Fall 2014 applicants??

[dazedandbemused]

The only school I know of that won't let you reapply is Temple. In general, programs are very willing to let you reapply; some (like UT) encourage it.

[Swagato]

To the best of my knowledge, Yale and Harvard have a limit to reapplications. You can apply three times, but no more. 

[aGiRlCalLeDApPlE]

The only school I know of that won't let you reapply is Temple. In general, programs are very willing to let you reapply; some (like UT) encourage it.

Thanks for the info. UT is in fact the one and only school on my list this year that I applied to  last year  

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

Okay, I'm sure this has been discussed before and it's a really annoying question, but I just need some advice. My number 1 school says that the average GRE score of an applicant is in the 95 percentile. Last year, my scores were in the 77th percentile. I'm taking it again, but I don't see it getting that much higher than in the 80s. Do you guys think I should just not apply to this school? 

 

I know there's no real answer here as no one really knows how these things work, but I guess I just wanted to throw it out there. 

[rhetoricus aesalon]

Whoa. I've never heard of this! It sounds like that bias that applies to job applicants with old PhDs is now creeping into graduate school admissions. How ridiculous!

[rhetoricus aesalon]

Okay, I'm sure this has been discussed before and it's a really annoying question, but I just need some advice. My number 1 school says that the average GRE score of an applicant is in the 95 percentile. Last year, my scores were in the 77th percentile. I'm taking it again, but I don't see it getting that much higher than in the 80s. Do you guys think I should just not apply to this school? 

 

I know there's no real answer here as no one really knows how these things work, but I guess I just wanted to throw it out there. 

 

Why not email or call the school and ask? If you get lucky, you might find out that the school doesn't prioritize the GRE very much over the POS and WS, and the information might have been a notch in the school's belt from 10 years ago. I'm in a similar situation with the GRE Test in Literature. One school I'm applying to asks for it, but my score is abysmal. Though, you might expect that given I have no intent on studying literature.

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

Why not email or call the school and ask? If you get lucky, you might find out that the school doesn't prioritize the GRE very much over the POS and WS, and the information might have been a notch in the school's belt from 10 years ago. I'm in a similar situation with the GRE Test in Literature. One school I'm applying to asks for it, but my score is abysmal. Though, you might expect that given I have no intent on studying literature.

 

Thanks for the advice. I just happened to call the one school I was worried about and they said that if you're a domestic student then they expect that you would have high scores because we "should have received the type of training in American schools that would lead to high scores" But, if I was an international student then it would be pretty much "irrelevant." Though, right after stating that, she said that if I had excellent aspects in the other required components then it wouldn't matter as much. 

 

So many reactions to this conversation I just had: 1) I don't think going to school in America means that I'm more prepared for the GRE. I just plain suck at standardized tests. 2) don't go back on what you just said about it being important and state exactly the opposite....it just makes me feel like you really do prioritize the scores but don't want to say so. 3) you're an institution that gets around 600 applications a year--don't tell me that you're really not going to throw my application out bc of my shitty scores if that's really what you're going to do anyway. There's no way they read all those applications. 

 

I can feel my dream schools just floating away forever because of a stupid test. This is really depressing. Sorry for being debby downer,  ya'll. Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow. 

 

I do think this adds to the ongoing conversation of "safety schools." Yes, fit is the most important. But, that's can't be entirely true if you don't have the scores to get them to see how you fit. This school would be perfect for me and I'm going to be lucky to get even in the 80th percentile with my scores, let alone the 95th percentile. : (

[toasterazzi]

I just happened to call the one school I was worried about and they said that if you're a domestic student then they expect that you would have high scores because we "should have received the type of training in American schools that would lead to high scores" 

 

Lol what??? That's such a weird response.

[ProfLorax]

Do not make the choice for the schools. This goes for everybody. If the school and you fit and if you have all of the requirements, apply. Don't let perceived weaknesses scare you off of certain schools. I applied to several schools I thought I wouldn't get into for various reasons, and I am now attending a school that I never thought would accept me. Of course, that won't be the case for everybody. But really, as long as you have the basic requirements, apply to the schools you believe would be a great fit. Then, let the schools decide if you are a strong candidate. 

