Middle Tennessee State

[stratofanatic]

Saw that there's been a few acceptances here. Just wondering who the acceptances were (I was one) and if you were thinking of accepting. Then we could. . . um. . . introduce ourselves. lol.

[mresene]

I was accepted to the PhD program at Middle Tennessee via mail yesterday, which is wierd, because I've always read that good news comes via phone or e-mail...Anyway, I can't complain. They offered me a $14,000 a year assistantship. I'm considering it at present; however, I have to hear back on funding from at least one more school before I can make a decision.

[stratofanatic]

The mail thing is weird, isn't it, mresene? I get the feeling their admissions office isn't quite up to the 21st century yet -- virtually nothing was electronic. I still haven't gotten my letter yet; I only knew b/c of a results post to check the website.

@Lamo,

I'm pretty mixed about their program -- their strongest areas seem to be children's lit and popular genres like sf\ fantasy.. On one hand, I have a personal friend who's a baseball historian and told me they were an "up and coming" department; she attends their annual baseball conference every year. On the other hand, what kind of school doesn't require a writing sample? The more I think about it, the more doubts I have, so I really wanted to hear people's opinions. Part of me is seriously considering refusing the offer and applying again next year.

How did you end up finding the school?

[JeremiahParadise]

No writing sample for a PhD? Fishy.

[CrunchySocks]

I got accepted to their Ph.D. program, but with no funding. I can tell you that East Tennessee State University where I did my undergrad and M.A. did a job search a while back and the chair said not to look at any from MTSU. The issue is that the program is too new. Therefore, you would have bigger issues than we humanities folks already have when looking for work after you earn your degree. I cannot say anything about the program only that it used to be more pop lit, but the writing sample thing was bizarre. I did send a writing sample, but I doubt anyone actually read it.

[CrunchySocks]

Oh, I would suggest that if you are in the M.A. program then there is not a bigger issue as the Ph.D. You could get a better education at East Tennessee State's Masters program in my opinion though.

[CrunchySocks]

Yeah I actually had a chance to go there and check it out. After the visit I don't think I can see myself going there - it's shallow but Murfreesboro is really REALLY southern and I live in the south already so that's saying a lot. The school didn't seem that great (although I could be wrong) I think I will take an unfunded in state public U offer for a masters, even if I do get taken off the wait list for finding at MTSU. I am assuming you arent going either?

I think if you are doing your M.A. then you should consider ETSU. It is still southern, but in the mountains and Johnson City is pretty progressive considering. The department is also very liberal and opening. What is your specialty?