun and explore different fields in English studies during my MA program. 

I think that the main problem is that you're allowing yourself to get annoyed by it. I guess I would question why it is so specifically annoying (are you perhaps a little envious of the online attention they are getting from those posts? is there something else in your grad school life that is giving you stress, and you're offloading your annoyance/frustration onto something/body else?).
 
Instead of being annoyed, try to think positive thoughts about this person. They're working hard at their coursework, and they're getting good grades for it. Good for them. 

Theoretically, it is possible for two people to apply to the same schools and each be accepted to their #2 school, which is at the same time the other's #1 school, and waitlisted at their #1 school, which is at the same time the other's #2 school. In which case they will both sit until April 15th, waiting for the other to decline who is waiting for them to decline, until they both shuffle into their #2 school, never knowing what might have been. 
 
These are the thoughts that are going through my mind as I sit on three waitlists.

Thanks, heja! I expect to slum it on the beach for at least several hours a day as well. Can't wait!
 
BTW, my name is Ruth, so if you see me at CCCC, please say hi! I love meeting GradCafers offline. (Word of warning, though: I don't actually look like the Lorax.)

Is this for the MA or PhD? Congrats BTW!

My people!
 
Honestly, I can rock with most American except I'm not really into Early American Lit. I do tend to gravitate toward more mid-to-late 20th Century and 21st Century stuff though. I have particular preferences for Ethnic American Lit. and Young Adult Lit. My thesis that will hopefully be done within the next month or so is focused on YA. Honestly, YA is like my lifeforce right now. It's almost all of what I'm reading outside of class these days.

When I declined the offer, I wanted to be like, I'd like you to accept these two people from grad cafe. Do it now. Please and thank you. 

That dress has so much white (and gold) privilege.

What color is that dress though?

Well--OSU is still sending out acceptances, apparently!

Well, that was a joy to read:
 
 
Ugh. I need some scotch.