Fall 2017 Applicants

[VirginiaWoolf]

8 minutes ago, Wyatt's Terps said:

Commenting here because it doesn't really fit with any other threads, but...

Would the person or persons who are creating "other" entries on the results page to ask questions of other results posters please stop doing that? The results page is just a results page...it's not really conducive to having back and forth questions and answers.

Sorry to sound like a net nanny, but it really misleads the eye when looking at the results page...

I second this motion!! Thanks for bring it up

[Avalanched]

3 hours ago, Wyatt's Terps said:

Commenting here because it doesn't really fit with any other threads, but...

Would the person or persons who are creating "other" entries on the results page to ask questions of other results posters please stop doing that? The results page is just a results page...it's not really conducive to having back and forth questions and answers.

Sorry to sound like a net nanny, but it really misleads the eye when looking at the results page...

Thirded. I've never seen this in previous years but I keep flipping out a little every time I see a new post before realizing it's an erroneous post. 

[anxiousphd]

3 hours ago, Wyatt's Terps said:

Would the person or persons who are creating "other" entries on the results page to ask questions of other results posters please stop doing that? The results page is just a results page...it's not really conducive to having back and forth questions and answers.
 

I'm wondering if it's people who don't know about or understand the forums. I know some people who stay off the forums and only look at the results page, but I have no clue why people are posting random queries in the results this year.

[Dr. Old Bill]

31 minutes ago, anxiousgrad said:

I'm wondering if it's people who don't know about or understand the forums. I know some people who stay off the forums and only look at the results page, but I have no clue why people are posting random queries in the results this year.

Either way, I've been clicking on "Report Spam" whenever I see them, and the mods usually clear them away in fairly short order.

[engphiledu]

Just wanted to express my gratitude to all the lovely people on these English forums. 

I glanced over at the History forum (my husband applied to a few programs), and it's really tense over there. Some applicants are being downright rude and degrading, or on the other end of the spectrum, arrogant and close-minded.

I know there have been periods on this forum where some of us have disagreed. It's not always rainbows and sunshine, by an means. But, the outpouring of love both for fellow applicants who are struggling with rejections (or radio silence) as well as those who have received good news has reinforced my faith in what we do - the study and spread of humanity. Even as fellow competitors for a select few spots, we are able to build each other up and offer condolences/congratulations. By no means am I saying that the History folks (or any other boards) don't have this support network as well, and I think I've just happened upon a not-so-desirable, unfortunate argument. Overall, I think that's what GC is meant to be and primarily accomplishes.

But, I wanted you all to know that I am privileged to be counted among such a group of individuals. Even though you are all in many ways strangers, I think that's what makes your unhesitating desire to send virtual encouragements even more amazing.

Edited February 11, 2017 by engphiledu

[Dr. Old Bill]

33 minutes ago, engphiledu said:

Just wanted to express my gratitude to all the lovely people on these English forums. 

I glanced over at the History forum (my husband applied to a few programs), and it's really tense over there. Some applicants are being downright rude and degrading, or on the other end of the spectrum, arrogant and close-minded.

I know there have been periods on this forum where some of us have disagreed. It's not always rainbows and sunshine, by an means. But, the outpouring of love both for fellow applicants who are struggling with rejections (or radio silence) as well as those who have received good news has reinforced my faith in what we do - the study and spread of humanity. Even as fellow competitors for a select few spots, we are able to build each other up and offer condolences/congratulations. By no means am I saying that the History folks (or any other boards) don't have this support network as well, and I think I've just happened upon a not-so-desirable, unfortunate argument. Overall, I think that's what GC is meant to be and primarily accomplishes.

But, I wanted you all to know that I am privileged to be counted among such a group of individuals. Even though you are all in many ways strangers, I think that's what makes your unhesitating desire to send virtual encouragements even more amazing.

Tragically out of upvotes, but what a lovely post, @engphiledu!

This GC cohort feels a bit special. I definitely made some legitimate friendships from GC a couple of years ago, and there were many, many fantastic people here then...but there's been almost nothing but mutual encouragement this year, and that's pretty awesome. I'm really grateful that I'll be in this field alongside most of you for a great many years to come.

 

[FeetInTheSky]

11 minutes ago, Wyatt's Terps said:

Tragically out of upvotes, but what a lovely post, @engphiledu!

This GC cohort feels a bit special. I definitely made some legitimate friendships from GC a couple of years ago, and there were many, many fantastic people here then...but there's been almost nothing but mutual encouragement this year, and that's pretty awesome. I'm really grateful that I'll be in this field alongside most of you for a great many years to come.

 

I totally agree with what @engphiledu says as well. Something I noticed is that there's a lot of application-related activity on this forum, and that's really great to have a support system like that now. I really don't like competition at all, and it's such a relief to have such a kind-hearted group here.