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

Do not make the choice for the schools. This goes for everybody. If the school and you fit and if you have all of the requirements, apply. Don't let perceived weaknesses scare you off of certain schools. I applied to several schools I thought I wouldn't get into for various reasons, and I am now attending a school that I never thought would accept me. Of course, that won't be the case for everybody. But really, as long as you have the basic requirements, apply to the schools you believe would be a great fit. Then, let the schools decide if you are a strong candidate. 

 

I agree--but, the key debate here is what qualifies as "basic requirements." If they list that most of their applicants have a GRE score in the 95 percentile and they get over 600 applications a year, then it seems like that is a basic requirement otherwise they aren't even going to look at your application. 

 

Even if I don't get the scores I want, I'll still apply, but it just seems like this would be the factor that would keep me out. I guess we'll know in the spring. 

[Swagato]

Here's the thing, though. None of these requirements are hard and fast, at least in the humanities. There are so many factors that go into consideration. For each of us who was accepted, there was no one "killer" aspect that worked; rather I think it was the overall profile. 

 

I know applicants who've presented the typical "all-star" profiles and have been accepted. And then some who were not accepted. And then I know others with distinctly more 'mixed' profiles who nonetheless were accepted (all of these are to leading departments). 

 

So, really, don't put so much weight on "basic requirements." It really is the entire package that counts. On the other hand, obviously, if your profile falls egregiously below the general make-up of the department, then you should perhaps adjust your expectations. 

Edited September 7, 2013 by Swagato

[ProfLorax]

So, really, don't put so much weight on "basic requirements." It really is the entire package that counts. On the other hand, obviously, if your profile falls egregiously below the general make-up of the department, then you should perhaps adjust your expectations. 

Yes, agreed. To clarify, when I say "basic requirements," I mean the hard and fast requirements they list (ie applicants are required to take the lit GRE, required to have at least a BA, etc). Averages are not, in my mind, basic requirements-- especially for GREs. By nature, averages are slippery and do not illustrate a complete picture of an incoming cohort.

 

Still, retaking is not a bad idea, not just for your profile, but also for your own peace of mind. I took the GRE twice within a two month period; I have no idea if my higher score affected my admissions, but it did help me to focus on the more important aspects of my application. 

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

Thanks Swagato and proflorax, that makes me feel much better. It's just hard not to get caught up in the emotional aspects of all of this. The GRE just makes me really frustrated. Oh well. I'm just going to put my best foot forward, apply to the places that seem to fit, and let the chips fall where they may. 

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

Anyone have any advice on the University of Washington as far as location goes? I'm pretty sure we have a good fit, but I don't know anything about Washington, so if I'm going to move across the country it better be a good place to live ; )

[ProfLorax]

Seattle is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live for young professionals. The only downside is the weather (lots of rain). But if you like live music, being surrounded by highly educated folks in their 20's and 30's, and overcast weather, it's the place for you! 

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

Seattle is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live for young professionals. The only downside is the weather (lots of rain). But if you like live music, being surrounded by highly educated folks in their 20's and 30's, and overcast weather, it's the place for you! 

 

I think I could deal with a little rain for all those benefits! Now that you mention this information, I had heard this before and somehow forgot it. Now I feel like an idiot. I think this whole process is just killing my brain cells. 

[aGiRlCalLeDApPlE]

What do you guys think about quarter vs. semester systems?

[Swagato]

Coming from quarter to semester, I actually find the semester system practically laid-back! The quarter system, at least at Chicago, kept your nose to it. Some might find it unduly stressful, but I appreciated the prolonged engagement. I'm yet to complete a full year here, but I find a lot more room to breathe.

[rhetoricus aesalon]

Seattle is amazing, as is most of the Pacific Northwest. I moved to Oregon from Las Vegas, and I still love the months of sunlessness that seem to really bog others down. Just take your vitamin D, and you will be fine.

 

But, I have heard that UW does not offer first-year students funding and doesn't guarantee it for your second year when sending acceptance letters. In the words of Tina Fey, "That's a deal breaker, ladies." At least ... it is for me.

