Advice for a Writing and Rhetoric undergraduate with graduate hopes?

[klader]

Hi everyone,

 

I am completely new to this site, and I would really appreciate some advice/guidance on how to pursue a graduate degree in the field of Writing and Rhetoric. I'm currently a sophomore double-majoring in Writing and Rhetoric along with French, and I'd like to know all of my options.

 

I work at my univeristy's writing center, and I absoultely love it! I'll admit that it still makes me nervous sometimes, but generally, I love working with students and helping them with their writing and critical thinking skills. I've been told that I have a great temperment for this kind of thing, and I'd really like to follow up with it after my undergraduate experience.

 

I'm currently learning about the field itself in my classes, and I truly appreciate and recognize how important and crucial it is for composition to be taught and researched. I do have a soft spot for literature as well, so I definitely wouldn't mind dealing with that in the future, though my current undergrad programs consist of composition studies and of French ltierature written in its original language.

 

Basically, I know that I'm young and early yet in my post-secondary education, but what kinds of things should I be doing to determine if this path is the right one for me? I'll be honest and say that I may want to do something with French as well, but again, I'd just like to make sure I know all of my options.

 

Thank you so much! I appreciate it.

[ComeBackZinc]

My advice is likely what you are hoping not to hear: that as a sophomore in college, it's much too early for you to be thinking about graduate education. I'll go on record as saying that I think, unless you're in a situation where they have some sort of BA-to-MA program that would allow you to complete your MA quickly (and cheaply), it's best to take time off between undergrad and grad school. And even if you go straight through, sophomore year is just way too early to be thinking about it. You don't know that you'll really want at least 2 and possibly far more years of higher education after you complete these four (or five). That's all without even going into the terrible academic job market.

 

So my sincere advice is to put grad school on the back burner and not to worry about it now. Sure, keep your grades up, but you should be focused on that anyway.

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

While I agree with ComeBackZinc that it is kind of early to start thinking about these things, I would also add that there are some things that you can do that will help you figure out your interests more while also preparing yourself for grad school/the application process. 

 

The one piece of advice that I wish I was given was to take classes with people who specialize in my area of interest. For example, I study Victorian literature and knew that I wanted to in grad school. Turns out that my undergrad institution is known for this specialization, and I had no idea till I graduated. I just happened to take a class with the leading expert in this specialization, and had I known how significant that was, I would have tried to do better in his class and get a letter of recommendation from him. Maybe other people know to do this, but I had no idea. 

 

The other thing you can do is to to try to write papers on a specific topic of interest in your various classes. For example, if you're interested in gender studies, you could always write from a feminist theory lens so that you're "trying out" these ideas and building a knowledge base from which to draw. The more you work in a speciality, the more likely you are going to be able to have a strong writing sample that demonstrates you know what is going on in that field. 

 

Given your varying interests, it's important to take varying classes and speak to your professors/advisors about your options. If you want to combine French/English literature you could always go to grad school for comparative literature. Most likely in graduate school you'll get the opportunity to teach composition classes, even if you're not in a comp/rhet program (most English MA programs will have you do this). So, getting an MA is also something to think about--it will help you figure out what you want to do for the PhD and give you teaching experiences to see if it is really something you want to pursue anyway. 

 

To reiterate what ComeBackZinc was getting at: the job market for humanities PhDs is horrendous. If there is anything else, LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE, you can see yourself doing then do it. If you spend enough time on this website, you'll find that many people talk about getting a tenure-track job is basically the same as winning the lottery. Maybe it's not that extreme, but it certainly feels like it. 

[ProfLorax]

I agree with all that has been said. My only addition, which I suggest to all undergrads, is to make strong connections with your professors. Go to office hours, department events, etc. Your current professors can be tremendous advocates for your future, writing letters of rec for grad school or serving as references for job applications.

[Imaginary]

Also, if you have the opportunity to attend and present at conferences, do research, submit to writing contests, and compete for scholarships, do all of these things. It may be too early to commit to grad school but it is not too early to start preparing just in case.

[jrockford27]

I'm going to be the contrarian here and say that I wish I had known a bit more about everything that was required for applying to PhD programs from the get go.  By the time I'd really made up my mind to do it about halfway through my Junior year I already felt a bit behind the gun in terms of putting together a good undergraduate CV and finding good contacts for letters of rec.  In fact, I felt kind of behind the eight ball in general.  I think the application process would have been way easier if I'd been seriously thinking about it from the get go.  Simply devoting serious thought to it does not represent any kind of commitment and I don't think it could possibly hurt.

 

With that in mind, I'll tell you two things.  Make sure to take a few courses from tenured or tenure track faculty who have published in the general orbit of what you want to do.  Make sure to get facetime with this professors, meet them in office hours, develop something that at least resembles a rapport.  Before the class is over, ask them if they'd write you a letter down the road, and make sure to keep in touch with them once in awhile after the course is over.  

