slvitale
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Posts posted by slvitale
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Thanks for the info! I'll check it out.
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Hi everyone,
I'm currently finishing up my Masters at Villanova. My dominant interest is at the interface of science and literature--specifically Darwinian theory. (I did notice the thread on post-humanism, which was helpful.)
Besides Duke, UNC, and Maryland--all of which have professors with resonant interests--any suggestions?
Haerin Shin at Vanderbilt seems to be interested in cyborg theories...
Thanks!
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Has anyone heard anything more regarding Columbia? Are more acceptances forthcoming? Any word on wait lists?
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I'm seriously considering applying. My family is (hopefully) moving down to Charleston in April and I really love it down there. However, I'm having all these paranoid apprehensions about a) committing to a Master's program instead of reapplying to PhD programs next cycle and b ), and this will sound ridiculous, but I just earned my BA at a Top 20 school and I'm worried that now getting an MA from anything less than a Top 20 school (or even a Top 50) will hurt my chances of ever getting into a Top 20 school again (which is probably stupid because where I got my BA didn't help me this time around).
All that said, however, the campus at College of Charleston is gorgeous, Charleston is awesome, there's a possibility of receiving funding through an assistantship, and, in my case, there are a lot of professors there for my fields of interest, and it would mean actually returning to school in August. So I am sorely tempted.
I'm in almost the exact situation! (BA from Rutgers, with one professor who advised against it and one who encouraged it.) I'm applying for an M.A. more for the holistic understanding of the discipline rather than for the degree. I want to attend some conferences, get some teaching experience, ect. Where did you do undergrad?
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Any thoughts on an MA form the College of Charleston?
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I'm so sorry for your loss, dear. That must have made this process extra, extra, extra emotional. Good on you for surviving and, I betcha, thriving.
Thank you for the condolences, though after the Vandy Bloodbath (of which I was a casualty) I don't know about "thriving."
Affirming your post: I lost a parent two weeks before my first semester of grad school. It fueled my ability to produce, but it clouded my brain severely--perhaps to this day. Having a supportive partner is definitely great, and so is trying to build a life outside of the academy.
I hope your dedication elicits some good news this year!
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Ha! This made me snort because my dad also does not understand my career path at all. He never graduated from high school or went to college, so academia is truly a mystery to him. Still, he's incredibly supportive because he trusts my decision-making-- haven't let him down yet!
This is so interesting: my dad was a chemstry professor and it is from him that I think I derived my respect for academia. Having lost him last April--a man I regarded with the kind of reverence most people reserve for their deity--I vacilatted a bit about grad school, but ultimately decided it was my best means of honoring my dad.
Sorry to go off topic--it just struck a chord.
Congrats, Proflorax. I'm so happy for you!
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seriously, your GRE is totally fine.
What could you do, in particular, is choose some public colleges that aren't all top tier...Duke, Brown, UPenn--these are some of the hardest programs to get accepted into.
You find at least six or seven programs that are a good fit, and that adhere to this formula:
1-2 schools that are your dream schools, the long shots
3 schools that you are pretty sure you're going to get into
1-2 schools that you *know* you can get into
if you don't get in this time around, i think everyone needs to question fit.
as for me, I was only accepted into 2/6 programs when I applied for a PhD in English (Rhet/Comp). i hated my PhD program (did not pay attention enough to fit) and realized that Communication was more appropriate for my research. I'm 6 for 0 with acceptances, have 2 fellowship nominations, 1 recruitment grant, etc.
it can pay (in many ways) to reapply.
But, the point more directly related to this thread:::
Sometimes it's not your CV that needs to be fixed. Sometimes it's your application. Because remember, as many rejection letters announce, "[they] reject many qualify candidates every year."
Yes, I suppose I was overly optimistic to think that I'd get into these programs...
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If you don't get in, you should probably consider submitting articles and book reviews. This will definitely improve your chances. Building your CV is probably the best thing you can do!
Thanks for the advice. I think I'll check out asleepawake's link!
P.S. I'm a bi-feline Cat Lady (Schrodinger is picture left, and let me tell you, that photo of "the Box" gave him anxiety...)
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“Every now and then when your life gets complicated and the weasels start closing in, the only cure is to load up on heinous chemicals and then drive like a bastard from Hollywood to Las Vegas ... with the music at top volume and at least a pint of ether" - Hunter S. Thompson
^My plan B
Pint of ether--haha. When my dad was doing his post-doc (in orgo) he and his friends drank ethyl alcholol!
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Happy to see that the common reply is not some variation of "roll-over-and-die."
I do have a question, however: how CAN we improve our chances next time around? (I know I can raise my GRE--162 V/158Q/5AW--and I can retake the Subject exam, but I can't really adjust my BA--4.0 out of Rutgers.) I thought about taking some more courses at a small, private college to bolster my WS and make some contacts.
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I suppose this could be an addendum to the 0% confidence thread, but, as that is already on page 65, I thought to start something slightly different--and just a little less fatalistic.
For all of us sinking into the abyss of despair: what is your backup plan if the admissions committees should frown upon you?
If you are going to apply again, what's the new-and-improved strategy?
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The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. You know, Chinese New Year...
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Shame on you! (I did exactly the same thing.)
Me three--and I have a horrible feeling that I won't be getting in anywhere this time around. Best to diversify more next time around.
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On another note: who's gearing up to take the GRE subject exam in April?
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Anyone else feel kind of like Schrodinger's Cat when it comes to the uncertainty of rejection/acceptance?
This made me laugh. My cat (pictured left) is named Schrodinger, and we very much agree with you.
Congrats to everyone outside the box, though!
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Let's hope--a sufficient amount to prevent total insomnia, but not enough to induce deepest disappointment.
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Are we all thinking that Duke is finished with acceptances? They were my top choice. This is so sad
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Bfat, you just indirectly quoted my favorite Disney movie ever (this coming from a former Jungle Cruise Skipper!) It's even better because I feel like imitating Lilo right now.
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Is everyone else assuming rejections from Duke?
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No, but I'm not holding my breath.
Assume this: All of us just got rejected. Any other news will now be twice as good, and official rejections will be only half as bad. You're welcome.
This reminds me vaguely of something Willy Wonka would say!
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Do we have a consensus on Duke?
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Ah, so that was you, DontHate, on the result board!
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I'm thinking about reading my tea leaves at this point....
Science and Literature?
in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
Posted
My dream schools.....