Timshel Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 So, I am finally getting around to starting some of my applications, and I am a little confused by SUNY Buffalo's application process. Is it correct that they want everything mailed? Like, everything? As in, I have to send in a giant envelope with my materials AND ask my LORs to mail theirs as well? Is there anyone who applied there, or is planning to apply there, that could explain this to me. It seems a little antiquated and stressful. Grrrrr....
greenlee Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 Hey there! I'm at UB right now. As far as I can remember, I could actually upload my SOP and writing sample online, along with general biographical info/CV. I think I mailed in my transcripts and hard copies of my SOP and writing sample, had my GRE scores sent there, and I had to ask my LORs to mail in their materials on time (though UB would notify me every time they received stuff from a specific professor.) I agree that it is antiquated, but at least UB doesn't ask for the GRE subject test? Haha. I'm probably forgetting the particulars, but if you have any questions, let me know!
Timshel Posted October 16, 2011 Author Posted October 16, 2011 Hey there! I'm at UB right now. As far as I can remember, I could actually upload my SOP and writing sample online, along with general biographical info/CV. I think I mailed in my transcripts and hard copies of my SOP and writing sample, had my GRE scores sent there, and I had to ask my LORs to mail in their materials on time (though UB would notify me every time they received stuff from a specific professor.) I agree that it is antiquated, but at least UB doesn't ask for the GRE subject test? Haha. I'm probably forgetting the particulars, but if you have any questions, let me know! Awesome! Thanks so much! Buffalo is one of my top choices, so I don't want to mess anything up. So you had your LORs just mail theirs each separately? I'm wondering if I could just include them in the envelope with my other materials, but just have them sealed and signed to show I haven't read them, of course. Or, I guess I could just give them an already stamped envelope. I'm just surprised since it seems like this is the only school that is requiring so much be turned in hard copy.
greenlee Posted October 17, 2011 Posted October 17, 2011 Yeah, I don't think it would be a problem to see if you can get your LORs to give you sealed envelopes so you can send it in yourself. One of my professors did that--she gave me six separate sealed envelopes with her name and the school name, so I could send the right one to each school (she was a total lifesaver). No matter what school I applied to, I always gave my LORs a stamped and addressed envelope, so they could mail it themselves. I think as long as you give them enough advance warning about when you need the letters in, you'll be okay. And UB does require a lot of hard copy stuff, no idea why.
Timshel Posted October 17, 2011 Author Posted October 17, 2011 Yeah, I don't think it would be a problem to see if you can get your LORs to give you sealed envelopes so you can send it in yourself. One of my professors did that--she gave me six separate sealed envelopes with her name and the school name, so I could send the right one to each school (she was a total lifesaver). No matter what school I applied to, I always gave my LORs a stamped and addressed envelope, so they could mail it themselves. I think as long as you give them enough advance warning about when you need the letters in, you'll be okay. And UB does require a lot of hard copy stuff, no idea why. Thanks so much! And, if you have any other advice about getting into Buffalo, I'll take that, too. lol.
rems Posted October 17, 2011 Posted October 17, 2011 Hi -- I'm also applying to SUNY Buffalo this year, and I was also confused by them requiring all paper! Every other program seems to be all electronic, and I was worried that I was somehow reading the wrong information or something. Long story short, I'm glad you posted this -- I feel better that I'm not the only one. Why are you applying to Buffalo? What's your "thing"? This is both to greenlee and Timshel. Just wondering -- thanks!
Timshel Posted October 17, 2011 Author Posted October 17, 2011 My primary area of interest, and the primary reason I am apply to Buffalo, is theory. More specifically, I am interested in psychoanalysis, literary testimony, and trauma studies in contemporary lit.
Bayo Posted October 18, 2011 Posted October 18, 2011 Not totally germane, but I'm reminded that I took my undergrad course in theory with a Buffalo PhD. He was one of the best I had. Awesome choice and nice targeting for fit.
greenlee Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 (edited) Hi -- I'm also applying to SUNY Buffalo this year, and I was also confused by them requiring all paper! Every other program seems to be all electronic, and I was worried that I was somehow reading the wrong information or something. Long story short, I'm glad you posted this -- I feel better that I'm not the only one. Why are you applying to Buffalo? What's your "thing"? This is both to greenlee and Timshel. Just wondering -- thanks! Yeah, UB was pretty emphatic about paper copies of transcripts, etc, but I think you have to also complete an online portion where you can upload e-copies of your SOP and writing sample as well, so it's not entirely paper-based. At least, it wasn't when I applied last year! And my thing right now is queer theory, specifically the genealogy of performativity in racialized bodies. Ugh, that sounds super pretentious AND boring, but I get to read a lot of stuff about trauma, disidentification, slavery, diasporic queer communities, etc. UB is HUGE on theory (I think it's ranked like top 10 in the country for lit criticism?) so there's no end to the stuff I want to take and learn about. Plus, it's a completely open curriculum so I can take Comp Lit, American Studies, WGS, etc, and have it go towards my degree. Pretty cool. What about you? Edited October 19, 2011 by greenlee
rems Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 Thank for the reply! My current interests include, primarily, James Joyce and theory (which is why I'm aiming for Buffalo). As far as theory goes, I'm looking at spatial theory and simulated spaces and how they are conceptualized in literature. It's based in urban semiotics and stretching into postmodernism and junk. Also kind of pretentious. I'm also into queer theory, but I focus on gender theory and the conception of gender. I don't work specifically with the "performativity in racialized bodies," but I do work with the performativity of the transgendered body. By "transgendered" I mean blurring the lines of gender definition and assuming everyone is "transgendered." It's also boring and pretentious but I get to read a lot about the history of porn so that's cool. What texts do you work with? Your topic has peeked my interest. One thing that really made me look at Buffalo was the way they structure the program. I really like they offer students to ability to pick and choose their own classes. Is there any advice/information/anxiety-relieving information you could possibly suggest? I hate to turn this into a selfish "tell me the answer now!" reply, but I figure I can't help but ask. Thanks for you help!
cquin Posted October 22, 2011 Posted October 22, 2011 I'm also considering Buffalo! I still have a long, messy list of schools that I need to narrow down, but I feel fairly confident that Buffalo will make the cut. Are you all applying to the MA or PhD program? I'm torn, seeing as how I'd prefer PhD but wonder if I'll have a better shot at acceptance if I just go for the MA. Thoughts?
