Welcome!
On behalf of the English Graduate Association (EGSA), we would like to welcome you to
the graduate program at SFA. We have compiled this handbook that contains useful
information that will help you find your way through our program and Nacogdoches. We
hope this handbook will help you answer any questions that you may have. If you have
any further questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of
EGSA. We’re here to help.
Sincerely,
Kay Porter, Josh Lyons, Brittany O’Sullivan, Laura Davis
2012-2013 EGSA Board
FALL 2012 CALENDAR
English Graduate Student Association (EGSA): First Fall Meeting
September 12, 2012
LAN 203
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Sigma Tau Delta: First Fall Meeting
September 13, 2012
Ferguson 271
5:00-6:00 p.m.
Curriculum Vitae, or “Vita,” Workshop with Dr. Steve Marsden
Sponsored by EGSA
September 26, 2012
LAN 203
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Applications for Membership to Sigma Tau Delta
DUE: September 28, 2012
Sigma Tau Delta: Second Fall Meeting
October 4, 2012
Ferguson 271
5:00-6:00 p.m.
English Graduate Student Association (EGSA): Second Fall Meeting
October 10, 2012
LAN 203
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Graduate Program Open House
October 12, 2012
LAN 203
1-3 p.m.
Applying to a Doctoral Program
Sponsored by EGSA
October 23, 2012
LAN 203
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Sigma Tau Delta Junior, Senior, and Graduate Scholarship Applications
DUE: October 29, 2012
Wednesday, October 31st
Literary Masquerade
Sponsored by EGSA (English Graduate Student Association), Phi Iota chapter of Sigma
Tau Delta, Subplots, and Friends of Writers
LAN 203
3-5 p.m.
Language and Linguistics Graduate Conference
University of Central Oklahoma
November 3, 2012
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sigma Tau Delta: Third Fall Meeting
November 8, 2012
Ferguson 271
5:00-6:00 p.m.
English Graduate Student Association (EGSA): Third Fall Meeting
November 14, 2012
LAN 203
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Sigma Tau Delta: Book Sorting for Booksale
November 14, 2012
Ferguson 271
5:00-6:00 p.m.
Sigma Tau Delta Booksale
November 15, 2012
Baker Patillo Student Center
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sigma Tau Delta: Final Fall Meeting
November 29, 2012
Ferguson 271
5:00-6:00 p.m.
Mardi Gras Conference
Sponsored by the English Graduate Student Association of LSU
Application Deadline for proposals/abstracts: Early December
Sigma Tau Delta Induction Ceremony
December 6, 2012
President’s Suite B – Baker Patillo Student Center
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Surviving Graduate School 101:
A Common Sense Guide
Dr. Ericka Hoagland & Dr. Marnie Sullivan
So you want to go to graduate school?
For some, the decision to attend graduate school is natural, an obvious next step in one’s
academic, professional, and personal development. For others, graduate school “sneaks up”
on them, an unexpected post-undergraduate possibility. Whether the path to graduate
school is deliberate or a “surprise,” there are things every potential graduate student would
benefit from knowing. This guide seeks to offer direction and information to help you better
understand what is expected of you, and what awaits you in graduate school.
Getting Started
Preparing for graduate school is more than just maintaining a good grade-point average.
Individuals who choose to go to graduate school often do so because they expect to live an
“academic life,” and as such, preparation for graduate school means first and foremost
learning about the world one is about to enter. Academia is both a competitive and
collaborative environment, one of often long hours spent writing (and grading) papers,
reading large amounts of primary and secondary works, teaching undergraduate
composition and literature courses, aiding faculty members in their own research,
presenting papers at conferences, and submitting original work for publication in academic
journals, essay collections, and fiction journals and collections. Depending on the graduate
program you enter, you can anticipate greater or lesser demands in these areas, but
regardless of the program you find yourself in, there is one constant: WORK, and lots of it.
