ProfLorax

Word. And I love that you have your freshman composition students learn those pronouns! I'm only teaching reading classes this semester, but I am definitely going to integrate ze and hir into my future writing courses.

I am such a fan of the gender neutral singular pronouns. I used ze and hir in my writing sample, with a quick footnote in the beginning to explain why (far be it from me to assign a gendered pronoun to a gender queer writer who lives outside of the binary). My impression is that these pronouns are gradually becoming accepted in academia, at least in queer-friendly spaces.

Are you innocent as a rose?

Aw, thanks! Although I think the reason I am so fast because I refresh this page ALL THE TIME. I'm working in the writing lab right now, and I scurry to the computer to F5 this forum after. every. single. student conference. I'm curious: are ya'll going to visit UMass? I plan on going out there for a few days during the first week of April.

If you are a California resident (or willing to move to CA for an MA program), check with the CSU system. Depending on the budget situation, they sometimes offer Spring admissions.

I have discovered, for me at least, that there are two different ways to think about the application cycle. One is that the responses we receive from universities are an indication of our worth as people and scholars. The first time I applied, as I have shared before, I was rejected flatly from all PhD programs; I was only accepted into a handful of unfunded, unranked MA programs. I taped all of the rejection letters to my bedroom door, so I could see them everyday before I left. In my mind, the rejections were proof that I was unworthy, and I wanted to punish myself for failing. It was a shitty year. This year, I decided to look at the application cycle, not as a measure of my aptitude, but as the first step of an academic career. As of last week, I had no acceptances and a few implied rejections. I was sad and anxious, sure, but I remained hopeful. Now that I have a few acceptances under my belt, I am less emotionally tied to the responses from other schools; step one, getting in, is now completed. I wish I had this perspective in 2008. Universal rejection didn't mean that I had failed as a human or a thinker. It was just that Step 1 would take a bit longer to achieve than I had originally planned.

I had the same concern, but it makes more sense once you log onto Spire. Did you get the email with your username and password? Once you register and log in, you can submit your acceptance; it will give you three options: accept your offer, decline your offer, or defer your decision until April 15. I selected the latter because, like you, I am visiting a few campuses before I make my decision!

Congrats!!! Now, it's time to break out the ol' pro and con list!

There are so many posts that have made me snort today... Who do I have to pay to get a higher daily quota of upvotes?! @lisajay: HA! Oh jeez... @asleepawake: HA! I'm sure I suggested The Bell Jar, but alas; this was during the Eat, Pray, Love craze. I really should have just told her that The Bell Jar was the European title for Eat, Pray, Love. I could have saved her so much boredom and disappointment... Plus, imagine how confused she would have been at her book club!

Thanks for the feedback! My POI is Donna LeCourt, so I'm happy to hear she is approachable. She emailed me yesterday to introduce herself and set up a time to discuss the program over the phone. It's so flattering to know that these amazing professors are genuinely interested in our work and working with us!

My lack of upvotes saddens me. Thanks for reminding us, in the midst of the anxiety and chaos that comes with application season, just how freaking lucky we all are to have this opportunity.

Yeah, I definitely miss that employee discount, even if it meant that half of my paycheck went right back to the store!

Whenever I have doubts that academia is the right road for me, I think about the year I spent working at Borders (RIP) full-time between my BA and MA. I think about the giant Grinch costume I had to wear during Christmas time; I think about the midnight release party I had to organize for Breaking Dawn (for which I was required to read the first three Twilight books); I think about the customer who was frustrated that I couldn't figure out the title of the book she wanted based on her description: "it's about a woman who is like sad and stuff, I think." Then, the low pay, the high workload, and the moving across the country aspects of pursuing a PhD don't seem so bad. ETA: On the flipside, the three years I spent teaching at a community college after my MA solidified my desire for a career that involves both teaching and research. Teaching writing also convinced me that rhet/comp is the place for me. So, that break was also critical in my decision-making process-- just not as cruelly funny as the time I spent at Borders.

Congrats, mostlytoast!!!

I applied to Arizona! I haven't heard anything, but if we go by the Results Board, they probably won't start notifying until this week or next week. Fingers crossed! The RCTE program looks amazing. I have a close friend there, and he loves everything about the program, the campus, and the area.

Haha, thanks! Scrubs can always bring me to my happy place.

I say go! Visiting isn't just about having the programs woo you, although that is nice. It will also give you mental images to refer to when you are signing up for classes, emailing your professors, and contacting the grad division about paperwork. After you establish a connection with the current students, staff, and faculty during your visit, the first week of fall semester won't seem as daunting or alien because you've already walked through those walls and met everyone. Also, we are all excited about going to grad school, but I imagine lots of us are nervous about aspects as well. Maintaining a high excitement rate throughout the Spring and Summer may help us wade through the seas of doubt, and a visit could help with just that. Just my two cents, but I definitely say go for it!

Agreed, THIS! I am so eager to know all of my options and move on to the decision-making process.

Phone! You? I have to remember to spend some more time studying the Writing Program this week. I have no idea. UMass hasn't given me any indication if they are finished with acceptances or not. Sorry-- I know the feeling! I was in Ohio State limbo for a long time.

Good plan! Do you think you'll visit any of the schools you've been wait listed at? I'm trying to decide if I should put forth the time and money to visit Ohio State. It's an ideal fit; if I eventually get in, I would love to have visited before so I could make a quick decision... But the Money! Time! Work! Ugh. Why hasn't anyone invented teleportation yet?

Re: Questions to Ask:

I LOVE GOOD NEWS! Congrats, everyone! On another note, are you all planning on visiting all of the schools you get into? Or will you narrow it down to your top choice(s) before you schedule visits?

I actually love this idea. Like you, I have no plans on participating, but I think the observation will be more engaging and entertaining for me if I can follow the conversation.

Yes, of course! I'm not going to audibly fart, then blame it on a professor or anything like that. I'm shooting for friendly and professional, but reminding myself that I don't have to be brilliant in each conversation. That's what I was thinking. Glad to have you confirm it! If you behave in person the way you do on GradCafe, I know you'll be great! My impression is that you are confident (but not cocky), considerate, and committed to academia-- those are the qualities I imagine UNC is looking for!

Thanks, sebastiansebby! The email I received was also really optimistic and welcoming. I am just not sure how to process it, you know? Ohio State was my top choice when I was applying, but now I have two offers from amazing choices with great funding, faculty, fit, and placement. I'm in feelings limbo!