1Q84

Obviously, I'm not the best person to be speaking about this, but I can only re-iterate what others have said about being very, very specific about one's interests--and, if not, making sure to explicitly wrangle in advance with the imagined-puzzled-looks that adcomms might have about your SOP. I reckon your supposition about turning off both prosodists and early modernists with your articulation of your interests might be correct. I had to make a choice to apply as an early modernist (since that's where the bulk of my work has been) even though my more recent passion has been modern American cultural studies. When I corresponded with POIs, I always asked how they felt about these two disparate interest. The schools with the POIs that said they saw it as a strength (in an interdisciplinary way) or advised that I devote a section of my SOP to explaining the (what they said was an exciting) theoretical confluence between the two fields were, not surprisingly, the schools at which my app had the most success. The schools that seemed a little more confused or less enthused about my disparate interests rejected me probably for that reason (among others). On the subject of app season self-reflection, I don't think my SOP or my way of articulating my interests was what held me back: it was a crappy WS. I wrote it in about two-three weekends during a busy stretch of a semester. If I had more time to fine-tune it and fix up obvious problem areas, I think I might have fared a bit better. PS. I do want to ask you as well about your WS: you say it was based on intentionality in three of Shakespeare's sonnets. Does this WS actually demonstrate skill in transhistorical prosody? It seems rather confined to the early modern period.

I gather a majority of campus visits are taking place this week so I'm really hoping folks will have a good sense of where they don't want to go and notify them by next week.

The album's out and it's really good!

Thanks for saying this... and it's a good reminder that my letter writers' support is not always merely professional support. I actually can't wait to buy them some small gifts and write thank you cards. I'm so grateful to them!

Congrats morristr and all others pulling the trigger on final decisions. So excited for yall!

I think the only point of interest for me was the inclusion of Toronto and Oxford in the results, since they often are not. Otherwise, yes: crop, meet dead horse. Edit: crap, I really didn't mean to down vote you Appplication!! Fat fingers on mobile. Sorry

Totally agree. One of my letter writers has a visible reaction of disappointment when I update him on my notifications. Two of them have told me that my letters were "the strongest they've ever written" so I guess the unspoken assumption is that my other app materials were lacking :/ Sigh, guess it's just another form of rejection to deal with... On the plus side, it's making me so @#%#$$% inside that it's pushing me to work 1000x harder going forward in order to redeem myself.

"And there in a puddle at your feet is a preview of what my first paper of the semester will be."

Hoping for your speedy (and success-filled) arrival at the end!

Okay, I keep hearing this. Going to have to watch Whiplash for sure! AGH. How did I forget Fresh off the Boat? It's one of the the only shows I look forward to week to week, especially because of Wu. Oh oh oh and RuPaul's Drag Race just started back up!

Agreed! I'm thankful that it wasn't a complete shut out for either of us. In fact, I think I'm going to treat myself to some nice scotch tonight for surviving getting all notifications back.

I just watched (now Oscar-winning) Ida. I thought the cinematography was gorgeous but didn't like the rest of it too much. I would've preferred if Timbuktu or Leviathan won. Birdman was lots of fun! Two Days, One Night with Marion Cotillard is one of my favorite movies of the past 5 years, hands down. (And as for trashy pulp TV, I'm dying for Scandal!)

Thanks! There's a lottery for parking permits, though? Jeez... so no one is guaranteed even a permit, let alone a spot? Especially if you're Asian. Lots of high profile stories of Chinese students being targeted for "being rich."

Sigh. Well there it is: the official UCI reject And we're done, folks! Pack it up.

I haven't. I'm actually waiting to hear back from "HBH" (love that acronym) about some questions I had about the program before I decide if I'm going to make the trek over. Tina said she would give me a call... hmm.... The plan for going, however, is to get to Union Station and take the train out.

Maybe I'll put a personalized stamp on my wish list for this year! Ohhh... I like the idea of designing your own. Do you know if your friend's bookplates were stickers or if she had to glue them in?

Well... since it's absolute crickets around here today, I thought I'd start a thread non-app related. I love to personalize my books, especially ones that I know will be central to my research (eg. after using the library copy for a few months, my own copy of Feeling of Kinship just arrived!) but I hate what my writing looks like on the inside cover/first page. I want to maybe invest in some "ex libris" stickers and/or personalized stamp but not sure if I want to end up stamping all my books. Anyone want to share his or her creative/unique methods for leaving your mark on books? PS. How rad is this?!

One thing I'll add to the good advice above: cook for recommended amount of time in recipe, then simmer for an hour or so. This has the effect of both reducing the curry liquidity (concentrating flavors) and also giving extra time for the bird's eye chilies that TakeruK mentioned to do their thing. Should really give your curry the extra punch you're looking for.

I've been with a non-graduate student for a number of years now. I find it comforting to sometimes come home and be out of academia. I also like getting advice from a non-academia mindset whenever I'm feeling a little myopic in my own view. I also like to hear about his industry (design/tech startup/advertising) to widen my own perspective about "the real world." I feel like generally it's a good balance. In general, if I start telling him stuff about cultural theory or something, usually we'll debate and argue so I don't tend to do it too often unless I'm feeling feisty.

I don't see any harm in reaching out, especially to the panel moderator to which you submitted, to confirm. I've had experiences with some moderators falling behind or having to delay notifications for various reasons, so it's always better to check in.

Urgh. The UCI rejection/wait list notices are right around the corner, if history is any indication (though I've heard elsewise from folks who have already been accepted--it's more of a rolling wait list?). Either way, it's my last notification before I close the books on Fall 2015 app season. COME ON ALREADY.... starting to lose it....

Congrats doc1 and CarolineKS! <throws confetti>