Now, I've never been to grad school, but I imagine it's somewhat hard? Just a guess. And so it disheartens me a little to imagine that the group will fall apart once the shared stress of application season wavers. If we can remain active, I think it will create a wonderful support network for students to discuss graduate school things with people who aren't necessarily in their own program. Sometimes an outside perspective is really necessary. And it would be fun to meet up at conferences and the like. And since this group is so tight, we can lay a bit of groundwork for further cohorts to have a similar structure pre-built for them. 

tl;dr, maybe we can transition this application community into a scholarly one. Here's hoping, you know?

Edited February 11, 2017 by JeremyWrites

[tvethiopia]

6 minutes ago, JeremyWrites said:

And so it disheartens me a little to imagine that the group will fall apart once the shared stress of application season wavers.

don't be disheartened! i think the drift away from GC after acceptance has more to do with creating new bonds with your cohort than it does with stressed-out isolation. i've made some amazing BFFs in my MA program, but since they aren't all going into PhDs right away, GC offers a different community that's going through the same kind of stuff i am. it's something i'm absolutely grateful for and i hope that i will continue to pop my head in regardless of where i wind up, but i also hope to form new support systems as well.

[FeetInTheSky]

6 minutes ago, tvethiopia said:

don't be disheartened! i think the drift away from GC after acceptance has more to do with creating new bonds with your cohort than it does with stressed-out isolation. i've made some amazing BFFs in my MA program, but since they aren't all going into PhDs right away, GC offers a different community that's going through the same kind of stuff i am. it's something i'm absolutely grateful for and i hope that i will continue to pop my head in regardless of where i wind up, but i also hope to form new support systems as well.

True, true! 

[Yanaka]

Lovely, @engphiledu! 

It's sometimes hard to remain positive for others who get in when you're so out of hope, but bitterness only makes one sadder. It's my first year on GC and yes, I am astounded by the comfort the forum brings. Hugs to y'all! 

(And yeah, I'm also out of upvotes.) 

[Yanaka]

Me again!

I didn't know where to post this, but I need as many honest answers possible. I am going to apply to a few MA programs whose deadlines have not passed yet and submitting my GRE scores is not mandatory for some of them. Would you consider that a ~155V ~140Q and 4.5 AWA can hurt my application? Since I'm doing my BA in a French university and will not have an English major, I am debating whether my GRE can help show that I'll be comfortable with studying English or if, on the contrary, they're not good enough to be submitted and might tank my file. What do you (very candidly) think?

Edited February 12, 2017 by fuzzylogician
Edited for privacy at poster's request

[CrunchyMamademic]

7 hours ago, Yanaka said:

Me again!

I didn't know where to post this, but I need as many honest answers possible. I am going to apply to a few MA programs whose deadlines have not passed yet and submitting my GRE scores is not mandatory for some of them. Would you consider that a ~155V ~140Q and 4.5 AWA can hurt my application? Since I'm doing my BA in a French university and will not have an English major, I am debating whether my GRE can help show that I'll be comfortable with studying English or if, on the contrary, they're not good enough to be submitted and might tank my file. What do you (very candidly) think?

I did not submit GRE scores to my PhD programs because they were not required, and that had no effect on at least one of the two (still waiting on word from the second). I was accepted, fully funded with an additional fellowship.

I think before you decide you should look at what the scores would be used for. Are they just an addition to your application file, or are they the basis for additional fellowships?

 

Edit: I actually don't have GRE scores. I work for ETS scoring the writing sample, so I cannot take the exam myself.

Edited February 12, 2017 by fuzzylogician
Edited quoted post for privacy

[Yanaka]

13 minutes ago, CrunchyMamademic said:

I did not submit GRE scores to my PhD programs because they were not required, and that had no effect on at least one of the two (still waiting on word from the second). I was accepted, fully funded with an additional fellowship.

I think before you decide you should look at what the scores would be used for. Are they just an addition to your application file, or are they the basis for additional fellowships?

Thanks. It's an interesting question that I was able to add in my email to UMB, thanks to your timely reply  

[Warelin]

14 minutes ago, Yanaka said:

Thanks. It's an interesting question that I was able to add in my email to UMB, thanks to your timely reply  

UMB as in UM-Boston? If so, GRE scores aren't required.

"GREs are encouraged, but not required."

[Yanaka]

Yes I know, @Warelin  The question is: since I'm not majoring in English, do you think my present scores can help my application?

[Dr. Old Bill]

4 minutes ago, Yanaka said:

Yes I know, @Warelin  The question is: since I'm not majoring in English, do you think my present scores can help my application?

My personal rule of thumb is that if you don't have great scores, don't send them if they're optional. Four or five of the programs I applied to said the GRE subject test was recommended / optional, but not required. Since I had a decent, but not good or great score, I didn't send it to any of those programs. I figure there's no sense giving them a substandard metric to judge me by when they don't actually require it...

Your scores are a bit below those of the average applicant, so I would hold off on sending them. They may not hurt you, but by the same token, they won't help you.

[Warelin]

5 minutes ago, Yanaka said:

Yes I know, @Warelin  The question is: since I'm not majoring in English, do you think my present scores can help my application?

