Comments on: Marley in Muncie mulls a return to the groves of academe http://www.historiann.com/2009/01/16/marley-in-muncie-mulls-a-return-to-the-groves-of-academe/ History and sexual politics, 1492 to the present Sun, 19 May 2013 12:52:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 By: Friday food fights! Plus evidence of my evildoing, with links. : Historiann : History and sexual politics, 1492 to the present http://www.historiann.com/2009/01/16/marley-in-muncie-mulls-a-return-to-the-groves-of-academe/comment-page-1/#comment-532357 Friday food fights! Plus evidence of my evildoing, with links. : Historiann : History and sexual politics, 1492 to the present Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:27:31 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/?p=3008#comment-532357 [...] Marley in Muncie mulls a return to the groves of academe [...] [...] Marley in Muncie mulls a return to the groves of academe [...]

]]> By: Historiann http://www.historiann.com/2009/01/16/marley-in-muncie-mulls-a-return-to-the-groves-of-academe/comment-page-1/#comment-187576 Historiann Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:16:22 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/?p=3008#comment-187576 nwmom--that's a lovely idea. I have to admit that there are many, many professors from my college days whose classes I didn't love, but I've come to appreciate them in the fullness of time. (Or, at least I've got more perspective on how difficult it is to be a truly great and inspiring teacher 130% of the time.) I'm sure your old prof was very happy to get such a nice note. Who wouldn't be? nwmom–that’s a lovely idea. I have to admit that there are many, many professors from my college days whose classes I didn’t love, but I’ve come to appreciate them in the fullness of time. (Or, at least I’ve got more perspective on how difficult it is to be a truly great and inspiring teacher 130% of the time.)

I’m sure your old prof was very happy to get such a nice note. Who wouldn’t be?

]]> By: nwmom http://www.historiann.com/2009/01/16/marley-in-muncie-mulls-a-return-to-the-groves-of-academe/comment-page-1/#comment-187461 nwmom Sat, 17 Jan 2009 08:40:02 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/?p=3008#comment-187461 I got in touch with a prof from about twenty years ago. She was a huge influence for me when I got my bachelor's degree. I went on to get my master's in the same field (history, natch) but then went to law school (I got wait-listed at two fine universities for Ph.D. but got discouraged). Of course, I lost touch with that professor and she too moved on to other schools. Even though I wasn't in contact with her, thanks to the internet and digital libraries I have been able to continue with historical studies as time permitted. I always wanted to let her know how grateful I was for her guidance and what an inspiration she was for me. So, I finally looked her up on-line and emailed her a short note (identifying myself by university and year because she had moved and it had been a long time) telling her exactly what I just said above. I got the loveliest reply. She claimed to remember me and said that messages like that from former students help a lot when the blue books pile up and the departmental politics get crazy. Go for it. Write the professor. Life is short and people who are important to you should get a nice surprise in their day. And teachers get little real reward for what they do. Make someone's day. I got in touch with a prof from about twenty years ago. She was a huge influence for me when I got my bachelor’s degree. I went on to get my master’s in the same field (history, natch) but then went to law school (I got wait-listed at two fine universities for Ph.D. but got discouraged). Of course, I lost touch with that professor and she too moved on to other schools.

Even though I wasn’t in contact with her, thanks to the internet and digital libraries I have been able to continue with historical studies as time permitted. I always wanted to let her know how grateful I was for her guidance and what an inspiration she was for me.

So, I finally looked her up on-line and emailed her a short note (identifying myself by university and year because she had moved and it had been a long time) telling her exactly what I just said above. I got the loveliest reply. She claimed to remember me and said that messages like that from former students help a lot when the blue books pile up and the departmental politics get crazy.

Go for it. Write the professor. Life is short and people who are important to you should get a nice surprise in their day. And teachers get little real reward for what they do. Make someone’s day.