 

That was the biggest anxiety for me, realizing that at the start of my senior year I really only had one tenure/track professor I could call on for a solid letter.  Luckily, I made some excellent course selections and got it ironed out in time.

 

The other thing, which has been said above, apply for awards, conferences, etc.  Nobody expects a dynamite CV from an undergrad, but it can only help you.  

 

Also, if you don't already have this, seek out an opportunity to write a 20-30 page research paper (or hell, maybe even longer, you can always excerpt a chapter) in a field of great interest to you.  You really want your writing sample to represent strong (for an undergrad) research on a subject relevant to some current issue in your field, and also to be something that gives the adcomm a good indication of your interests beyond the personal statement (in which you can only say so much).  While there are people in my cohort this year who wrote their writing sample specifically for their application after they'd graduated, it doesn't sound like a very efficient use of time.

Edited January 13, 2014 by jrockford27

[champagne]

I agree with all that has been said. My only addition, which I suggest to all undergrads, is to make strong connections with your professors. Go to office hours, department events, etc. Your current professors can be tremendous advocates for your future, writing letters of rec for grad school or serving as references for job applications.

In addition, go ask your professors about what they think. They will probably reiterate a lot of what has been said here (take time off, don't worry about it right now, or even don't do it at all), but they have a better idea of who you are as a student and a person (hopefully) than we do. We can only offer generalized pieces of advice that should apply to everybody. Especially try to seek out an assistant professor whom you trust. They've just gotten a TT job within the last couple of years and know how horrendous it is to seek one out. They will be able to lay the current skinny on you whereas some veteran professors may have just been out of the game for too long to paint you an accurate picture.

 

EDIT: Also, while there are hardly any jobs out there for anybody in the humanities, rhetoric and composition is generally going to have a better outlook than comparative literature. That's just something to keep in mind once you get close to making a decision about what you want to do.

Edited January 13, 2014 by champagne

[georgestrait1982]

My advice is to relax and enjoy your undergraduate experience. The first time I even remotely considered going to grad school was the afternoon after I presented my senior thesis. I took a year off, spent a couple of months compiling application materials, and everything worked out. Looking at forums like this gives you a skewed perception of the population of people applying to graduate school, catering more to the obssessive, worrying sort (no offense intended; I count myself among this number!).

 

If you are working in your writing center, I think you're right on track. I would take proflorax's advice about fostering relationships between your professors not only for letters of rec, but because my most meaningful intellectual experiences as an undergrad took place one-on-one in my proefssors' offices.

 

Good luck!

[klader]

Thank you so much for all of the advice! I really appreciate it. I can definitely benefit from hearing some honest feedback.

I will continue to do as I'm doing (working at the writing center, keeping my grades up, getting to know my rhetoric professors) and will also start to get more involved in the department (one of my professors is an editor and asks for students' help occasionally, and we have a couple PhD students coming in to present their research as part of their application processes for a TT position, so I'll definitely attend and ask them what it's like). I know it's still early, but I may as well do some exploring and preparation since it could help me in other ways as well.

As for research and writing contests, I entered one contest last week (who knows what will happen), I'll be doing several research projects in my classes that could maybe turn into good writing samples, and I'm sure I can get experience with conferences through working at the writing center. I've yet to really find an area of interest, but I hope it'll come along the way.

I like hearing anecdotes of how others have structured their pre-grad school years and how one is recommended to do the same, so I really appreciate everyone's feedback! It helps tremendously.

[Graditude]

After graduating, arrange to teach English in France for 5 years. Outside work, read and talk only French. After the 5 years have passed, come back and apply to graduate school. By then you will have learned French perfectly, enjoyed life, overcome any youthful crisis of confidence -- and you will arrive home with savoir faire, sang froid and some excellent clothing.

 

The other applicants will pale in comparison.

[klader]

Thanks for the advice, Graditude! That's actually a really good idea and something I would definitely consider.

 

So, as a kind of follow-up question, having two undergradute majors and potentially some time working with my French speciliaty wouldn't look bad to a writing graduate program? I know people sometimes say that having more than one area of interest looks like you're wishy-washy, but is that true?

[Graditude]

So, as a kind of follow-up question, having two undergradute majors and potentially some time working with my French speciliaty wouldn't look bad to a writing graduate program? I know people sometimes say that having more than one area of interest looks like you're wishy-washy, but is that true?

 

Nope. Can't imagine any situation in which reasonable people would consider it wishy-washy to have two majors and relevant work experience!

 

If I can just give one piece of advice: don't fret so much about how future people will view you, because you can't control what they think. Just study and work at what interests you and suits your skills, and one day you'll be ready when the right program or job comes along. In the meantime, you want to enjoy what you're doing, not be watching yourself from the outside and judging in the third person.

 

Don't let the imaginary admissions committee set up a conference room in your head! Good luck.

[klader]

Hi Everyone,

 

Thanks again for all of the advice! I followed up and consulted with some of my professors, and they're very supportive and encouraging of my ambitions. Of course they don't want to pressure me into anything, especially since I'm still young yet to fully make up my mind, but they were very kind and said that they'd help me find and apply to programs when the time comes.

