UVA -- Still Pending?

[Yellow#5]

Awesome Michelle,

Say hi to the I-Man for me, if he indeed attends UVA. I'll be staying up north, lucky for me. I've been here so long, I can't make small talk and my skin is sensitive to anything above a tanning index of 1.

I cry for Prof. Railton, though. I would have put on sunscreen and invisible man style bandages for him

[SmartCookie]

Is it funded Michelle? Congrats! That's very exciting news.

[michellemmattern]

Thanks, Yellow #5 & Smart Cookie!

No, it's not funded. The website clearly states that the MAs never are, except for chances to earn between $1,000-2,000 working as a research assistant. This is a major problem for my husband and me; we're already $120,000 in debt from our undergraduate educations.. but I accepted nonetheless, and we're entertaining the idea of living apart for a couple years so he can get a good-paying job to help bail us out. UVa is my dream school, #3 for Victorian lit, and I just can't pass it up, especially since I'm only 21 and most PhD programs seem hesitant to accept someone so young. In other words, an MA seems my best shot, even if it does mean I'll have to take out $36,000 in loans to cover the two-year program.

Have you heard anything, SmartCookie?

[SmartCookie]

Hi Michelle! Too bad about the funding sitch. As for the debt, that's you and me both, including a lot of other humanities majors I'm afraid. Good for you for taking up the challenge though. I just can't afford anything unfunded (no hubby to help out )

Seriously though, congrats. UVA is a wonderful place.

I haven't heard anything yet! Still pending!! IT's driving me crazy. and I know they have my stuff because a couple of weeks back I e-mailed Peter Barker who told me they were making decisions at the time and that I was still being considered. sigh...

We'll see in the next few I guess.

[Yellow#5]

we're already $120,000 in debt from our undergraduate educations.. but I accepted nonetheless, and we're entertaining the idea of living apart for a couple years so he can get a good-paying job to help bail us out. UVa is my dream school, #3 for Victorian lit, and I just can't pass it up, especially since I'm only 21 and most PhD programs seem hesitant to accept someone so young. In other words, an MA seems my best shot, even if it does mean I'll have to take out $36,000 in loans to cover the two-year program.

HOLY CRAP!

I just don't know what to say. Maybe if I don't have the stomach for this kind of financial situation, I'm just not cut out to be a scholar.

...but if you're only 21, why not postpone a year or two and both get a job?

[omgninjas]

Michelle that's an unfortunate situation. If I were in your shoes I would strongly consider choosing against the MA and applying again next year. I don't think your age is that huge of a factor provided you've shown you can do the work, and if you can get into a UVA MA, with a bit of tweaking you can definitely get into some top-notch PhDs and get paid instead of shelling out the cash yourself.

I don't presume to know anything other than what you've shared, but I feel like the job market for Humanities PhDs does not warrant wracking up $150k in debt..it makes me sick that the system allows you be in that position at all, particularly considering that getting into a PhD program is nothing compared to trying to getting an actual job.

[Yellow#5]

And I have it on good authority that Harvard at least, (and so I assume most departments do something similar) bump up your application a little if you have some work experience.

Furthermore, if UVA is really your dream school, doing a terminal MA there may spoil your chances of doing a PhD there. (according only to the opinions of some other gradcafe posters)

viewtopic.php?f=56&t=16603&start=0

I don't know if I buy the argument that a MA hurts your chances overall, but there may be something to the observation that if you do a terminal MA somewhere, they will not accept you into the PhD program in most cases, because they are trying to get fresh blood into the department.

The best approach, rather than listening to this speculation, is to raise the issue with UVA. It's worth asking these questions before you add 35k to your debt.

[michellemmattern]

Hi everybody,

First, I'd like to thank you so much for your concern. I feel like I've really made friends on here!

Two items of good news: my husband is going down to VA next week to meet with a company who has several District Manager positions open and is recruiting heavily in VA. His starting salary would be $70,000+, which would do a lot to help with the debt we have ($105,000 of that $120,000 is his that I just married into; he does not want me to forfeit fulfilling my dream because of his debt).

Secondly, my loving grandparents called me today and said they are looking into options that will allow them to pay for my MA. I am spoiled, it's true; but, having been raised by them, they know how much studying English means to me and want me to do it, at all costs.

Lastly, the issue of the MA inhibiting my shot of a PhD at UVa: I have heard this, too, and have talked to my professor here who works closely with several UVa faculty members. She believes that I will be able to stay, as long as I prove myself. Of course, this is mere speculation, and I cannot know for sure; UVa's website says doing so is "very difficult." But they did not say impossible. And, regardless, I do think getting an MA first is good for me; with that degree, I could also be on my way to meeting the requirements for my other two potential career choices--teaching high school (I realize I'd need an undergraduate major to teach in a public school, but you can get your masters in your content area and not in education), and being an academic librarian with an English specialization.

Overall, I feel that my decision to attend UVa is a good one, especially if my family will prevent it from adding more debt to our pile. I can't believe my good fortune these past two days, and appreciate the concern from all of you who are surely older and wiser than I. At 21, I have lots of time to make mistakes; but with these new developments, these mistakes will be less financially devastating.

[Bpr2106]

Michelle,

I think you should take all the negative comments with a, or possible multiple, grain(s) of salt. Congrats on the UVA acceptance. My big comment to everyone on the board who is naysaying getting an M.A. degree is that the discussion, as it's been had, isn't even really valid. How can one assess the value of getting an M.A., generally speaking. Like any other type of degree, not all M.A.'s are created equal. The simple fact is that getting an M.A. at UVA is a different enterprise all together than getting an M.A. at a lesser school.

[Yellow#5]

Michelle,

Sorry to be such a worry wart! Just trying to make sure you ask all the questions you need to . You seem to be on top of it though.

Congrats again! It's an awesome school and a cute little town.

[SmartCookie]

Yellow!

Finally, finally, finally! I've gotten in! I don't what in the world took them forever to decide, but yay!No details yet, it was a short e-mail from the graduate school not the department. Weird huh? Unfortunately, if it's fundless, I can't go. But still very good for my ego, eh?

My very best to you.

[Yellow#5]

Congrats! I agree, it's a nice compliment.

[michellemmattern]

Congratulations, SmartCookie! If you received the same e-mail I did from the Graduate School, you probably don't know whether it's the PhD or MA you've been accepted for; but do let us know when you know!

[wheel_of_fire]

Hey Yellow, congrats!

I just saw a UVA PhD acceptance posted today (March 18) on the main page listing. Was that you? If so, were you taken off the waitlist? I'm also wondering what subfield you've been selected too. It seems like tons of people are on the UVA waitlist...

[SmartCookie]

Hey ladies!

Yea the e-mail was pretty dull. lol. Kindof like this "Hi, we approve your admission, thanks. Oh and you'll get a packet soon. Welcome to Charlottesville."

So we shall see!

I never had any official notification of being placed on a waitlist, so I don't know if I came off of it or not. I don't know if this is a master's program or a PhD program. I don't know about funding lol. Pretty much I just know my status went from "pending" to "admit".

I'll let you all know what happens as soon as I get more info.