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bordercrosser

Mar 6, 2010, 9:34 PM

Post #1726 of 2090 (10162 views)
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Re: [TC3] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi all,

Eleni Sikelianos called me today with an acceptance for Denver -- again while I was in transit without any means of writing anything down. But she started her phone call with, I'm calling from the U of D and are you coming? I had to ask, wait, are you accepting me? It sounds like she's made all her calls today & tomorrow (for 5? this is where I wish I had something to write with? spaces).

Hope you're all having great Saturdays! Talk soon.

gcsumfa

Mar 6, 2010, 9:35 PM

Post #1727 of 2090 (10161 views)
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Re: [bordercrosser] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Congrats!

LesK
Les

Mar 6, 2010, 9:38 PM

Post #1728 of 2090 (10149 views)
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Re: [bordercrosser] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wow, bordercrosser! Congrats & good luck with the decision making....

gcsumfa

Mar 6, 2010, 9:42 PM

Post #1729 of 2090 (10140 views)
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Re: [LesK] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Ok....so how does one stand out?

Here's a suggestion:

http://call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/node/35954 *

*and note the person to whom you're sending the proposals is a doctoral student @ UC.... Think that might stand out? (GCSUMFA...I'm sort of posting this with you in mind....might be up your alley. We'll drink or something.)

Here's another:

http://www.bestnewpoets.org/

(Seth, you did that, right? Or that got done to you, whatevs...)

So, as a writer, regardless of the shape of your diss....what other tips for navigating grad school (and "CV Building") do you have? And how many of those ideas would help getting into a PhD?

Teaching a variety of courses in grad school helps, too. Some programs will give you the opportunity to design your own courses--jump on those opportunities.

gcsumfa

Mar 6, 2010, 10:07 PM

Post #1730 of 2090 (10094 views)
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Re: [umass76] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

[NB: On second thought, I ought to get back to my life. And stop speaking with two people I wouldn't give two seconds to anywhere but on this screen. Take care everyone. And GCSUMFA, you can call me a bloody murderer now if you want. I'm done here -- not coming back to this conversation. But I do appreciate the professional advice -- and the subtle threat. I just realized I know who you are.].

Dude, wow. You know who I am, just like you knew that JM was a secret agent from the Columbia MFA Cartel.

When did I call you any names? I admitted a few posts ago that I believe that you're a nice guy.

Threaten you? You took that as a threat? I'm being serious--it's not a good look for you, that's all I'm saying.

Threaten you? What power do I possible hold to harm you? I was simply acknowledging the fact that we probably know some of the same people, like a lot of folks in the insular CW world. So what? What could I possibly tell them that they haven't already seen plastered all over the net? Everyone already knows how you roll online.

I doubt you know who I am. I'm not that important--no book, and still a PhD student; though--to answer your anon troll charge earlier--I've been pretty forthcoming about my information on these boards, from admissions announcements to pub announcements. Not exactly a good way to remain a troll.

(This post was edited by gcsumfa on Mar 6, 2010, 10:14 PM)

riptide

Mar 6, 2010, 10:08 PM

Post #1731 of 2090 (10091 views)
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Re: [bordercrosser] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats! I'm enjoying envisioning these phone calls...and also envisioning how one could make a decision on geographic merits alone. You've got the two ideal situations there, mountains vs. ocean, never mind the actual (wonderful) programs themselves ;)

And LesK, you're unflappable.

bktv

Mar 6, 2010, 10:16 PM

Post #1732 of 2090 (10072 views)
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Re: [LesK] [In reply to]	Can't Post

@Les That conference on short stories is right up my alley. I wish I had time to write a paper for the conference (but I just don't). Incidentally, one of the main (only?) short story "theorists" is Susan Lohafer, who teaches at Iowa, and was one of the main draws for me to apply to the critical program. I write short stories; I love short stories; I'm a short story advocate. Genre theory about the short story fascinates me.

@Seth I'm troubled by the description of the split between the IWW and the English department at Iowa. It was exactly the same way at USC with the english department and the MPW program. I firmly believe that healthier departments are more integrated. While there may always be distrust between creative writers and critics, I hated (at USC) having to petition and fight just to take ONE class in the english department. In the end, it never counted toward my degree. I've leery of entering into something similar at Iowa. But, if the summer classes could be worked out (e.g. the instructor has to approve my manuscript, but I don't have to pay for the class, since it is an official graduate Iowa offering), I could probably come to terms with it.

@bordercrosser Nice work with all of these apps! Congrats!

