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borntorun

Dec 9, 2007, 10:13 PM

Post #801 of 1172 (4217 views)
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Re: [ejdifili] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

This is going to be my general "Thank You" post to this entire board. Except for the TA form for UNH, I am finished with my applications. All 16 of those beasts are in their envelopes and I'll pay the huge postage fee tomorrow. This was exhausting.

And Emily (above), I'm a high school English teacher as well, and it's been incredibly hard to keep this under wraps. I don't quite want everyone to know I could be done after this year.

Anyway, on to the interminable wait! I think I'll look forward to the two month lull.

bennyprof

Dec 9, 2007, 10:45 PM

Post #802 of 1172 (4210 views)
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Re: [borntorun] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Grats!

I've only got two of mine done.

Which programs are you applying to?

borntorun

Dec 9, 2007, 11:21 PM

Post #803 of 1172 (4199 views)
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Re: [bennyprof] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have the list memorized. Sick. Here we go:

Michigan
Ohio State
Wisconsin
Penn State
Iowa
Minnesota
Indiana
Purdue
Washington
Oregon
UMass
Syracuse
New Hampshire
UNC-Wilmington
NC State
Notre Dame

I need to a) get in and b) be funded. I also don't want to live in the South, West, or NYC. I would have applied to Virginia/DC/Baltimore schools, but I live here and want to move.

bennyprof

Dec 9, 2007, 11:40 PM

Post #804 of 1172 (4193 views)
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Re: [borntorun] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

And whadya have against the south? It's not so bad down here. Hehe.

That's a nice looking list. Good luck.

MissEsquire

Dec 12, 2007, 11:31 AM

Post #805 of 1172 (4090 views)
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Re: [bennyprof] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Does anyone know if you can view whether official transcripts have been received by Michigan and Cornell? I've logged onto the application status pages of both schools and not been able to find anything.

Speaking of which, would it be beneficial to have a "technical questions about applications" thread on the speakeasy? Many people have questions about which buttons to press and how to format documents for the internet, etc. It might be helpful to have all this information in one place.

bennyprof

Dec 12, 2007, 11:38 AM

Post #806 of 1172 (4085 views)
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Re: [MissEsquire] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Don't think there's a place to check, but Cornell will contact you if anything is missing from you application. Taken directly from their website:

The field will notify applicants by early January should any portion of the application be missing.

I wouldn't worry about it. (Though I can't speak to Michigan, as I haven't started that one yet.)

(This post was edited by bennyprof on Dec 12, 2007, 11:39 AM)

bighark

Dec 12, 2007, 11:44 AM

Post #807 of 1172 (4080 views)
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Re: [MissEsquire] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

It's been my experience that nothing on those online application status pages is ever updated, including your admission decision.

MissEsquire

Dec 13, 2007, 12:22 PM

Post #808 of 1172 (3987 views)
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Re: [bighark] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

It's been my experience that nothing on those online application status pages is ever updated, including your admission decision.

Hah! Yes, I remember last year's anxious posts. The graduate admissions office at Cornell was accommodating, however, and checked for me. So did UVA. If I'm learning one thing from this process, it's that the more you politely pester people, the more they'll do for you.

Scrat1

Dec 13, 2007, 3:54 PM

Post #809 of 1172 (3931 views)
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Re: [MissEsquire] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Off to a good start: When I checked my overnight UPS delivery reciept I saw that I addressed my Cornell applications to:

Graduate Applications
Department of English
250 Goldwin Smith Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-3201

It was supposed to go to:

Graduate Applications
Department of English
250 Goldwin Smith Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-3201

Missing a bit of crucial information there, huh? Anyone want to take bets whether it makes it there or not?

jlgwriter
Jeanne Lyet Gassman

Dec 13, 2007, 4:09 PM

Post #810 of 1172 (3923 views)
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Re: [Scrat1] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

It could get there. My guess is that Cornell has their own zip code, so you might get lucky! :) Do you have a tracking number for the UPS package? If so, you can check the progress online.

Jeanne

http://www.jeannelyetgassman.com
http://jeannelyetgassman.blogspot.com

HopperFu

Dec 13, 2007, 4:10 PM

Post #811 of 1172 (3923 views)
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Re: [Scrat1] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

I bet you a bazillion dollars it gets there. It's obviously either going to Ithaca College or Cornell, and Cornell has its own zip code - 14853.
That being said, I don't actually have a bazillion dollars, so I'll bet you a beer.

bennyprof

Dec 13, 2007, 4:10 PM

Post #812 of 1172 (3923 views)
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Re: [Scrat1] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

It's not like Ithaca is a huge, sprawling metropolis. That city revolves around Cornell. The only other English Department in Ithaca is at Ithaca College with a 14850 (as opposed to 14853) zip code.

I don't think you've got anything to worry about.

EDIT: Damn you, HopperFu, and your quick typing! ;)

(This post was edited by bennyprof on Dec 13, 2007, 4:12 PM)

Scrat1

Dec 13, 2007, 4:13 PM

Post #813 of 1172 (3917 views)
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Re: [bennyprof] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wow. Three reassuring responses all within two minutes. I feel better, thanks.

umass76

Dec 13, 2007, 4:45 PM

Post #814 of 1172 (3903 views)
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Re: [Scrat1] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'll add my two cents to the mix, too: it'll get there, don't worry. USPS deals with this all the time, and they go off the Zip Code and most-specific address line (e.g. street address) anyway. It'll get there, rest easy. If you're worried, call in a few days just to be sure, and explain the situation, and I imagine they'd be willing to simply confirm receipt of the package.
S.