And that does not end when you have received your degree; if you choose to remain in
academia, you will constantly be busy, but busy in an environment of like-minded
individuals who have chosen a life of the mind, sharing knowledge with colleagues and
students, and seeking knowledge from others. It’s a great world to be a part of, and you can
“ease” your entrance into that world by keeping in mind the following:
1. BE PREPARED: Graduate programs look at more than just transcripts. A typical
graduate school application will involve an application fee, transcripts, letter of
application, letters of recommendation, GRE scores (both general and subject) and a
sample of writing. Thus it is a good idea to start collecting these materials well
before the deadlines (typically through late November through January) for
graduate school come creeping up.
a. Letter of Application: graduate school applications are traditionally
accompanied by a letter of application, sometimes known as a “cover letter” in
which an applicant “introduces” themselves to the graduate program.
Typically, applicants will offer a brief academic “biography” detailing the
course work they have done as well as areas of scholarly interest. Applicants
also will inform the graduate program of related extra-curricular work they
have done, whether that is service for committees, clubs, or student
government, participation in undergraduate conferences, or published work
in undergraduate or general publications. The letter of application may also
be expected to address specific items of information requested by the
graduate program. Finally, applicants will also “introduce” their writing
sample, which typically accompanies the application packet. It is important
to follow the lead provided by the graduate school application regarding the
letter of application, its overall organization, and its basic content. In
general, however, such letters of application tend to supply the information
described above and be around a page in length.
b. Letters of Recommendation: graduate school applications frequently require
at least one, and up to three, letters of recommendation. Such letters are
typically supplied by professors in one’s discipline, and sometimes by
employers or campus community and community leaders. Letters written by
friends and family are generally unacceptable. Letters written by professors
whom you have worked with closely and/or consistently as an undergraduate
are preferred. Asking a professor whom you have only worked with once or
haven’t worked with recently can result in a vague letter of recommendation.
It is best that you begin requesting such letters no later than the beginning of
the fall semester or term, to allow professors the time to compose those
letters well before the applications are due.
c. GRE Scores: many graduate programs require that applicants take either the
GRE general test or the GRE subject test or both. The GRE is in some
respects like the SAT; a standardized test split into three sections analytical, quantitative, and -----, the GRE tests students’ cumulative
knowledge at the collegiate level. And like the SAT, the higher your scores in
each area, the better. You may also have to take the GRE subject test, which,
as its name suggests, tests students’ knowledge in a specific subject, like
English. GRE preparation texts and seminars are available, and it is good
idea to avail yourself of these options as well as study with others. Some
graduate schools take these scores more seriously than others, so it is a good
idea to do as well on them as possible.
d. Writing Sample: with very few exceptions, English graduate school
applications require the submission of a sample of writing, usually the best
example of the applicant’s writing. This may mean that the writing sample
that accompanies the application may not always be in the student’s primary
area of undergraduate research. Since application to general graduate
programs in English do not require a writing sample in the applicant’s area
of research (though programs in rhetoric and composition, linguistics, and
English as a second language generally will expect a writing sample in that
area), the applicant need only provide a writing sample that best showcases
their strongest literary analysis and theoretical skills.
2. BE INFORMED: It is imperative that would-be graduate students inform
themselves thoroughly about the graduate programs and universities they are most
interested in and/or which have the best rankings in the areas of study in which
students wish to work. Deciding on a graduate program is very important; thus
visiting school webpages, requesting catalogs, and if possible, visiting campuses and
departments, are instrumental to the overall application process. In fact, the
information-gathering stage is the first, and perhaps the most crucial, step when
applying to graduate school. The more you know about the programs and schools
you are interested in, the better choices you can make when the time comes to start
sending out applications. If possible, it’s a good idea not only to procure the more
“factual” information about the program, which is provided on the webpages and in
the catalogs, but to talk to people in the program, either over the phone, via email,
or in person. Sometimes it is talking to someone already in the graduate program
that can “make” or “break” that particular program for you, so request contact
information for current graduate students along with catalogs and brochures. Start
contacting schools as early as the summer before your senior year so you have ample
time to receive and read the materials to begin familiarizing yourself with the school
and the items you will need to send them should you decide to apply.
