Well, folks, I made it to Southwestern PA safe and sound! Yay! I have been absurdly busy ever since I arrived, however, .with graduate school applications and research. (Now I am definitely thinking that I should have started on this way earlier!)
One thing that’s really got my goat, (I want a dictionary of catch phrases!) was the unnecesary use of gender privilege in the applications. I am at least starting the applications for 12 schools (I don’t really think I will end up actually applying to all 12, but I’m getting things going on all of them just in case) and so far the vast majority have requested to know the applicant’s gender, and provides you with the option: male or female. One university asked me to identify my gender identity (which was a step in the right direction at least) but then again, the options were male or female. Another University offered male, female and other. Oh boy! Let’s literally put ‘otherhood’ on the option list.
It just seemed to ironic to me, coming from institutions where students and faculty were dealing with gender and sexuality in their work.
Jenny Saville – Passage – 2004-05
I agree! Best of luck with your search.