Purdue and Indiana

[yglesias]

Hello All,

Just curious about those of you who are applying to Purdue and Indiana for Fall 2010. What are your areas of interests and specializations? I am looking at Early Modern and have fairly decent GRE scores. How about the rest of you?

[Katia_chan]

I'm applying there as well, but more for medieval lit, with pretty decent scores [let's not look at the math]. Good luck!

Hello All,

Just curious about those of you who are applying to Purdue and Indiana for Fall 2010. What are your areas of interests and specializations? I am looking at Early Modern and have fairly decent GRE scores. How about the rest of you?

[gracieb]

I am applying to Indiana for medieval lit as well. I have an excellent gpa (3.9, 4.0 in major), great lors, and a solid writing sample...gre though was rather iffy. 89% percentile. Major yuck. I actually ended up doing better on the math. I'm so freaked out...I applied 15 places and I feel like I'm not going to get in anywhere.

[poco_puffs]

I'm feeling particularly noobish today, and I'm coming to the (hopefully correct) realization that "Indiana" means the one at Bloomington and not some other Indiana city? I'm a West Coast girl, and my knowledge of the Midwest is lacking, to say the least.

So, if that IS the case, I'm applying to Indiana for Victorian Studies, with an emphasis on imperialism/Postcolonial Theory, gender, and professionalism.

[gracieb]

I'm feeling particularly noobish today, and I'm coming to the (hopefully correct) realization that "Indiana" means the one at Bloomington and not some other Indiana city? I'm a West Coast girl, and my knowledge of the Midwest is lacking, to say the least.

So, if that IS the case, I'm applying to Indiana for Victorian Studies, with an emphasis on imperialism/Postcolonial Theory, gender, and professionalism.

aww yes, I believe we all mean bloomington! Good luck!

[Shaky Premise]

I'm yet another medievalist who's applied to IU. Looks like that spot is going to be tough to get! My verbal GRE score was outstanding, but my subject score, middlin'. I'd like to say that I have wonderful recommendations, but I haven't seen them. The profs who wrote for me are extremely accomplished in the field though, so that's a plus. I'd also like to say that my SOP and writing sample were brilliant pieces of literature, but that would depend upon what they're being compared to. I like to think they're pretty solid. I guess we'll know when the decisions come down! A good friend of mine earned an MA at IU a few years back (not in English), and she said Bloomington is an incredibly cool place to live. Got my fingers crossed...

[Venetia]

Hallo,

I'm another medievalist applying to Indiana! I think that the fact that it publishes a Medieval journal and offers quite a few Medieval courses is what attracted so many of us. I'm particularly attracted by one of the faculty, who has done some great work in Arthurian studies. I think my GRE (general and subject) are good, my GPA not so much. I think the translation from the UK system makes it worse than it actually is ! I wonder when we'll start to hear about Indiana...mid month maybe?

[ecg1810]

I'm also applying to Indiana for Victorian, but with an emphasis on women's literature, animal studies, and transatlanticism (among other things).

[poco_puffs]

I'm also applying to Indiana for Victorian, but with an emphasis on women's literature, animal studies, and transatlanticism (among other things).

The wide range of interests within their Victorian specialty is what made Indiana SO appealing to me. Their website for the Victorian Studies program seemed so... well, warm? Like if I got in to the program, there'd be a nice little place for my particular interests alongside everyone elses research. Even though the rest of the Indiana site was a little stark and/or confusing in most places, the page for the Victorian stuff was a strong selling point for me. Just felt a little more lived-in, you know?

[ecg1810]

The wide range of interests within their Victorian specialty is what made Indiana SO appealing to me. Their website for the Victorian Studies program seemed so... well, warm? Like if I got in to the program, there'd be a nice little place for my particular interests alongside everyone elses research. Even though the rest of the Indiana site was a little stark and/or confusing in most places, the page for the Victorian stuff was a strong selling point for me. Just felt a little more lived-in, you know?

Agreed. Who knows? Maybe we'll end up being Victorianist buddies at Indiana, Poco_puffs!

[Nighthob]

Also applying to Purdue and IU for medieval.

People! Stop applying to the schools I'm trying to get into! You're all so fabulous, it's making me worry about my chances!

[Katia_chan]

Also applying to Purdue and IU for medieval.

People! Stop applying to the schools I'm trying to get into! You're all so fabulous, it's making me worry about my chances!

Hey, I'm just going for Purdue, not Bloomington, so I hope to just slip in somewhere unnoticed, especially since you're right, and everyone's qualifications are making me worry! Best of luck to everyone...just leave me a little corner somewhere?

[minnares]

Hi All,

I applied to Bloomington. In Fall 2009, I visited Bloomington and Purdue to interview with some professors, meet grad students, check out the campuses. I ruled out Purdue at that time. They were very rigid about working in an interdisciplinary manner. When I asked the professor I met with if I could work in both the lit. and creative writing departments because I am an essayist and a published poet, her response was, "Just don't tell them you work with us." And she wasn't kidding. They're an ag and engineering school, so they struck me as being very single minded in their approach.

