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krob75

Mar 7, 2008, 2:29 PM

Post #451 of 2090 (9164 views)
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Other forums? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Are there other forums like this one--specifically for creative Ph.D. acceptances/rejections? I know Seth and others are keeping up with the MFAs...

Thanks!

umass76

Mar 7, 2008, 2:33 PM

Post #452 of 2090 (9157 views)
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Re: [krob75] Other forums? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Krob,

The Data Bank on my website should list all the PhD. application responses, also.

Best,
Seth

Amethyst

Mar 7, 2008, 2:49 PM

Post #453 of 2090 (9128 views)
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Re: [shoe1234] Another one bites the dust... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Utah, Houston, OU, GSU, Denver, Cincinatti--I think that's all. I applied to eight schools, with FSU (rejection) and TTU (wait list) being the other two.

Houston's sorta been my top choice. I think OU is probably a long shot for me and if I decide to defer I probably won't reapply there. From Utah, I am expecting a rejection--mainly because one of my recommenders sent in her letter WAY past the deadline (by about a month). I didn't find out about this until it was too late for me to do anything about it--I was really peeved, because I had given such explicit directions to my recommenders about deadlines. Oh well.

Good luck to everyone. Ya know, it's funny, I keep telling myself I am totally blase about all this and then I find myself checking this thread and Seth's blog about five million times a day.

gcsumfa

Mar 7, 2008, 2:58 PM

Post #454 of 2090 (9110 views)
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Re: [Amethyst] Another one bites the dust... [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I was waitlisted by TTU last year as well, but didn't get in. The grad director seemed like a nice guy; wish I could've landed in Lubbock.

These PhD slots are ridiculously competitive.

shoe1234

Mar 7, 2008, 3:08 PM

Post #455 of 2090 (9094 views)
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Re: [gcsumfa] Another one bites the dust... [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I was waitlisted by TTU last year as well, but didn't get in. The grad director seemed like a nice guy; wish I could've landed in Lubbock.

These PhD slots are ridiculously competitive. Amen to the competition. How many open spots and how many applicants? Those numbers, I'm sure, would be less than inspiring. I've been rejected by Georgia, Texas Tech, Illinois at Chicago, and FSU. Accepted at University of North Texas. If I get only one acceptance, I'll feel blessed.

bktv

Mar 7, 2008, 3:39 PM

Post #456 of 2090 (9068 views)
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A bittersweet development [In reply to]	Can't Post

I got a letter from Tennessee today, and I was accepted�

but it was to the MA in Lit. (I asked to be considered for both). My thinking behind applying for both was that it would give me more options and would strengthen my overall CV in the long run because I have no degree in lit. (My BA was philosophy.)

Any thoughts on doing another MA? My goal is to do a Creative PhD, and am willing to go for another MA because, well, I love literature. However, I don't want to finish the MA and be in the same position that I am now (which is, not in a PhD program). Would another MA make a difference to an admissions committee?

The MA IS funded, but I may have to take out a small loan during the first semester to cover moving/living expenses. I don't know, what do you think? I am also still waiting to hear back from GSU, Nebraska and the late notifiers (Missouri/Georgia).

stephkarto1
Stephanie Kartalopoulos

Mar 7, 2008, 3:45 PM

Post #457 of 2090 (9060 views)
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Re: [bktv] A bittersweet development [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congratulations on your acceptance. Even if it is for a MA, you're right--it is a sort of fall-back plan.

Maybe you should talk to the program director at Tennessee about some of these questions? You might get a better sense of whether people progress from the MA to the PhD easily, or whether it's a situation where 2 years from now you will be in the same anxiety-ridden situation. Then you might be in a better position to figure this stuff out?