Edited September 9, 2013 by Chadillac

[id quid]

I've done undergrad courses at both types, and I honestly prefer the quarter system. It's much faster-paced, but I appreciate that it doesn't allow me the time to lose steam. The rough part is that you barely feel like you've gained speed by the time midterms roll around, and finals are very abrupt. It worked okay for an undergrad course, but I worry how it would work if you had to write and read hundreds of pages in a shorter time span.  That said, I think the quarter system is better at breaking material up into 3 parts, so it doesn't always feel overwhelming. The only graduate courses I've taken were on a semester system, so it's a lot of supposition here.

 

I'm having one hell of a time figuring out how to schedule meetings with my LoR writers, and I know I Need to do that ASAP. I just also don't want to do it without a strong statement of purpose. Except I also want to pick their brains about my potential list of schools. At least I already know which paper I'll be revising and submitting for my writing sample; not sure I could handle having to take both GREs, writing statements of purpose, working full-time+, taking an art class, AND writing a new paper for admissions. 

[antigone56]

Here's what I'm doing (not to play "who's busting their ass more"; I know we're all working really hard).  But I just wish I'd decided earlier in the year to apply for PhD programs, so that I could have done some of it during the spring and summer.  I'm studying for both GREs (really only the general, but I have to take at least two days to prep for the basic format of the subject), heavy auditing of two literature classes (meaning, I'm not just sitting in but volunteered to do most of the work too) in order to secure really strong letters.  I think these profs would write me good letters, but I'm looking for *great* letters.  Had I been more of an "I'm so interested in everything; I love school and I love this class and I love theory and literary analysis and research" during my MA program, I could just ask for letters.  But I was only just a class-attending, diligent, A-receiving, but otherwise non-descript student then.  I'm also re-vamping two papers to submit as writing samples.  Fortunately, the SOP is in great shape already.  I guess I don't have THAT much to do.  But it feels like it.  I also teach seven English classes at community college, so there's that.  I wish I had done the GRE (both subject and regular) in the spring and summer and could just be focused on auditing and writing samples right now.  It's a bitch, cost-wise, all at once, not to mention that it has my mind on two many different things at once.

Edited September 9, 2013 by antigone56

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

Seattle is amazing, as is most of the Pacific Northwest. I moved to Oregon from Las Vegas, and I still love the months of sunlessness that seem to really bog others down. Just take your vitamin D, and you will be fine.

 

But, I have heard that UW does not offer first-year students funding and doesn't guarantee it for your second year when sending acceptance letters. In the words of Tina Fey, "That's a deal breaker, ladies." At least ... it is for me.

 

Thanks for the info! And I love your use of Tina Fey here ; ) ...no funding is definitely a deal breaker. 

[guinevere29]

I apologize if this has already been covered in the thread -- you guys have been busy -- but I was wondering if there are any other medievalists in the house?

There always seem to be a few. I've been around for previous cycles, but due to some transcript issues I'm STILL trying to sort out I've been lax in completing any applications. I've already put the money down on the GRE and GRE for Literature, so this year is going to be the one where I finally get my applications out there.

 

I admit to being a little afraid of giving up a life with a decent living (I work in Marketing in Silicon Valley!) for a pauper's life as a graduate student. But after four years of the strange inanity that pervades the working world, I'm more than ready to return to academia -- and stay there.

Hi! Sorry I haven't been around for a little while so I missed this...I'm a medievalist as well! My interests are in Old English, language and translation studies, philology, Anglo-Saxon poetry, as well as French romance of the 12th century, religion, and Arthurian legend. Us medievalists tend to have some specific interests since "medieval" encompasses a lot of different periods. I'm actually already attending, so I won't be applying this year, but good luck to you!

 

I turned down a full time job in marketing to come to graduate school as well. After working there for three months though I couldn't wait to come to school. I just enjoy the work I'm doing so much more so I don't mind the lowered pay scale!

[id quid]

You sound like you could be me. Except you're doing better since you're actually already on your way to a degree. Hope it's going well!

 

"Medieval" breaks down so much I generally talk to other medievalists about their specific interests, but in a sea of English majors it generally stands for pre-1500 literature. Every time I explain what I do to others -- that is, that I study pre-1500 British literature -- I have to add the caveat that about 75% of what I study isn't actually written in English. I get strange looks for that one, followed inevitably by, "Then how is it English?"

[toasterazzi]

ETS just sent me an email to remind me that I'm taking the GRE on Saturday