I imagine it would be cheaper to go to a community college for just a language class, since I think (THINK) tuition is generally cheaper. But I've never gone to a CC. And I have no idea if those credits would really count for grad school.
But I do much better at learning things when someone teaches me, not when I have to depend on myself so much, haha.
I don't think you should look for "back-up" schools. You should only apply to schools that you would be happy to go to. That being said, there are schools that are somewhat easier to get into, not because they are bad, but because they have a really big faculty and thus can admit larger classes. I'm thinking here of big state schools like Wisconsin (though their English department doesn't fund first-years) and Indiana. Rutgers is an excellent school as well, but I'm fairly sure that in recent years their class sizes have been getting smaller and smaller and more and more competitive.
By the way, what period do you want to study, and why is Penn your dream school?
I'm interested in UPenn's Comparative Literature and Literary Theory department because their course offerings integrate continental philosophy, English/French lit, and post-colonial thought pretty seamlessly. They also have some excellent social science courses as options (I'm a double-major currently, and while lit is my passion, I like poli sci quite a bit too). It doesn't hurt that I absolutely adore the campus and they've got a few scholars there that I'm interested in working with.
I'm heavy into literary criticism in France during the transition from Modernism to Postmodernism, but part of me is also drawn to post-colonial studies. My main reason for taking a year off is that I need more time to figure out where my interests really are.
It sounds like we have a lot of interests in common. I did my BA and MA in French Lit/ post-structuralism, and I'm now applying to doctoral programs in complit with a strong focus on post-colonialism (particularly India).
I'm applying to a lot of the same schools on your list ('08). Let me know if you'd like to compare notes.
Watch out for Wisconsin and Indiana in terms of credentials, though--both of them have pretty hard-core GRE and GPA cutoffs. Mostly, I think, because they do get a ton of applicants.
I'm applying to literature phd programs, and I had the same problem determining my backups, because I don't think it's worth spending 6 years in a program that won't get you a job when you're done. Thus, for my backups I chose 3 masters programs, so if I don't get into a good phd program, I can at least get started and hopefully strengthen my application. (Some credit for this idea must go to the beautiful people in this LJ community!)
I think that's an excellent idea. Many people (myself included) cannot conceive the possibility of having to 'wait out' a Masters program before finally landing in a PhD program, but the fact is that a Masters puts you in an enviable position when applying to PhD programs (supposing, of course, that you are performing at a masters level) and, on top of that, prepares you in a way that many first-year PhD students won't be.
While I like the idea of applying to Master's programs as a back up plan i really can't afford it. Anyone else in this situation? How do you guys pay for school, rent, and food?
I agree with all these comments. I'm in an MA program right now and while I really, REALLY wish I was already enrolled in a PhD one, I know this will work out in the end. I hope to present at a conference in February (haven't sent abstract in yet, though!), retake the GREs, and hopefully finish my program with as close to a 4.0 as possible. My undergrad GPA was decent (3.5), but now I have a chance to get even closer to the 4.0
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It is very easy to enroll most places as a non-degree student - just fill out a form and write a check.
Since you'll be in Philly, check out Penn's CGS program. You'll be able to get the German 101/102 in the evening for (this year anyway) $2246 each. Not cheap, but, cheaper than Penn day school and you'll have regular Penn students in the class as well as us old guys. Temple is $1588 per class.
Keep in mind that for graduate work you'll need "reading knowledge". Many universities offer special summer classes for grad students that meet the requirement, often on an online or distance learning basis. Two that I know have this option are Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Minnesota classes are in the $600-700 range.
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But I do much better at learning things when someone teaches me, not when I have to depend on myself so much, haha.
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By the way, what period do you want to study, and why is Penn your dream school?
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I'm heavy into literary criticism in France during the transition from Modernism to Postmodernism, but part of me is also drawn to post-colonial studies. My main reason for taking a year off is that I need more time to figure out where my interests really are.
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I'm applying to a lot of the same schools on your list ('08). Let me know if you'd like to compare notes.
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It is very easy to enroll most places as a non-degree student - just fill out a form and write a check.
Since you'll be in Philly, check out Penn's CGS program. You'll be able to get the German 101/102 in the evening for (this year anyway) $2246 each. Not cheap, but, cheaper than Penn day school and you'll have regular Penn students in the class as well as us old guys. Temple is $1588 per class.
Keep in mind that for graduate work you'll need "reading knowledge". Many universities offer special summer classes for grad students that meet the requirement, often on an online or distance learning basis. Two that I know have this option are Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Minnesota classes are in the $600-700 range.
Good luck!
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