Auburn VS Kentucky?

[Briseis]

I was accepted to four different Ph.D programs. I have whittled it down to Auburn VS Kentucky. I have made a huge pro and con list and I am leaning toward Auburn for various reasons. However, the biggest thing holding me back from committing to them is if Kentucky is considered a much better program and, therefore, would help me get a job later on in life once finishing. Does anyone have any advice whether Kentucky really does just look much better on a resume? I have tried searching ranks and placement records, but I get different results. I know Kentucky is ranked a bit higher, but I just need to know HOW much higher. Will it be the difference between being able to find a tenure track job or not once I graduate?

Thanks to anyone who can help me or give advice. This is a really scary decision in some ways especially since it could change my entire life trajectory.

[teaganc]

Rather than look at rankings, I would contact both departments and ask what their placement rates are for TT and where they are placing graduates.

[disjecta]

I've heard that Kentucky has a very dynamic, engaging program. Plus, they hold a conference in Louisville every year which is well received and attended. Many from my own University go each year. Honestly, I applied to both and if I would have been accepted to Kentucky, THAT would have been my choice.

[Jack Cade]

Rather than look at rankings, I would contact both departments and ask what their placement rates are for TT and where they are placing graduates.

Yes, do that.

Other fun and good questions:

PhD completion rate?

What is the library like--I know UKy's is quite something and well funded.

Teaching loads, I know UKy is basically 2/2 (12cr), although because freshman comp is 4cr hour it is 2/1.

Recent hires or department lack of hires, has there been hiring freezes, are there faculty shortages in key areas (cough UK)?

Course offerings, and the design of those courses.

How about interdisciplinary opportunities (UK would be better for this, and the previous question, I suspect)

Dis fellowship possibilities?

Conference funding, sufficient insufficient?

Ask the key faculty member(s) you are interested in working with if they are thinking of leaving--they will likely say no either way, but their answers might be revealing--and/or notice how long they have been there.

Try to make contact with a grad student--maybe on here--take the temperature of their attitude towards the department, are MAs rolling over or taking off, etc.?

But most importantly which is the place where you can do the best work?

Where can you work with the best people?

Oh, ask your adviser(s) at your current program what they think.

All that said, I would be very leery about taking a position at a school that isn't on all of the big lists... Do it if it works for you and your ambitions. I.e. you want to teach lit and publishing is not really the main thing for you. However, if your goal is research prof at a tier one, perhaps a competitive tier one, then I suspect that Kentucky is your only choice.

But, this is a sticky wicket. And no advice will be right, ultimately what you learn will resonate with how you feel and your choice will emerge, however tenuously, from that.

BTW way to go, 4 acceptances!

[Briseis]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Honestly, research at a top tier program is not really my goal. I kind of want an in-between job. I really enjoy teaching and I do enjoy my research, but I am not necessarily wanting to work for a super competitive top tier program.

Do I just contact the graduate directors of each program and ask for recent placement statistics/completion rates? I know I am a nerd, but I feel almost rude letting them know I am considering other programs other than their own. I suppose that is very normal for them though!

[windsweptvoid]

I just need to know HOW much higher. Will it be the difference between being able to find a tenure track job or not once I graduate?

Rank is tricky because I believe that Auburn does not participate in the us news and world report rankings--- and the NRC rankings are very very out of date (1995). UKY places in the 70s in the us news, and their department has changed 'drastically' since the last nrc when it was ranked in the 40s and auburn was in the 90s.

You'll want to take more than ranking into consideration. And I'd second the suggestion that you contact DGS's about placement. I suspect UK is only placing somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 of its phds in TT positions. But there are so many factors--- especially teaching loads, your field, and who you'd be working with.

Even if Auburn is much lower may be better for your field... i mean I never see western mich on any of these ranking lists but it's rather sought after for medievalists.

[Briseis]

Thank you-I will contact the schools and ask for placements. Ranking is tricky because I found 2-3 different types and the results were very different and inconclusive. I was unsure how else to approach it, however.

[windsweptvoid]

Thank you-I will contact the schools and ask for placements. Ranking is tricky because I found 2-3 different types and the results were very different and inconclusive. I was unsure how else to approach it, however.

You want to go by either the US News and world report or the NRC. Both are incredibly flawed-- the former b/c of its methods, the latter because the stats are incredibly out of date. I wouldn't use any other rankings-- and since Auburn is unranked by us news it's hard. I think auburn has a fairly good rep though.

[MinnieMouse1224]

Auburn is my undergrad school, so I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about the program. I would say that your field of interest is definitely a factor in the quality of the graduate education. Dr. Backscheider just won the MLA Lowell prize in 2005 for her work on 18th century British women poets, and she is amazing.

Also, the library -- stellar.

I don't know too much about KY, so I don't have much to compare it to, unfortunately. I've heard good things about their program though! And windswept is pretty awesome, so it can't be that bad. ;-)

[windsweptvoid]

Auburn is my undergrad school, so I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about the program. I would say that your field of interest is definitely a factor in the quality of the graduate education. Dr. Backscheider just won the MLA Lowell prize in 2005 for her work on 18th century British women poets, and she is amazing.

Also, the library -- stellar.

I don't know too much about KY, so I don't have much to compare it to, unfortunately. I've heard good things about their program though! And windswept is pretty awesome, so it can't be that bad. ;-)

I soo heart MinnieMouse. Sometimes I want us to both get into Maryland just so I can meet you ;-)