Aug...NO procrastination- period!

So, I am back in the States, finally settled in and ready to go forward! (with a smile as always!)

GRE- check. Sept 28th is the new deadline after a switch I just made since I do not think I'll be up for it in 3 days! Word of advice! Rescheduling will cost you $50.00 more...so try not to!

Final List of schools (this is it!) no changing minds...that's it, finito, finish, le fin!:

Harvard
Yale
Brown
Columbia
Stanford
NYU
CUNY
Emory
Rutgers
U of Oregon
Colorado
U of ND
U of Washington
U of North Carolina
UCSB
UCSD
UCR
USC
SFSU
SDSU...........wohooo...my hand even hurts- way too many but the competition is fierce!
Wish me luck! Let the craziness begin (shortly)!

Deadline Dec, Jan (so you'll really know why and where I will dissapear those months)!

Now the big question: Where do I really want to get in???...Harvard of course...the ultimate...but competition is fierce, like the olympics so we'll see, praying , hoping!!!

Now some advice to fellow applicants:

1.) Some of the applications are not available yet, but I strongly advise you to research, research, research...to the point when you become sick of all this school stuff!
2.) ORGANIZE! If you are applying to more that 2 schools this is essential! Excel spreadsheet , folders or other forms of organization are key!
What works for me: Excel spreaadsheets -with schools info, rankings, deadlines, etc
                               Once you've decided on the schools- folders with all important info inside and checklist of what you need to get and what's already set to go.
3.) If applications are available already start filling them out now!...Believe me 20 + schools will take a lot of time just to fill them out!
4.) Already decide on recommenders, writing sample (pages limits), and other documents you will need in the months to come.
5.) And finally! Those application fees are expensive!!! But if you get Financial Aid= Fee Waiver. Use it! You will save 1000's of $!

Happy applying!

P.S Don't forget about Fellowships! You could win as much as $30,000/yr! So try to apply at least for 2-3!

Talk to y'all soon!
Chao!

Other hopeful 2012 applicants!

Ok, it's time to REALLY start preparing...so any future applicants...no matter in what field...join me @ the gradcafe.com (Apply 2012 post)

http://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/22597-apply-2012/page__gopid__258462#entry258462

The New GRE Will Be Introduced On August 1st « Examville Blog

Something very useful that I found about the new GRE:

The New GRE Will Be Introduced On August 1st « Examville Blog

The revised Graduate Record Examination will be launched this Summer on August 1, 2011. The updated version will emphasize reading comprehension and veer away from content that tests memorization. Sections such as analogies will no longer be part of the test, students will be allowed to use calculators, and the testing time will be increased an additional 30 minutes.

For a detailed account of the changes to the GRE, read the article below, originally published on the Examville Blog on June 7, 2010.

The GRE Revised General Test to be Launched in August 2011

Changes are coming to the computer-adaptive GRE General Test on August 1, 2011. According to the ETS, the official administrator of the GRE, the new GRE General Test will provide test-takers with more flexibility and greater real-test experience. The revised GRE will include changes in content, structure, computer-enabled features, and scoring.

Content Changes

• The new Verbal Reasoning content will test complex reasoning and reduce reliance on memorization. The new test will feature more questions based on complex reading passages and less emphasis will be given to knowledge of vocabulary alone.

• The Quantitative Reasoning part of the revised test will focus more on elementary mathematics and its application to real-life scenarios.

• The Analytical Writing questions will seek more focused responses requiring critical thinking and reducing the possibility of spewing out memorized text.

Structural Changes

• The test-time for the revised GRE General Test will be 3 hours and 45 minutes, with a 10 minute break after the third section, and a 1 minute break after each section.

• The revised GRE test will be divided in 6 sections: (i) one Analytical Reasoning section, with two separately timed tasks; (ii) two Verbal Reasoning sections; (iii) two Quantitative Reasoning sections; and (iv) one unscored section, which may be either Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning.

• The Analytical Reasoning Section will always be the first section in the new test; the remaining five may appear in any order.

Computer-Enabled Feature Changes

• The new response format will include entry of computer-enable numeric answers.

• New “preview and review” functionalities within a section.

• Test-takers will be able to skip a question and return to it later by utilizing a new “mark and review” feature.

• New feature to change/edit answers.

• On-screen calculator will be presented for the Quantitative Reasoning portion.
(For those taking the GRE General Test in paper format, calculators will be distributed at the test centers during testing).

Scoring Changes

• The revised Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning portions will be scored on a new scale of 130-170 points, in 1-point increments.

Decisions..........!

So, as summer is fast approaching, so are the deadlines...and the final decisions! And at this time I find myself once again still wondering, roaming between two main Grad choices: Comp lit MA/PhD or SLS (Second lang. Acquisition)/TESOL MA (and then potentially a PhD in SLS). Both options seem to appeal to me at different times of the day in different ways and I still struggle with making that choice. Now I am seriously thinking that maybe writing all of this down will help me, (and yes those other to be grad's that are struggling with multiple choices...I sooo feel your pain right about now!:)

So, this is what I'm facing:

1.) Comp Lit

PROS:  I am really interested in different languages, have a newfound love for literature that is really strong at the moment and do really want to continue learning and keeping active all my foreign languages (Russian , English, French, Hungarian....). The fact that I posses the knowledge of these languages could definitely be a great plus in this field and in the comparative research. And as always I like the flexibility of such a degree, the freedom of doing a graduate degree but not sacrificing to just one language.

