nokingofengland

So, two years ago I was deep in PhD applications, but then I got cold feet pretty late in the game (around October). Since then, I've been trying to convince myself that it was the right thing to do, but I can't count the number of times I have found myself basically compiling an application again. I don't want this to be long, so I'm not going to write a personal essay about why I think it is right for me to apply. Whatever. All I know is that right now it feels inevitable that I will apply to programs, but for a variety of reasons, I'm almost certain I can't apply this cycle. Knowing, then, that I will apply over a year from now, what actions can I take now to bolster my eventual application? I know I can study for the GRE and work endless hours on a writing sample, but I mean, ostensibly, I have over a year. Should I seek publication? Try to present at a conference? Are these things possible when you're just a dude who's waiting around to apply? Or should I just, you know, hang out until it's time? Also, I greatly fear that being away from school for 4+ years and not being directly involved in professional academic pursuits will hinder my application (although right now I work in HS ELA curriculum development, which is vaguely related). Can someone confirm for me that this is unfounded anxiety? I would really appreciate any input, especially in light of the fact that there are many others on here with far more pressing questions re: this application cycle.

I feel like every time I have the chance to read for pleasure, I get so excited by the number of possibilities that I begin about 20 books and finish none. Ugh. (This, by the way, is why I tossed aside my Kindle after trying it for a week. It's way too easy to switch between books; I never got anything done!) I second Crime and Punishment, and add The Brothers Karamazov. And keeping with the Russian theme, I highly recommend Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita. Murakami is fun, too, if you haven't tried him. I recommend The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. Finally, Death of the Heart by Bowen. For non-fiction, I recommend Freedom Just Around the Corner, by Walter A. McDougall, as well as A Lexicon of Terror by Marguerite Feitlowitz, who is a beautiful person and an even more beautiful writer. Also, Nick Flynn's memoir Another Bullshit Night in Suck City is magnificent. Speaking of Nick Flynn, can we add some poetry to the mix? Any of Flynn's work. Carl Phillips's From the Devotions is wonderful, too.

Thank you all for the responses. It's encouraging that multiple people have sought this type of thing and (it sounds like) found it! Vavasor--I actually ended up getting in touch with someone else at Oregon who was far more than friendly. Had a wonderful conversation and came away feeling great about their program. (To hell with rankings!) I have a number of things pulling me west, too, though geography is far from my top factor. Still, it's nice to know a good program exists in the NW. Did you know any English grad students during your time there as an undergraduate?

Thanks, Phil Sparrow! I had UNC and Northwestern on my list last year, too. So at least I wasn't totally off! I'll definitely look into Columbia and Rutgers. UNC would be great for another reason: Any other basketball fans here?

Bennett--I PMed (sp?) you.

I'm applying to both, with the goal of a PhD.

Hi, I'm trying to find my dream program, and I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm sorry if this is a longwinded question, but I think it's all relevant. Background: I went to a small liberal arts school for my BA--one that afforded me a great deal of freedom (no course requirements whatsoever) and an immense amount of individual attention. My time there was beyond comparison: The students were so invested in their studies, and were sincerely interested (not just competitively so) in those of their peers'. The faculty genuinely cared about our education, with some wiling to meet late into the night to discuss a difficult poem/passage. Students partook in administrative decisions, and we were forced to argue for and articulate the value of our education. We were taught to write by reading deeply and to read by writing extensively on what we read. Class-sizes averaged 8-10 students, and not partaking in discussion meant no passing grade, so we learned to speak. As we advanced, the boundaries of between "teacher" and "student" (which were much closer to master and apprentice to begin with) became blurred. And anyway, leaving was the hardest thing I've ever done; I wish every day to find someplace half as alive with learning. (It really sounds like I'm making it up. I promise I'm not.) This is my second time around prospecting programs. I stopped halfway through my applications last year for a variety of reasons unrelated to school, and though it killed me then, it seems now like a blessing in disguise that I was forced to put this all on hold. I was looking at programs all wrong: After filtering for research interests, I paid too much attention to rankings, faculty prominence, "reputation," etc. My ego took hold, big time. A high ranking is great, but this year I want to find a program that values creativity and intellectual independence, discussion, cross-disciplinary study, and pedagogy. Small is nice, but large would be okay if there were a large enough faculty to provide individual attention. Going on to a big fancy research career is far less important to me than going on to become an effective and engaging teacher. My broad research interests are early modern poetry, and religion and literature. I could get conjectural about specifics, but I'm sure things would change at some point anyway. Any program suggestions? Trusting their website, Buffalo's intellectual atmosphere looks pretty great. I spoke with someone at U Washington who was really after my heart. U Oregon seems an okay fit, but they were extremely rude to me on the phone. I'd appreciate any insight. This may lead to nothing and a whole lot of "keep dreaming" responses, but I figured I'd give it a try. Thanks in advance, nk

Hello, all. I'm really interested in UW's program, and (currently) plan to apply for fall 2014. I'd be applying to the MA with the intention of continuing to the PhD at UW. Out of curiosity: Does anyone know if it is any more/less competitive for MA applicants than it is for PhD applicants? Or is it pretty much the same? And I'm talking admissions only, not funding. I'd also love to hear from anybody currently at UW! Are you enjoying it? I spoke with someone yesterday in the department and it was (almost) the most pleasant conversation I'd ever had with someone in a graduate office. (Chapel Hill was by far the best.) I'm just looking for some daydream material here, people. I gotta have something to keep me alive during the day job.

