The School/Uni Thread

[Einherjar86]

Well, an English professor from Chicago sent me a lengthy, descriptive email concerning the MAPH program. He began by apologizing for not being able to offer me tuition assistance and for the university not accepting me into the English graduate program (which, it turns out, I don't qualify for because it's a combined Master's/PhD program). Anyway, I just assumed it was a mass email sent out to all those accepted, until I noticed that the professor referenced my undergraduate thesis in the email. He then went on to reference my personal statement, agreeing that the faculty members I'd mentioned in my statement would be excellent for me to work with. He also listed some more professors and programs/courses offered in the English department that he thinks would be beneficial to my proposed area of study.

I thought it was a pretty genuine email, and the professor who wrote it really made it seem as though they are interested in having me study there. I'm hesitant because it's a general Master's program (i.e. not specified in English), but it seems like they really will try to help me get the best English Master's experience I can.

 

[unknown]

check out this rejection email I got the other day in regards to the paper I wrote on House of Leaves:

Dear Mr. Koger:

The editors of Critique have carefully reviewed your manuscript # 42-10-010 titled "A House of One's Own: Third Spaces and Liminality in Gender and Sexuality in Mark Z. Danielewski's <i>House of Leaves</i>" and have concluded they cannot accept it for publication. The comments on which this decision was based are at the bottom of this letter. We appreciate your interest in Critique and hope the outcome of this specific submission will not discourage you from submitting future manuscripts.

Sincerely,
Kevin Swanson
for the Executive Editors of Critique
(guy's email address)

Reviewer's Comments to Author
Consulting Editor/Reviewer: 1
Comments to the Author
The essay largely proceeds by way of character analysis, each character evaluated to the degree that it represents ego, superego, and id. Unfortunately, this is not an especially sophisticated approach. In addition, the essay is poorly written. It is filled with grand generalizations--"On college campuses acorss the nation, possibly across the world," "Always reflecting society, literature is also changing"--and the secondary sources are not gracefully integrated. There also is too much reliance on plot.

Sometimes an essay should not be submitted for publication, and I'm sorry to say that this is one such case. Perhaps at a later date, when the author has had time to develop his skills more, he can return to this essay for possible revision. But at the moment, my suggestion would be for him not to send the essay out elsewhere for publication.

Executive Editor
Comments to the Author:
The Executive Editor agrees with the Consulting Editor. Although "House of Leaves" is an important and intriguing novel, this essay about it is not ready for publication. Page 4 is an illustration of stylistic problems throughout: repetition of Karen as former model, beautiful, etc. The essay relies on too many broad generalizations such as "male patriarchy system of controlling women in society." As the author notes, not many essays have been published on Danielewski, but we still need to know why, in the context of those essays that have been published, this particular essay merits attention. Finally, Danielewski has given a few interviews; does he comment on the issues raised in this essay?

it's like I fucking offended them. I forwarded the email to my professor I wrote the paper for (who thought the paper was phenomenal)

also, I will agree with them on the grand sweeping generalizations in some bits. but whatever

 

[Srontgorrth]

Got waitlisted for UC Irvine, though my GF got in (which is odd since we have the same ACT score, and almost the same GPA, as well as extra-currics)

 

[Chanakya]

The essays matter right?

 

[Einherjar86]

The essays matter right?

Oh yeah, big time.

EDIT: I'm talking about grad school apps though; not sure about undergrad.

Got waitlisted for UC Irvine, though my GF got in (which is odd since we have the same ACT score, and almost the same GPA, as well as extra-currics)

Even if you had exactly the same stats, acceptances are weird. They can only choose so many, and they don't like to take lots of people from the same area; so that kind of hurts your chances.

 

[Srontgorrth]

Oh yeah, big time.

EDIT: I'm talking about grad school apps though; not sure about undergrad.



Even if you had exactly the same stats, acceptances are weird. They can only choose so many, and they don't like to take lots of people from the same area; so that kind of hurts your chances.

@Ananth: Yeah essays matter, which I'm guessing is a contributing factor.

@ Einherjar: Good points too, though I guess I'll see what UC San Diego says by the end of this month. Atleast both my gf and I are admitted to UC Riverside.

Right now though, my best option is UNLV, since I'd only have to pay around $500 a semester, plus its cheaper here, and my dad is thinking of moving out as well.

 

[~Derek~]

I'm nervous I won't get into graduate school now. I can't wait until UMaine makes their decision on me concerning their Mass Communications masters program. Any day now apparently could be the day. I didn't get accepted to U of Washington or Wisconsin-Madison so that's where the nervousness stems from I guess. Only bad thing I have is a lower GRE general score of 840 but a very good writing score of 5.0 out of 6.0 and a 3.3 Overall/3.7 Major GPA. We'll see.

 

[Cythraul]

How to be a successful undergraduate in 4 easy steps:

1. Get a bunch of answers wrong on an exam.
2. Spend a bunch of time trying to convince your TA that intending to get the right answers is enough to make your answers acceptable.
3. ????
4. Profit

 

[damnromulans]

Oh man EYE ROLL at that Cythraul.

All the new teachers are here today! Looking grim, my favorite teacher who left has been replaced by a short woman who looks like a pig and has acne and doesn't seem capable of joking. On the upside, there are cute male teachers who smoke that I can talk to in the smoking room.

 

[Einherjar86]

Hey Cyth, do you have to take the GRE to get accepted into graduate philosophy programs, or does it depend on the school?

 

[V.V.V.V.V.]

I'm going to New York on a trip with the Art Student Union (2 professors, our university gallery coordinator and many students included) from April 19-21...first time I've ever been to NY (as a destination; we go through it on the way to MDF every year haha)...so pumped! Expect pictures from the Museum of Modern Art and shit! FUCK YEARH!

 

[Cythraul]

Hey Cyth, do you have to take the GRE to get accepted into graduate philosophy programs, or does it depend on the school?

For most of them you have to take the GRE. There are a few that don't require it. I know that MIT doesn't.

 

[Einherjar86]

I'm going to New York on a trip with the Art Student Union (2 professors, our university gallery coordinator and many students included) from April 19-21...first time I've ever been to NY (as a destination; we go through it on the way to MDF every year haha)...so pumped! Expect pictures from the Museum of Modern Art and shit! FUCK YEARH!

Kick ass. I'm going to Chicago next weekend for the MAPH campus days. Expect drunken diatribes on why none of you are as cool as I am.

Just kidding boys. I don't write diatribes. I'll just scoff at your posts in disgust.

For most of them you have to take the GRE. There are a few that don't require it. I know that MIT doesn't.

Interesting. Thanks; I was reading online about some philosophy programs the other day and for some reason couldn't find anything about GRE requirements. Is there a subject test for philosophy?

 

[Cythraul]

Is there a subject test for philosophy?

I don't know. If there is nobody requires it. I can't even imagine what that would be like anyway.

 

[Zephyrus]

I just got an invitation to join Phi Beta Kappa.

Fuck. Yeah.

 

[Srontgorrth]

"Since inception, 17 U.S. Presidents, 37 U.S. Supreme Court Justices, 1 NFL MVP and 131 Nobel Laureates have been inducted members.[8]"

dayum, nice Zeph.

 

[unknown]

are they asking for money to join, zeph?

 

[V.V.V.V.V.]

I'm in Alpha Lambda Delta! Woot!

 

[Pessimism]

I'm not in a frat because I'm not fond of rubbing men down with body butter.

Also:

 

[damnromulans]

Phi Beta Kappa isn't a frat, it just means you do exceptionally well in school. Great Job!