Comparative Literature, 2013

[Magical Realist]

That's mine. Unfortunately, I don't have a sense for whether they're done with notifications or what the plan is in that regard, but I can say it was quite the (incredibly kind) personalized letter, so I don't get the sense that it was one of those forms they send out largely en masse, just changing a few lines here and there. Which is to say, there was nothing specifically to indicate that there won't be further notification. Visiting days seem to be on the late side--the first few days of April. Hope the current radio silence breaks for you soon!

[fourcowrieshells]

I was waitlisted by Toronto. Are you a Canadian or a non-Canadian? I'm waiting for the decisions of non-Canadians.

 

Non-Canadian. I know they have limits, but let's hope the limits are generous. Good luck to those waiting. There's still lots of time for later decisions, and I'm sure/I hope there will be overlaps, people will be accepted off waiting lists...  Everyone joins only one program, after all...

[egwynn]

I'm an American studying in Canada right now and I just want to make a couple of (perhaps obvious) suggestions:

 

1) Make damn sure you keep up with the provincial, federal, and university policies about tuition and immigration status.  They change, and this will change what you are expected to pay and why.

 

2) Toronto is an expensive place to live.  The rent is high, most things are more expensive in Canada (ex: a gallon of milk is $6-8 instead of $3, a 12-pack of beer costs as much as a case in the States), and the taxes are also more expensive for everything.  Just keep that in mind if that is your option.  

 

3) Also, in my experience, funding for international students is less dependable than funding for Canadians.  Canadians have better options for funding through their federal and provincial governments, so I think that there is a reluctance, however unconscious, to take on the financial burden of an international student.  You will probably be dependent entirely on the university's funding while your Canadian peers will be eligible for numerous other (better) financial opportunities.  These financial challenges will not necessarily be taken into account when competing with other, better-funded students for TAships, RAships, etc..

 

4) If you're going to try to become a permanent resident of Canada, start early and expect to shell out some moneys.  The process is easy for some and harder for others, and there seems to be no real reason for whether it's easy or hard.  It took me so long that I won't be able to keep the permanent residency because I'm not going to stay in the country a year longer than expected just to do so.

 

This might not be helpful now, but I just wanted to throw this out there.  I am not at Toronto, but I assume that there are some important similarities and hope that my experience might be helpful for others.

[Timmy_the_Tooth]

Don't mean to rub it in for those waiting to hear from schools... but am sincerely in a dilemma and would appreciate your thoughts.

 

Any advice/opinions on Penn vs Toronto for Comp Lit?

 

Penn's seems an awesome dept, great funding, gushing acceptance e-mail – but a dangerous city. Toronto's a great but smaller department, funding suggests I'll be counting coins each month-end, decent and to-the-point acceptance e-mail, possibly the best city to spend five years in as a grad student. Seems a tough choice, even as I'm thankful for it.... those of you who've been accepted or hope to be off a waitlist, how would you go about choosing? I'm Asian, so would want to experience the city I'm studying in rather than just spend years in a library and return home. Or so I think.

 

I'm waitlisted at Penn (CL&LT).  Although it's in my best interest for you to go to Toronto (haha), I would probably advise you to look at the placement record for each program.  As far as funding is concerned, grad school is hard enough, and pinching pennies will only add to your stress.  You should definitely visit Penn for open house, and get a feel for the area.  It's probably not as dangerous as you think, although I myself don't know for sure.  You still have time to think about it. 

[Marie-Luise]

3) Also, in my experience, funding for international students is less dependable than funding for Canadians.  Canadians have better options for funding through their federal and provincial governments, so I think that there is a reluctance, however unconscious, to take on the financial burden of an international student.  You will probably be dependent entirely on the university's funding while your Canadian peers will be eligible for numerous other (better) financial opportunities.  These financial challenges will not necessarily be taken into account when competing with other, better-funded students for TAships, RAships, etc.

 

You are talking about MY experience as an international student in the United States. They pay me s*** and they are sitting on a ton of money.

[getoutofmyhouse]

Toronto's stipend is relatively small. About $15k, right? Although Toronto is my top choice, the funding they provide scares me away a bit. Also, any city with 1million +  people has the potential to be dangerous at some point in time & space. 

[egwynn]

You are talking about MY experience as an international student in the United States. They pay me s*** and they are sitting on a ton of money.

 

Well, I mention all of what I did because I know that I, as an American student who had never experienced being an international student and who was silly enough to think that it's kinda not really international to go to Canada, was disenchanted following my experience.  I am sure that these are things that are potentially applicable to many situations, but I just hadn't thought of them because I was not bothering to think about more practical things that I had no experience with.  I just, you know, was ready to read some books and be fabulous.

[katzeschatze]

I'm in at LSU and U of Oregon, and I have a wide range of reasons that make my decision very difficult. Still waiting to hear from Emory.

 

LSU wants an answer by March 15th, but Oregon's visiting time is Apr 1-3. What do I do?

Edited February 23, 2013 by katzeschatze

[davidm]

You are talking about MY experience as an international student in the United States. They pay me s*** and they are sitting on a ton of money.

I am seriously considering U of Alberta for MA (which I recieved a very nice funding package for) and they mentioned that, though their space for international PhD students is limited to top candidates (though you have some advantage if you attended as an international MA student there), their funding is generous, 30k+. So I think its unfair to judge Canada as a whole as stingy to international students, though U of A is a singular school in many other ways as well.