Alex, I understand. Like I said, I’m just running on assumptions as far as Dartmouth is concerned, but I know more than a few undergraduate liberal arts programs that don’t require (and are opposed to) standardized test scores. I tend to agree with this movement, especially for smaller, liberal arts programs--though if you’re not used to it, I can see how it might seem strange. Like I said, though, I’m sure it’s for a good (read: thought-out) reason, and the programs I’ve encountered that don’t require test scores can generally speak eloquently about their reasoning behind it. I almost envy your unfamiliarity with liberal arts programs—how much you have to discover! On another note, I was recently in China, from Beijing to Hong Kong to Hezuo! -nk

Alex-- I don't have any experience with Dartmouth's MALS, but I have tons with other liberal arts programs, and for what it's worth, I wouldn't necessarily judge an institution's quality by its reliance on standardized testing--at least not the way you seem to here. It may be that, being a liberal arts program that values broad, interdisciplinary knowledge, they feel compelled to judge an applicant's merits on (at least what I think are) more useful and program-relevant measurements of intelligence. What bearing would a standardized test score have that a writing sample, SOP, and interview not--especially in an individualized program? In other words, I wouldn't let that alone turn you off. Personally, I think it's something to admire. But in any case, since it is a bit unique for a graduate program to not ask for test scores, I'm sure they'd by happy to explain themselves if you called and asked. Best of luck, -nk

Thanks, everyone! What a relief. I really appreciate your thoughtful responses. I'm sure I'll find a billion more things to worry about over the summer and fall, but this won't be one of them.

So, I was gearing up to apply for PhD programs for fall 2013, but for a variety of personal reasons, the process was put on hold. I'm really hoping to apply this year, but I'm a little worried that my time away from anything academic will reflect poorly on my applications. I graduated with my BA in 2011, and have since taught high school theatre, traveled/volunteered in Tibet and India, scooped ice cream, and worked with homeless youth--and I currently work in the marketing department of an industrial computer company. Meanwhile, I've been freelancing as a book reviewer for a statewide paper, and publishing fiction on rare occasions. My question is: Will my time at, for instance, a marketing department look bad on my application? Do programs expect me to have been pursuing something high-minded since my BA? Or might it look good to have some not-so-fun real-world experience? Or does it matter at all? I'd appreciate any insight. -nk p.s. I love this forum and I'm really glad to be back. Looking forward to worrying with many of you throughout this year's application process.

Yeah... I definitely appreciate the input, and have read/obsessed over all the warnings before. Part of the clarification, for me, then, would be deciding once and for all whether it is something I really have to do. I am hoping an MA might help me decide that. If so, then I can move forward feeling confident in my sacrifice. Sinon, well then, I haven't given so much up and I can move on confidently, without this looming question. An MA would also be helpful if I wanted to teach--not just at a CC, but at the high school level. I'd be following many before me in my bloodline, and I see no problem with that...

Hello all, So... back in the summer I was working hard on PhD applications, but for a variety of reasons I decided to put off applying this year. Not least among those reasons was a desire to clarify my motivation; another was a(n unexpected) happiness at my current job in the social work field. I didn't think I would be ready to give that up if offered admission to a program. Well, here I am, still on the fence about a PhD. I've been working full-time and freelancing for a state-wide paper. It's been great, but I'm still just up in the air about what to do. On the one hand, I really want to pursue a career in academia, on the other, I'd like to be a neurosurgen. (Not really, but you get the idea.) Anyway, lately I've been thinking that maybe an MA would help me clarify my direction. It would give me a better taste of academia, but it wouldn't necessarily close all other doors. (I know, I'd have a harder time getting a job as a computer engineer with an MA in English Lit., but that's fine by me. It's really between social work and academia, and my social work creds are high enough that a year or two away wouldn't shut out all opportunities.) My question is, if I do this, is it worth moving for? There's a program in my town that offers funding, but isn't ranked so well. If I did decide to go for the PhD afterward, I'd like to aim at a top-20 program. Would an MA from a not-superbly-ranked program hurt my chances? Or would that clarification process be looked upon favorably, if only because they'd have greater confidence in my motivation and ability to succeed? Any input is appreciated, but I'd love to hear from people to got their MA and went on to do other things--be it a PhD, teach at a CC, or change careers altogether. Thanks! nk

I spent a few months in Austin a while ago working as an Asst. Director for Hyde Park Theatre. The neighborhood is awesome. There's a wonderful little coffee shop called... Quacks? I think. Anyway, you should definitely check out HPT. They put on a good show, and they're not complete sell-outs. Enjoy!