2020 Applicants

[killerbunny]

7 minutes ago, Puurple said:

Hey people,

How should one treat courses offered in an English MA? Is it ever enough to accept program A because program B's classes are not as engaging or in line with one's interests? I am worried that the courses offered at one school are not as good of a fit for me. Is it possible to do independent study for subjects not taught, or take upper-level undergrad classes? How big of an issue is this when it comes to writing a Master's thesis? There are areas I want to continue learning more about that are just not offered at one program which is otherwise more highly regarded and in much better location (less crime / poverty / more job opportunities for my partner).

Speaking from experience, I would say to what degree a lack of area specialists will impede your success depends on your level of independence and your choice of topic. And just because there is a potential advisor whose interests overlap with yours does not ensure support; it depends on the availability of the professor and/or your ability to get their attention. (Hint: be sure you aren't overlooking other humanities departments for someone you could be simpatico with; people are doing all manner of interdisciplinary work, and an instructor in Women's Studies or Sociology might be able to provide specialized guidance.) In my case I chose an overly ambitious topic with no course offerings in my department that might have provided me with a solid grounding: not advised but I was too enamored with my topic and methodology to be deterred. So I have had to devote lots and lots of time getting up to speed independently on all sorts scholarship with which I had no prior familiarity. TDLR: It's very possible to make a go of it in a MA program that's not a wonderful fit, but there are a lot of buts, including the contacts your advisor might have if you want to move on to a PhD, but again, name recognition of who you worked with is no guarantee of anything either. 

[hamnet in tights]

53 minutes ago, Puurple said:

Hey people,

How should one treat courses offered in an English MA? Is it ever enough to accept program A because program B's classes are not as engaging or in line with one's interests? I am worried that the courses offered at one school are not as good of a fit for me. Is it possible to do independent study for subjects not taught, or take upper-level undergrad classes? How big of an issue is this when it comes to writing a Master's thesis? There are areas I want to continue learning more about that are just not offered at one program which is otherwise more highly regarded and in much better location (less crime / poverty / more job opportunities for my partner).

Heya, 

I did my MA at a smaller, regional school, (a R2 state college in my hometown actually), and there is no one here that really shares my research interests. At the time I started grad school, I wasn't really aware of my field yet and had no intention of continuing onto a PhD or doing serious research. That all changed midway through, and I'm leaving highly specialized in a field that isn't offered at my school at all through a serious amount of independent research. So, it's doable, but it depends a lot on faculty, and the specifics of your department and POI. For us, for example, we absolutely cannot take undergrad courses under any circumstances, but we can take independent studies as we like and substitute our courses pretty freely if we find something we'd rather take in another department. This is certainly not the case at all schools. Questions about independent studies and undergrad courses would be great for the DGS at the school.   

For what it's worth, I'm very satisfied with the MA experience I've had, and I've been relatively successful applying to PhDs and getting selected within my subfocus without having a huge amount of super-specific coursework in it. I will say this, though: I think I probably had to be a lot more self-motivated than other folks who had more generalized focuses within our program. I spent a lot of time going to conferences and skyping with specialists in my field at other schools to make up for what I couldn't get where I was, for example, and I probably got into way more debt (even while fully funded) than I would have had I chosen a different program.    

[hamnet in tights]

5 hours ago, hamnet in tights said:

and I probably got into way more debt (even while fully funded) than I would have had I chosen a different program.    

Forgot to add on this: when I say significant debt, I mean relative to living in your hometown with my parents. I still have way less debt than I think I would have if I'd gone, funded, to a school across the country. I can't be sure, though. When I picked the smaller, regional program close to home, there were some unexpected trade offs, like no conference or travel funding, unexpected fees ("fully funded" really was a misnomer at my school for anyone), and a very low stipend. At the same time, no regrets. I got to do my MA with a fantastic support network in a great community that I'm very familiar with, and surrounded by faculty that without exception genuinely care for and nurture students.

 

Apart from all that... welp, guys, it's the Sunday night before the 15th. I have a feeling tomorrow morning is gonna be back to intense stuff. Fingers crossed for all of us.    

[Bopie5]

9 hours ago, Puurple said:

Hey people,

How should one treat courses offered in an English MA? Is it ever enough to accept program A because program B's classes are not as engaging or in line with one's interests? I am worried that the courses offered at one school are not as good of a fit for me. Is it possible to do independent study for subjects not taught, or take upper-level undergrad classes? How big of an issue is this when it comes to writing a Master's thesis? There are areas I want to continue learning more about that are just not offered at one program which is otherwise more highly regarded and in much better location (less crime / poverty / more job opportunities for my partner).

