A Terrified and Floundering Newcomer

[a_little_wisp]

Hello, medievalists

Comments

[imbrium8]

The very good advice from northrop_fried about the inherent poverty of the profession not withstanding, you might consider Notre Dame, whose English department has just recently hired an Old Norse specialist.

[pencildragon11]

No input, but HI from someone who dearly wishes to study Old Norse and wants to know if you've made any progress with it or if that's still a bucket-list item.

[fpb]

Hello. I'm a bit older than you are - like 50 - and I think you are being brave to the point of recklessness, but anything I can help with, get in touch with me. I've written this: http://www.facesofarthur.org.uk/fabio/contents.htm - and a few other things. I've also got a half-sister who's doing ON at Cambridge.

[niyazi_a]

If you're interested in Old Norse, consider Cornell, which houses the Fisk Collection, a renowned collection of Icelandic texts. Also Cornell is a beautiful school. :)

[failed_letter]

Hi! I'm at Western in the medieval program now, and I can tell you the lit people tend to be a bit frustrated by the sparse/unsatisfying lit classes. That said, the prof who does Old Norse is good. :) And it can be a relatively free degree, potentially, if you can live cheaply (which isn't impossible in Kalamazoo).

The Toronto program is amazing, but if you're low on funds, I'm not sure I recommend applying. --That is, to the MA. If you think you have a shot at their PhD program, awesome, go for it. But I applied to their MA program because everyone told me to (and of course, it looked amazing!) and got in, but they don't fund MA students ever, at all, so I'd wasted the $110 fee even with a successful application.

If you have any specific questions about Western or just want to talk about it, I'd be happy to chat. :)