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gollum
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« on: January 20, 2007, 02:36:41 PM » |
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Is it a bad idea to ask about specific universities/departments on this forum given the possibility that search committee members may be lurking?
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coffeebuzz
Junior member
Posts: 89
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« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2007, 02:49:24 PM » |
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You need to be informed about the school. Just as much as they are deciding if your a good fit for them you are deciding if they are a good fit to you. The more information you have the better.
Asking about schools on this forum can helps you gather insights from real people, not just the schools website or the chamber of commerce.
Now asking about specific departments... that maybe a little different, I wouldn't go that detailed with my questions.
The possibility of SC members figuring out who you are seem fairly slim to me. Especially if you ask about the university early in the process and they are still looking at large number of applications.
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"Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death and as sweet as love."
Turkish proverb
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eugenides
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« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2007, 02:52:44 PM » |
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Sure, why not ask around?
Many big names are here, such as me.
My title is:
Chair of the Department of Symbology at Harvard University.
Sounds familiar? (as long as you have read Da Vinci Code)
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dark_globe
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« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2007, 03:00:05 PM » |
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I wouldn't do it if I were you.
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"The Crash Street Kids are coming to get you." Ian Hunter
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trabb
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« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2007, 03:02:16 PM » |
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I can't see how asking would be a problem; it's answering that worries me. If anyone were to ask about my current university or any school at which I've worked in the past decade, I wouldn't answer.
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coffeebuzz
Junior member
Posts: 89
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« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2007, 03:03:25 PM » |
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On the very off chance that a SC member figures out who you are, who cares. As long as your not trashing their school, it shows that your are interested in their opening and trying to gather as much info as you can to make an informed decision.
Eugenides, I applied for that position a few years ago, they said I wasn't dashing and handsome enough, they said that they were looking for a modern "Indiana Jones" type... Oh well...
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"Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death and as sweet as love."
Turkish proverb
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fiona
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« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2007, 03:31:26 PM » |
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I don't think it's "paranoid," but most of us would rather not identify ourselves. We can speak more freely if we don't.
People have sometimes asked about my school, and I haven't answered under this name. That's a way to share info without compromising your regular persona.
I know who about half a dozen regular posters are, based on info they've given, but I've never said anything to them about that and never will. I can keep a secret.
The Fiona
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The Fiona or perhaps La Fiona
Professor of Thread Killing, Fiork University
The Right Reverend Fiona, PhD, Bishop of the Fora
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eugenides
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« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2007, 05:03:48 PM » |
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Eugenides, I applied for that position a few years ago, they said I wasn't dashing and handsome enough, they said that they were looking for a modern "Indiana Jones" type... Oh well...
Mm, but do you think Tom Hanks a better candidate? |
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dr_crankypants
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« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2007, 06:30:21 PM » |
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A good rule of thumb to observe is to avoid asking (or saying) anything that you would not want these people to know that you said. There's always a chance that someone will recognize you--and perhaps the last person you want to recognize you.
And, like Trabb, I'm probably not going to answer questions about specific locations, even ones I know quite well. I think that this is one of the casualties of the forum makeover (despite all the real benefits that have come out of it).
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I'm not ignoring you. I'm playing leapdog with your post.
"Now stop trying to sound funny and smart." -Wowowowowow
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coffeebuzz
Junior member
Posts: 89
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« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2007, 06:50:19 PM » |
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People have sometimes asked about my school, and I haven't answered under this name. That's a way to share info without compromising your regular persona.
This is great advice if you are worried about revealing your self, and one I may adopt in the future, when asking about a school or posting about a school I know about. A good rule of thumb to observe is to avoid asking (or saying) anything that you would not want these people to know that you said.
This too is good advice. |
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"Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death and as sweet as love."
Turkish proverb
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coffeebuzz
Junior member
Posts: 89
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« Reply #10 on: January 20, 2007, 06:53:02 PM » |
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Mm, but do you think Tom Hanks a better candidate?
No not really. I was a little disappointed when I found out he got the job over me. I'm glad to hear that he has apparently left and now your there. |
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"Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death and as sweet as love."
Turkish proverb
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mrhistory
Senior member
Posts: 728
the hardest working man in the humanities
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« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2007, 07:33:02 PM » |
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Sure, why not ask around?
Many big names are here, such as me.
My title is:
Chair of the Department of Symbology at Harvard University.
Sounds familiar? (as long as you have read Da Vinci Code)
Hilarious! |
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"Horton hears a hu!"
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porcupine
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« Reply #12 on: January 20, 2007, 08:01:18 PM » |
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Is there anything wrong with asking the SC questions (obviously nothing inappropriate)? The forums are a great resource, but sometimes it is absolutely necessary to speak to someone at the school.
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Porcupine=Genius
Oh porcupine, take off your crazy hat. |
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mrhistory
Senior member
Posts: 728
the hardest working man in the humanities
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« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2007, 08:05:02 PM » |
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Is there anything wrong with asking the SC questions (obviously nothing inappropriate)? The forums are a great resource, but sometimes it is absolutely necessary to speak to someone at the school.
Sometimes it is nice to get a wider perspective esp on a school that is without a high national profile. Of course anyone sane asks the SC but I've posted location queries for two different people I know (both abd applicants with way too much paranoia). What's some general interest in Place A or University C's History Dept? Anyone "offended" by that would be nuts. On the other hand, if you post in PWP threads and ask about Univ. C under the same username in another thread...well, you do the math. You might want to be cautious and there's nothing paranoid about that! |
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"Horton hears a hu!"
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coffeebuzz
Junior member
Posts: 89
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« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2007, 08:23:13 PM » |
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Sometimes it is nice to get a wider perspective esp on a school that is without a high national profile. Of course anyone sane asks the SC but I've posted location queries for two different people I know (both abd applicants with way too much paranoia). What's some general interest in Place A or University C's History Dept? Anyone "offended" by that would be nuts. On the other hand, if you post in PWP threads and ask about Univ. C under the same username in another thread...well, you do the math. You might want to be cautious and there's nothing paranoid about that!
PWP? Can you please explain? |
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"Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death and as sweet as love."
Turkish proverb
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