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18th c. at OSU: a warning


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Hi all,

A word of warning for anyone trying to figure out whether to attend OSU for 18th century British lit: don't do it.

I spent 5-7 years at OSU English, and I have either already received my PhD or I'm about to receive it. I'm sorry for being so vague; I would like very much not to be identified from any info in this message. (I created a new account specifically to post this message.) I can say that I am basing the rest of my message on a lot of evidence. I can also say that my intention is not to slander any aspect of OSU's other grad programs, but to warn incoming graduate students in the 18th century.

It's been at least 5 years (but likely more) since an 18th c. student finished their PhD. In that time, at least two quit, one has experienced an incredible lack of support from the 18th c. faculty (and I suspect will quit), and yet another has struggled to navigate the politics between members of the 18th c. faculty (and I suspect will quit). I have nothing against the faculty personally: I've had very pleasant interactions with 2 of the 3 specialists in 18th c. Brit lit, and by all accounts, their research is strong. However, their mentoring of students is abysmal; the relationships between faculty and grad students can feel sadistic, vindictive, and/or weirdly personal. 

While the 18th c. faculty are friends with each other, they disagree very strongly in committees, which results in impasses that hurt the progress of the student to degree. Graduate school is incredibly difficult as it is, and nearly half of all graduate students nationally report struggling with mental health and wellness at some point in their tenures. In this context, trying to pacify hostile committee members and repeatedly brokering truces between them makes an already challenging task Herculean.

If you're interested in British 18th c lit, I would first recommend you look at the job wiki in that field for the last two years and consider making a switch in your focus. That said, if you want to push forward with a PhD, don't do it at OSU.

NOTE: I don't really check Gradcafe all that much, and I don't plan on responding to any replies.

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OSU '20 grad here, and I'll say that OP ain't wrong. Lotsa big egos and asshole vibes from Macpherson, Brewer, and Wheeler (sorry not sorry to be shady and name names), the kind of people who may be very smart but can be insufferable on an interpersonal level. 

My wife was a staff member in the department during my time there, and several times she came home talking about how Wheeler had badly mistreated her. So, obviously I have some bias here, but I do think how someone treats those beneath their station is pretty revealing of their personality. If you're unwilling to be kind to staff, chances are you're not going to be great with grad students. 

Edited by Ramus
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  • 6 months later...

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