Fall 2014 applicants??

[Datatape]

The writing sample should be your best piece of academic writing, whatever that may be.  I've heard of people writing a new sample entirely from scratch if they didn't have a piece that lined up with their stated interests in their Statement of Purpose.  It can be whatever you make it, though I would recommend if you are going to do a new writing sample, you start it as early as possible and have it finished by around mid-August so you have plenty of time to go back, revise, and tweak it before you start sending your applications out.

[champagne]

My apologies if this has been answered elsewhere, but must the writing sample be a piece written for an undergrad class? Or can it be something done solely for admissions purposes post graduation? 

Datatape has got it right. I've got appropriate work that I have edited, but the sub-field I went into is a little out of practice. That and it stinking like a pile of horse manure every time I go back to read it motivated me to put together a new sample.

 

To answer your original question: The more sane route is to use a sample already in existence, but you can do either one.

[Fishbucket]

I'm working on a new sample based on writing I've done for classes this year. Well, at least that's the plan. Right now I'm still finishing up final papers that are due... Monday! eep

[Imaginary]

Mostly, I am still researching programs for fit. I'm also thinking of applying for a Fulbright. I haven't gotten around to rewriting my SOP or revising my writing sample yet.

[theburiedlife]

Hey, Fall 2014 Applicants! Does anyone have any thoughts about the English PhD program at University of North Texas? I'm interested in 19thC British lit (Victorian lit, gender studies, material culture), but have not heard much about this program. Anyone have any idea? 

Thank you!

[Fishbucket]

OK this is one of those DUH THIS IS SO OBVIOUS WHY HAVEN'T I BEEN DOING THIS ALL ALONG moments, but here is what I just realized:

 

The BEST way to find POIs is to do this very simple thing, go on the department website and look at the past few years of courses, and figure out which courses look the most interesting to you, and see which professors teach those courses. VOILA. I mean, seriously, I'm sure many other applicants already realized this was the thing to do, but I've been parsing through those one paragraph self-descriptions instead of just checking out courses. I was doing it all wrong! Anyway, thought I would share this forehead-slapping discovery with you all. 

 

Edit: Make sure you look at only the graduate-level classes, those are the ones taught by the big guns. Another big duh, but you know, sometimes the obvious things just slip right by us.

Edited June 15, 2013 by Fishbucket

[gatz]

OK this is one of those DUH THIS IS SO OBVIOUS WHY HAVEN'T I BEEN DOING THIS ALL ALONG moments, but here is what I just realized:

 

The BEST way to find POIs is to do this very simple thing, go on the department website and look at the past few years of courses, and figure out which courses look the most interesting to you, and see which professors teach those courses. VOILA. I mean, seriously, I'm sure many other applicants already realized this was the thing to do, but I've been parsing through those one paragraph self-descriptions instead of just checking out courses. I was doing it all wrong! Anyway, thought I would share this forehead-slapping discovery with you all. 

 

Edit: Make sure you look at only the graduate-level classes, those are the ones taught by the big guns. Another big duh, but you know, sometimes the obvious things just slip right by us.

 

I hadn't thought of this, thanks for the tip! 

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

A lot of times on the descriptions of the profs it'll list previous courses they've taught, so you can check it out that wayt too. 

Edited June 16, 2013 by BunnyWantsaPhD

[champagne]

I almost forgot: Happy Bloomsday, folks!

 

I hope all of you properly consider yourselves stately and plump on this auspicious day.

[Fishbucket]

I narrowed my list down to 16 schools and I'm really excited about this development! I thought I would tell gradcafe cuz who else would share in this peculiar form of excitement?

[champagne]

I narrowed my list down to 16 schools and I'm really excited about this development! I thought I would tell gradcafe cuz who else would share in this peculiar form of excitement?

Ha! I would venture to guess that this is the scourge of every one of us. Example:

 

I'm reading something, and I draw a really interesting connection between the critical piece, my piece, and the novel I'm using. I get into this really panty, excited, adrenaline-driven panic. I look at my S/O who gives me a look that says, "Don't even start." I look at my cat who meows dourly at me. Naturally I think, "I wonder what's going on on GradCafe." 

[Roquentin]

Too funny.

 

For my part, I got really excited today when, upon opening an old book for the first time in a while, I found a cool bookmark that I've had since childhood. Groan...

[gatz]

I narrowed my list down to 16 schools and I'm really excited about this development! I thought I would tell gradcafe cuz who else would share in this peculiar form of excitement?

 

 

Whoa, how/why did you pick so many schools? Are you just applying with a really broad range of interests or like tailoring different applications for different areas of study?

[crazyhappy]

Whoa, how/why did you pick so many schools? Are you just applying with a really broad range of interests or like tailoring different applications for different areas of study?

 

When I asked one of my LOR writers if 12 was too many, she said I should apply to even more if the fit was good and I had the time and money.  I guess this begs the question: how many schools are you all applying to?  I'm sticking with about 12, but it's intense to read all this stuff and craft good individualized SOPs (and research all my POIs).