[egwynn]

davidm: this is why I said "in my experience."

[davidm]

just giving some perspective

[egwynn]

I'm glad your experience will be better-funded than mine.

 

It would be nice if that were the case for everyone.  It's not, though, at my institution or several others that I've heard about.

[aGiRlCalLeDApPlE]

Hi Rose Egypt. I'm in a similar situation to you. I e-mailed the program coordinator regarding an issue with my app a few days ago, though, and I got an automatic message saying that everyone will be notified by March 15.... let's hold on to that thread of hope together.

Are you international student? Do you mind asking? 

[egwynn]

Since I have started my two-year program, my immigration/residency status has changed twice.  In addition to that, the provincial tuition has also changed twice.  I think that I mostly have unfortunate timing, but it is something to think about (I did not plan for the possibility of unfortunate timing).  My immigration status directly (and quite negatively) affected my tuition fees because of changes made while I was here.  If you have plans to start on a student visa and change your mind, move there permanently, whatever, just be very conscious of what that means for fees at the university, taxes, and so on.  And I would recommend that, when you're budgeting, you always assume that immigration and legal procedures will cost at least as much as the various people you speak with say that they might.  Otherwise, you may be in for some unpleasant surprises.  (That said, everyone I dealt with in Canada during my immigration process was super helpful.  It just cost more than I anticipated.)

 

And, again, I'm not in Toronto, but I have heard that it is very expensive if you're looking to maintain the quality of life that you're probably used to.  UofT has a great reputation and I completely understand the appeal (I've applied there twice now, and am considering it myself), but the financial situation may not be favorable and it certainly doesn't seem ideal.

 

Oh, and just generally, I wouldn't count on a whole lot more than "at least."  Clearly I'm a bit cynical about this, but I just feel like a huge part of this process is trying to be as practical as possible so that you don't saddle yourself with something that seems like a mistake that you've talked yourself into.  It's a game of figuring out your priorities: if UofT is your priority, you can make it work, but if not being in debt and/or being completely confident that funding will cover your cost of living (after taxes, of course, which is another thing to consider, especially as you may end up paying them in two countries), it might not be the way to go.

 

Could laws and rules could change after an applicant's been made an offer, and given a tuition-waiver and  a commitment of financial support etc.? I think you have a point at least in that students hoping in 2014, for an award which went two years ago to a non-Canadian might find that they're not eligible for it any more. As it is, there are very few awards that non-Canadians may try for, but some of those few are generous.

 

From the stats Toronto's more expensive than many American cities, so the lower stipend does promise to pinch. At about $650 a month for a studio far away from the university, assuming no taxes and that you don't get your pocket picked, you're left with $30 a day for ALL expenses including food, the commute, the odd cup of coffee. So it doesn't look good, and their stipend should have matched U.S figures at least. I see myself stirring thin soup and trying to make sense of Hegel...

[edenetapres]

In response to earlier question, Philadelphia is a fantastic place to live. Very affordable, laid-back, and hip. It truly is the best of both worlds, a small town feel with big city amenities (and only a $13 two-hour bus ride away from New York).  Yes, the crime stats are high, but I have never heard a Penn student complain about feeling unsafe (in that sense, it is very different from New Haven). 

[wmb]

To whoever e-mailed the graduate chair: Care to pass on their message re: admissions? All decisions have been made, I imagine?

[yellow.wallpaper]

Has anyone heard from UMass-Amherst, MA?

[Swagato]

In response to earlier question, Philadelphia is a fantastic place to live. Very affordable, laid-back, and hip. It truly is the best of both worlds, a small town feel with big city amenities (and only a $13 two-hour bus ride away from New York).  Yes, the crime stats are high, but I have never heard a Penn student complain about feeling unsafe (in that sense, it is very different from New Haven). 

Could you expand on that last bit? I will quite likely end up moving to New Haven. Since my wife and I will both be moving, and since I keep hearing these ominous allusions to New Haven's safety concerns, I'm trying to collect as much concrete information as I can. 

[posteggiesm]

Are you international student? Do you mind asking? 

I'm not. I think that referred to all applicants, though.

[Marie-Luise]

Has anyone heard back from any of the Ivies?

[getoutofmyhouse]

Has anyone heard back from any of the Ivies?

 

No. Maybe today? My thesis defense is tomorrow morning.

[Marie-Luise]

No. Maybe today? My thesis defense is tomorrow morning.

 

 

Nothing for me today. Sigh. I learned from a guy (his name is Guy actually) on Academia that he got his notice in March. Was an acceptance of course.

 

Good luck with your dissertation defense!!!! I hope we both get good news this week!!!

[fourcowrieshells]

In response to earlier question, Philadelphia is a fantastic place to live. Very affordable, laid-back, and hip. It truly is the best of both worlds, a small town feel with big city amenities (and only a $13 two-hour bus ride away from New York).  Yes, the crime stats are high, but I have never heard a Penn student complain about feeling unsafe (in that sense, it is very different from New Haven). 

 

Thanks... that helps. Strange that almost all the Ivies seem to be in towns people are not sure of. Except Cornell I suppose.

[getoutofmyhouse]

Still no word from Brown.

[Vincenzo Salvatore]

What about Notre Dame Literature?