Atoraya88

Hi folks! I was recently admitted to a top-tier MA program in Middle Eastern Studies. Unfortunately, I was not awarded any funding or university scholarships, I am only eligible for student loans and work-study. I need help finding outside funding. My focus is in Ottoman studies and Eastern Christianity. Any good sources for funding that anyone would be able to recommend? Thanks!

Hi! Thanks for the info. I've already connected with faculty at U of Chicago and both were really interested in my topic. Chicago is the only school that I would consider attending, even if I had to take a loan to pay some of the costs of tuition. I have family in Chicago so it wouldn't be an issue in terms of cost of living. As for the other schools I applied to, there really is no way I want any additional debt just for an MA. I would like to ultimately culminate my MA into a PhD at Chicago just because of the potential advisors that I would have. Last, would you recommend I just take language courses, or should I also consider trying to take History or Middle Eastern Studies courses between now and the next application cycle? I've already been accepted to a couple of academic conferences to present papers and participate on panels. The big problem is not having at least an intermediate level in Turkish.

I really would appreciate any help with my dilemma: I've recently applied into several MA programs in Middle Eastern Studies for the Fall 2014. My goal is PhD, but I need training in Ottoman and Modern Turkish before getting into a program. And now that I have been seriously crunching the numbers, the cost to relocate, coupled with essentially receive zero funding from the programs I applied to has me seriously considering taking 2014-2015 off to take courses in Turkish, and apply into PhD programs for the Fall 2015. I really would like to take some Middle Eastern Studies courses locally as non-degree seeking student, however, they are really pricey and I am not sure if it is worth spending the money to do so. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank so much for the response! I really appreciate it. Otherwise, no, I am not really trying to approach the history of the ME in any legal point-of-view. I just feel that pursuing my passion, rather than what I think is safe is the main reason. If all else fails getting into a good MA or PhD ME program, I feel that I can get into a good program say in Religious Studies, which is one of my interests and try and pursue doctoral work on History of the ME bringing some of my training in RS into play.

Well, I am particularly interested in studying Christian minorities with a focus on identity and nationalism towards and just after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. My case study is the modern Assyrians of the Middle East. What I'm asking though is whether or not I should just complete my JD, or spend between now and next Decemeber applying to ME Studies programs. This would mean I would not be attending any school the next fall and spring. I'd like to complete my MA at the University of Arizona primarily because of proximity and cost.

I'm currently a second semester 1L. However, I somewhat regret not going to pursue my MA and PhD in ME Studies after I graduated in 2012. Is it advisable to withdraw from law school after this Spring, and begin applications and test prep for the Fall 2014? This essentially would mean I wouldn't do anything next year but try and find work to hold me over and wait on my applications. If anyone has any other resources that'll help me weight these options, I'd appreciate. Thanks!