3. BE READY: graduate school is not cheap. Would-be graduate students should
prepare themselves for the financial realities of graduate school by not only
retrieving information about financial aid (which does differ from undergraduate to
graduate school), scholarships, and fellowships (both available at the school and
general scholarships and fellowships available for graduate students in specific
disciplines around the country), but by getting realistic about what they can afford
and the accommodations that might need to be made. While applying to graduate
school, it may be a good idea to at least begin the application process for Stafford
loans, especially if the programs you have applied to do not offer assistantships for
first-year graduate students (as some schools do), or for the possibility that you do
not receive an assistantship for that first year. It is also a good idea to learn about
the cost of living of the area in which the schools are located by going online or
talking to a contact at each university; talk to the graduate school advisor about
financial aid, as well as scholarships and fellowships, and the financial aid office at
each school; and, if necessary, start putting out “feelers” for work either on campus
or off-campus. Try to establish contacts with other in-coming graduate students;
they may be interested in having a roommate, which is one way to help save money.
More established graduate students may be able to provide tips or “insider”
information about how to financially “survive” graduate school as well.
I’ve just been accepted . . . now what?
Being accepted into a graduate program is an accomplishment, signaling the beginning of a
very busy stage of one’s life. The summer between undergraduate and graduate school will
go by quickly, as many graduate students must move to their new school, which may be
located across state or across the country. And even those students who attend graduate
school at the same university at which they did their undergraduate study must still do a
few things in order to be ready for the fall.
After accepting a school’s offer to join their program, the newly minted graduate will have a
lot to do before school starts, including:
1. Renewing or establishing contacts with the program’s graduate advisor, faculty or
graduate mentors for first year graduate students, and graduate students who have
offered to give advice and guidance. If your advisor and/or mentor does not establish
contact with you prior to the start of the year (which is highly unlikely), don’t be shy:
email or phone them. It is their job, after all, to help you navigate your way into and
through graduate school.
2. Read and familiarize yourself thoroughly with the literature the program sends you.
This information will include, among others, schedules for orientation meetings,
contact emails and phone numbers, course schedule for the fall, and teaching
materials (if you have been given a teaching assistantship).
3. Sign up for fall courses. Most English graduate programs require incoming
students, particularly at the Master’s level, to take certain introductory graduate
courses, such as some form of “literary methods” course, and even a linguistics
course. Usually students are automatically enrolled for such introductory courses,
but if that is not the case in your program, it’s best to sign up for these courses as
soon as possible so that you are free to take the other required courses without too
many conflicts. Another course you are likely to have to take is a language course;
graduate programs tend to require at least reading proficiency in a language, and
the sooner you take care of this requirement the better. Many graduate programs
follow the semester system, where three classes a semester are considered a full
load. Thus you can anticipate in the first semester to take a literary methods
course, a language course, and a graduate level survey literature course (or the
linguistics course, if it is required and available).
4. Find housing, either in a graduate dorm or apartment. Living on campus can be
expensive, but keeps you close to the action; living off campus can be cheaper, but
being away from campus life can put you out of the loop, as well as add time to your
daily schedule in commuting.
Let the games begin!
Before school officially starts, graduate students will participate in orientation activities,
which can last anywhere from two days to a week (or even more). While such orientation
requirements can be rather cumbersome (not to mention concurrently boring and
overwhelming), they are a “regular” part of graduate school life, and you can expect to go to
some form of orientation prior to the beginning of every school year while you are in
graduate school. In some respects, the most important, and useful, part of the orientation
experience is meeting fellow graduate students and the faculty with whom you will be
working. During orientation you may receive general information about the program, meet
department staff, go on campus tours, etc. If you have received a teaching assistantship, it
is likely you will spend a majority of the orientation time preparing for your first class,
creating or review pre-prepared syllabi, familiarizing yourself with the assigned text(s),
grading sample papers and discussing general grading strategies, and discussing general
areas of concern for the first day and week.
And Remember . . .
Graduate school is not just about being smart and being able to write well, graduate school
and life in academia is first and foremost about commitment and willingness to work.
People who succeed in academia do so not only because they are intelligent, but because
they consistently work hard. Successful graduates of graduate school are also willing to
and understand the importance of collaborating with others. Surviving and being
successful in graduate school and in academia is about establishing a community of
support; isolation can alienate you from the systems of support – fellow graduate
students/colleagues, faculty, staff, and even administration – so important to your
“survival.”