Edited June 17, 2013 by crazyhappy

[toasterazzi]

I've seen people saying they're applying to like 25-30. I can't begin to wrap my head around that. But I do see the benefit in going beyond just applying to a few. Many of these programs might only be taking a handful (or less even) of people and the numbers do factor in at some point, even if you are a stellar applicant. Right now, my list is sitting at 12 schools and I feel pretty good about that number. It still might fluctuate slightly one way or the other, but I honestly think I'm fairly set where I am. It's going to cost so much money, but hopefully it'll pay off .

[Fishbucket]

Whoa, how/why did you pick so many schools? Are you just applying with a really broad range of interests or like tailoring different applications for different areas of study?

 

Well, this past fall I applied to only 7, then threw in an 8th app at the last minute. I got 2 interviews, waitlisted at 1 place and rejected everywhere in the end. So this year I'm trying to improve my odds by applying more widely within the top 40 programs. My research interests are not hyper-specific (comparative modernism, Europe & Latin America, phenomenology and translation studies) so I am not finding it too terribly hard to pick out professors at all of these departments.

 

That having been said, I am kind of picky when it comes to who sounds interesting and who just bores my pants off. I will probably be narrowing this list down a bit as the weeks go by. My goal is to apply to 15 schools, with at least 5 being less-competitive programs that I have a very realistic shot at attending. Everybody has different needs as far as applications go, and my main goal personally is to balance the general desire to get a PhD at an interesting department in a livable location, with the realistic caveat that only a PhD from a certain group of schools will aid my career goals. That is my rationale.

[antecedent]

That having been said, I am kind of picky when it comes to who sounds interesting and who just bores my pants off. I will probably be narrowing this list down a bit as the weeks go by. My goal is to apply to 15 schools, with at least 5 being less-competitive programs that I have a very realistic shot at attending. Everybody has different needs as far as applications go, and my main goal personally is to balance the general desire to get a PhD at an interesting department in a livable location, with the realistic caveat that only a PhD from a certain group of schools will aid my career goals. That is my rationale.

 

This is pretty much my rationale too, including the numbers.

[champagne]

When I asked one of my LOR writers if 12 was too many, she said I should apply to even more if the fit was good and I had the time and money.  I guess this begs the question: how many schools are you all applying to?  I'm sticking with about 12, but it's intense to read all this stuff and craft good individualized SOPs (and research all my POIs).

I actually was told that twelve was a good number and that I would have to have good reason for going over that. This is also probably due to the fact that I have the luxury of looking at M.A. programs as well as Ph.D. programs. If I go the terminal M.A. route for the next couple of years, I'm definitely going to cast a wide net in applying to competitive but numerous programs when applying to Ph.D.'s.

[egwynn]

I applied to 12 programs 2-3 years ago (PhD and MA programs), went to a terminal MA program, and then applied to 17 (16, sorta, as I withdrew one application a few days before they notified who'd been accepted) for my PhD.  I'm really happy that I applied to as many as I did, because I had 3 options the first time and 4 the second.  Given how challenging it is and how unsure even a reasonably-good-chance of admission really is, I would apply to at least as many were I doing this again.  I basically applied everywhere I could see myself going (with the exception of the withdrawn application) and did what I could to manage the cost.  I know that not everyone can swing 17 application fees, but I still recommend the more-is-better approach.  (That's not to say that I think people should apply indiscriminately, of course.)

[Roquentin]

16, 12, 17? Ay caramba! That's sooooo many! I think I'm starting to understand why folks get so antsy about applications on this site.

 

I applied to 5 and was accepted by 4. It was really pretty pain-free. 25-30 applications, though? What a waste of time and energy for everyone involved! It's just such an indecisive approach. If I were a letter writer, I would never enable that kind of nonsense.

[Fishbucket]

16, 12, 17? Ay caramba! That's sooooo many! I think I'm starting to understand why folks get so antsy about applications on this site.

 

I applied to 5 and was accepted by 4. It was really pretty pain-free. 25-30 applications, though? What a waste of time and energy for everyone involved! It's just such an indecisive approach. If I were a letter writer, I would never enable that kind of nonsense.

 

May I ask which 5 schools you applied to? Because that makes all the difference. I'm applying to some very competitive programs, if I only sent in 5 applications I would have a slim-to-nil chance of getting in anywhere.

[Roquentin]

May I ask which 5 schools you applied to? Because that makes all the difference. I'm applying to some very competitive programs, if I only sent in 5 applications I would have a slim-to-nil chance of getting in anywhere.

 

 

Well, I'm Canadian. I applied to the top 5 departments in Canada. Perhaps my surprise can be chalked up to Canadian/American differences.

[egwynn]

My letter-writers the second time were all at a Canadian institution, and they all encouraged me to apply to more schools when I came to them with a list of 10 programs.  They also all encouraged me to go back to the States, but that's another issue.

Edited June 18, 2013 by Lons

[Fishbucket]

In the US, the top departments often accept 2-5 candidates total from a pool of hundreds (my field being Comparative Literature)

[Imaginary]

My letter-writers the second time were all at a Canadian institution, and they all encouraged me to apply to more schools when I came to them with a list of 10 programs.  They also all encouraged me to go back to the States, but that's another issue.

 

Really? I am wondering why this is, as I am exploring Canadian institutions for my PhD. If you would be willing to give me more information, even through PM, I would appreciate it. Thanks!