Greetings -- I'm applying to PHD programs in English for 2007-08, and I just wanted to introduce myself and see who else is out there. Things seem pretty quiet here, and I'm wondering if that's because it's still (relatively) early or if others are just browsing anonymously like I was.
Anyhow, I took the GREs and did pretty well, and I'm taking the GRE Lit in November (scared shitless about says it). I'm still in the process of finalizing my list of schools, with the biggest problem being finding "safeties" or back up options in a field where safeties seem to be a moot point. My general interest areas are modernist and postcolonial lit/thought, although I also hope to work with the philosophy of language. I'm applying with only a BA with zero publications and conference presentations (yikes...?), although my undergrad institution has a pretty well-respected Eng dept. At this point, I'm too scared to make judgment calls on my recs,
statement of purpose, or writing sample since based on preliminary message-board and LJ browsing, everybody and their grandmother twice removed seem to think that their's are "solid," "excellent," "spectacular," etc...
A (hopefully) quick question about recommendations -- Most of the schools to which I'm applying request three letters. I have three in the Eng dept lined up, but a history professor who's worked with me signicantly promised (offered!) to write a "stellar" recommendation. The project I did with him does tie into my prospective research, and I'd like to include his recommendation as well. Is it okay to send four? Should I check with each department beforehand, or would even asking make a negative impression?
Sorry about the length of this introductory post. If others feel like chatting, exchanging
SOPs, or hypervenilating, I'm always up for it... Good luck!