Question:
I am applying for graduate programs in literature for the academic
year starting in Fall 2004. I know what I want to study, but I am
afraid that I won't get in to the programs I want to attend. I am
thinking about these programs: UC-Berkeley, UC-Irvine, U. of
Washington, UWisconsin-Madison, UIUC, Purdue, Duke, UMinn.
I would like to study critical theory, early modern literature or
modern African-American literature. I'm also interested in South Asian
Studies. My problem is that most of the schools on the above list are
extremely competitive and I feel like there is no way I will get in.
My husband thinks I'm being irrational, but I'd really appreciate
honest feedback. My GRE is ok at 2170 (680V), and I have not yet taken
the GRE Subject test in literature (any suggestions on how to study
for this would also be greatly appreciated). The thing is, I have two
Bachelor's degrees, one with a not-so-stellar GPA (3.42) in
microbiology, but I went back to school last year because I decided I
wanted to study literature, so I have a B.A. in English now, from a
good university, and my GPA there is a 3.90, consisting entirely of
English and foreign language classes. Will this split hinder my
applications? Or make me more desirable? It was only one year of study
for me, as I already had an English minor from my other undergraduate
institution. I think I have strong recommendations and writing sample
lined up, but are these schools to pie-in-the-sky and should I apply
for lesser known or ranked PhD programs in literature? Literature is
my passion and I am miserable working outside of the field (as I am
doing now, and did for two years in between my two bachelors degrees).
Answer:
got my Bachelor's Degree at Purdue w/ an Englsh Minor, African
American literature didn't seem to be pushed very hard there. And if
you were hoping to get a teaching Fellowship, then I would hope that
you enjoy teaching Freshman Compostition
education is the progressive discovery of our own ignorance" --Will Durant
"people who read the tabloids deserve to be lied to " Jerry Seinfeld
"if we don't have a sense of humor, we can't have a sense of perspective --Wayne Thiboux
Submit Your
Own Answer!