I'm seconding @killerbunny's point about independence. While I haven't taken any courses directly in my fields in the MA I'm currently attending, and there are no profs who are in the exact same area of interest as me, I've been able to adjust seminar papers to fit my interests in all six of my courses so far. This may just be a feature of the program I'm in (which is wonderful and supportive), but being willing to do some extra research and spend a lot of extra time reading has allowed me to still pursue my interests while receiving guidance and feedback. For example, in a course on Contemporary American Lit & US Empire, I asked my prof if I could write about whiteness and settler colonialism in horror film instead of writing about a piece of contemporary AmLit, which she was actually really excited about and supportive of! In this way, my MA has actually really expanded my breadth of knowledge, via the course readings and seminar discussions, while also allowing me to pursue my own interests and write the kinds of papers I can submit to conferences, via the final seminar paper. And actually, taking classes not in my field has actually helped me refine my research just as much as taking classes closer to my field.

For the thesis, I wouldn't underestimate profs in other departments, as @killerbunny said, and I also wouldn't underestimate faculty's secondary interests! Sometimes, you can make up for not having the ideal reader for multiple fields by having two or three readers who can cover the fields between them (e.g. someone from your theoretical specialization who doesn't primarily work in your period alongside someone from your period who doesn't primarily work in your theoretical lens). Obviously it's not totally ideal, but it can work. 

For the PhD, I would stress the fit a bit more (from what I have heard/read). But personally, I think in the MA it's slightly less of a concern, depending on what your ultimate career trajectory is.

Overall, I would say, in the context of an MA, courses in your field are definitely less important than funding, but I think it's up to you to weigh how much courses matter when compared to other factors (location, distance, assistantships, cohort size, relative prestige, etc). Hope this helps!

[Rani13]

On 2/10/2020 at 10:39 AM, punctilious said:

Yes, everyone should hear this loud and clear: your stipends are taxable income (not just teaching fellowships!). You have to report them as such and pay taxes on them, which is why it's a really good idea to pay quarterly estimated taxes so you don't die when you see what you owe in taxes at the end of the year.

Cost of living as absolutely an important consideration. Many top universities are in super expensive cities (especially the Bay Area, followed by New York and Boston, those are probably the worst cost of living in the US) so make sure to factor that in when making your decisions. I believe @Warelin's spreadsheet has a cost of living column.

Rehashing this conversation from a while ago. I'm trying to figure out what taxes* will look like on a fellowship during non-service years. I know that the university does not deduct taxes in those years. I was also told by a graduate student in the department that taxes do not apply for non-service fellowship years (aka there's no need to report said fellowship as income). I know there's conflicting advice on this, but wondering what the insight is on GC?

*I'm terrible at taxes/numbers.

Edited April 13, 2020 by Rani13

[onerepublic96]

Think it’s time to start freaking out now that the first waitlist acceptance has been posted for Michigan... ?

[hamnet in tights]

1 hour ago, onerepublic96 said:

Think it’s time to start freaking out now that the first waitlist acceptance has been posted for Michigan... ?

Were you given an indication of where you are on the list? I'm on a different list at Michigan. Fingers crossed. ❤️ 

[onerepublic96]

51 minutes ago, hamnet in tights said:

Were you given an indication of where you are on the list? I'm on a different list at Michigan. Fingers crossed. ❤️ 

When I emailed them to ask about the specifics they said their list wasn’t ranked and didn’t really give any more info as to how the decision-making process would be handled. So I’m really just at sea over here hoping so hard that just maybe I won’t get shut out this year. 

[hamnet in tights]

1 hour ago, onerepublic96 said:

When I emailed them to ask about the specifics they said their list wasn’t ranked and didn’t really give any more info as to how the decision-making process would be handled. So I’m really just at sea over here hoping so hard that just maybe I won’t get shut out this year. 

❤️ I have hope for you, my friend. Have you checked the Rackham program website? A lot of programs at Michigan see a lot of admissions off their waitlist each year.

[punctilious]

14 hours ago, Rani13 said:

Rehashing this conversation from a while ago. I'm trying to figure out what taxes* will look like on a fellowship during non-service years. I know that the university does not deduct taxes in those years. I was also told by a graduate student in the department that taxes do not apply for non-service fellowship years (aka there's no need to report said fellowship as income). I know there's conflicting advice on this, but wondering what the insight is on GC?

*I'm terrible at taxes/numbers.

