1Q84

^ Congrats! Is no one else applying to Columbia? Their app is due strangely, though thankfully, on the 17th.

Does this actually happen? I've never heard of anyone suing for admission before.

I've heard varying opinions on this matter. The minority report being that an A- might sometimes even seem better from a well-ranked institution because it shows that the course and the program are rigorous and didn't just "hand grades" to students.

Agreed. Given your attempts to "limit or omit details on our programs to maintain an air of professionalism" (which seems laughably cynical considering how badly you're slamming this professor for actions that you won't actually describe here), it's hard to say who's at fault. The information you've provided thus far has amounted to: "I'm convinced she doesn't like me and is concertedly trying to destroy me because I haven't gotten straight A's". You're certainly coming off as one of those grade-grubbing students that all grad students hate to deal with. Just letting you know what it looks like to a stranger on the internet who has no idea what your IRL situation is.

What's driving me even more nuts are the program websites that list two different due dates for applications. It's not even an anomaly... I would say half of the programs I've looked at have mismatched due dates on different parts of the site. They're usually off by a day. And it makes me super anxious.

Love Kempe! Very impressive--sounds like it's going to be a really strong paper. I only have two due on Monday so I definitely feel like I'm over my hump. Sending good vibes to all those whose major slew of apps are due on the 15th! Something must've been lost in translation. I thought it was about 500 pages too long!

Why do some schools not have online tracking pages for application materials? It's 2014, people! I don't want to waste admin assistant's time with "did you guys get my ___?" questions.

I haven't, Wyatt, but it looks fantastic. I don't know if it relates to my paper at this point (it's on Paradise Lost, yet again) but definitely for my interests in race and queerness for other research projects. Thanks! Looking her work up has also reminded me that I need to get on more Berlant.

You don't know how excited I am for February! Ahem... Back to what I'm reading: I'm still working on a paper myself concerning the affect of shame. Lots of Tomkins and Sedgwick on my desk.

Thanks for feedback, folks! I suspected as much but I definitely want to show that at least I'm "putting myself out there," so to speak. Definitely wish I had a solid actual-publication to put under my belt but thems the breaks I guess. It's too bad too 1Q84 was terrible Really liked Colorless Tsukuru though.

I'm hoping that this is the case. I feel like we could all use the luck! I'm not sure where to put this question so I thought instead of starting a new thread, I'd put it here: I know generally candidates are generally not expected to have published before their Ph.D. but I have a manuscript in circulation (has been distributed to readers) at one of two most prestigious journals in my field (side note: it's actually quite terrifying knowing that the the Fishes and Lewalskis of the world may be thumbing through my paper at this moment). Anyway, I'm wondering if this is seen as a "plus" on my application or if it is relatively inconsequential, since it obviously hasn't been accepted to publish yet.

What's worse is that the government has been very successful in turning the majority of HK people against the protesters. I'm always so angry when I see the number of people cheering the dismantling or arrests of protesters there. And it's always the same reasons (as I've seen with people complaining about protesters in LA): " but they're in my way."

To paint with broad strokes, comparative literature programs require that you work with and between literature in more than one language. It can be English and [insert other languages] but some schools that have comparative lit departments less affiliated with the Department of English focus more on non-English texts.

Sooo.... is that Harvard Literature acceptance in the Results Search for real?

Be careful that you don't get too involved with this type of "drama." You never know who is talking to who when it comes to interpersonal situations like this. In her eyes, it could be taken as you starting trouble with her by talking about her to other people in the department.

I don't think you should feel guilty or selfish for taking care of yourself in your situation. I think at times some activists lose sight of regular folk's daily concerns such as jobs, family concerns, and paying the bills. At the same time, since your campus purports to be "activist" leaning, maybe you can seek out some related campus organizations. Maybe they haven't planned any action or events because of similar circumstances as yours but it might help to just get together and talk about what's going on so you all don't feel so isolated. Remember that even talking about the matter among like-minded people is contributing to "the cause" by raising awareness and even maybe coming up with grassroots solutions for your own community further down the road. Activism does not always equal holding a sign at a rally and vice versa. Heck, I know lots of people joining the "Millions March" in NYC happening soon and they don't give a crap about the cause. I think in the end it's important to recognize that being concerned about this whole thing while you have a whole lot of personal concerns is ten steps ahead of many more apathetic Americans. Good luck!

Welp. There goes the Stanford app and $125! I very much expect moths to come fluttering out of my wallet any minute now...

Argh. Currently in freak out mode as some that I've contacted now have said the latter. Really hoping I can work with the admin to get it replaced with something that falls within guidelines.

Ah okay. Sorry, I was unaware that I am required to only tell OP what he or she wanted to hear. The title reads, "Thinking about quitting..." and the post itself begins, "Hi, I need some advice...". Not sure how you'd interpret that but since you seem to be able to read OP's mind concerning whatever advice he or she is asking for, I'll leave it to you, bud. OP, sorry to hijack your thread and sorry for the (apparently unsolicited) advice.

As I said, I would have offered the same statement for any unfunded humanities degree. You can feel free to keep harping on my supposed negativity if you like. Maybe that's helping you through the end of this semester? Whatever it is, good luck.

Listen, I don't know what kind of chip you have on your shoulder concerning unfunded humanities degrees but from what I can tell, it's a doozy. Nowhere did I call OP an idiot. Nowhere did a "talk down" to him or her. In my honest opinion, the best advice that folks can get in response to "should I quit?" threads is: think very carefully about your finances, especially if you're taking on an unfunded degree. I would give that advice to anyone--yes, gasp, even an English Lit student. Before you get more huffy, please go back and read what I actually said instead of reading condescension into my advice. Thanks.

$30k is not much for a humanities degree? Jesus. What world are you living in? And you actually have no idea what my plans are after my Ph.D. If I were planning to pursue an unfunded Ph.D. and then live off adjunct pay afterwards, then by all means, judge away. As of now, you're just making yourself look bad. That's kind of my point. But I guess victorydance has a bone to pick.

I think it's a pretty safe assumption, if this is taking place in America. Even if no debt occurs, paying for an MFA out of pocket is almost-always an unwise use of funds unless one has a concrete position lined up afterwards. Even then, it's probably not a good idea.

I had to convert one of my MLA manuscripts to Chicago this past summer. It was painful at first but very rewarding after. I love endnotes now! <sips kool-aid>

I was going to suggest toughing it out to get past these "leveling classes." You don't know what the actual MFA will be like yet, do you? It could afford you more freedom, treat you more maturely, etc. I would say most of those things you're upset about are transitory. That being said, when I got to your last paragraph I kind of winced. Paying for an MFA strikes me as a distinctly bad idea. I have no idea what the job market is like for college art teaching positions but I can't imagine it's any better than for Writing Instructors. Debt, while transitory as well, is a hell of a lot harder to deal with than condescending instructors. I would do a lot more research about job prospects before you continue on this path. Good luck!