]]> By: Historiann http://www.historiann.com/2009/01/16/marley-in-muncie-mulls-a-return-to-the-groves-of-academe/comment-page-1/#comment-186915 Historiann Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:48:44 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/?p=3008#comment-186915 Good point--something to consider. However, I think more important than the goal of the MLS program is the attitude and accomplishments of the professors Marley might work with. If they're smart, rigorous, and well-connected, then they'll fill the bill whether they're teaching in an MA or an MLS program. But, Dr. Crazy is correct insofar as enrolling as a post-bac in an MA course will more closely approximate the experience of your future MA program. There is value in meeting and working with other English grad students. Good point–something to consider. However, I think more important than the goal of the MLS program is the attitude and accomplishments of the professors Marley might work with. If they’re smart, rigorous, and well-connected, then they’ll fill the bill whether they’re teaching in an MA or an MLS program. But, Dr. Crazy is correct insofar as enrolling as a post-bac in an MA course will more closely approximate the experience of your future MA program. There is value in meeting and working with other English grad students.

]]> By: Dr. Crazy http://www.historiann.com/2009/01/16/marley-in-muncie-mulls-a-return-to-the-groves-of-academe/comment-page-1/#comment-186910 Dr. Crazy Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:29:01 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/?p=3008#comment-186910 Something to consider: while I can't speak for all MLS programs, I know that at many universities they serve as a kind of "cash cow" program that is more about making money than it is about serving students. You might consider, as an alternative to enrolling in an MLS program (which won't be terribly helpful to you in getting admitted into an English program), enrolling as a post-bac and taking MA level English classes as a non-degree student. This may well be cheaper, and actually more useful to you. By the way, nobody who is affiliated with an MLS program will likely give you this advice. They'll probably talk about how it's a great stepping stone for a person in your situation. Something to consider: while I can’t speak for all MLS programs, I know that at many universities they serve as a kind of “cash cow” program that is more about making money than it is about serving students. You might consider, as an alternative to enrolling in an MLS program (which won’t be terribly helpful to you in getting admitted into an English program), enrolling as a post-bac and taking MA level English classes as a non-degree student. This may well be cheaper, and actually more useful to you. By the way, nobody who is affiliated with an MLS program will likely give you this advice. They’ll probably talk about how it’s a great stepping stone for a person in your situation.

]]> By: "Marley" http://www.historiann.com/2009/01/16/marley-in-muncie-mulls-a-return-to-the-groves-of-academe/comment-page-1/#comment-186908 "Marley" Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:14:14 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/?p=3008#comment-186908 JJO, ha! It's also convinced me that while it might be a "better" career choice, I definitely do not want to go to law school. JJO, ha! It’s also convinced me that while it might be a “better” career choice, I definitely do not want to go to law school.

]]> By: JJO http://www.historiann.com/2009/01/16/marley-in-muncie-mulls-a-return-to-the-groves-of-academe/comment-page-1/#comment-186895 JJO Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:51:30 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/?p=3008#comment-186895 Working as a paralegal after college sent me back to grad school pretty quickly too. Working as a paralegal after college sent me back to grad school pretty quickly too.

]]> By: Indyanna http://www.historiann.com/2009/01/16/marley-in-muncie-mulls-a-return-to-the-groves-of-academe/comment-page-1/#comment-186877 Indyanna Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:17:21 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/?p=3008#comment-186877 All good advice. I'd only add also check out the career trajectory of your old mentor over the time since you were with her. Situations do change, and it's kind of a moving target. If she has possibly moved to a school with its own graduate programs that would almost be worth two letters. I'm sure that the Modern Language Association has tools equivalent to the kinds we use in history. Or the departmental website, or the alumni mags that most schools send out regularly. Possibly other students she's taught before or since have moved into academic positions. Networks elaborate even while you're technically not part of them, or actively part of them. And just the act of gathering information somewhat reduces the sense of distance created over time. Good luck. All good advice. I’d only add also check out the career trajectory of your old mentor over the time since you were with her. Situations do change, and it’s kind of a moving target. If she has possibly moved to a school with its own graduate programs that would almost be worth two letters. I’m sure that the Modern Language Association has tools equivalent to the kinds we use in history. Or the departmental website, or the alumni mags that most schools send out regularly. Possibly other students she’s taught before or since have moved into academic positions. Networks elaborate even while you’re technically not part of them, or actively part of them. And just the act of gathering information somewhat reduces the sense of distance created over time. Good luck.