Also, don't forget that you have until April 15 to accept or deny Tennessee's offer. :) That gives you time wait out the schools you have not heard back from before deciding for sure.

krob75

Mar 7, 2008, 3:59 PM

Post #458 of 2090 (9043 views)
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Re: [bktv] A bittersweet development [In reply to]	Can't Post

bktv--

I teach at UT. I know lit MAs often move into the lit Ph.D. program fairly easily. Since the creative Ph.D. is new, I cannot say it would be the same experience. But my guess is if you came here and got to know the professors (who are all great), you would be able to increase your chances.

I was hoping you would hear from GSU by now!?!

LesK
Les

Mar 7, 2008, 4:02 PM

Post #459 of 2090 (9038 views)
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Re: [bktv] A bittersweet development [In reply to]	Can't Post

Quote

Any thoughts on doing another MA? My goal is to do a Creative PhD, and am willing to go for another MA because, well, I love literature. However, I don't want to finish the MA and be in the same position that I am now (which is, not in a PhD program). Would another MA make a difference to an admissions committee?

I think it's a great idea. MA + MFA should demonstrate that your serious about both criticism and your own work....I'd think. And it does make you more employable at the adjunct/early tenure track level, particularly with good pubs.

I'm actually thinking about pursuing one myself if my PhD applications all come back with negatives. More fun in the springtime, you know? And, by all means, wait until you hear back from the other programs before committing!

Regardless, bittersweet congratulations....

bktv

Mar 7, 2008, 5:13 PM

Post #460 of 2090 (9004 views)
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Re: [spamela] USC [In reply to]	Can't Post

Spamela,

I only know about USC's PhD through talking with people and my own observations�but I'll give you what I know to the best of knowledge. PhD students teach in the freshman comp. program, either one or two sections of the same class per semester (I think it depends on the package.) However, as far as I know, PhD students do not have many chances to teach other types of classes (lit. or creative writing).

The funding package at USC (I was a TA there last year) is $9,000/semester plus health/dental insurance and tuition remission. As a teacher of comp., you'll actually be an AL (assistant lecturer) and not a TA, and I think ALs might get $12,000/semester. You should probably check on how many classes you are expected to teach, and what they'll pay you. USC as an institution has lots of funding though, so I don't think it will be a problem. The course load (again, from what I observed) appears to be three classes/semester, with the possibility of one of those being a workshop.

Let me know if you have any other questions, and congratulations again on getting in!

(This post was edited by bktv on Mar 7, 2008, 5:14 PM)

arenee1

Mar 7, 2008, 5:40 PM

Post #461 of 2090 (8983 views)
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Re: [shoe1234] Georgia [In reply to]	Can't Post

Anyone hear from Nebraska yet? I heard a rumor they were making decisions today.

shoe1234

Mar 7, 2008, 5:44 PM

Post #462 of 2090 (8976 views)
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Re: [arenee1] Georgia [In reply to]	Can't Post

Arenee,

That's what I heard from the graduate secretary, though she did say if the admissions meeting went too long, it would continue Monday. Some notifications would go out by email, immeditely after the meeting, others by snail mail.

arenee1

Mar 7, 2008, 5:49 PM

Post #463 of 2090 (8974 views)
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Re: [shoe1234] Georgia [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for letting me know! I've been checking my email like crazy today. This whole process requires an amount of patience I just don't seem to have.

I'm a Nebraska native. If you get in, let me know if there's any information you want about Lincoln!

shoe1234

Mar 7, 2008, 8:00 PM

Post #464 of 2090 (8925 views)
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Re: [arenee1] Georgia [In reply to]	Can't Post

Any word from Nebraska? None here.

gcsumfa

Mar 7, 2008, 9:07 PM

Post #465 of 2090 (8903 views)
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Re: [shoe1234] Georgia [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Any word from Nebraska? None here.

I didn't hear anything from Nebraska today either and didn't see anything on Grad cafe. I'm guessing that they probably emailed their fellowship nominees and will respond by post to everyone else.