Some General Things to Keep in Mind
1. Choosing a graduate school that’s the right fit for you can be a challenge. Smaller
schools and programs may not have the same prestige or name recognition as larger
schools and programs, and may not offer as many teaching and research
assistantships, but you may feel more comfortable at a smaller school and in a
smaller program where you will work closely with many, rather than a few, faculty
members. Larger schools and programs can be more competitive than their smaller
counterparts, both with respect to admissions and allotment of assistantships. It is
also more likely that you will only get to know a few faculty members, rather than
many, in larger programs. Yet size of a school and its graduate programs is not a
2.
3.
4.
5.
guarantee of quality of education or of opportunity; graduate school is often what
you make of it.
Get involved, get noticed, be known. Join committees and clubs, participate in
program sponsored social events, and create social and professional connections.
Graduate school is a great place to network; in fact, that’s one of the facts of
graduate school life: establishing connections with fellow students and faculty
members in your field. These connections can come in handy both during graduate
school and beyond; from these connections you might get the insider track on
conference sessions, as well as journal and book publications, not to mention letters
of recommendation for fellowships and other graduate programs.
Start going to conferences as early as possible, even if, in the first year, you simply
attend them. Conferences are an integral part of academic life and you will be
expected to present papers at them, particularly if you want to work in academia.
You might want to start “small” by presenting at local colloquiums and symposiums
(often these will be offered at the school itself, organized by graduate students), or
local and regional conferences, during your first and second years of graduate school.
If you plan to go on to get your Ph.D., you should have a few conferences under your
belt and plan on presenting at two conferences a year, especially at regional MLA
conferences and national conferences in your area.
At the Ph.D. level you should endeavor to publish at least one article. Having a
publication as well as some conferences under your belt by the time you graduate
can increase your marketability when you begin looking for a job.
Constantly update your curriculum vitae, commonly referred to as the “c.v.” This is
the academic resume, a chronicle of the classes you have taught, the conferences you
have presented at, papers you have published, professional organization
memberships, and awards or scholarships you have received.
CAMPUS INFORMATION
IDs
Student IDs are necessary for the library, recreation center, sporting events, and
health clinic privileges and can be obtained on the first floor of the Baker Patillo Student
Center (room 1.205) at a cost of $5, which will be charged to the student account. Every
semester, make sure to get your ID validated with a sticker. Validating stickers are
available in the ID office on the first floor of the student center and on the second floor of
the Austin Business building.
Parking Passes
Parking zones are designated by permit status and are enforced from 6 am to 4
pm, with the exception of lots 8 and 15, which do not open to all permits until after 9 pm.
Students who live off-campus have commuter status and are only permitted to park in
“all-permit” areas. GAs and TAs do not have access to staff parking privileges. Currently
All Permit parking is available in the lot behind Hall 20 and across from the Coliseum, a
couple levels in the Wilson Dr. parking structure (these fill up early), along Wilson Dr.,
and in front of the Lab School on Raguet St.
Permits can be purchased at the University Police Department, or you can order
online through mySFA and have it mailed to you. Here are the current rates for all SFA
permits:
Permit Type Annual
Spring
Summer
Commuter
$70
$47
$24
Resident
$95
$64
$32
Garage
$310
$310
$310
(Near
Student
Center)
Motorcycle
$60
$40
$20
Parking in illicit spots or without a permit will likely result in a ticket and/or
vehicle impoundment.
Parking Map
http://www.sfasu.edu/parking/documents/FY13_parking_map.pdf
Campus Map
http://www.sfasu.edu/documents/sfasu_campus_map.pdf
Health Services
Graduate students can take advantage of the services rendered at SFA’s health clinic.
Preventative care, such as physicals and female health, as well as treatment for illnesses
that do not require immediate care or hospitalization are often provided for free.
Vaccinations and tests, however, are charged to the student at the lowest possible rate.