Timshel Posted October 22, 2011 Author Posted October 22, 2011 I'm applying to the PhD because I already have an MA.
cquin Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 On that note, does anyone know if there is any funding--however paltry it may be--for Buffalo's MA candidates? I cannot seem to find any mention of it on their website, which should be my answer right there, but I just wanted to double check.
Timshel Posted October 23, 2011 Author Posted October 23, 2011 I'm almost positive that they do not fund MAs.
greenlee Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 Thank for the reply! My current interests include, primarily, James Joyce and theory (which is why I'm aiming for Buffalo). As far as theory goes, I'm looking at spatial theory and simulated spaces and how they are conceptualized in literature. It's based in urban semiotics and stretching into postmodernism and junk. Also kind of pretentious. I'm also into queer theory, but I focus on gender theory and the conception of gender. I don't work specifically with the "performativity in racialized bodies," but I do work with the performativity of the transgendered body. By "transgendered" I mean blurring the lines of gender definition and assuming everyone is "transgendered." It's also boring and pretentious but I get to read a lot about the history of porn so that's cool. What texts do you work with? Your topic has peeked my interest. One thing that really made me look at Buffalo was the way they structure the program. I really like they offer students to ability to pick and choose their own classes. Is there any advice/information/anxiety-relieving information you could possibly suggest? I hate to turn this into a selfish "tell me the answer now!" reply, but I figure I can't help but ask. Thanks for you help! Sorry about not getting back to you sooner, I've been bogged down with work! Your topic sounds interesting! I actually think there's a class next semester discussing urban spaces in the 20th Century American novel. I'm always surprised by how diverse the faculty specialties are. You have everything from psychoanalysis to Marxism to Emily Dickinson to diasporic/postcolonial. I have to pick my classes for next semester soon and I have no idea what to take! But to answer your first question, right now I'm reading Scenes of Subjection by Saidiya Hartman, as well as Cities of the Dead by Joe Roach and Munoz's Disidentification. I'm also looking at films (Isaac Julien's The Attendant and Marlon Riggs' Tongues Untied). The paper I'm writing for one of my classes explores the family discourse surrounding the performativity of the "Mammy" figure in the white Southern imagination, and how that performance informs how black queer bodies are conceptualized in diverse queer communities (ie, do both performances make whiteness legible? Is blackness transformed, or just elided, through these performances?) And as for anxiety-reducing tricks, I don't know if I can help you, haha. The application process was so stressful for me, but UB always got back to me promptly by phone or email if I had any questions about what I needed to do. I got in off the waitlist, and Graham Hammill (director of grad admissions) was always so wonderful about staying in touch with me. He called me at 8 in the morning on April 15th to personally tell me I'd gotten in, haha. So I guess, if you have questions, know that UB is good about answering them and being available.
perrykm2 Posted October 28, 2011 Posted October 28, 2011 I had to call their department to figure this out. I was waiting for someone to yell at me, like "if you can't complete the application, don't bother applying."
Timshel Posted October 28, 2011 Author Posted October 28, 2011 I had to call their department to figure this out. I was waiting for someone to yell at me, like "if you can't complete the application, don't bother applying." What did you ask when you called and what did they say?
perrykm2 Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 (edited) I just asked where I could find a form for my letters of recommendation (because I assumed I had to submit hardcopies,) and she said you can submit your personal statement and letters of recommendation online. It seems that GRE scores, transcripts, writing samples, and a CV/Resume (which appears to be optional but encouraged) have to be sent hardcopy. They are pretty helpful, so you can just call if you are worried about something. Edited October 30, 2011 by perrykm2
Timshel Posted October 30, 2011 Author Posted October 30, 2011 Wait, you can do the letters of recommendation online? When I looked at it, it said hard copy. I haven't started the application, though. I guess I should.
Timshel Posted November 9, 2011 Author Posted November 9, 2011 Okay, so I am working on the Buffalo application, and it does ask for the email addresses of the LOR, but it doesn't say that it will send them an email. Has anyone done this? Also, does anyone know who to contact regarding questions? I know someone previously said that they called. I'd rather send an email, so I am wondering if I should send it to Carla Mazzio, the Director of Graduate Studies or Joyce Troy, the Administrative Assistant, since it doesn't tell you which one to contact for questions. Does anyone know?
perrykm2 Posted November 9, 2011 Posted November 9, 2011 I called Carla Mazzio. But entering the email address for your LOR DOES prompt an email so they can upload their recommendation; tried and proven.
Timshel Posted November 9, 2011 Author Posted November 9, 2011 I called Carla Mazzio. But entering the email address for your LOR DOES prompt an email so they can upload their recommendation; tried and proven. Awesome! Thanks!
greenlee Posted November 10, 2011 Posted November 10, 2011 Awesome! Thanks! Carla Mazzio is actually on leave this semester, and Carine Mardorossian is the DGS this year. I'm sure whatever you send to the DGS will go to her, but also, Joyce Troy is a great contact too, since she basically runs the department and takes care of everything.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now