 

As to how to prepare for it, they admitted they were a little puzzled at my suggestion of working on research and trying to attend/present at conferences. They didn't think undergraduates had to do a lot of professional activities before even starting an MA program, and while they agreed that it couldn't hurt, they didn't really offer much advice about it.

 

So, if I may ask yet another question, how can I get started with research in this field? One professor suggested I utilize my experiences at our writing center and maybe submit a poster to the next CCCC conference, and another suggested I see if I can help out with some journal editing as a student assistant. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I also have ties to the Department of Modern Languages with my other major, and though work there wouldn't be directly related to Rhet/Comp, I could maybe ask if there's any opportunities there as well.

Edited February 25, 2014 by klader

[ComeBackZinc]

If you're interested in submitting a poster to Cs next year, I highly recommend you also consider applying to the Research Network Forum. Fantastic way to interact with other r/c people, get some feedback on your project, and get a CV line.

 

http://researchnetworkforum.org/

[ProfLorax]

You mentioned earlier that you work at your writing center. This is great and especially valued in rhet/comp! Perhaps start there. Ask the director if you could do a research project relating to writing center pedagogy and potentially implement it. Or see if you could help facilitate tutor training next year. Or ask if you could accompany the director to a writing center conference.

 

When I was tutoring at the writing center as an MA student, I made it known my intentions were to teach, and I was given more classroom-based teaching instruction and opportunities than the other lit students. This is a huge reason I was hired as a community college instructor after I finished my MA (even though I had no actual classroom teaching expeirence), and three years later, my SoP for rhet/comp programs featured writing pedagogy extensively. 

[rhetoricus aesalon]

So, if I may ask yet another question, how can I get started with research in this field? One professor suggested I utilize my experiences at our writing center and maybe submit a poster to the next CCCC conference, and another suggested I see if I can help out with some journal editing as a student assistant. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I also have ties to the Department of Modern Languages with my other major, and though work there wouldn't be directly related to Rhet/Comp, I could maybe ask if there's any opportunities there as well.

 

The desire to see presentations and publications is much lower if you are coming out of a BA, regardless of whether you are applying to an MA or PhD. But, to offer my experience--when I was in undergrad, I worked at my university's writing center, interned for an academic journal, presented at a regional MLA conference, and published in Sigma Tau Delta's academic journal. My interests are mainly in bodies, (dis)ability, and technology, and I incorporate a lot of theory into that. Having 4Cs experience, though, would be a big thing to include. I didn't even know Cs existed until I started grad school.

 

I think you are on the right track. Keep an eye out for opportunities and take them as you can. But also focus on your work. Do you have a thesis component to your BA? Have you checked out CompPile.org? It can be a good tool to see what research in the field looks like, and if you look at the "WPA-CompPile Research Bibliographies," you will be able to get a general sense of topics that are of interest to the field.

Edited February 25, 2014 by Chadillac

[bhr]

Honestly, the best advice I can give is to see if any of your professors is heavily involved on a national level, and make friends. I've got CV credits that most BAs don't because I'm working for a professor who ran a major conference, works for a journal and is writing a book, just because I made my interest known and was willing to work.

[heja0805]

My advice is likely what you are hoping not to hear: that as a sophomore in college, it's much too early for you to be thinking about graduate education. I'll go on record as saying that I think, unless you're in a situation where they have some sort of BA-to-MA program that would allow you to complete your MA quickly (and cheaply), it's best to take time off between undergrad and grad school. And even if you go straight through, sophomore year is just way too early to be thinking about it. You don't know that you'll really want at least 2 and possibly far more years of higher education after you complete these four (or five). That's all without even going into the terrible academic job market.

 

So my sincere advice is to put grad school on the back burner and not to worry about it now. Sure, keep your grades up, but you should be focused on that anyway.

 

I echo your advice, ComeBackZinc. 

 

I wouldn't worry too much at this point, but there are many opportunities for you if you're motivated. 

 

I was also a writing tutor as an undergrad, and I think that experience was integral in helping me learn more about composition. Most importantly, you're in an environment where conversations are continuously centered on writing and language. My advice to you would be to seek out any leadership opportunities at your writing center. At mine, I led a weekly group for L2 writers and occasionally revised handouts that our writing center published. 

 

I also volunteered in a community literacy program when I was an undergrad, which helped me gain a sense for the kind of teaching that I wanted to do for a career. 

 

You might want to look into local student colloquiua on your campus. These are essentially low-pressure mini-conferences that allow you to feature your work.  

 

Attending conferences is also a great way to learn more about the field and the kind of work that others are doing. Presenting at a regional conference would be a great way to start. These environments are generally smaller and supportive places to gain experience and get valuable feedback. 

 

Most of all, I think you should embrace your undergraduate experience as a time to explore different texts and ideas and experience as much as you can. 

 

When I was 19, I read Post Office by Charles Bukowski. Changed my life.