how do i figure out which schools are right for me?

[waxcherries]

So, this may sound a little unfocused, and it is. But i'd like a bit of advice on how to go about selecting schools for a Literature Phd program - do i go with the top twenty in Newsweek? Do I research individual professors at those schools? How do I find out about them? I've noticed people on here discussing the strengths of programs at different

Comments

[lissiehoya]

When I applied, I started by looking at professors, not programs necessarily. I looked at professors whose work was in my area and I admired, and looked at the programs where they were currently teaching and where they had gone to school. I also contacted many of these professors both to ask them questions about their programs and to ask for recommendations of other places to look--almost all were very helpful in both those areas.

[coaldustcanary]

This, very much. I'd even say, track down several articles/books/research pieces you admire, and then check out the authors as possible mentors or sources of information as you research programs.

[waxcherries]

thank you - i think i will start to make lists with these

[lissiehoya]

I second Peters' "Getting What You Came For."

[waxcherries]

thanks! (and I think I'll get this book)

[tisiphone]

do i go with the top twenty in Newsweek

Absolutely not - for a grad program, undergraduate rankings are irrelevant. You need a program that's right for you, not for the average. Presumably, you're not average! Ignore those rankings entirely. Instead, think about What you want to study, then think about who's working on those problems right now. Find out where they work. This might require some library research, or some discussion with your adviser, and so on. Start there. Since you're just looking, don't worry about whether you're "qualified" for programs right now, grad admissions are sometimes opaque, and you shouldn't rule out any just because you think you're not good enough for them.

[waxcherries]

I'd consider myself off the average, in good ways and bad :)

i'm actually planning to apply to schools this coming winter, and I figure I'll have statement of purpose, list of schools, etc, solidified by September.

i graduated from college in 2008, so I need to get a hold of my advisor, who sadly hasn't replied yet to emails about applying to grad school, and I still need to sit down and email a few former professors who I think could be helpful.

[waxcherries]

re-reading this, I should say, I meant the U.S. News top graduate school rankings for 2010, not Newsweek. I know undergraduate rankings are irrelevant to the grad, but I honestly don't know how much credence I should give to the U.S. News reports, or what sort of rankings exist informally for people actually in the field, or whether there's a formal list of those in-field rankings.

How much does it matter if a school is number 4 or 49 on the U.S. News list?

[tisiphone]

It doesn't. If it's #4 in something you aren't interested in, you're going to be miserable. If it's #49 in exactly your field of interest, that will be great.

[i_like_snow]

ok u should really go to the campus and feel the vibe of the place. u can really tell if its a good place for u by seeing if there is a positive or neg vibe to the campus.

[waxcherries]

i'm not sure I can - right now I'm working at a children's museum, developing and teaching art and educational content, which is open year-round, six days a week. so i won't really be able to get away at any point. but the importance of getting a physical feel for a place was certainly true in my college search.