here is a list of questions i have already answered about graduate school!!
please check it before you send me a question about graduate school :) :) i hope it’s useful! xo // updated 02.2020
what is the PhD and what can you do with it? (+)
what does a literature PhD entail?
should i do a PhD if i have to pay tuition?
does it look bad to take time off between degrees?
what was your timeline like?
what’s the difference between a terminal MA and a PhD? (+)
does getting an MA first help you get into a PhD program?
is it okay to just try grad school out?
how can i prepare for applying early in my undergrad career? (+) (+)
where should i start looking for programs?
should i choose a program based on rank or fit? (+)
how can i find lower-profile programs doing cool stuff?
how many programs should i apply to?
advice on the writing sample
how should i ask for letters of recommendation?
how should i write a statement of purpose? (+)
how do i demonstrate my “ability to excel”?
how should i address mental health/family/personal issues that impacted my grades?
should i send in extra materials?
grad school application spreadsheet
how should i email potential advisors? (+) (+)
how can i survive the waiting period? (+)
how should i prepare for an interview or phone call? (+)
what should i ask at open house?
what should i do if i don’t think i can afford my grad school tuition?
what should i do the summer before i start my program?
how should i plan for grad seminar presentations? (+)
what should i bring with me to seminars?
what are grad seminars like?
how can i get better at speaking during seminars?
what do you mean grades don’t matter
what should i have read before i start my lit grad program?
how much reading should i expect?
how can i read a lot without getting overwhelmed? (+)
how can i read efficiently? (+) (+)
quals-specific reading advice
how should i take notes on critical articles?
how do i write a lit review?
how do i write an indicative bibliography?
how do i choose a dissertation topic? (+)
how do i plan for a long research paper?
how do i balance all the different kinds of writing i have to do?
how can i find housing before i move?
how do finances work in grad school?
what is adjuncting and why does it suck?
how can i budget while on a stipend?
should i work while in grad school? (+)
what’s important to a research assistant application?
i’m running out of funding / i’m off normative time
fellowship, postdocs, & job stuff
which websites post US fellowship/postdoc/job ads?
how do dissertation fellowships work? (+)
tips for grant, award, & fellowship applications
should i share my materials with others?
how does the academic hiring process work?
how do i keep track of all my applications?
how do i think up a second project when i’m not even done with my dissertation?
skype interview-specific tips
what’s up with the professor is in?
how do i stay motivated while getting buried in rejection letters?
will grad school make my mental health issues worse? (+)
how do i survive conferences (abroad)?
how should i deal with burnout? (+)
my advisor is ghosting me
how do i work with no structured schedule?
how do i get enough sleep?
how do i balance my work & my teaching?
how can i beat imposter syndrome? (+) (+)
how can i excel in grad school?