Scrat1

Dec 14, 2007, 12:07 AM

Post #815 of 1172 (3843 views)
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Re: [umass76] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks all.

New question: What is the "residency statement" required for UMass? No other schools that I've seen require one.

bennyprof

Dec 14, 2007, 12:21 AM

Post #816 of 1172 (3836 views)
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Re: [Scrat1] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Looks like it's only required for in-state tuition (which you won't be able to get unless you already live in Massachusetts). Though if you get a TA -- and I think most incoming students do -- your tuition is waved and you get a stipend.

(This post was edited by bennyprof on Dec 14, 2007, 12:32 AM)

mpagan

Dec 14, 2007, 10:49 AM

Post #817 of 1172 (3782 views)
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Re: Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Is anyone working on the Johns Hopkins application? I’m curious about the 2-page critique. I understand it should be an introduction to your samples and give the admissions committee a clue to how you would perform in a workshop, but I am curious if they expect you to be “critical” about your work. Do you have to point out where your stories may not have worked? I did not go that route; I just introduced my stories and their themes. I wrote about my narrative choices and about the language, mood and tone of the works I submitted. That should be enough right? I was not cocky or smug in my critique; I just did not have anything bad to say about the stories, or offered where they could be strengthened. I see where and how they could be better – I just don’t think that should be in the critique and honestly it would take up more than the two page limit they give you. What do you guys think? Should I think about it as a job interview when they ask “What do you think are your weaknesses?”

smallfrog

Dec 14, 2007, 1:27 PM

Post #818 of 1172 (3741 views)
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Re: [mpagan] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi, I'm delurking after several months to say that this board has been incredibly helpful and to thank everyone who's posted for their generosity.

And also to say: yes, what the heck is up with the self-critque required by Johns Hopkins? To me, one of the points of being in a workshop is that I need the perspective and feedback of others to point out things I can't see in my own work. I'm aware that I have a long way to go as a writer and I know my faults, but it just seems really weird to be saying "this is my best work" with the sample and then saying "well, here are all the things that are wrong with it" somewhere else. Am I just being obtuse? Ack!

writerteacher

Dec 14, 2007, 5:13 PM

Post #819 of 1172 (3699 views)
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Re: [mpagan] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I see where and how they could be better – I just don’t think that should be in the critique and honestly it would take up more than the two page limit they give you.

Gah! That's tricky. Really, if you see where and how they could be better, as an admissions committee member, I'd wonder why you hadn't revised per your own comments.

I agree with you -- why the heck would anyone point out the flaws in a story s/he is hoping will be competitive enough to gain admission to a top program (or any program)?

"The main flaw of this story is that it is too reminiscent of F. O'Connor's most riveting work..."

Yeesh. Ask me to critique someone else's writing, please.

No help to you, but wishing you the best of luck,
EHH

mpagan

Dec 14, 2007, 7:28 PM

Post #820 of 1172 (3669 views)
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Re: [writerteacher] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah - I actually think any writer would tell you, if pressed, what could be better with their work - and I don't think that always needs to be shared.

I am almost 100 percent sure they don't mean for you to rip your own work to shreds - just talk about it in a thoughtful and intelligent way. That's my impression anyway

bennyprof

Dec 15, 2007, 9:42 PM

Post #821 of 1172 (3574 views)
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Re: [Scrat1] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hmmm... a low posting day here at P&W. Anyone else spend your Saturday scrambling to make the December 15th postmark deadlines? ;)

mpagan

Dec 16, 2007, 1:47 AM

Post #822 of 1172 (3552 views)
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Re: Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey - I just took my GRE's again on Saturday. I took them in Nov - but I scored sort of low on verbal(500) - and totally just ignored writing the second essay in the writing section - let's just say it was a bad day that involved pain killers and DayQuill. Anyway I reported the scores because I was afraid of missing the 15th deadline for some schools - but signed to take GRE Dec. 15 (the earliest date I could get) So I scored much higher (690) and managed to write both essays. I reported these scores to all the same schools but I am worried the scored writing section won't get to the schools until sometime in late Jan. It took about a month before I got the writing score from Nov. (which was a 2.0 by the way - yikes!) Should I just trust all will work out in the end - which I am leaning towards - or say something to those schools?

Zash
Zachary Ash

Dec 16, 2007, 3:44 PM

Post #823 of 1172 (3488 views)
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Re: [mpagan] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

First, congratulations on getting a much higher verbal score. A 690 rocks! Second, I have heard that the admission committees don't look at the apps until late January or February. That said, I can't imagine it would hurt to get in touch with the schools and let them know you took the test in December. At the very least, they'll know you are conscientious and detail-oriented. Good luck!
Zash

mpagan

Dec 17, 2007, 2:21 PM

Post #824 of 1172 (3380 views)
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Re: Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

About Johns Hopkins application:

How did folks upload their writing sample?

From the set up online looks like you need to include (if more than one sample) both in one document then upload?

I did the critique seperate - but the doubling of my stories made me queasy for some reason. I've become accustomed to the spacing and my headers and all - now I have to strip the headers, tack one story to the end of the other and pray they don't shuffle and spill pages when their printed out.

Anyone else do this differently?

Scrat1

Dec 18, 2007, 7:03 PM

Post #825 of 1172 (3280 views)
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Re: [mpagan] Application Time [In reply to]	Can't Post

Apparently Visa decided to cut off my credit card since I used it so many times today on online applications. Guess they thought it got stolen. Awesome.

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