See http://www.sfasu.edu/healthservices/
 Phone: (936) 468-4008
 Physical Address: On the S.E. corner of Raguet and East College Streets
 Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
 Dr. Appointments: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Career Services
SFA has a career services department that is a great resource for helping students
start their professional careers. Career Services is located in the Rusk building on the
third floor. Their website contains links offering advice ranging from how to build a
catchy resume to networking and conducting a job search and lists dates for upcoming
job fairs:
http://www.sfasu.edu/ccs/careerservices/
Campus Safety
The university police department provides an after-hours escort service as well as
vehicle assistance for students who lock their keys inside or cannot get their vehicle
started:
http://www.sfasu.edu/upd/services.asp
JackAlerts
JackAlerts is a notification system used through email, text, and social media.
Currently enrolled students and current employees can register to receive JackAlerts by
logging onto mySFA and clicking the red "Register to get Campus Alerts" button on the
right side of the screen. This directs you to the JackAlert device page where you can
register and manage your devices.
This alert system is used to alert students and faculty of crime on or near campus that
may pose a safety threat. JackAlerts is also used in cases of severe weather.
Counseling Services
While graduate school is a stimulating environment that most students find
enriching and exciting, it is also a mentally taxing experience that tests students’ fortitude
and emotional stability. Therefore, learning stress management is vital to one’s mental
and physical wellbeing as well as one’s academic performance. For ways to cope with
stress and anxiety, check out the tips at
http://www.medicinenet.com/stress_management_techniques/article.htm
Also, SFA provides free and confidential counseling services to students on the third floor
of the Rusk building:
http://www.sfasu.edu/ccs/counseling/index.asp
Advising and Registering for Classes
Students should contact the graduate coordinator upon being accepted to the
graduate program to receive advice on what courses to take during their first semester.
Advisement will also be required for registering for subsequent semesters, and early
registration is necessary to ensure that courses make. It is important for this and other
reasons that students register for the courses into which they have been advised. An
advising schedule will be set up by the graduate coordinator in advance of registration,
typically in early April or November. Note that graduate courses can close, so you will
want to register soon after registration opens.
Books
Students are not obligated to purchase books at the Barnes and Noble bookstore
on campus; however, before making purchases from an online vendor, they should
contact the professor to determine whether or not a particular edition is necessary for a
course. While there are three independent bookstores in Nacogdoches, they usually do
not carry graduate textbooks unless a professor contacts them and requests them to do
so. Kampus Books and Varsity Books are located on East College St., across from the
University Police Department. An Alumni-based bookstore, Jack Backers, is located on
North St. While you may have better look purchasing books online, the bookstores offer a
wide selection of SFA and Lumberjack gear.
Amazon.com and Half.com are two reputable vendors that enable students to
compare prices and the quality of books. It is recommended that you order books at least
three weeks before classes begin if you select standard shipping, although most orders
arrive within one week of the purchase.
Library
MA students will find a wealth of information accessible through the library’s
webpages. During your semester in which you are registered for ENG 589, thesis research,
if you bring proof that you are a working on your thesis, you can check out books for the
entire semester. While this may not apply to Interlibrary Loan (ILL) books, this does cut
back on the hassle of rechecking out other books.
You will certainly want to generate an ILL (Interlibrary Loan) account to obtain
materials not present on campus. Students can access Worldcat or the MLA database,
among others, to search for articles and such. Sometimes you then have to check the
library’s catalog; sometimes direct links to ILL are offered. The ILL form generally
generates the necessary information; however, at times it has to be entered and/or
corrected manually (this is especially true of page numbers for articles, and sometimes it
cannot tell the difference between a book and an article).
The amount of time it takes to receive materials ranges from as soon as 24 hours for emailed articles to approximately 2-4 weeks for hard copies of articles and books. It is
imperative to return these materials on time, as students will be charged $1 per day that
they are overdue.
Students who wish to do research at other colleges and libraries in Texas can apply
for a free Texshare card at the circulation desk in the SFA library, which will enable them
to check out resources at participating institutions. These cards are temporary, so
students should check the expiration date before visiting other libraries.
Our library also includes the East Texas Research Center, where you can find
archives, microfilm machines, and a quiet place to carry out research. The ETRC is
located on the second floor of Steen Library.
The fourth floor of the library is the designated “Quiet Zone.” It is ideal for
research, while group conferences and discussions tend to occur on the first and third
floors.
LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT & DINING
There are many great things to do around Nacogdoches that can keep you occupied when
you have some down time. From finding a nice place to eat, to dancing, to disk golf, or to
going out to the bar and having a drink with friends, you can always find something to
do. Below is a list of things around Nacogdoches.
Restaurants
Peking
(Chinese)
3103 North St.
936-564-0655
Szechuan’s Chinese Restaurant
(Chinese)
3308 North St.
936-569-2266
Ocean Buffet
(Chinese)
3613 North St.
936-559-8883
Auntie Pasta’s
(Italian)
211 Old Tyler Rd.
936-569-2171
Clear Springs
(Southern food-Known for their onion rings)
211 Old Tyler Rd.
936-569-0489
The Barn
(American)
2304 North St.
936-569-9092
Fuzzy’s Tacos
(Mexican)
4909 North St.
936-205-5661
Nijiya
(Sushi)
4919 North St.
936-569-2636
Fish Place
(Seafood)
1302 North St.
936-564-2922
Bullritos
(Big Burritos)
1220 North St.
936-564-2822
El Ranchero
(Mexican-Two free margaritas with ID)
123 King St.
936-569-2256
Pasado’s
(Mexican)
1315 North St.
936-560-2940
Chili’s
(American)
1911 North St.
936-559-5775
Jalepeno Tree
(Mexican)
637 North University Dr.
936-715-9133
Union Café
(Italian/American)
3205 North University Dr.
936-560-9888
Cotton Patch
(American-Known for their banana pudding)
3117 North St.
936-569-6926
T Sandwiches
(Vietnamese)
1122 South University Dr.
(Inside Mall)
936-569-0464
Mazzio’s
(Pizza/Italian)
1133 North University Dr.
936-559-0000
Nappoli’s
(Italian)
2119 North St.
936-560-2002
Bars
Flashback Café
109 Wettermark St.
936-462-9550
Bullfrogs
1507 North St.
936-568-9999
Nine Flags
200 North Fredonia St.
(Inside the Fredonia Hotel)
936-564-1234
Headliner’s
3801 North St.
936-560-382
The Barn
2304 North St.
936-569-9092
Dancing
Sports Shack
4601 North St.
936-560-6678
The Anex
1507 North St.
936-568-9999
Banita Creek Hall
401 West Main St.
936-462-8000
Lugnutz
5287 U.S. 59 South
936-564-6889
Fast Food
If you are looking for something quick to
munch on, there are plenty of places to go. A
majority of these places are right off North St.
and are within walking distance of campus.
McDonald’s
Burger King
Wendy’s
Whataburger
Taco Bell
Cane’s
Taco Bueno
Arby’s
KFC
Popeye’s
Chicken Express
Sonic
Pizza Hut
Domino’s
Papa John’s
Long John Silver’s
Wing Stop
Panda Café
Subway
Chik-Fil-A
Quizno’s
Schlotzsky’s
Little Ceasar’s
Activities
There are a lot of different activities to keep you
entertained when you have some free time.
Downtown Nacogdoches offers a lot of local
stores to browse around and Lake Nacogdoches
is a great place to go swimming, walk around
trails, fish, or go boating. Take advantage of
these activities and enjoy what Nacogdoches
has to offer.
Movie Theater
3801 North St.
936-560-2963
Disk Golf
-Pecan Park
-Pioneer Park
-Lake Nacogdoches
Golf Courses
-Piney Woods Country Club
3001 South U.S. HWY 59
936-569-9821
-Crown Colony Country Club
900 Crown Colony Dr.
936-569-9821
-Woodland Hills Golf Club
359 County Road 5021
936-564-2762
Bowling
3801 North St.
936-560-3822
Camp Tonkawa
4675 CR 153
936-564-8888
Putt-Putt Golf
3503 North St.
936-564-652
Lake Nacogdoches-A beautiful area to go walking, play disk golf, swimming, boating, or
fishing. Get some friends and go spend the day at lake Nac!
Downtown Nacogdoches-A great place to go to support local business and to find
unique gifts and activities. Be sure to check it out!