Rejected and dejected!

[pigeonenglish]

I applied to English PhD programs (mainly top 15 schools), but I didn't get in. Unless my last two schools treat me far more favorably than anticipated, I'm not going to grad school this year. So! Do I take the hint and try a new path, or should I apply again this year?

Comments

DO NOT take it personally!

[waldorf75]

Based on your post, you have a solid background and shouldn't be dejected. A few answers to your questions

Re: DO NOT take it personally!

[circumfession]

I'm of two minds on this advice. On the one hand, I think it needs to be put out there and I'm very glad that you did so. You're 100% right that R&C is the biggest, growing field in English...it's easier to get into grad school with this field, and easier to find a job

[day_n_nite]

I would definitely try again. I know some people who are on their second and third rounds of applying for grad school. Some programs have a reduced application fee if you applied previously.
It also might be worth calling the programs and asking how you can strengthen your application. I think it's been an extra competitive year overall in terms of how many people are thinking of going back to school, so I wouldn't take it personally.
Good luck :)

[apwoh]

Your "stats" are almost exactly like mine, except your GRE quant score is much higher! I had a lot of encouragement from my professors, and applied to almost all the same schools as you plus some other equally-ranked and competitive programs. I ended up getting accepted to one program (which you didn't list), that was the lowest ranked but also the best fit

[pigeonenglish]

Whew, thanks everyone. The worst part is that all my friends knew I was applying and when I expressed my (obviously legitimate) fears of not getting in, I got those "Oh, but you're smart, you'll totally get in!" responses. Very nice and well-meaning, of course, but totally naive. I really need to assess my possibilities with people who actually know this process.

I do think I'll be a lot savvier this year when I apply. I waited til the absolute *last second* to send in my applications. In three cases, I was still reading up on the university's faculty and formulating my fit on the day of the deadline. In between a 60-hour/week job and studying for the GRE/Lit GRE, I barely hide time to write an attractive sample paper. If I'd had more foresight maybe I would have forgone the 2010 applications and waited til this year.

[day_n_nite]

I don't know how important fit and prestige are in your field, but I would also consider applying to schools that are less prestigious but a better fit.

[sub_textual]

As someone who got into Brown this year, and is attending Brown in fall, I can say that in Brown's case, numbers really aren't the most important factor. What they look for is good writing, originality, and a willingness to take risks with ideas. They also look for a good fit -- not just for the cohort, but for the school.

Brown had 587 applicants, and they gave 21 offers -- that's roughly an acceptance rate of 3%.

I highly suggest that you read this article on wgi_lounge_2010 for some insight into this year's application season. What I feel is important to consider is some of the things you pointed out in this post -- you say you did not spend a lot of time on your writing sample, did not spend enough time looking at the faculty and perhaps reading their work, or crafting a better "fit" section for your SOP. Everything you did seemed very rushed and last minute -- it is possible that you did need more time to put together your applications, and this will be a good year for you to do that, as you have learned from last year what not to do/what