jazzyd Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 ~3.8-9, total UG GPA ~3.7. The main issue was that I took an 8 unit lit class in my major and got a B while abroad so that's taking a hit too. It was an immersion university class in another language, though. My major GPA was about the same and my total UG GPA was lower by the time I started applying. Granted, it's not like I got into every school I applied to, but I got into some (which is what counts!).
isabelarcher Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 Thanks everyone. Will probably take a year off anyways (for other reasons), but I really appreciate your input.
dmariebelle Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 Just took the GREs yesterday! Awful, but went by much faster than I thought it would. My goal for August in to write my SOP and line up my references. Eek! Best of luck on the journey! toasterazzi 1
champagne Posted July 21, 2013 Posted July 21, 2013 So... it's nearly the end of July. Anybody got a time-turner handy?
toasterazzi Posted July 22, 2013 Posted July 22, 2013 So... it's nearly the end of July. Anybody got a time-turner handy? http://www.wbshop.com/product/harry+potter+collectible+timeturner+by+noble+collection+hpnbtime.do?ref=CAFRGL&CAWELAID=908425569&gclid=CPX74oeVwrgCFWNgMgod0RYAkg
champagne Posted July 22, 2013 Posted July 22, 2013 http://www.wbshop.com/product/harry+potter+collectible+timeturner+by+noble+collection+hpnbtime.do?ref=CAFRGL&CAWELAID=908425569&gclid=CPX74oeVwrgCFWNgMgod0RYAkg As great as this is, it sucks that $55 is too far out of my price range considering whatever measly stipend I might be getting over the next few years.
Swagato Posted July 23, 2013 Posted July 23, 2013 Oh come on, it's $55. I'm sure you won't be living, literally, on bread crumbs.
ProfLorax Posted July 23, 2013 Posted July 23, 2013 Oh come on, it's $55. I'm sure you won't be living, literally, on bread crumbs. But you're forgetting about the intangible costs. You typically have to get a professor to vouch for you; then, you have to get special permission from the Minister of Magic. I mean, have you ever tried to get anything done at the Ministry of Magic? You'd think they'd come up with a spell to lessen the bureaucratic red tape and increase efficiency, but no. Budget cuts have led to longer lines, crankier staff, and, worst of all, the fire alarm goes off every single day because some rookie Auror is messing with an anecdote to the Fiendfrye curse. I tried to do some research in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures just last week, and I had to fill out hundreds of forms just to have my proposal heard. We PhD students don't have that time! And with that, I'll show myself out... Datatape, practical cat, wreckofthehope and 2 others 5
Swagato Posted July 23, 2013 Posted July 23, 2013 Classes haven't even begun and we already have the first loony...
crazyhappy Posted July 23, 2013 Posted July 23, 2013 But you're forgetting about the intangible costs. You typically have to get a professor to vouch for you; then, you have to get special permission from the Minister of Magic. I mean, have you ever tried to get anything done at the Ministry of Magic? You'd think they'd come up with a spell to lessen the bureaucratic red tape and increase efficiency, but no. Budget cuts have led to longer lines, crankier staff, and, worst of all, the fire alarm goes off every single day because some rookie Auror is messing with an anecdote to the Fiendfrye curse. I tried to do some research in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures just last week, and I had to fill out hundreds of forms just to have my proposal heard. We PhD students don't have that time! And with that, I'll show myself out... Thanks, I needed that today!
guinevere29 Posted July 23, 2013 Posted July 23, 2013 http://www.wbshop.com/product/harry+potter+collectible+timeturner+by+noble+collection+hpnbtime.do?ref=CAFRGL&CAWELAID=908425569&gclid=CPX74oeVwrgCFWNgMgod0RYAkg If only this worked...it would be well worth the $55! I can't say how many times I've needed this. I decided to study abroad the summer before my applications, which actually turned out to be quite a hassle because it drastically cut down on the time available to start working on application materials, take the GRE etc. Wish I could have gone back and gotten some work down on my applications that summer.
champagne Posted July 25, 2013 Posted July 25, 2013 I'm not really sure where to put this, so I'll just leave it here. acarol 1
aGiRlCalLeDApPlE Posted July 29, 2013 Posted July 29, 2013 Hi, I have a question about POIs? How can I approach one? I'm never encouraged to contact anyone cuz I don't really know what to say and how to say it. Any tips?
philstudent1991 Posted July 29, 2013 Posted July 29, 2013 Just gotta email them. Some don't respond on principle, because they want to be impartial to all applicants. Some do respond. Be sure to mention your interest in their work in your SOP, within reason of course aGiRlCalLeDApPlE 1
Imaginary Posted July 29, 2013 Posted July 29, 2013 Hi Rose Egypt, I just contacted a POI for the first time. It is a little intimidating, but I am approaching POIs like I would a professor I currently have or one whose course I will be taking, with slightly more formality. I list the season and year I am applying for, give a brief overview of my interests/research plans, and then describe how my work is similar to theirs. I am mentioning specific theories and (especially!) specific papers so they know I have read their work. aGiRlCalLeDApPlE 1
champagne Posted July 29, 2013 Posted July 29, 2013 I am mentioning specific theories and (especially!) specific papers so they know I have read their work. I think this part is VERY important. I haven't contacted a POI yet, but I think unless you show specific interest in things they have written and been involved in, then it will come off immediately as a disingenuous attempt to "get on their good side". I know that's not your intention, but I think that's how it would be perceived.
aGiRlCalLeDApPlE Posted July 29, 2013 Posted July 29, 2013 But what would be the subject of my e-mail, other than introducing myself and showing interest in a professor's work? What should I ask at the end of the e-mail? I'm really worried that I'll be misunderstood, I don't know why, but I always have this feeling. It feels as if I'm paying a bribe for someone to get what's not mine, you know what I mean?
ComeBackZinc Posted July 29, 2013 Posted July 29, 2013 The conversation about contacting POIs is consistently the most controversial one around here and at the Livejournal Applying To Grad community. I don't think anybody can resolve it to your satisfaction, other than to say that some people contact POIs and find it immensely helpful and some people don't contact POIs and get into the best programs. Since you're nervous about the actual content of the email, maybe someone here could private message you with emails they sent themselves to POIs? Also, Getting What You Came For by Robert Peters discusses the topic at length. For what it's worth, Peters is very pro-POI contact, to the point where he advocates choosing a dissertation advisor before you ever show up on campus.
aGiRlCalLeDApPlE Posted July 29, 2013 Posted July 29, 2013 Thanks, I'd love it if anyone here is willing to share his experiences with contacting POIs.
rhetoricus aesalon Posted July 30, 2013 Posted July 30, 2013 Hi all! I'm new to these parts, and I just wanted to drop a quick note to express how thankful I am for all the information you have all already shared. It's been great, too, in seeing I am not the only one who is gearing up for one of the most stressful experiences in life over the coming months. Perhaps the moment can be captured best with "may the odds be ever in your favor!" toasterazzi and Eternal Optimist 2
Imaginary Posted July 30, 2013 Posted July 30, 2013 Anyone know anything at all about UC Riverside's Comparative Literature program?
aGiRlCalLeDApPlE Posted August 2, 2013 Posted August 2, 2013 How is everyone doing regarding the writing sample? Does any of you have to write more than one?
champagne Posted August 2, 2013 Posted August 2, 2013 How is everyone doing regarding the writing sample? Does any of you have to write more than one? Let's just agree not to talk about that... toasterazzi and negarey 2
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