Here at Pitt we’re looking for a new fiction professor; a huge pack of candidates has been narrowed down to finalists. I don’t know the specifics of what I’m allowed to say, so I don’t think I can mention how many finalists. Just, finalists.
Tomorrow the finalists start their visits.
And what visits they are! Each candidate must do a reading; sit for two interviews; attend a reception; and meet with grad students. Those are just the bits I know about. I bet there are also dinners and meetings with the dean and faculty.
Perhaps there are timed mile runs, pop quizzes, vision tests and codebreaking exercises.
As a grad student, I’ll be spending an awful lot of time tagging along to meet these (indeterminate number of) finalists this week. The schedule is kinda nuts, actually.
But at least I’ll just be a spectator. Imagine being the specimen. Must be exhausting.
There’s a little precedent for your sharing the information – Babies are Fireproof covered the recent Iowa Creative Writing Department Director hiring last year in grea detail – giving reports after each of the finalists came in to do their reading and sitting in on classes.
Different University obviously.
Can you possibly give an update on this process? Are you allowed to say who is applying? Who has accepted the job? Any info would be great!