I recently attended a National Graduate Portfolio Day for students interesting in pursuing an MFA. I had a positive response, making me feel confident about my work and its presentation. However, I am suspicious, as I haven't heard anyone telling stories that they were really chewed out or criticized by their reviewers. I actually tried to push some of my reviewers to give me negative feedback, but they were ultimately optimistic. Are these things for real, or are they just a way for schools to talk people into applying?
posted by davidriley on Nov 10, 2009 - 6 answers

I know this is my last year for my Hon. in Linguistics. I think I'm doing pretty bad. Many of my friends are going for grad schools or research programs in cognitive linguistic-issues. It feels like I'm left behind very much. Now I feel very stupid compare to my friends. Feeling very humiliated. I don't know what to think. Does going to grad school really help one's career? I don't think I can go to grad school with a terrible mark I have and I think I will have an unusually difficult roadmap for my possible career without having an MA. Are people like me doomed because we don't go to grad school? Are there any alternatives to grad schools for further education?
posted by sanskrtam on Jul 1, 2009 - 8 answers

How to continue one's education without going back to school? [more inside]
posted by mintchip on Apr 12, 2009 - 15 answers

Any advice concerning email communication with professors who I'll be contacting at the various schools that I will be applying to for PhD programs in Political Science? [more inside]
posted by davidstandaford on Aug 27, 2008 - 10 answers

Say parents regularly donate to a university. Does this have an effect on their kid getting into its Grad School? [more inside]
posted by sentient on Mar 20, 2008 - 19 answers

Tell me what it's like to live in Berkeley, from the point of view of a grad student. [more inside]
posted by barnacles on Mar 3, 2008 - 22 answers

How can I best petition for the reconsideration of a grad school application? Or should I even try? [more inside]
posted by Asherah on Dec 9, 2007 - 13 answers

What's a good way of deciding if I should wait a year before applying to grad school? I'm in a surprising circumstance that my music career might be somewhat sustainable and potentially profitable, and with many of the new opportunities coming at me, I wonder if my plans of going to grad school could be placed on hold for a year. What's a good & rational way to decide? [more inside]
posted by itchi23 on Dec 7, 2006 - 13 answers

I have been asked to write recommendation letters for an undergrad who is applying to grad schools. Should I just automatically use a separate sheet, or should I use their form if they provide a lot of space? Any general tips for the structure of the letter? [more inside]
posted by 445supermag on Dec 28, 2005 - 11 answers

I have an undergrad degree in philosophy and a masters in education. Been doing Online courses for six years and I'm interested in going back to school. In the past few years I've been working on music, film, some psychogeography stuff, conceptual art development/pranks, making posters and on and on. Is anyone out there familiar with grad programs for folks who are all over the place with interests but lean toward the art/activist side?
posted by PHINC on Jun 28, 2005 - 4 answers

[GradSchoolFilter] Anyone know of any good progams in Media Studies out there? Similar to, for instance, MIT's Comparative Media Studies program? I've found this list at Vassar's website, but I was hoping some denizens of the Mefiverse might know of some more.
posted by ChasFile on Nov 9, 2004 - 4 answers