Urbana English MA and PhD Acceptances - How do they work?

[portlandfioretti]

On the Urbana website they give the following info for the number of acceptances each year:

"Because we have many strong applicants, we admit only one out of seven or so to our graduate programs. We offer admission to approximately 40 students per year applying to the M.A. in Literature program and to approximately 5-10 students in three other programs: the Ph.D. in Literature, and the M.A. and Ph.D. in Writing Studies. We admit 6 M.F.A. candidates a year (3 in fiction, 3 in poetry). Our non-literature tracks typically have smaller applicant pools. Half or more of all admitted students accept our offers, with 20-30 new students usually entering each year. Most of our Ph.D. students have received their M.A.s at Illinois."

Does this mean that they are accepting 40 people into a terminal MA and 5-10 into a PhD program that usually includes an MA first? Or does it mean they accept 40 MA students, some terminal and some intending to continue, and then they accept 5-10 PhD students, mostly from their current MAs?

Sorry if this is confusing! If you have been accepted there/currently attend, maybe you know the answer to my question.

[CarolineSC]

I take it as they take 40 into their MA program who can continue into the PhD program, and 5-10 who already have MAs straight into their PhD program. Could be wrong, though.

[lyonessrampant]

I applied there a few years ago, and I believe that most of their incoming Ph.D. cohort of 5-10 is actually composed of their own MA students. It is pretty rare they accept someone with an external MA. This may have changed in the last couple years, though.

[ecritdansleau]

Hmmm, that description makes it sound quite confusing, but I completed my undergrad degree there and I do recall a prospective PhD student visiting in one of my courses with an external MA. I had TA instructors (PhD students) with external MAs (one from the UK in fact), as well as TA instructors who did all their work at Illinois, so I do not believe there is a significant preference for one or the other, though it may vary with a different DGS. My understanding of the program is that most incoming MAs go onto the PhD as a matter of due course and fund themselves with TAships from the get-go.

[Rupert Pupkin]

I was just accepted. Holy shit.

[lyonessrampant]

Congratulations!

[transcendental]

I was just accepted. Holy shit.

Congrats!

[ComeBackZinc]

I was just accepted. Holy shit.

Boom. Congrats.

Edited March 5, 2012 by ComeBackZinc

[TripWillis]

I was just accepted. Holy shit.

Way to go, Rupert!! So psyched for you!

[Rupert Pupkin]

Thanks guys! As you can see by my post on the results board, I did not have the best grades/test scores. This was the last program I was waiting to hear from after being rejected by 10 others. I'm in disbelief. Good luck to all of those waiting!

[lyonessrampant]

Super, super congrats!!! That makes your experience so much more fun to cheer for from home!

[marlowe23]

Congrats! I was waiting to hear from them too, but maybe I should give up and start focusing on making a choice and finishing up my MA. On a Sunday? That must've been a wonderful, unexpected surprise--so happy for you!

[Rupert Pupkin]

To those waiting: the email I received seemed personalized. The acceptances from Jan/Feb seemed to be for external MA's. So, I imagine that they have plenty of acceptances still to hand out for BA's, particularly if the figure listed on their website (40 acceptances) is accurate. Don't give up hope.

[portlandfioretti]

Congrats Rupert! I have high hopes for tomorrow for all of us still waiting . If you don't mind me asking, what did they say about funding in the email?

[transcendental]

It's horrible that I keep thinking of the Insane Clown Posse thing, "Magnets, how do they work?" whenever I see this thread. You know, this one:

Anyway, looks like a few more acceptances went up. I really doubt my chances esp. if RP thinks the earlier ones were for people with external MA's. I don't think I'd fit too well there, either, so I'm not too phased. Congrats to those who got in!

[marlowe]

I was just accepted. Holy shit.

Like a boss.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Congrats Rupert! I have high hopes for tomorrow for all of us still waiting . If you don't mind me asking, what did they say about funding in the email?

It seems that it differs. I didn't get the full fellowship offer that another post on the results board states. For me: in year 1, I TA one class/semester for approximately 10k, with an additional 6.5k of support coming from fellowship money. After the first year, I would teach 2 classes/semester for approximately 20k. However, the email stated that there is some wiggle room with the teaching load. For instance, I could teach one course and work in the writing center or intern at the University Press to make up the difference. The most amazing thing about the funding: it's guaranteed for 7 years.

[antecedent]

It seems that it differs. I didn't get the full fellowship offer that another post on the results board states. For me: in year 1, I TA one class/semester for approximately 10k, with an additional 6.5k of support coming from fellowship money. After the first year, I would teach 2 classes/semester for approximately 20k. However, the email stated that there is some wiggle room with the teaching load. For instance, I could teach one course and work in the writing center or intern at the University Press to make up the difference. The most amazing thing about the funding: it's guaranteed for 7 years.

Holy shit, 7 years!

Congrats Rupert, I'm so happy to hear you got a good offer!

[transcendental]

It seems that it differs. I didn't get the full fellowship offer that another post on the results board states. For me: in year 1, I TA one class/semester for approximately 10k, with an additional 6.5k of support coming from fellowship money. After the first year, I would teach 2 classes/semester for approximately 20k. However, the email stated that there is some wiggle room with the teaching load. For instance, I could teach one course and work in the writing center or intern at the University Press to make up the difference. The most amazing thing about the funding: it's guaranteed for 7 years.

Wow, 20K to live in Urbana, that's so awesome.

[bigjumps]

I also got one of those acceptances (my first one - woohoo!) and I have an external MA, so don't give up yet, fellow MA-holders!

[ahhjudy]

Has anyone in this forum been accepted to the Writing Studies program? If so, I'd like to meet you. Message me. Thanks!

[ahhjudy]

Hell, that's kind of ass-holish of me. If you've been accepted PERIOD, are you visiting the campus next weekend?? I'd like to meet you

[Rupert Pupkin]

I'm thinking about visiting, but the acceptance letter doesn't say anything about any kind of visitation support. I live about 13 hours away via car. I am wondering how I will be able to afford a plane ticket there. Would it be tactless to ask about that? Is it normal for a school to not have a visitation weekend or provide any kind of financial support for the transportation?

[ahhjudy]

i qualified for a scholarship from the Community of Scholars Program on campus. basically, the graduate college flies me there, i visit a bunch of college-related stuff, and i make time to meet faculty and grad students in the program. they'd nominate you if you qualified, i think. i think it kind of depends on how badly the state is hit with state funding cuts. i think illinois is not super bad, but i know from a friend who attended NIU that they were hit somewhat. with that said, what you get in return (for no campus visit) is a guaranteed 7 years of support. pretty effing sweet if you ask me.

if there's no question as to whether you'll go, then i wouldn't spend the money visiting. if it might influence how you swing, then i would.

[ahhjudy]

Would it be tactless to ask about that?

I don't think so. Just email Pollock, let him know you're excited about the program, and inquire about funds to visit. He'll probably tactfully respond with why they don't provide support.