UMB tends to pride itself on the diversity of its students coming from a variety of backgrounds including foreign universities. As a result, I don't think submitting scores will help your application.

[Yanaka]

2 minutes ago, Wyatt's Terps said:

Your scores are a bit below those of the average applicant, so I would hold off on sending them. They may not hurt you, but by the same token, they won't help you.

Thanks! That's the kind of answer I was looking for. I'll keep them to myself then, and probably edit them out once I've applied in case there are spies on the forum  

2 minutes ago, Warelin said:

UMB tends to pride itself on the diversity of its students coming from a variety of backgrounds including foreign universities. As a result, I don't think submitting scores will help your application.

Cool! Ah, thank goodness for this forum  It will also save me the $$!

[positivitize]

7 hours ago, Yanaka said:

Me again!

I didn't know where to post this, but I need as many honest answers possible. I am going to apply to a few MA programs whose deadlines have not passed yet and submitting my GRE scores is not mandatory for some of them. Would you consider that a ~155V ~140Q and 4.5 AWA can hurt my application? Since I'm doing my BA in a French university and will not have an English major, I am debating whether my GRE can help show that I'll be comfortable with studying English or if, on the contrary, they're not good enough to be submitted and might tank my file. What do you (very candidly) think?

 

 

Hi there,

First, it might not matter at all. Some departments have caught onto the whole ETS racket and don't subscribe to the idea that future English major success can be measured by multiple choice. A surprising amount of admittance committee members that I spoke to suggested that they did not even look at the GRE when an applicant's Writing Sample, SoP, and Letters paint a much clearer picture.

Second, your Verbal is slightly below average and your Written is average (depending on the program of course). If your goal is to show that you are a competitive applicant for an English program, these scores don't do that. I don't think that they will hurt you overmuch, but I wouldn't offer them up if it's optional. Focus on your Writing Sample and Statement of Purpose to show the admissions boards that, even though your BA is in another subject, you are a fantastic candidate for their English program.

Good luck with the next round of deadlines! You'll find the right place.

Edit: Basically what wyatt's_terps said

Edited February 12, 2017 by fuzzylogician
Edited quoted post for privacy

[engphiledu]

7 hours ago, Yanaka said:

Me again!

I didn't know where to post this, but I need as many honest answers possible. I am going to apply to a few MA programs whose deadlines have not passed yet and submitting my GRE scores is not mandatory for some of them. Would you consider that a ~155V ~140Q and 4.5 AWA can hurt my application? Since I'm doing my BA in a French university and will not have an English major, I am debating whether my GRE can help show that I'll be comfortable with studying English or if, on the contrary, they're not good enough to be submitted and might tank my file. What do you (very candidly) think?

Sending good vibes your way! I agree with everyone else. I avoided submitting any scores if they weren't required, though I do think that more schools (as @positivitize mentioned) are understanding of standardized testing B.S. So, even for those schools that require them, don't feel as though it will eliminate your chances either for an MA.

Edited February 12, 2017 by fuzzylogician
Edited quoted post for privacy

[anxiousphd]

8 hours ago, Yanaka said:

Me again!

I didn't know where to post this, but I need as many honest answers possible. I am going to apply to a few MA programs whose deadlines have not passed yet and submitting my GRE scores is not mandatory for some of them. Would you consider that a ~155V ~140Q and 4.5 AWA can hurt my application? Since I'm doing my BA in a French university and will not have an English major, I am debating whether my GRE can help show that I'll be comfortable with studying English or if, on the contrary, they're not good enough to be submitted and might tank my file. What do you (very candidly) think?

Hey, just offering a different perspective here: I know at this point you may not be able to retake the GRE, but I know certain MA programs use those scores to determine funding. That may only be true for those schools which require GRE scores, but it may be something to consider.

Bonne chance! ?

[Yanaka]

10 minutes ago, anxiousgrad said:

Hey, just offering a different perspective here: I know at this point you may not be able to retake the GRE, but I know certain MA programs use those scores to determine funding. That may only be true for those schools which require GRE scores, but it may be something to consider.

Bonne chance! ?

I'll bear that info in mind! I think it's smarter for me not to divulge them unless it's mandatory, and I highly doubt my current scores give me access to any special financial consideration.

Edited February 12, 2017 by Yanaka

[positivitize]

@Silabus Hey there. I just got confirmation through back channels that initial offers have been made. I was also told that since I haven't heard anything (and haven't been rejected yet) it means that I am on the waiting list. It sounds like you might be too! I know you and I were talking about that in the UW-Madison thread, but it seemed more appropriate to continue the Indiana talk here. 

Edited February 13, 2017 by positivitize

[orphic_mel528]

Does anyone have any insider info on UC Davis and whether they're still sending out notifications? I've only seen four acceptances on the board and no wait-lists. Do they even have a wait-list? At what point do I start emailing and begging them to put me out of my misery?

[Silabus]

@positivitize Oh ho ho! I hope so! I hope this is true! Good on you for those back channels! You've given me hope once more! I'll just keep my fingers crossed.

And for you too! I'm wishing both of us much luck!