Now for the CONS:   Now that I think of it there aren't really many cons, I mean sometimes I just wonder if I would be making the RIGHT decision since 5-6 years of my life would be devoted to this! Is literature for me just a new hobby or is it really something long lasting. I know I can develop into a good writer and researcher if that's what I'll wish for I just find myself constantly battling the thought that I have also really been interested in languages themselves (and although I would get to teach foreign languages, I wouldn't be really doing research in SLS).

2.) SLS/TESOL

PROS: I have always been really interested in foreign language study, language acquisition, and teaching and meeting foreign students and all the courses in a TESOL program greatly interest me.

CONS: I would potentially have to give up further substantial study of Foreign languages and have to concentrate on ESL (English language training), which is interesting too in its own way. It is possible also to find programs which let you combine SLS training in ESL and another language but these are rare to come by and would only be beneficial in further SLS research.

So, as you can see I have quiet a dilemma on my hands...I am even starting to consider now to apply to both kinds of programs if I won't make up my mind by September...because this uncertainty is seriously driving me crazy at the moment! Wherever I end up, I am certain I am going to love it and make the best of it!

Yours,

K

The Big 3 letter word GRE...

It's increadible how much one can accomplish with a strong will and/or concentration especially in my case when other things in life seem to be slowly dissolving. I find that concentration is key!

So, let's get started- for those of you  that don't know: GRE- General Record examination is required for most humanities graduate programs (MA or PHD). Now of course there are several other tests out there like the LSAT (Law School), MCAT(Medical School)...and probably some other ones that skip my mind at this moment, but the point is they are all standardized tests with slight differences.

For our purposes we will focus on the GRE which measures verbal, quantitive reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills. As for any standardized test there are study guides, books and CD's out there, but after my significant research this one seems to be the most comprehensive (designed by the makers of the GRE):

http://www.amazon.com/Official-Guide-revised-General-Test/dp/0071700528/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1298718397&sr=8-2

This is of course the new Computer based test effective August 2011.

For the older or paper based tests you can check out the official GRE website where you register by the way when taking the test too:

http://www.ets.org/gre/

Now although I could go on and on about the different information on this site I think it is more useful just to explore it yourself. I will just mention two important factors:

a.) GRE is expensive! ($160), but if you take the new test between  Aug 2011- Sept 30th there is a 50% discount!!! (so it will only be $80). So, this is both a great opportunity for those applying for fall 2012 programs as well as early birds who are just trying it out. That way if you end up taking it twice you will end up paying 50% less!
b.) For the new Computerized test there are links and software that is really helpful even before purchasing a GRE Study Guide. So take advantage of all the online resources!

As for me I have decided to do just that: To get a first hand preparation with the online resources, then purchase the ETS study guide (mainly  for the detailed math and vebal sections). Aug 2011 is the perfect time to take the test if you  need the scores after Nov.- which is the case for me!

And on a last note: no Antonym or Analogy questions- for those of us that hate those from our SAT days!

So, good luck and good studying!

P.S-  For Humanities GRE scores are really not the most important factor but good scores do help the application significantly!

Till next time...

K

Gathering my thoughts....

As I am gathering information...and all my floating thoughts I have come to notice how wide my spectrum for grad schools seems to expand:

-Cambridge, MA
-Princeton, New Jersey
-New Haven, CT
-Ithaca, NY
-Providence, Rhode Island
-Chicago, IL
-Springfield, IL
-Eugene, OR
-Notre Dame,Indiana
-Santa Barbara, CA
-Hanover, NH
-Ny, NY

Wow...after officially looking at it...it seems very diverse...and most of these places I've never even been to...but wanna see and experience pretty bad!

I am still looking for several MA programs perhaps SFSU and SDSU...but not quiet sure yet...it seems there aren't many MA's in my chosen field.

So, my next task soon is to begin or should I say to re- begin the daunting GRE process (Hate standardized tests) but I'm sure 80% of the grad population would agree with me on this one!

Today I also found out that most programs offer special student family housing with many benefits- so I am excited about that one!

Will keep you updated...next on my to do disscussion list is the acronyms of the application world...You'll see what I mean!

Till next time...
K

Let the long list finally be semi-official!

So, as I've been trying to compile this list of possible Grad-School prospects- I can now say with certainty...my head IS exploding! Too many choices, too many profs, too many locations...

So, here goes...the SEMI-OFFICIAL list:

I've decided to divide them in 4 tiers (levels):

1st Tier: Harvard

          Princeton/Yale (both or one)

          Cornell

          Brown

2nd Tier: U of Chicago

          U of Oregon

3rd Tier: Illinois-Urbana

          U of Notre Dame

4th Tier: UCSB          

Possible MA's: Darthmouth...

...and then there are the maybe's: NYU, U of Colorado-Boulder, U of Washington... 

and the "more needs to be investigated" ones: UNC, Ohio State, Northwestern,  UNH, SDSU, SFSU, UCI, Georgetown...

As you can see...I have some work ahead of me...but hey I figure it's just February and I got till October at least to finalize all this!

Oh yes- almost forgot...and it wouldn't hurt to add what am I planning to study LOL:

Comparative Literature (focus: French, English 17-18th, 19th cty,  romanticism, theater...maybe mixed in with some Russian works)

Until I update you again,

K