I checked the grad cafe responses for UNL last year, and there were several acceptances via post, so I wouldn't think that it's over if you didn't get an email.

arenee

Mar 7, 2008, 11:07 PM

Post #466 of 2090 (8868 views)
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Re: [shoe1234] Georgia [In reply to]	Can't Post

No word here either. I'm hoping they just haven't notified anyone yet...

bktv

Mar 8, 2008, 11:45 AM

Post #467 of 2090 (8824 views)
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Re: [krob75] A bittersweet development [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks to everyone who responded. I think the MA could be good, because it would open up (for me) PhDs in straight lit. as well as creative PhDs. I think I will try and get some more info. from the program. Krob, how do you like Knoxville? I realized that I know very little about the area. How would you describe the faculty's relationship to students? Have you worked with the fiction writers at all? (Michael Knight/Allen Wier)

__________

Mar 8, 2008, 11:48 AM

Post #468 of 2090 (8821 views)
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Re: [bktv] A bittersweet development [In reply to]	Can't Post

Oooh...do tell. I've been a fan of Michael Knight ever since he won the Playboy college fiction contest circa '97. When that thing came up from under the mattress, I really did end up reading it!

six five four three two one 0 ->

pedro

Mar 8, 2008, 12:47 PM

Post #469 of 2090 (8797 views)
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Re: [bktv] A bittersweet development [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah, congrats, bktv. Tennessee has a great all-around program, from everything I've heard--one of my former profs is buddies with Michael Knight

pedro

Mar 8, 2008, 2:35 PM

Post #470 of 2090 (8756 views)
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Re: [josray] A bittersweet development [In reply to]	Can't Post

Oh, and ps: got rejected at Illinois-Chicago and accepted at Georgia. Off for a hike.

krob75

Mar 8, 2008, 5:24 PM

Post #471 of 2090 (8714 views)
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Re: [bktv] A bittersweet development [In reply to]	Can't Post

Both Wier and Knight are fantastic. I have been in several of Wier's graduate workshops, and he is wonderfully critical (really) yet laid back. Great classes. I have never taken a class from Knight, but he is pretty much a hotshot right now in the world of fiction--publishing in places like Playboy, Esquire, GQ, etc. and a new collection just out. He's young and dynamic. You probably already know this, but the MA at UT offers the creative thesis option--literature coursework combined with creative workshops and an option to write a collection of short stories, for example, for the thesis.

I think you will love the city, too. Knoxville has four distinct seasons, the Smoky Mountains an hour away, a nice balance of big and small city life. Plus if you are coming from the West (?), then you will find that Knoxville is right in the center of a lot of drivable places worth visiting on the east coast. Do I sound like a brochure??

bktv

Mar 8, 2008, 11:02 PM

Post #472 of 2090 (8653 views)
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Re: [krob75] A bittersweet development [In reply to]	Can't Post

Close to a brochure, but more helpful! Thanks for the info. I just hope I am able (coughs at Mizzou/GSU/Nebraska/UGA) to make a decision soon.

I do know about UT's program options, but went with the MA Lit. since I already have an MFA from USC. I am hoping, though, to be able to take 1-2 fiction workshops even if I do the Lit. concentration. I'm from LA, so definitely West. I have an aunt that lives in Kentucky, but that's as close as I've ever been to Knoxville.

spamela

Mar 10, 2008, 10:23 AM

Post #473 of 2090 (8566 views)
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Re: [bktv] USC [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks, bktv! All that's very helpful info.

gcsumfa

Mar 10, 2008, 4:18 PM

Post #474 of 2090 (8511 views)
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Re: [spamela] USC [In reply to]	Can't Post

Rejected from Tennessee, by post, as expected. I already have an MA in Lit, so I had no shot at an MA offer.

LesK
Les

Mar 10, 2008, 6:07 PM

Post #475 of 2090 (8470 views)
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More Rejections! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Got the official Mizzou rejection as well as the expected Utah rejection today.

Missouri's letter was much nicer.

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