/lit/ - Literature

>>789433

Reported.

I think that's all the info I got so far unless anyone else wants to help out.

Cont.

When with faculty, always be polite. Ask your professors if they have any resources. The library has a gigantic database that is filled with links on where to go for application improvement and people who are in the business. USE THESE.

Professors are usually inviting guest authors to speak or do a reading. Book-signings and what not are also great places. Authors want to network just as much as you do, and in most cases, they will be happy to give you a recommendation or work with you on your writing and so-forth.

No one is samefagging...Sounds like you're just being an ass.

Cont.

NETWORKING is key as well. Facebook, LinkedIn, freelance, whatever. Get to know as many people as possible in the business you plan to work for, whether it is in publishing, editing, teaching, etc.

Professors are good starts, not just for the professors recommendation, but professors are gold mines in pointing you towards people who can improve your application, important people in the business, and even people that are ON THE APPLICATION REVIEW BOARD.

>>672292

Cont.

Online writing websites are also helpful, and provide numerous tips to get in as well.

You can find books published everywhere regarding more in-depth tips on how to improve on your GRE, your GPA, and your writing in general.

The more involved you are, the better. Strive to stand-out, which means to stand-out in more than just your GPA or your GRE scores. Do EVERYTHING you can to set yourself apart from the masses.

Cont.

Constantly read and write, and strive to get published. Your school is going to want to see not just how well you did in classes or how active you were, they want to see your potential.

Grad school application boards ask: Is this person worth taking?

It is a business decision because grad schools don't want to see someone fail just as much as the student doesn't want to fail. If they are taking a person out of only 15 of the hundreds of applicants, they want to make sure that this student was a good choice.

To help ensure that, writing samples are KEY. What have you published? What is your writing? Has it been given reviews? Were the reviews positive? How credible was the publication, subject matter, so on so forth.

Whether it's a newspaper submission, a piece of fiction, a book, Grad schools want to see that you are active in English before you even set foot onto the path towards higher education.

Now then, like I said before, feel free to contribute graphs, websites, advice, links, books or otherwise on how to help fellow /lit/erates get into an English grad program.

Cont.

The U.S. News and Weekly Report obviously has a pretty accurate ranking system on the best English graduate programs. My personal choice, University of Pittsburgh, is ranked 34th. Not too bad considering the top-10 are Ivy schools and in general schools that are very difficult to get into.

Other ranking sites exist if anyone would like to post.

Also, please be aware that this is for people seeking ENGLISH graduate programs.

Sorry I didn't make that very clear, this is /lit/ so I thought people would assume.

>>672242

Harvard made headlines when a member of the board that handles applications stated that they overlooked someone with PERFECT SAT AND ACT SCORES and took someone with lower scores, but has shown large involvement in activities and leadership opportunities.

>>672235

Surprisingly, yes.

Grad schools receive NUMEROUS applicants throughout the year. ALL of them with very high GPA's.

An application reviewer is more inclined to take a person with a 3.66 and has been VERY involved in activities than a person with a stellar GPA...but no sign of social experience.

>>672203

Cont.

Now we begin the search for a good Grad school.

Understand that there are different programs with English. You can get an MA, a MFA, and even go for a doctorate. Certifications in publishing also are valid choices.

However, schools might offer only certain ones, the best typically offer all.

Decide whether you want to place an emphasis on literature, writing (fiction, creative, prose, whatever), film studies, composition, teaching, publication, and the like.

THEN, you can start researching for which Grad school you would like to go to.

Once you decide you want to go to Graduate school, you should make sure you have a few things laid out before you even consider which one you should go to.

Before even considering, you should ask yourself the following:

Is my GPA at the VERY LEAST a 3.0?

Have I been involved in numerous activities, both academic, and social?

Did I participate in any activities or mediums that pertained to my field?

Have I interned?

Do I have good sources for recommendations, such as senior professors or department chairs?

Am I fluent in more than just English?

Have I published work before?

Do I have a good GRE score?

All are very important. The more you do to set yourself apart from the several thousands that are also applying for grad school, and the hundreds, if not thousands who are applying to YOUR school and YOUR program, the better.

I'll begin my part.

First, it is important to ask yourself (obviously) whether grad school is right for you or not.

If college was difficult enough for you, it is not for you.

If writing is a chore for you, (english for that matter) and grad school is not for you.

If doing TREMENDOUS amounts of work bother you more than most people, grad school is not for you.

If you do not cope well with intense or rigorous schedules, grad school is not for you.

HOWEVER

If you want to work hard in what you love, if you want to raise your average salary by as much as doubling it, if you want to teach, or if you simply love to be immersed in the field of English, then grad school is for you.

Hello, it's me again fellow /lit/erates.

Today we are going to talk about graduate school, and how to prepare.

I'm a second year English/Mass Communications undergraduate, and I'd like to prepare as best as I can for getting an MA in English.

Feel free to post sound advice, websites, links, books, etc. that can help /lit/ get into that school they dream of.

>>666975

No problem ;)

>>666965

/tv/ is that way --->

Just kidding, bro.

>>666920

To prevent questions on my breaking of all the laws of physics, I meant to say BY my desk, in a chair NEXT to my desk.

>>666907

First of all I don't think /lit/ would question your sexual orientation, it is /lit/ after all...We welcome everybody.

Second, I prefer to make espresso with my french press and dim my lights. I turn on a desk lamp and listen to www.rainymood.com and smooth jazz. Then I read.

I spend most of my time reading in a comfy sofa with my dog or in a desk to perform my said ritual.

>>666666

On behalf of /lit/ we accept this, and congratulations.

Glad we have a nice bromance between us, /sp/artans.

>>666666

I'm going to allow this.

...At least it wasn't /fit/...

>>666648

Needs 3 more.

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>>666520

I sent in a request.

/g/entlemen,

What do you say we get another thread archived?

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Good night, /lit/