Quoting Personal Finance for PhDs: “I’ll clarify right up front that you do need to incorporate your fellowship income into the gross income you report on your tax return, and you almost certainly will end up paying tax on it (unless your total income is very low or you have lots of other deductions/credits).” (http://pfforphds.com/weird-tax-situations-fellowship-recipients/)

[onerepublic96]

12 hours ago, hamnet in tights said:

❤️ I have hope for you, my friend. Have you checked the Rackham program website? A lot of programs at Michigan see a lot of admissions off their waitlist each year.

Thank you! And fingers crossed for you, as well! 

[hamnet in tights]

6 minutes ago, onerepublic96 said:

Thank you! And fingers crossed for you, as well! 

I have less hope for me on my end. DGS e-mailed this morning today to say that they're following up with the lone person who hasn't responded, and will have a final decision to me tonight, hopefully. I've been shaking in my boots ever since. I don't know what I assumed prior to them saying that, but I guess that just made the whole scenario all the more... intense.  

[alittlebitofthat]

The best of luck to all those waiting on waitlists tonight. Hopes and prayers! ??

[Starbuck420]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2020/04/13/boston-university-is-first-to-announce-it-may-postpone-its-fall-term-until-january-2021/amp/

* gulp *

[Starbuck420]

Just now, Starbuck420 said:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2020/04/13/boston-university-is-first-to-announce-it-may-postpone-its-fall-term-until-january-2021/amp/

* gulp *

this is actually a misleading headline but still 

[sglxi]

29 minutes ago, Starbuck420 said:

this is actually a misleading headline but still 

I’m a current BU student, and this is an email we received about how news outlets have misinterpreted our president’s statements: 

I am writing today because there has been some misrepresentation about BU's plans for the fall term. It appears that some news outlets interpreted the article to indicate that BU did not expect to return to residential in-person operations until spring 2021. Our intent is just the opposite:

Our recovery planning is focused on the fall semester, and the resumption of our on-campus, in-person programs in late August. We are planning accordingly and will incorporate the best public health practices into those plans so that members of the BU community will feel comfortable and safe on campus upon their return for fall semester. If for some reason public health authorities do not allow universities to re-open their residential campuses at that time, our planning will explore other alternatives, including the possibility of restarting in-person classes later in the year while continuing with remote classes until then.

[riverbender]

Hey! A lurker and a 2021 PhD applicant here. Would anyone be willing to send me an example statement of purpose as I start to work on materials this summer? I would be forever grateful!

[Bopie5]

45 minutes ago, riverbender said:

Hey! A lurker and a 2021 PhD applicant here. Would anyone be willing to send me an example statement of purpose as I start to work on materials this summer? I would be forever grateful!

seconding this, please!

[jadeisokay]

i just stopped shuddering when i see/hear the phrase "statement of purpose" and now it's almost time to start the dance again!

(also, hi @Bopie5! hope villanova is treating you well!)

[Bopie5]

@jadeisokay hi!!! good to see you on here again. how's chicago? villanova has been great--in retrospect, this was absolutely the right path for me. are you going for phds again for fall 2021 admission? would be fun to be on the same cycle again!

[jadeisokay]

chicago has been an absolute blast, current situation aside. i'm really happy here and won a flas fellowship for next year so i'm super excited. and oh you know it. 

[Bopie5]

11 minutes ago, jadeisokay said:

chicago has been an absolute blast, current situation aside. i'm really happy here and won a flas fellowship for next year so i'm super excited. and oh you know it. 

Oh congrats! I'm so glad to hear that. 

Oof. Guess we'll both be losing our minds (again) even more in just a few months. Do you know where you're applying for the next cycle? (Maybe we should start a 2021 applicants thread to stop polluting this one?)

[jadeisokay]

likewise, i'm glad you're having a good time.

i'm hoping to stay at uc but also am applying (or plan to apply) to northwestern, syracuse, brown, and maybe minnesota so far. how about you?

 

i'm happy to make a thread 

[Bopie5]

12 minutes ago, jadeisokay said:

likewise, i'm glad you're having a good time.

i'm hoping to stay at uc but also am applying (or plan to apply) to northwestern, syracuse, brown, and maybe minnesota so far. how about you?

 

i'm happy to make a thread 

Oof, I have around 18 programs in my longlist--hoping to cut down to 12-15, we'll see. I actually have a consulting call with one of my advisors about this tomorrow! But the big change is that I'm applying not just to English PhDs, but also American Studies and Ethnic Studies.

[karamazov]

Now that we've had a minute to process our decisions, anyone else getting hit with that good ole' impostor syndrome?