Rethinking # of schools

[rem_chan]

I had originally planned to apply to 14 programs....but I think that's too ambitious. I've decided to cut down the number of schools to 10: Chicago, Northwestern, UCLA, Toronto, Texas, USC, Emory, Michigan, Penn, Columbia

Comments

[iamnotsilly]

The list looks good. I applied to a fall-back school as well. Is there one that you consider a fall-back option? Also, why Emory? What do you think of Sheila Cavanagh?

[rem_chan]

What was your fall-back school?

I'm having trouble judging my chances of getting into these programs. I think USC and Emory are my fall-backs, which is kind of silly because they're both competitive and prestigious programs.

I may have a fair chance of getting into USC and Emory, and a fair-to-low chance at Northwestern, Toronto, Texas, Michigan. Hmm...I probably won't be able to get into Chicago, UCLA, Columbia, or Penn, but I'll apply anyway.

Emory's faculty seems to be particularly strong in literary theory and performance studies (not necessarily Renaissance). This combination might work for my thesis. I don't know Sheila Cavanagh's work very well (feminist poetics I believe?).

[iamnotsilly]

My fall-back school was Michigan State, which is ranked about 50, I think. They contacted me in January, so I knew I had somewhere to go even though other schools didn't get back to me until March. I'm sure you'll get in here as well as other places. Sheila Cavanagh does feminist criticism and Spenser, or at least that's what I know of her. Are you looking at places with Spenserians in particular? I'm sure I've griped about it to you before, but we don't have one here.

[beo_]

Well, here are some of my thoughts. Take them with as much salt as you would like (especially since I got lazy and only applied to 6 programs).

1. Those are all very good -- and very competitive -- programs. Are you top-30 or bust? Do you want to have any "safety" (whatever that means in this process) programs?
2. In terms of adding more schools, is there anyone else that you would want to work with? I would guess that the majority of these schools would knock off a year of coursework for your MA (but perhaps I am wrong?), so it is important for you to try to research who would be a good advisor -- in terms of academic interests at least.
3. Why USC? I don't know anything about that program, besides the fact that Heather James and Bruce Smith are there.

[rem_chan]

1. I was thinking of maybe applying to Boston or Rice University too. James Siemon is at Boston, and the city's beautiful--who knows...I might get in.

2. Right! Who's teaching, or writing, what at a program is an important consideration for me.

3. USC's English department has a joint-program with the Huntington library. If I'm to study censorship law, ideally I would like to be near the Huntington, Newberry, or the Folger. I briefly met Bruce Smith at a Ren workshop last year, and he was an interesting speaker. Still...I don't know that much about the program either.

[beo_]

My dear friend did his MA at Rice; he thinks it is a great program, and the stipends are fantastic. And it is pretty strong for Renaissance, I believe.

I missed Smith's workshop, but I remember his visit (one of my seminars read his most recent book for class). What did you think? I heard a ton of mixed responses.

[rem_chan]

Is it Michael M? (He was my TA for Spenser last year, and he told me to apply to Rice at Laura's Shakespeare party).

Smith presented on "green"--literally, the science, literary reception, and historical significance of green. I got lost half way through the talk, but it was certainly interesting!

[tarigwaemir]

Erk. I'm only applying to 7 and was told that was a lot...but maybe it's different for the sciences?

[rem_chan]

I'm not sure...some people in English apply to 5-6, while others apply to as many as 13-14!

What schools are you applying to? Good luck with NSF!

[auntsadie]

hey penny . . . your statement was really exciting . . . did you receive my comments . . . did you find them helpful . . . i tried to write as much as possible as i find that excessive critical interest generates further critical interest . . . as for the extra four . . . i would still put them in . . . once you've done 10, what's another 4 . . . i believe (not sure) that vanderbilt's appl. is due rather later in feb perhaps . . . shelia cavanagh is a lovely, lovely person . . . i met her at the spenser conference and she was just terrific . . . rambuss's work, which is really exciting, has lengthly border with your own . . . you would be well served at emory . . . lots of money too . . .

[rem_chan]

Hey!! I didn't receive your e-mail. I'm anxious to read your comments, if pleaes send your message again.

Urgh, I can't decide among Vanderbilt, Boston, and Rice. I have the feeling I should add one or two more backups to the list. I may replace Penn with either Vanderbilt/Boston/or Rice.

I don't think I can handle 14 separate apps.

[auntsadie]

hey . . . i just re-sent to your hotmail acct. from my g-mail acct . . . please confirm receipt . . . i really think you should strongly, strongly, strongly consider vanderbilt . . . i don't know a thing about boston or rice . . . keep penn on the list b/c they are doing so much of the work you do . . . gary

[rem_chan]

Gary, could you send it again to penny_geng@yahoo.com ? I'm having a lot of trouble accessing my hotmail account (it seems to have expired). Sorry for the trouble.

OK, I'll continue to think about Vanderbilt....

[hetaira9]

Here's my tuppence: Boston, Penn, Columbia, Chicago. Mostly because I'm thinking about moving to Boston, Philly, or New York ;) But I also know that I'm lazy and may just stick around in chicago for a while because eh...as for Princeton...as a native New Jerseyan, I love my home state, but I do not love Princeton, the town or the school. Yeah, that's all I have to say about that; I have to say, I'm excited for you. It was so so wonderful talking to you the other night :) :) :)

ps, feel free to send me your personal statement(s) because as of tonight I'm done/giving up on my thesis and need something to keep me busy.

[rem_chan]

CONGRATULATIONS ON FINISHING YOUR THESIS!!!!

Alright...I'm working on a new draft for my SSHRC proposal, and it's pretty much a personal statement cum project descript. I'll send it to you this weekend from my yahoo address. Thanks girl!