Rhetoric/Composition 2014 hopefuls

[iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns]

Hey folks, I'm scared and I'm sure I'm not alone in this emotion.

Started this thread to share our resources and strategies- perhaps bounce a few things around.

I’ll start.

I’ve been examining programs for a year now- checking out “where do I fit in best?” All of this work, however, was in vain because I haven’t spent enough time examining myself. Gee- just when you think you know somebody!  So I’ve got this terrible self doubt- but I’m not alone right? Ya’ll feel this way too?

 I’ve got this list of 30 schools I want to apply to- of course this isn’t possible so I’m mixing it up (not a good idea right?) Some programs are MA’s some are PhD’s some programs are well-known some are obscure.

I’ve found these 3 resources to be very helpful in finding rhet schools
http://www.mdcwss.com/2013/02/report-on-the-2012-survey-of-programs/

http://www.cws.illinois.edu/rc_consortium/members.html

http://batchgeo.com/map/1a491427ce89c24f0206905a57091e6e

I think this one is pretty well known but I’ll toss it in anyways.
http://www.u.arizona.edu/~enos/

I’ve checked out and thumbed through books for grad classes at places like Miami of Ohio.
I’ve emailed administration staff.

I’m just too damn excited to focus on a single thing- how can I write an SOP that doesn’t sound scatterbrained?

So, what are ya'll doing to get ready? 

[ComeBackZinc]

Is Florida on your radar at all? How about UIC?

[iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns]

UIC? University Illinois Chicago- Not on my radar. They say they don't accept many BA to PhD students and no funding for MAs.

Florida... hmmm I'll consider it.

[rhetoricus aesalon]

Yeah! A rhetoric page for 2014ers. This is quite exciting and well overdue. Thanks for starting one.

 

The resources you've listed are the exact ones that I've looked at, and I think they are really nice. You've probably already noticed, but Rhetoric Review's Survey is 6 years old, so that might be something to take into account with the (very, very cool and comprehensive) information that it has listed. Specifically, I imagine that admission has become much more competitive in recent years to many schools.

 

The batchgeo map is awesome, and they have also started to make ones that feature job listings in rhet/comp for each academic year that you might be interested in checking out. The first one, as far as I'm aware, was last year and it is here: http://batchgeo.com/map/587e08777d68113388ea134608265b19

 

I would say that it might not be a bad idea to priviledge MA programs. You will most likely not be getting a degree any faster in a BA to PhD program and you will also be limiting the amount of exposure you get to different pedagogical approaches and networking opportunities during your studies. You might also not be able to negotiate a higher teaching contract if you stay within the same program and move from MA to PhD. I also think that since you are still interested in so much, a comprehensive MA program will really benefit you. Honestly, the best program that I know of for comprehensive background coursework in rhet/comp is Purdue, and (correct me if I'm wrong ComeBackZinc) they don't offer a BA to PhD track, only seperate MA and PhD programs.

 

With that said, I'm at Oregon State right now, and I absolutely love it. There is a lot of support (financial and professional) here for MAs (the school does not grant a PhD) and the program is heavily based in pedagogy, which was important to me as I wanted to have strong teaching experience going into a PhD. This is pretty rare for an MA program. There has been some transitioning with faculty over the past two years, but for being an R1 instutition, it feels more like a tightly knit liberal arts school in the program. And the rhet/comp faculty all come from very strong programs and have excellent knowledge and participation in the field. If you'd like more information, feel free to PM me.

[ComeBackZinc]

So: Purdue rhet/comp funds its MA students, which is a very good thing. Technically, it's not a BA-to-PhD program. However, if you complete the MA in good standing and develop academic relationships with faculty, you're essentially guaranteed to be admitted into the PhD program, which quite a few of our MAs do.

[iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns]

Thanks for the input! Purdue is on the list- I just haven't yet done my due diligence on it. I take the GRE in a few weeks.

I have a conference publication as an undergrad, for what it's worth, so I'm hopeful I can place somewhere nice.

[iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns]

Huge sigh of relief.
scored a 164v 150q

They're not so low as to keep me out anywhere.

 

[muchado]

University of Louisville is another school that funds its MA students, and there are several people focusing their studies in rhet/comp. 

[ComeBackZinc]

Louisville has some awesome faculty for r/c.

[iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns]

I've sent my scored to Louisville- I'd love to go there! 

I'm not sure what to use as a writing sample. I presented a paper last semester- it was published and I wrote off the copyright, can I still use it? To be honest I'd prefer to submit something else... I just don't want to be pigeonholed before being accepted.

Edited October 23, 2013 by MisterMister

[ProfLorax]

I've sent my scored to Louisville- I'd love to go there! 

I'm not sure what to use as a writing sample. I presented a paper last semester- it was published and I wrote off the copyright, can I still use it? To be honest I'd prefer to submit something else... I just don't want to be pigeonholed before being accepted.

