MA/MPhil and PhD English Applicants 2020

Hi all,

I'm applying for a PhD in Medieval Literature - at the moment I'm on a bit of a gap year following my Master's in English.

Nice one @SixteenHundred! I was starting to get wary of even mentioning the words 'degree committee' in the other thread, I don't want to annoy/confuse/bother the other applicants with my anxiety!

I'm applying for a PhD in Culture and Criticism, and studying for an MSc in Gender at LSE right now (after undergrad in English at Cambridge). I'm not sure you mean 'reading' as in studying, or actual reading, but anyways: I'm reading A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson at the moment. I've had it on my list for quite some time but always felt I had to read things that were relevant to my course or research proposal, so I'm really enjoying reading things purely for fun again!

Hi! I’m applying for Modern and Contemporary MPhil, currently doing a PGCE in secondary English teaching. Applied for the same course last year and didn’t get it so not sure how to feel about this year! The wait is killing me though 😬

Ooh, and I’m reading Alastair Cook’s autobiography lol

Hi! Ooh, a medievalist - I'm a Ren/early modern PhD applicant, and also working after my MA. Hope everything's going well for you! Doing these applications alongside a completely unrelated 9-5 was quite an experience.

Guys I am so nervous! Best of luck to you all. I emailed about the MPhils a couple of days ago and was told we would hear back by mid Feb.

That's fantastic. Thanks for that @engapp2020. I also applied to do Culture and Criticism, MPhil, which is very theory-heavy, yes, or at least my research interest is.

As for reading, I'm taking some time to revise my knowledge on new criticism atm. It's really so interesting, seeing how literary criticism has developed over time. Wbu, anyone else reading course relevant materials??

Sending you guys all my love, and a shout out to the babe who made this thread. Good call!

Good luck, Opo Xx

Hello! I also applied to MPhil in Criticism and Culture. And yes, I like how theory-focused this course is (and also because I find it difficult to narrow my interests down to one specific period/genre).

I am currently reading Freud's case studies--psychoanalysis is my love!

Best wishes to everyone!

Rosie

Hey! I'm applying to the Criticism and Culture PhD for the same reasons-- my research proposal spans a weird niche over several periods and I love the theory. But I also really enjoy learning psychoanalysis!

I'm currently reading New Sudden Fiction by Shapard and Thomas, Move Your Bus (thanks educator professional development), and Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance by Herrero (because I need to scare myself some more before this summer's thru-hike lol).

You might take anything I say with a grain of salt, though-- I applied in September (tried for Gates funding), was told I would be considered for admission and funding in January with the general deadline (rolling admissions my eye), then was told I needed to be admitted to both English and Education to do my research, so my second app nullified my Gates position. So my whole app process is a fat mess, and hopefully it helps any of you but it also may not be too similar to the experiences of everyone who had the sense to apply to a clear, single program!

Regardless, best of luck to everyone, and hopefully we all hear soon!

Guys I am so nervous! Best of luck to you all. I emailed about the MPhils a couple of days ago and was told we would hear back by mid Feb.

Greetings all. Modern + contemporary MPhil applicant here, specialising in the late nineteenth century (about the only period I know anything about lol). Also, one of those hapless few who's been applying alongside a full-time job and editing a research paper and doing a part-time journalism training course, so yeah, it's been a bit of a struggle. Currently faff around in journalism (you might have seen my byline if you like *insert mystery subject as paranoid my employer will identify me*) but am looking to move into academia. Oh and I submitted my application in early January. Other trivia about me: (1) I have an obsession with discontinued channel 4 comedy shows, (2) I'm currently reading David Foster Wallace's Consider the Lobster, (3) does anyone fancy going to go see a play at the Globe (but the non-Globey, less prestigious bit) with me this month? I was meant to be seeing The Taming of the Shrew with a friend of mine but she's too busy.

Edit to #3: maybe of group of us could go (especially Cam MPhil and PhD applicants as we might all be studying together in October!)?

Ah, I had gathered your application had been complex but that's so messy! Poor you. I'm so sorry about the Gates. Are you still eligible for other sources of funding? (Also, your research proposal sounds very interesting - I would love to work over several periods!)

Greetings all. Modern + contemporary MPhil applicant here, specialising in the late nineteenth century (about the only period I know anything about lol). Also, one of those hapless few who's been applying alongside a full-time job and editing a research paper and doing a part-time journalism training course, so yeah, it's been a bit of a struggle. Currently faff around in journalism (you might have seen my byline if you like *insert mystery subject as paranoid my employer will identify me*) but am looking to move into academia. Oh and I submitted my application in early January. Other trivia about me: (1) I have an obsession with discontinued channel 4 comedy shows, (2) I'm currently reading David Foster Wallace's Consider the Lobster, (3) does anyone fancy going to go see a play at the Globe (but the non-Globey, less prestigious bit) with me this month? I was meant to be seeing The Taming of the Shrew with a friend of mine but she's too busy.

Edit to #3: maybe of group of us could go (especially Cam MPhil and PhD applicants as we might all be studying together in October!)?