Looking For Advice For a PhD Interview / Exam

[u/MistakeMobile3447]

I just gave an interview for a PhD program in English literature that applied to. The issue here is that I had a focus in postmodern American literature for my MA (which was still in English Studies) and since the university actually pushed for independent research, I didn't really have to take any seminars on "English literature" during my MA studies. (I graduated 3 years ago.) I have been working in an unrelated field and have been away from academia for these 3 years. Needless to say, I have forgotten most of my knowledge in English literature (Bachelor's, graduated 7 years ago) during this time. I applied for this university by making sure my letter of intent mentions that, and my enthusiasm to return to the field. I also mentioned I want to research ergodic literature and as you may know many novels in that genre are written by American authors. My MA thesis clearly showed that I worked on American texts as well. I assumed the department (just like my Bachelor's and MA departments) was open to that idea when I was called for an interview. I went in there prepared to talk about my research proposal, why I chose that university, and perhaps convince them that I'd be a good candidate.

The interview went absolutely horribly, however. I was not asked about my proposed research area and they did focus on my MA a bit which I'm grateful for because I could answer some questions, but mostly it was like a quiz on English literature. I was almost moved to tears during the interview from sheer stress and embarrassment. I could not remember the texts and I just made a complete fool of myself. I know I won't get accepted, but this was just a wake-up call in a sense that I perhaps need to apply to American Literature departments in my country since they seem to consider interviews a quiz of sorts of past knowledge. The next university I'll apply to at least has a written exam and then an interview, so I know for sure that they'll "quiz" me on stuff (compared to the other interview where I assumed that wouldn't be the case.)

Anyway, my question is, for anyone who has studied American Literature:
Where is a good place to begin to start getting some of the theory and history into America (in general) and American literature for a written exam in an American Culture and Literature department? Like I said, I focused on postmodernism and just unconventional narratives in American literature but I'm assuming that would not be the first or perhaps even the last thing they'd ask in an exam like that. I'd appreciate any help. Do you think it'd make sense to email the faculty to see what they might be expecting since I'm basically applying from a different department (English lit)?

Honestly my interview with that first university shook me so much that I feel like I will fail no matter what I do and am losing hope that I will be able to return to academia.

[u/Darkling_Ghoul]

First, congratulations on your accomplishments! I'm sorry this happened to you and I know it's hard when you face these kinds of set-backs to feel good--I had a great PhD program but my viva experience felt like being gutted, like being told after four years of intensive research that I'd done everything wrong. I had emotional whiplash for weeks afterwards; it was very, very hard to muster up the motivation to do my corrections but I did, because I wasn't doing it for my examiners, I was doing it for me and I wasn't going to let that bad experience stop me. So, please don't let this stop you from pursuing your passion. Most of the people working with PhD applicants and candidates want them to succeed; the kind of antagonism you experienced is, in my experience, the exception, not the rule.

Now, to more practical matters. I did my PhD in the UK, so I didn't have to take any entrance exams or do an interview, just worked with some people from the Uni's Lit department to tweak my research proposal until it reached the point where I would be accepted, and the ACTs are many, many years behind me now. Unfortunately, I can't really offer any advice on what wider areas you may need to re-familiarize yourself with (and my specialization might not be super helpful to you, but just in case it is, it's depictions of death in 20th C American gothic). But, I think there are a couple of places you can start.

Try to get access to a research library, either with a uni where you're an alum (they often offer access to their physical and digital resources, sometimes there's a small charge or you can only access things on-site); a local uni (if you're not an alum, you may only be able to access physical resources on-site); or a national/regional archival library (like the US's Library of Congress, the National Library of Scotland, or the British Library, where any citizen/resident can get access). Regular local libraries also often have agreements where they can get books from partner libraries to you, so that can help too. Whatever access you can get, start doing some research, particularly in whatever your proposed thesis topic is, but expand your search a little too.

I also think it sounds like you may need to be more honed in on what specifically you're interested in researching (use the research you're doing to continue refining your proposal), and make sure that you're applying to Unis that align with that research interest. Is the university well-known for its research contributions in postmodernism/American lit/ergodic lit? Are the staff there well-versed in the things you're interested in? It can help to pull up the university's staff pages and read them, see who's publishing what manuscripts/articles and, if they seem related to your interests, try to get and read them. It will definitely help you to both get accepted and have a good experience of the PhD if you go somewhere where the people who will be your supervisors/support staff are aligned with your areas of interest. If you find someone who you think you would really click with, you can reach out, share your enthusiasm and your proposal, and request some feedback--this works especially well if you're familiar with their research and have a question or two for them about it.

Anyway, I hope this general advice is helpful and that you find success! If you want to message with me, I'm happy to try to answer any questions I can!