Ph.D. in English, Comp Lit: a request for advice (and some advice in return)

[lolotte]

Hi all,

Four years ago I applied to a number of top Ph.D. programs in English. I was accepted to one of them and have spent the past three years in this program. Unfortunately, I was very unhappy there: due to a variety of significant factors, both academic and personal, it was just a rough time for me and I finally made the decision to leave. Yes, I know -- if I was so unhappy, why did it take me three years to make this decision? My answer comes down mostly to a tragically stubborn "I'm no quitter" attitude and fear of failure. And so my first piece of advice is: please, don't make this mistake. Even if you're accepted to only one program, however prestigious and highly ranked, don't waste time there if you feel it's a poor fit.

In my particular situation, my decision to leave involved the realization that I was not only at the wrong school, but also in the wrong field. I majored in English as an undergraduate, but I also had a minor in French and studied German. My passion at the time was 19th-century British literature, and so I became absolutely determined to pursue a Ph.D. in English. What I understand now is that I should have taken a step back and considered my strong interest in foreign languages. I really wish I had, because it probably would have led me to think seriously about a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature. My second piece of advice: be very careful in selecting your field, especially if you have various other "secondary" concentrations as an undergraduate. Getting a Ph.D. entails specializing, so think hard before you do.

Now I would appreciate your advice (and hopefully support). I want to apply this year to Ph.D. programs in Comparative Literature with an emphasis on the 19th-century European novel. Despite my negative first experience in graduate school, I know I want a career in academia. I'm a scholar; I can't imagine doing anything else. My concern is that the programs I apply to will wonder about my three misspent years. Especially since I didn't even get an M.A. (long story...please don't ask). I have a strong background in languages: during my time as a graduate student at [nightmare school] I passed my Ph.D. language requirement exam in French at the level of "Fluency" and also took a graduate seminar in French, for which I received an A. I have a few semesters of undergraduate German under my belt, although it's a bit rusty. Finally, I love Russian literature, but I've only really read it in translation. I plan to take a course or two at some point this year. Does this language background make me competitive?

Do you have any suggestions for how to explain my academic background in a personal statement? Also, I have a question with regard to my writing sample: using some material from a 25-page paper (from my graduate-level French seminar) on Madame Bovary, I want to incorporate Anna Karenina. Would that be okay, given that I can only discuss it in translation?

Thank you in advance.

[ghijklmn]

Hi lolotte! Thanks for the advice. I actually admire your courage in quitting your program - after all, you only have one life, so you shouldn't waste your time doing something that makes you unhappy.

I'm also only a Comp Lit applicant, so I can't tell you anything definitive, but I think your explanation for why you dropped out of school X is a good one, and may just convince the people reading your application that you're serious about it this time. At least you'll definitely have an interesting personal statement! (Unlike mine, which is pretty boring/traditional.)

Your language background seems fine. By having taken a French grad seminar, you'll probably have a leg up in that many applicants straight from undergrad have only taken undergrad seminars. And with your German, you'd probably meet the requirement for having "working knowledge" of a second foreign language at the time of application, like most other applicants. Then again, there are applicants who apply with three or four foreign languages - I guess what I'm trying to say is that your language background is appropriate for Comp Lit but not necessarily a huge advantage. Which is just fine!

Also, about your writing sample: I certainly hope it's okay that you talk about Anna Karenina in translation, as my writing sample includes The Brothers Karamazov in translation! As much as I love languages, Russian is one I have not yet had time to tackle...

Best of luck!

[lolotte]

Thanks for your feedback, maracujaschorle! I'm relieved you don't think my former graduate experience would necessarily be problematic. Also thank you for letting me know that my language background would be okay. Finally, so glad I can write about Anna K! While I've written on texts in translation before, these have been mostly theory/criticism...after years of focusing on English, I feel kind of strange about the idea of working closely on a literary text without being able to directly talk about its linguistic aspects (which is important in theory/criticism, too, obviously). But I guess I should get used to it, since this is part of the Comp Lit business until languages can be mastered.

Best of luck to you, too

[Tyrone Slothrawk]

I am also applying to complit programs and here is what I understand from the graduate handbooks that I have read: If you designate English as your primary tradition, you need to have fluency in one secondary language when you enter and will need to have attained fluency in another before you receive your masters. Of course, entering with more languages probably helps. As for graduate credits, it seems that most graduate programs are stingy with transfer credits and you will likely, for all intents and purposes, need to start over again.