School Lists 2013 (Where are you applying?)

[asleepawake]

I went to unranked schools for my BA and my MA. My BA grades aren't very good, either (I had health concerns that kept me close to home and caused my attendance to suffer - I've only mentioned this to schools that asked, though).

I feel I've gotten a good education at my MA regardless of the (lack of) ranking of my program. We have some fantastic faculty. I am also fully funded and have been teaching a 2/2 load for 3 years. None of us can change where we got our degrees, our grades, our test scores, etc. at this point... We can just speculate and speculate. :/

[Swagato]

I have heard mixed commentary on this issue and it definitely depends on the field and institution. Some specifically seem to prefer "pedigree" while others don't. A top-5 university (note: not necessarily department) in my field seems to be surprisingly open to admitting graduates with non-name-brand BA/MAs, while another top-10 university (and top-5 department) seems to prefer high-prestige BA/MAs.

To be frank, I think the real difference comes down to who is writing your letters and what you can say for yourself. If you are coming from a "meh" place but have an amazingly well-articulated, timely, and interesting proposal and your academic chops back it up, then you should have quite a decent shot at glory. On the other hand it's probably a bit more likely that someone with a less impressive proposal and profile, but with excellent letters from big names and a high-prestige pedigree, will edge you out.

[Imogene]

On the other hand it's probably a bit more likely that someone with a less impressive proposal and profile, but with excellent letters from big names and a high-prestige pedigree, will edge you out.

sigh. this is always my fear, and probably my downfall.

[Porridge]

Having a minor/medium-sized freak out.

So as some of you may have gleaned from my posts, I am a US/UK-educated international student. Now I'm worried that I've completely overestimated my chances of admission (partly because of the international aspect, though I'm applying to private schools for the most part) and I won't get into even one school and I don't have a plan B and I'm tired of not having my own income and having nothing to do and and and.

I don't think I can take two more months of this. I also don't think I could put myself/my recommenders through another round of applications.

So I guess I'm just wondering--what's your plan B?

I'm with you here. International also.

[1Q84]

Thirdeded.

I absolutely plan on finding a high paying job from now until next August, however. I really don't have an option. If I don't get any admits, I'll just continue on with that job...

[t1racyjacks]

I'm already working and I'll just continue to work. That said, I'm already going nuts waiting. Whee

[lisajay]

I'm already working and I'll just continue to work. That said, I'm already going nuts waiting. Whee

ditto.

[Sadiespaw]

Tom Petty was, is, and always will be right. I'm applying to MA programs, focusing on those with solid rhet/comp emphases. So far I've completed apps to U of Louisville and UW-Milwaukee. Still looking for 4-6 more MA programs to apply to, preferably with down to earth professors and lots of funding (can't go without it) - any suggestions? Here's some context: Taught English at a Chinese university for 1 semester after graduation BA in English (emphasis Writing and Rhetoric) and a minor in TESOL from a medium sized state university 2 years tutoring in the writing center, 1 semester as student director 3.25 gpa/ 3.9 in major (less than stellar attendance freshman year) Gre verb:167 quant:157 aw:4 Research interests: basic writing pedagogy, new media, new journalism, critical theory, politics of education, cultural rhetoric, literacy and pop culture. Advice appreciated and good luck to all!

[Sadiespaw]

Really guys, I know y'all are brilliant MA students. I just want a down to earth program that fits my interests. Surely some of you know of some schools that would be a good fit.

[ProfLorax]

Sadiespaw: Perhaps look into San Francisco State. It has a solid rhet/comp MA program, and many of its graduates end up in PhD programs or teaching positions afterwards.

[ProfLorax]

Also, I think there might be a whole thread devoted to fully funded MA programs in rhet/comp somewhere... if not, I believe that Miami U and Syracuse both have funded MA programs!

[perrykm2]

Yes, Miami U has a funded MA. It's pretty nice. The MA students get a lot of attention. 

[bluecheese]

List of Schools:

 

NYU English

Berkeley Rhetoric

UC Santa Cruz History of Con

OSU Comparative Studies

UMN - CSCL 

Duke English

SUNY Buffalo English

University of Chicago English

Ann Arbor English/Women's Studies

MIT Comparative Media Studies

Brown MCM

U Penn English

William & Mary American Studies

Stanford MLT

Syracuse English

Rochester Visual and Cultural Studies

Yale American Studies

Iowa English

Penn State English

Albany English

Loyola Chicago English

WashU English

Georgia Tech Digital Media

Brown English

Utah English

 

Yes, that is 25. Yes, I am broke. That said, I believe strongly in applying widely in order to get the best funding/opportunities. Each of these schools actually has faculty that I would be happy to work with. This is the list I created after cutting it down from a list of 33 schools that had a substantial number of faculty in the areas I'm studying. I guess some people will think this is cray. I don't. This is partially based on my experience applying to MFA programs. The school that I ultimately attended was one that I added on a whim (it is topped ranked, but I applied there sheerly based off of where it s located--it was four hours away from my parents, and three hours away from where I was living at the time).  I received acceptances from other schools, but after looking into the faculty and opportunities of the university as a whole (after being accepted), I couldn't pass up the institution that I attended for my MFA. All of the above have multiple faculty working in areas that are of interest to me. I'll get picky after I see who is interested in working with me, and what financial packages they offer (also placement ratings, cost of living, ease for my partner to find a job, etc.).