Bloomington on the other hand was wonderful. I spent about an hour with Susan Gubar (of Madwoman in the Attic fame) and John Lincoln Schilb (winner of the 2008 MLA Shaughnessy Award), both very kind, very thoughtful, very engaging folks. Dr. Gubar also set up a meet and greet for me with a professor in religious studies. My interest is critical theory with subfoci in gender/feminist criticism and religious studies. The whole tenor of the meeting was the polar opposite of Purdue. I'm hoping I get accepted, but I suppose that goes without saying.

My stats: 4.0 cumulative, 700V/abysmal math, 710 subject, multiple TA positions, multiple poetry publications, three articles under review for publication, and I won every writing award at my undergraduate university. I've also already presented at a conference, where my paper was selected as Best Critical Paper out of two dozen universities presenting. I'm fluent in French and speak passable Hellenic. Yet, I am still unsure that I'll be accepted anywhere. Looking at the acceptances coming in on this website is terrifying.

minnares

[minnares]

Excuse me, but I'm new here. Why did I get two negative votes? Did I respond in the wrong thread or something? Apologies if so.

minnares

[apcoach]

One more Victorian! I'm specifically into 19th century novels and narrative theory and that website did seem really friendly. It definitely didn't seem like a place where Victorians would need to fight for support. There's just so much love available.

Edited February 9, 2010 by apcoach

[w2010]

One more Victorian! I'm specifically into 19th century novels and narrative theory and that website did seem really friendly. It definitely didn't seem like a place where Victorians would need to fight for support. There's just so much love available.

Apcoach--

I am late 18th and 19th century fiction. I also got accepted to OSU. What are you specifically interested in (authors, works, etc.)

Hope to talk to you some more!

[poco_puffs]

Just a note: The Victorian Studies website at Indiana is giving a weird error message at the moment. I emailed some tech people and got a very lovely response from Andrew Miller, the director of the Victorian Studies program who said that the website would be down for a few weeks for an overhaul and if anyone had any questions about site content or the program they should email him directly.

On one hand, I'm happy to know that they're constantly working to improve their websites, and that the VS program is obviously getting time and attention. I'm also worried, though, that an "overhaul" will take some of the personality away from the website. I remember there being some formatting problems where pictures and text columns didn't line up exactly right, but that was such an inconsequential problem sitting next to the overall strenght of the website. It wasn't as polished or professional looking as some websites, but the personality of the backgrounds and extra touches was half of the appeal.

[Nighthob]

Bloomington on the other hand was wonderful.... The whole tenor of the meeting was the polar opposite of Purdue. I'm hoping I get accepted, but I suppose that goes without saying.

Minnares,

The possibilities for interdisciplinary study is one of the draws of Bloomington to me as well. Their Folklore resources are outstanding, and since my focus is on myth in medieval lit, Bloomington would be a terrific place for me.

I'm sorry you didn't find Purdue welcoming. I haven't had the opportunity to visit. Anybody else have personal experience with Purdue?

[minnares]

Nighthob,

Everyone I met there was just really kind, not pretentious at all, gave willingly of their time, hours to sit and talk. It says so much about a school when even their "heavy hitter" professors will email you back promptly, regard you as a potential colleague, and spend time with you answering questions. Not to mention the campus is gorgeous, and as you said, fabulous research resources

~ m

[hemingways_abs]

My stats: 4.0 cumulative, 700V/abysmal math, 710 subject,

Um, okay

multiple TA positions,

irrelevant--no one cares about your ability to "TA," especially not as an undergrad

multiple poetry publications,

For PhD in English programs, no one cares

three articles under review for publication,

But not accepted? Ouch.

and I won every writing award at my undergraduate university.

No one will look closely at your CV to even know.

I've also already presented at a conference,

Whoopee. So has everyone else.

where my paper was selected as Best Critical Paper out of two dozen universities presenting.

Oh, was this an undergrad conference? Then it didn't matter.

I'm fluent in French and speak passable Hellenic.

???

Yet, I am still unsure that I'll be accepted anywhere. Looking at the acceptances coming in on this website is terrifying.

I'm sure you'll get in somewhere.

Hi All,

I applied to Bloomington. In Fall 2009, I visited Bloomington and Purdue to interview with some professors, meet grad students, check out the campuses. I ruled out Purdue at that time. They were very rigid about working in an interdisciplinary manner. When I asked the professor I met with if I could work in both the lit. and creative writing departments because I am an essayist and a published poet, her response was, "Just don't tell them you work with us." And she wasn't kidding. They're an ag and engineering school, so they struck me as being very single minded in their approach.