]]> By: Historiann http://www.historiann.com/2009/01/16/marley-in-muncie-mulls-a-return-to-the-groves-of-academe/comment-page-1/#comment-186851 Historiann Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:41:07 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/?p=3008#comment-186851 Thanks for writing in with more info, Marley. I think you should let your profs at the MLS program know what your intentions are from the start--it will help them help you better, and everyone likes to hear that there's an ambitious student in the mix. You might want to go ahead and take the GRE sometime soon anyway, to get a sense of your score and whether or not it's where it needs to be to get into the programs of your choice. (That is, don't delay taking the GRE. Leave yourself time so that you can fix a not-so-hot score. But, taking grad classes now is a good way to counteract suspicion about you if you don't test well. A letter from a rigorous faculty member who's worked with you recently will count just as much, if not more.) I agree with JJO that it's OK to ask your former mentor for a letter of recommendation--this is usually the only reason faculty ever hear from most students again, and it's part of our jobs to help former students when we can. You can still get in touch with her now just to renew the contact and let her know what you're up to and what your goals are. You don't need to ask for a letter untiil you're actively in the process of graduate applications. Thanks for writing in with more info, Marley. I think you should let your profs at the MLS program know what your intentions are from the start–it will help them help you better, and everyone likes to hear that there’s an ambitious student in the mix. You might want to go ahead and take the GRE sometime soon anyway, to get a sense of your score and whether or not it’s where it needs to be to get into the programs of your choice. (That is, don’t delay taking the GRE. Leave yourself time so that you can fix a not-so-hot score. But, taking grad classes now is a good way to counteract suspicion about you if you don’t test well. A letter from a rigorous faculty member who’s worked with you recently will count just as much, if not more.)

I agree with JJO that it’s OK to ask your former mentor for a letter of recommendation–this is usually the only reason faculty ever hear from most students again, and it’s part of our jobs to help former students when we can. You can still get in touch with her now just to renew the contact and let her know what you’re up to and what your goals are. You don’t need to ask for a letter untiil you’re actively in the process of graduate applications.

]]> By: "Marley" http://www.historiann.com/2009/01/16/marley-in-muncie-mulls-a-return-to-the-groves-of-academe/comment-page-1/#comment-186839 "Marley" Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:29:58 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/?p=3008#comment-186839 Thanks so much for posting my question, and for your thoughtful responses. To give a little more background, in case it helps, I received my bachelor's degree in English ten years ago this year. I spent much of the time since then in retail, but after I'd worked into a corporate level job two mergers led to job eliminations and I went back to school for a paralegal certificate. I've been working as a corporate paralegal for about a year and a half. It is a good job, but I've found that I'm just bored out of my mind and wanting to get more involved in what I'm really passionate about. You've all confirmed my initial plan to go to a local university and take a couple classes in their Masters in Liberal Studies program. They are begging for students, and the application process has no deadlines and doesn't require the GRE. (And I can take a couple classes without applying to the program if I need to). I don't have the required three letters arranged for, and I do hope that my former professor will be willing to write one, but it isn't the sole reason for contacting her. Later I hope to apply to a much more rigorous program, but I can't give up my day job yet and I need to work on building that network. Thanks so much for posting my question, and for your thoughtful responses.

To give a little more background, in case it helps, I received my bachelor’s degree in English ten years ago this year. I spent much of the time since then in retail, but after I’d worked into a corporate level job two mergers led to job eliminations and I went back to school for a paralegal certificate. I’ve been working as a corporate paralegal for about a year and a half. It is a good job, but I’ve found that I’m just bored out of my mind and wanting to get more involved in what I’m really passionate about.

You’ve all confirmed my initial plan to go to a local university and take a couple classes in their Masters in Liberal Studies program. They are begging for students, and the application process has no deadlines and doesn’t require the GRE. (And I can take a couple classes without applying to the program if I need to). I don’t have the required three letters arranged for, and I do hope that my former professor will be willing to write one, but it isn’t the sole reason for contacting her.

Later I hope to apply to a much more rigorous program, but I can’t give up my day job yet and I need to work on building that network.

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