(This post was edited by bktv on Mar 6, 2010, 10:18 PM)

kliq

Mar 6, 2010, 10:25 PM

Post #1733 of 2090 (10062 views)
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Re: [bordercrosser] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Wow...great job!

gcsumfa

Mar 6, 2010, 10:33 PM

Post #1734 of 2090 (10047 views)
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Re: [kliq] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

What's the deal with Denver's funding situation? The last I heard, they only gave you 3 years, and you're on your own the 4th year; because it's a private school, it would suck to have to pay out-of-pocket the 4th year.

bordercrosser

Mar 6, 2010, 11:18 PM

Post #1735 of 2090 (9989 views)
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Re: [gcsumfa] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes, she told me 3 years of funding today, but I didn't get a chance to ask more -- in transit with a spilling cup of coffee, late for a rehearsal with a co-writer in tow, trying to pay the waitress etc. More to come though.

abcd

Mar 6, 2010, 11:35 PM

Post #1736 of 2090 (9972 views)
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Re: [bordercrosser] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ah bordercrosser that is so so exciting! I can't wait to hear what you decide! Such great options.

gcsumfa

Mar 7, 2010, 12:21 AM

Post #1737 of 2090 (9931 views)
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Re: [bordercrosser] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Ah, well, it sounds like you have some options. Are you still waiting to hear back from anyone else?

bordercrosser

Mar 8, 2010, 3:01 AM

Post #1738 of 2090 (9642 views)
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Re: [gcsumfa] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks everyone!

Just checked my status online at Illinois State & it says, Final Admit, so am only waiting on Houston now.

For those who have been admitted, are you planning on visiting your schools? Have you been offered funding to do so? Is this common? From taking a look at last year's boards, it seems that several folks made the visit to help make their decision & seemed like some programs did offer that kind of support.

Hope everyone is well.

bktv

Mar 8, 2010, 11:57 AM

Post #1739 of 2090 (9550 views)
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Re: [bordercrosser] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats bordercrosser! What factors do you think will most influence your decision?

In other news, I was finally accepted—at Tennessee off the waitlist. Big relief!

Best wishes for all those still waiting.

LesK
Les

Mar 8, 2010, 12:16 PM

Post #1740 of 2090 (9522 views)
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Re: [bktv] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats bktv!!!

I know it's been a bit of a long road for you, and I'm delighted to hear that you'll have the chance to keep working @ Tennessee!

Cheers!

Les

kliq

Mar 8, 2010, 12:37 PM

Post #1741 of 2090 (9498 views)
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Re: [bktv] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats bktv! Awesome!

riptide

Mar 8, 2010, 12:49 PM

Post #1742 of 2090 (9480 views)
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Re: [bktv] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congratulations, bktv!!

On a related note, my god, these boards are addictive--the sturm und drang, the debates, the theme music, the happy endings? Especially the happy endings, as in all these acceptances!

bktv

Mar 8, 2010, 1:41 PM

Post #1743 of 2090 (9428 views)
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Re: [LesK] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks everyone!

@Les Yes, if you read this entire thread you will notice that this is my third year applying, and first acceptance into a creative PhD. So—multiple years can work!

bordercrosser

Mar 8, 2010, 2:28 PM

Post #1744 of 2090 (9375 views)
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Re: [bktv] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats bktv!!!!

Factors I'm weighing -- how much support the program is offering, location (as well as how easy or difficult to get to other places for readings, conferences etc), the range of aesthetics in the program + whether I think that my cohort + faculty I'd like to work with + faculty in other genres can help push my writing to a new level, diversity amongst the student body/faculty + outside community, community resources outside of the school (whether or not the community can make up for anything the school may not have), teaching + other opportunities ...

How are others making their decisions?

I think I'll be sitting & meditating for the days to come.

Good luck to everyone still waiting!

abcd

Mar 8, 2010, 3:00 PM

Post #1745 of 2090 (9333 views)
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Re: [bktv] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congratulations, bktv! I have been following your story on the boards for the last few years and it is true--everyone loves a hard earned happy ending. Nice work, my friend!

Ms. Mystery

Mar 8, 2010, 4:29 PM

Post #1746 of 2090 (9264 views)
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Re: [bktv] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congratulations bktv and bordercrosser, and anybody else I may have missed. I've been taking a break from the boards for sanity purposes, but I'm glad to see your good news!

As for me, still no news, which at this point I don't necessarily think indicates good news. Ah, well. Still, you guys must be delighted, especially since this whole process is a regular bonecrusher.

TC3

Mar 9, 2010, 12:32 AM

Post #1747 of 2090 (9122 views)
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Re: [abcd] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Has anyone heard *anything* from Ohio? So far, *nothing" has been posted on gradcafe under either "english" or "writing," and we're getting close to 2 months after the due date.

It seems that the program is extremely small (I counted 3 poetry PhDs listed as current grad students), so chances of getting in are nonexistent, but I'm still curious.

kliq

Mar 9, 2010, 12:46 AM

Post #1748 of 2090 (9114 views)
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Re: [TC3] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Nope...so far silence from Ohio.

franz

Mar 9, 2010, 12:14 PM

Post #1749 of 2090 (8998 views)
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Re: [bordercrosser] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats Bordercrosser!

Were they making calls for poetry, fiction, or both?

Franz Knupfer, author of short stories and novels

bordercrosser

Mar 9, 2010, 12:21 PM

Post #1750 of 2090 (8989 views)
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Re: [franz] 2010 PhD Responses [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks! I'm poetry. I don't know if they were making calls for fiction at the same time, but imagine it must be a similar timeframe?

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