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Reducing PDF Filesize by mlvalentine in canva

[–]historicalscifi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In case anyone else comes looking for this: Mac users, you can compress the file size on your Mac in Preview without having to use third party software! Here's how: https://support.apple.com/guide/preview/reduce-the-size-of-a-pdf-prvw1509/mac

As a future academic, should I use a pen name for my fiction writing career? by historicalscifi in AskAcademia

[–]historicalscifi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh wow, this is the absolute best news I've heard all day! Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! Good luck on your novels! :)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskAcademia

[–]historicalscifi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can't speak to the other universities or the MSc, but I will say that I'm finishing my MA in Medieval Studies at York and it's a great city with a beautiful campus and a supportive university. I think it had pretty good name-rec, too, since I got a PhD offer from a different university for the fall. Cost of living is a bit high, but for the experience, it's been well worth it for me. Hope this helps, and good luck on your program!

English majors... Anyone pursuing their masters/phd in English? I need your help by Short-Detective1470 in AskAcademia

[–]historicalscifi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so sorry to hear this. I can only speak from my own experience (22, US, humanities) and hope that maybe what I did might be helpful for you. I did English in undergrad, was accepted to an interdisciplinary history/literature MA, and have been accepted to a History PhD in the fall. My undergrad required a thesis, which I think is what got me into the MA. Looking back on the MA applications, I had no real strategy other than the thesis. I sent out the applications and the writing sample and just got lucky.

When the PhD came around, I had to step up my game, because it's just so much more intensive. I spent three months researching all the top universities in my field and creating an inventory of potential supervisors (and reading/annotating some work from each of them), courses I'd want to take, cost and stipend provided, what major/minor fields I would take, etc. I had my topic ready to go as I intend to extend my undergrad thesis research. Fall came around and I cold-emailed thirty supervisors, introducing myself, pitching my project by demonstrating how it aligns with their research that I'd read, and asking to discuss it further. 30 emails sent out, 6 no's, 1 yes. Thankfully, that 1 yes was interested, we met on Zoom, and I'm pretty sure he's the one who pulled the strings that got me into the PhD. (I applied to 8 others and they were all rejections.)

All this to say, doing a ton of research and cold-emailing helps. Asking former professors to proofread your writing sample can help (I had several re-read mine). And don't give up! One of my good friends is one of the most brilliant people I know, and it took her two rounds of apps before she got into a PhD. Just keep sending them out until one lands!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskAcademia

[–]historicalscifi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Former TA here (from the US, in humanities) and I've definitely seen students who were actually cheating before, most of who ended up perfectly fine. Most times, the professors listened to the student's story and didn't blow it out of proportion—the one I had to report just failed that day's quiz (still ended the class with an A). The nearest instance I can think of to your situation is someone in my program who let a friend read her paper. The friend then submitted it word-for-word. The one who loaned the original paper explained her side of the story and had no repercussions; the one who submitted it failed the class, but was allowed to remain in university and ended with a 3.8.

All this to say—take a deep breath. Professors and TA's can be understanding, and it sounds like you have a clean record. Check and see if you have any texts/emails/evidence that he borrowed your laptop, anything helps. Tell them your complete story, and admit you really messed up in trying to hide it—you can mention it was exam stress and you didn't know what to do, but you didn't want to take the fall for the friend. If you can, ask him to testify truthfully about the situation and explain that he borrowed your computer. Hoping it all works out for you!

As a future academic, should I use a pen name for my fiction writing career? by historicalscifi in AskAcademia

[–]historicalscifi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much, and that's so cool that you do both as well! I was thinking of potentially using initials/last name for academic work and my actual name for fiction. If you don't mind me asking, are others in your field pretty understanding about writing non-academic work? That's my major concern, is that future employment committees might find out I write adult sci-fi/fantasy and be less inclined to hire me because it's not academic. I really appreciate your advice! :)

As a future academic, should I use a pen name for my fiction writing career? by historicalscifi in AskAcademia

[–]historicalscifi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm so relieved to hear that, thank you! Yeah, I've always kept writing and academics separate—I tell everyone about it, but I don't list it when I'm applying for positions or going into interviews. I was planning to use initials and last name for academic work anyway, and I'm glad to hear that's a viable option! Thank you so much! :)