I am getting tired of hearing myself talk, so I'm going to explain my exam situation here. That way I can quit dominating conversations by repeating myself. I appreciate people asking. They have been very supportive. I am not tired of people asking; I am tired of hearing myself answer. :)

What is it I am doing, exactly, folks want to know. What is involved in taking PhD comps?

I can't speak for any other program--only the one I'm in. But for me, "comps" is shorthand for comprehensive examinations. I have three exam fields--women in antiquity, the novel, and Artemis/Ephesus from 100 BC- 100 AD (or 100 BCE to 100 CE). I had to prepare three bibliographies, one for each field, and get them approved. These are the books I've been reading for the past two years.

On four different dates spanning 20 days I take an exam. For the first three I receive an email at 10 AM on the stated day. It contains two questions from one of my examiners. I choose one to answer and write 20-25 pages within 24 hours. By 10 AM the next morning I am to email my paper to my three examiners and the administrative assistant. I have finished exam one (women in antiquity); the second one (Artemis/Ephesus) I am to take tomorrow (Tuesday).

The last one, the novels exam, I have scheduled for next Monday. After that I show up for an oral exam (Dec 1), where we're all in the same room and I answer questions for 2 hours. IF I pass all this, I can start writing my dissertation.

So I still have a long way to go. But one step at a time I'm getting there. And learning a lot in the process! (Including "I will be with you.") Thanks for your support.