[DontHate]

Just looking at your list exhausts me

[bluecheese]

Yeah, it was exhausting applying to all of them. & I still have 4 left to do.

[Swagato]

Well, I guess slinging mud at walls hoping that something sticks is one approach, certainly...

 

Out of curiosity, may I ask what your interests (which are evidently fairly interdisciplinary) are? We have a few things in common (Stanford MTL, Rochester Vis/Cult), but I'm firmly within film and visual studies. 

[bluecheese]

Broadly: Queer literature and film (with a special emphasis on gender in 20th & 21st century poetry and poetics). My proposal (statement) was quite interdisciplinary and somewhat trans-historical.

[bluecheese]

Also, I don't consider it to be "slinging mud at the walls." All of these programs have a substantial number of faculty that I would consider working with, and each has at least a couple that I'm excited to work with. Sure, there are some that I'm drooling over more than others--but those often accept 2-3% of applicants (and in some cases less). I already have an idea of the vein I hope to work in, so making sure they have faculty that will allow me to do that was all that I need. Now it depends of if there are faculty there that want to work with me. Supposing that I received multiple offers, I'll also be able to bargain for better funding packages, etc.

[Swagato]

Fair points, all. I increased my number of targets, as well, though nothing as drastic as your list (went from 10 last year to 14-15 this year). I guess I've made a gamble in that I've applied solely to departments that I *know* will give me a solid footing for the kind of TT career I want. In that sense I'm up against that <5% admit rate with no parachute. What's your general background?

[Swagato]

Incidentally, I didn't know that you could apply to different programs within the same university (Chicago, Brown). Massive respect if you were able to put adequately differing spins on your proposal to make it fit the different departments at the same institution.

[bluecheese]

I have a strange background: undergraduate degrees from small state schools in history and english (from two separate schools; strange, I know) and an MFA in poetry from a large (relatively "prestigious") public university.

 

I applied to a small pool when applying to MFA programs since I split my applications between PhD and MFA programs (I applied to 11 total that time... 6 MFA, 5 PhD). I regret doing that to a certain degree (although, retrospectively it was fine given that I've gotten a lot out of my current institution). I know that I want to attend a PhD program next year, and I know what I want to study. So, it seemed advantageous to apply to as many schools as physically feasible. All of the schools I applied to are great on some level (or in some discipline that will directly benefit me).

 

I admit that it was an atypically large list. But I also know that I'm devoting the next 5 years of my life to this, so I want to have the best opportunity possible. Also, 2000 dollars and a bunch of annoying fit paragraphs now, may result in a much better stipend (and much better job opportunities) next year (and down the road).

[waparys]

I started out with a respectable list (12 or so--I know that's lower than most people's minimums) but realized I couldn't see myself living in many of the places. It really came down to "where do I want to spend the next decade-ish?" I ended up with four schools I'd love to go to, one that'd be a great school but not-so-great living situation, and two that are...degrees.

[dazedandbemused]

I started out with a respectable list (12 or so--I know that's lower than most people's minimums) but realized I couldn't see myself living in many of the places. It really came down to "where do I want to spend the next decade-ish?" I ended up with four schools I'd love to go to, one that'd be a great school but not-so-great living situation, and two that are...degrees.

 

If you don't mind me asking, what's your specialization and what was your criteria for fit? Because even keeping it down to places that I would be truly happy living and working for 5-7 years, I think my list would only have shrunk to eight or nine.

[bluecheese]

I started out with a respectable list (12 or so--I know that's lower than most people's minimums) but realized I couldn't see myself living in many of the places. It really came down to "where do I want to spend the next decade-ish?" I ended up with four schools I'd love to go to, one that'd be a great school but not-so-great living situation, and two that are...degrees.

 

I totally get this. Geography will play into my decisions, and played into my applications to a certain degree (although there are a few outliers). I guess I'm just okay with more places. I have family in the midwest, and my partner has family on the east coast. And I wouldn't mind living in Cali. I did keep Rice--they have some awesome faculty--but I probably won't attend unless it is one of my only choices for that reason.

[waparys]

I actually had pretty broad criteria for fit, but only had certain places I'd be happy living. Brown looked great but Providence is too small for me. Same with Yale. (Obviously we're talking reach schools here).

I'm 19th/20th-century British; modernism; language; urbanity.