Bloomington on the other hand was wonderful. I spent about an hour with Susan Gubar (of Madwoman in the Attic fame) and John Lincoln Schilb (winner of the 2008 MLA Shaughnessy Award), both very kind, very thoughtful, very engaging folks. Dr. Gubar also set up a meet and greet for me with a professor in religious studies. My interest is critical theory with subfoci in gender/feminist criticism and religious studies. The whole tenor of the meeting was the polar opposite of Purdue. I'm hoping I get accepted, but I suppose that goes without saying.

My stats: 4.0 cumulative, 700V/abysmal math, 710 subject, multiple TA positions, multiple poetry publications, three articles under review for publication, and I won every writing award at my undergraduate university. I've also already presented at a conference, where my paper was selected as Best Critical Paper out of two dozen universities presenting. I'm fluent in French and speak passable Hellenic. Yet, I am still unsure that I'll be accepted anywhere. Looking at the acceptances coming in on this website is terrifying.

minnares

[Bardolater]

My stats: 4.0 cumulative, 700V/abysmal math, 710 subject,

Um, okay

multiple TA positions,

irrelevant--no one cares about your ability to "TA," especially not as an undergrad

multiple poetry publications,

For PhD in English programs, no one cares

three articles under review for publication,

But not accepted? Ouch.

and I won every writing award at my undergraduate university.

No one will look closely at your CV to even know.

I've also already presented at a conference,

Whoopee. So has everyone else.

where my paper was selected as Best Critical Paper out of two dozen universities presenting.

Oh, was this an undergrad conference? Then it didn't matter.

I'm fluent in French and speak passable Hellenic.

???

Yet, I am still unsure that I'll be accepted anywhere. Looking at the acceptances coming in on this website is terrifying.

I'm sure you'll get in somewhere.

Why so harsh?

[callmelilyb]

My stats: 4.0 cumulative, 700V/abysmal math, 710 subject,

Um, okay

multiple TA positions,

irrelevant--no one cares about your ability to "TA," especially not as an undergrad

multiple poetry publications,

For PhD in English programs, no one cares

three articles under review for publication,

But not accepted? Ouch.

and I won every writing award at my undergraduate university.

No one will look closely at your CV to even know.

I've also already presented at a conference,

Whoopee. So has everyone else.

where my paper was selected as Best Critical Paper out of two dozen universities presenting.

Oh, was this an undergrad conference? Then it didn't matter.

I'm fluent in French and speak passable Hellenic.

???

Yet, I am still unsure that I'll be accepted anywhere. Looking at the acceptances coming in on this website is terrifying.

I'm sure you'll get in somewhere.

Gosh, I've always found the community on gradcafe to be more or less supportive and encouraging. I hope that doesn't change.

[hemingways_abs]

Because I've lurked here for a while and some of us are tired of compliment-fishing posts.

And also? It was a very honest appraisal of this person's application. Writing samples, statements of purpose, and, to a much lesser (but still crucial) extent, numbers are going to make or break this applicant--not TA positions, poetry, conferences, awards, or Hellenic speaking ability. All of that stuff is so ridiculously irrelevant to this process, and it's clear that the poster just needed to read the advice posts from last fall and years past before making such an embarrassing grab for affirmation.

[minnares]

Thanks callmelilyb. I saw The Positives thread where many others had posted this sort of list and just assumed it was what is done here. Apparently not. Certainly not an affirmation "grab," but a miscalculation of how this online community flows. Ultimately, people here do not know me at all and can say anything they like. It won't diminish what I accomplished or that I did so while working full time with three kids. No worries. I'm Teflon, and in my experience, the haters have a hard go of it when reality strikes in graduate school and everyone is amazing. There's always a bigger fish. If I needed external affirmation from randoms that I don't even know, I wouldn't get it here. I understand that folks are coping with fragile egos and the terror of not getting into their dream program, and I found this website late in the game. So it's easy to fall on the new comer like a pack of ravenous dogs, rather than looking inwardly and determining where all that anger comes from.

Best,

~ m

[hemingways_abs]

I agree: you need to look inward. Obviously, no one here can comment on your chances, so looking here for affirmation is generally a bad idea. Additionally, your application is what it is. It's already in. No point in second-guessing it now.

And you might also want to drop the "I did it all with three kids" mantra before you get to grad school. It gets really old.

Thanks callmelilyb. I saw The Positives thread where many others had posted this sort of list and just assumed it was what is done here. Apparently not. Certainly not an affirmation "grab," but a miscalculation of how this online community flows. Ultimately, people here do not know me at all and can say anything they like. It won't diminish what I accomplished or that I did so while working full time with three kids. No worries. I'm Teflon, and in my experience, the haters have a hard go of it when reality strikes in graduate school and everyone is amazing. There's always a bigger fish. If I needed external affirmation from randoms that I don't even know, I wouldn't get it here. I understand that folks are coping with fragile egos and the terror of not getting into their dream program, and I found this website late in the game. So it's easy to fall on the new comer like a pack of ravenous dogs, rather than looking inwardly and determining where all that anger comes from.

Best,

~ m