1Q84

I noticed this a while back too but that also seems to be only the past cycle. It seems like further back it was mid-February. Wonder if last year was just a hiccup.

Or work with him as a translator! Wouldn't that be neat? One of my friends is friends with Jay Rubin, who does many of Murakami's translations. I almost got to meet both of them at one point but scheduling didn't work out I'm currently reading "The Circle" by Dave Eggers because it was my school's "common book" this past year and I figured I should be in the loop for discussions of it. They encouraged us to be able to apply it in the freshman comp classes that we're teaching as well, so I guess better now than never. On a positive sidenote, after the heavy theory readings I've been doing all semester long, reading some light contemporary fiction is like running a hot knife through butter, to mix a metaphor.

Welcome from one international to another! I was just wondering about this very topic. Glad you asked about it. I, too, have rarely ever heard of English programs asking for interviews. I've only applied to US MA programs as an international student but I just finished my Ph.D. applications. Let me know if you have any questions about the process and I'll try and answer.

Happy New Year, Wyatt! Thanks for always being a positive presence around these here parts. And since there's been a curious lack of gifs lately: We made it, folks!

I can get behind everything in this thread but this. Please tell me you at least like black tea and its variants.

Haven't had a chance to read Strange Library. Maybe I'll skip it, then. Goldfinch is great except for the "third act." Really displeasing to me, especially because I liked the middle section so much. I saw you picked up The Luminaries as well; that was one big (800 page) bellyflop, in my opinion.

Oh I know. I'm just here chattering away by myself in a corner, waiting for the end of January.

I found a big error (half a sentence missing) in my writing sample and had to request one school to replace it. The grad student affairs officer (office admin) said I could submit a new copy with a headnote explaining why but I could not replace it, only set it alongside. YMMV! That being said, I would definitely attempt to contact the respective office admins and see if you have better luck. I can't imagine that looks bad in any way.

Not to fan the flames or anything, but I found it curious that one program I registered for (but haven't submitted yet--it's due early Jan) has been sending me almost daily reminders to finish the app, ask questions, etc. and also emails to promote the program and highlight its strengths. Probably not out of the ordinary but I haven't received a fraction as many emails from all the other programs to which I applied. <takes off paranoid-over-analysis hat>

NB: this does not apply to all fields.

Does anyone ever contact their POIs during the wait out period? Is that an extremely un-kosher thing to do?

Do you mean an independent study on a literature subject with a professor in that field? I would say yes, especially because it will allow that faculty member to really get to know your work and research skills, which will result in a strong and personalized reference letter. As a caveat, I would make sure to discuss very rigorously the expectations on both sides for the independent study as well. Do a lot of planning and laying out of reading lists, syllabi, deadlines, etc. I've heard stories of some people who walked into one expecting a really rigorous, personalized, and rewarding study and not getting it (and vice versa). Also, I would talk to the graduate director and confirm how many credits it will count as and how it will appear on your transcript.

I'll just leave this here: M.F.A.s: An Increasingly Popular, Increasingly Bad Financial Decision

Congrats! Must feel very nice to receive that affirmation from a well-respected prof. Ah, well, that's for sure. I didn't mean to imply that a large amount of apps is some kind of desperate move for everyone who does it, though it may have been on my part. I don't think you're far off, though. I, obsessed, went back through the Fall 2014 applicants thread, which sits at 200+ pages. I know that that it runs until April and includes the January - March feverish-posting-during-acceptance period, but the Fall 2015 thread is at a comparatively small 20 pages (for reference, aforementioned thread was at page 59 at this time last year). I did not consider the shrinking offered positions, however... that is making me significantly more nervous now.

Glad to hear lots of people have Plan B's! For those finishing up their undergraduate work, my view is that the Plan B and Plan A can be interchangeable. I'm personally quite glad I took time off between my BA and MA. What does everyone make of the rumored low application numbers this year then? I think that possibility might make me at least (foolishly) slightly more confident?

Thanks for the kind words. I really am at this point just hoping for one acceptance. This is my situation as well. I'm certainly no spring chicken, so when one of my professors said, "it doesn't have to happen this year," I grimaced a bit. Given the 5-6 year range of a Ph.D., I really don't think I can leave it another year before beginning. It certainly sounds like you've covered all your bases, so that's great. Cast a wide net and you have a really strong application. I'm more than certain you'll get into a couple!

Well, now that apps are in, I think it's time to revive this thread because I'm definitely feeling like I'm at 0% right now. Not fishing for reassurance but I'm actually quite concerned about my chances. Not sure if I overshot and applied to a bunch of top-tier programs that'll just shut me out and I'll be stuck with a year of doing nothing (and have to leave the US and go back to Canada for it). Anyone else have any crippling anxiety about their chances?

Luckily I had no time to watch the last season of Boardwalk Empire because of this punishing semester. So that should help. Same with listening to this "Serial" podcast that everyone is raving about.

I have just now submitted my final application. What a relief! I can finally get a good night's rest. Sending bright, shiny, sparkly vibes to all those still laboring away!

I am cautiously optimistic about reduced app numbers this cycle but I didn't take the Rutgers news as possible confirmation of that. Could it not just be an extension of the deadline to mitigate the effects of that seemingly very confusing 24 hour wait-time, two-part application system?

Try getting in contact with some graduate students in your department. I know someone who moved from across country and ended up really gelling with one of the girls (who lives by herself) in the department. They're inseparable now and it saved the East coaster a hell of a lot of stress!

Staring at inbox...

I just bought a record from Goodwill over the weekend of Auden reading about 45 minutes of his poems. It's an awesome paper-writing soundtrack!

Nuh-uh. It's not true until it's in the Results Search! I would definitely give it a shot... though some programs I know won't allow you to replace, only add documents alongside.