English PhD applications- Which universities would be a good fit?

[NotSpyderman]

Hi all,

I have a unique profile for a phd candidate in english and I was wondering if any of you could suggest me some good univs that I can apply to.

 

Here is my profile:

• International student with a major in computer science and engineering (Yes, you read that right) from a highly selective school in my country: GPA=7/10
• GPA in the three english courses in my undergrad school=10/10
• Two quarters at UChicago as a non-degree graduate student: GPA in 6 english/comp. lit courses= 3.58/4 (+ one creative writing course with an A)
• GRE=331 (168 Quant, 163 verbal). will retake
• not taking the GRE subject test
• TOEFL score=117/120
• Fluent in 3 languages (Hindi, Punjabi, English) and competent in Spanish
• LORs should be good, but we all hope that.
• No research that I can show
• one gap year after all of this

I am looking at a new media specialization (One reason is that my background enables me to move all across the horizons of new media and into Digital humanities seamlessly). My writing sample should deal with something in new media (I am on it!).

I had narrowed down on this list of univs to apply to: columbia, upenn, uchicago, duke, michigan ann arbor, brown, NYU, northwestern.

• Could you guys suggest my any other good univs to apply to?
• Is my profile even good enough for applications?
• What else can I do to improve it?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[hj2012]

To be totally frank, that grad GPA is a little worrisome, especially if you were pulling Bs in some grad classes. You are applying to some very competitive programs, and if you're committed to going to a top tier program (and are willing to reapply next cycle if need be), that's totally fine. But considering your huge switch from engineering to English, you might consider applying to some funded masters programs as well. MIT's Comparative Media Studies program might be of interest to you (and is fully funded).

Also, there are some programs that are slightly less competitive but have amazing DH/new media programs. Take a look at Maryland or Nebraska, for example.

Good luck!

[NotSpyderman]

My grad program GPA is nothing stellar, I admit. The lowest I ever went was a B+ but it was such a huge shift from engineering to English (and changing countries) that it was extremely tough for me initially. I improved by the second quarter (3.53 to 3.725), but had run out of money by then. The profs who gave me B+s are all happy with my performance (or atleast seem to be) and are writing me LORs (Would that be an issue? They seem to be very positive about writing letters for me (could they be faking it? ) , but would bad grades in their classes be a problem?). On the other hand, I have had a largely improving curve everywhere I have gone and profs who said I was a superfast learner. Both my univs don't have inflated grades, and on top of it, I took courses that graded strictly. Any way to capture all this on my application?

 

Maryland was something crawling up on my list, and thanks for the other two suggestions.

 

P.S.: I am committed to a top programs, even if takes 5 years to get there.

Edited September 20, 2014 by NotSpyderman

[hj2012]

If you're willing to take the time to get into a top program, I would look into funded master's. They exist, and would do quite a bit to help your case when you go for the PhD. Consider applying to a mix of PhD and MA programs (Nebraska has a good funded MA program, for example) and see how the application season goes.

Honestly, I don't know how the admissions committees will view your specific situation and I totally understand how difficult it is to transition to a different academic environment. At the same time, I don't think your academic background would inspire confidence, especially considering your lack of coursework and international status.

Contextualizing your grades is a task best left to your letter writers. You can ask them to do that if you feel that you have a good rapport.

Best of luck!

[Horb]

I might be wrong, but doesn't NYU require the subject test? I applied there last year and submitted it. I could be wrong. Maybe it is only recommended. 

[NotSpyderman]

I guess I'd need to kill it with my writing sample to have any chance whatsoever.

Thank you so much. Is there any good list of decent funded MA programs that you guys can recommend?

 

And yes, NYU recommends the subject test, but doesn't require it. Is there any reason for me to be wary of the word 'recommended' here?

[Between Fields]

And yes, NYU recommends the subject test, but doesn't require it. Is there any reason for me to be wary of the word 'recommended' here?

 

Well, think of it this way: Why would you do anything less than what the admissions committee is recommending, if you're wanting to get into a 'top' program?

[NotSpyderman]

Well, think of it this way: Why would you do anything less than what the admissions committee is recommending, if you're wanting to get into a 'top' program?

I get your point. Interesting. It is weird how different are the approaches of various admission committees. UChicago doesn't even want to hear about it, NYU recommends it but doesn't require, Berkley swears by it. A part of the oddity that is this admissions process, I guess.

[hj2012]

Here's an older thread that discusses funded MA programs:

I personally know folks who've had luck transitioning from Georgetown and Florida into great PhD programs.