MisterMister, could explain more about why you would rather send another paper and/or what your fears are about being pigeonholed? 

[iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns]

MisterMister, could explain more about why you would rather send another paper and/or what your fears are about being pigeonholed? 

 

Of course! I wrote that previous message on my phone so excuse my lack of detail.

I wrote a pentadic analysis of the genesis of the EPA. I Burked ( work + Burke ) through several documents identifying the motives and then applied them to current EPA regulations and behavior. I identified and argued that the EPA was working as a market metaphor (knowledge, public opinion, regulations. All as sort of tradable commodity).  As a whole the paper was passable – I was invited to a professional conference (most presenters were profs a few were grad students) and bumped elbows with some great folks from great place.  Maybe it was early onset imposter syndrome but I couldn’t stop worrying that I was going to get to the conference and someone would tell me that a mistake had been made and that I didn’t belong there.  

I went to the conference keynote and had my mind blown. As the speaker spoke about his topic my mind started thinking about my own presentation in less than 2 hours. I raced back to my hotel room and re-wrote my presentation. I wasn’t interested in how I got to my conclusion, I didn’t want to speak on that – I figured people could read the paper if they were interested. My presentation was the time for me to tell them why they should read it and what it all means. Boom! Mind blown and reassembled.  So I presented on this metaphor. How big industry has the knowhow and commodities to trade with the EPA, how the general public doesn’t have that opportunity. You and I are sort of like the small business being ran out of town by the big department store. I then made a bit of a case for rhetoric and education as a way of gaining those tools to start influencing the “market”.  

So, the paper itself is less important for me. I suppose I could put all my presentation notes into a few coherent paragraphs but I’m afraid it would get drowned out by the actual analysis. Plus I still have this inkling of imposter syndrome, perhaps the paper wasn’t that good. Perhaps I got lucky. I’ve always been lucky.

Furthermore, I’m concerned that I’ll get pigeonholed as this environmentalist type. Or rhetoric and social justice type.

To complicate matters; I love rhetoric but I also love composition (they’re closely related for sure).  I’m in my current rhetoric undergrad program because of composition. I’m concerned with how cognition and composition are related. How we think via words and writing.  Composition + general writing/thinking strategies (I am not saying that poor writers are poor thinkers). But my other love is rhetoric. How we can work in the sub-text and how an education in rhetoric allows us to circumvent barriers. I get into arguments with tea partiers, not because I have political reasons but to see how they frame their argument. I’m fascinated by it all and I really don’t want to give up the cognition and theory stuff to gain the social justice and practice stuff.

 

[ProfLorax]

Thanks, MisterMister, for answering! Your response gives us more insight into your question.

 

A few things: the great thing about the field of rhetoric and composition is that everyone's interests are varied, so the danger of being pigeonholed is low. I am working on research projects on a zine, on Twitter, and on accommodation statements on the syllabus. I am not yet choosing between rhetoric and composition, and my professors have been encouraging me to pursue multiple interests to see if I can find connections. The first two years of a PhD program are really about exploration.

 

At the same time, the odd reality is that even though you don't want to be pigeonholed, you will definitely construct an identity in your application materials. You do want to have a tagline, of sorts. You don't have to choose just one field or subfield, but it's good to point to an underlying question in your research interests. In my application materials, I talked about feminist theory, disability studies, and access to higher education; I illustrated how social justice was an underlying concern for me in both rhetoric and composition. So, it's great to have varied interests, but it's even better if you can articulate the connections between them. 

 

Interestingly, I just had a conversation yesterday with one of my mentors about the division between rhetoric and composition. I noted how so many scholars seem to identify with one or the other in their research (I'd assert that all rhet/comp folks identify as compositionists in their teaching practice, but research interests tend to be one or the other). He explained that that does seem to be case, but many scholars shift throughout their careers depending on their research questions. Plus, both fields have a shared interest in writing. Long story short, don't feel like you have to choose, especially this early in your career! I am equally passionate about rhetoric and composition, and I am motivated to find ways to merge the two in my research; even better, my professors are supportive of this.

 

In terms of your writing sample, select the piece of writing you think best represents your research, analytical, and writing skills. Bonus points if it aligns with your stated research interests. The conference you attended sounds like it was a great experience! Own it. You are not an impostor but a raising star. You can do this! 

[iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns]

HEY!

Y'all - thanks for responding. I used all of your wonderful advice to submit my first few apps.

I wadded up all my hopes and doubts and sent if off - and they charged my only 65 bucks to do it!

 

[rhetoricus aesalon]

I wadded up all my hopes and doubts and sent if off - and they charged my only 65 bucks to do it!

 

Yes, though to me it felt more like ripping it out of my hands. Good grief, apps are expensive. Have they always been? Maybe I've just never applied to this many schools before.

[iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns]

Yes, though to me it felt more like ripping it out of my hands. Good grief, apps are expensive. Have they always been? Maybe I've just never applied to this many schools before.

Yeah it was rough. The Personal Statement was rough too - soooooo much to try and cram into a 2ish page essay. 

I see you applied to Austin - does your UTexas account show that your letters have been submitted yet? Mine doesn't :-/ 

[rhetoricus aesalon]

Yeah it was rough. The Personal Statement was rough too - soooooo much to try and cram into a 2ish page essay. 

I see you applied to Austin - does your UTexas account show that your letters have been submitted yet? Mine doesn't :-/ 

 

Mine do, though I'm thinking they do it manually? I was sweating bullets over the weekend because I waited until the 14th to complete the initial application, though. I have never heard of a "waiting period" of 1-2 business days to receive a separate login to complete a supplemental application. I have had to learn 11 different literacies to complete 11 applications that all use different online submission programs. It's ridiculous. Oh, well. End of rant. :-)

[rhetoricus aesalon]

Hey all!

 

Anyone looking into going to 4Cs this year? 

[ComeBackZinc]

I will be there. I'll be presenting on Friday. It's only an hour drive away for me this year which is sweet. Traveling to Las Vegas was not cool last year.

[rhetoricus aesalon]

Nice. Vegas was much easier for me to get to, plus I have family that I stayed with. I have some PD money for travel, but I probably won't be able to be in Indianapolis much longer than the day I present (Thursday), which sucks! Bedford throws such a good party. :-)

[iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns]

Hey all!

 

Anyone looking into going to 4Cs this year? 

So is there any measurable benefit of going if I'm not presenting?  Other than knowledge and curiosity.

I'm a half day road-trip away from 4Cs this year and I'm weighing the pros and cons. I've got the option to carpool and perhaps some grant funds available for registration; however, an overnight stay would be difficult.

I hope to have been accepted by March (early but hey - I can hope!) so I've considered reaching out to students and profs from any university I'm accepted at and meeting them to chat at 4Cs... is that feasible?

_

New train of thought. (choo choo)

I'm involved in a Rhetoric-ish campus group which has close ties to my major (also rhetoric-ish). We are looking at hosting a grad school info session for our juniors who may be interested in grad school but aren't sure where to start. My wonderful profs have volunteered their input and have volunteered to present/panel the event. Any advice y'all can lend to the current juniors?

EDIT:

Awww shucks I made it to page 2!

Edited January 6, 2014 by BowTiesAreCool

[ProfLorax]

So is there any measurable benefit of going if I'm not presenting?  Other than knowledge and curiosity.

I'm a half day road-trip away from 4Cs this year and I'm weighing the pros and cons. I've got the option to carpool and perhaps some grant funds available for registration; however, an overnight stay would be difficult.

I hope to have been accepted by March (early but hey - I can hope!) so I've considered reaching out to students and profs from any university I'm accepted at and meeting them to chat at 4Cs... is that feasible?

A couple of the schools I was accepted to last year invited me to their party at C's. Yes, it's definitely a place to meet and greet some faculty and students from your prospective programs. However, be forewarned that some schools hold their visit weekends during C's; last year, Maryland and Illinois both did so, but I doubt Illinois will do the same this year, given that C's so is close. 

 

Also, if you feel like you need a purpose for C's, the Research Forum Network is still looking for discussion leaders: http://researchnetworkforum.org/. 

[ComeBackZinc]

It really depends. I know how tight money is. If it's going to be a financial burden, don't go. I think going to the conference can be a great way to see what's happening in the field (and can frequently be a maddening experience, but that's a whole other story) and a good way to meet people, but don't shell out for it.

 

As far as paying to register goes-- don't! It is very easy to get into panels without having officially registered. I highly doubt you'd encounter any trouble, but if you were worried about it, you could message me beforehand and I could chaperone you around. (Don't worry, I'm not a creep!) Purdue will be there in force, in terms of current students and faculty and in terms of our very large alumni network. I imagine a great number of those people will be at the Purdue reunion party, which will be either Wednesday or Thursday night. Prospective students often come to that party. Just email our Assistant Director Emily or Pat Sullivan or me and we can get you set up. Just let them know that you're a prospective student. We might even be able to find someone to put you up for an evening in their hotel room.

[iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns]

Wow.

Is it fair to say that Rhet/Comp people are the most friendly?

Thank you, Proflorax and ComeBack(Zn). I'm at work right now but I'm making serious considerations thanks to your advice.

 

[iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns]

Should I be at all concerned when I don't see any representation from a uni at the major conferences? RSA, 4Cs?

For instance, I'm flirting with submitting to knoxville for a funded MA. But I'm not seeing any research in the two large conferences.

Does it matter? Should I look elsewhere? Investigate further?