theremustbeaway

no not Singapore by the way I'm thinking about declining from both programs.

I am starting an M.A in gender studies in my country. If my situation allows I want to do my phD in philosophy or psychology depending on the paper I will get to write. I'll have to narrow my interests and study in a deeper level. The reason why I am studying gender studies in my country is because I want to participate in some feminist activism that is going around in my country. And also I want to try applying feminism studies in the sociocultural circumstances of here. ( I am interested in cultural studies, queer theory, and sexual violations) h Also my gpa was very low , and my financial situation was not that good enough to directly apply to M.A programs in the states. (My GPA is about 2.5/4.0 in English Literature, I won a excellence award from an academy workshop with studies in feminism and I have won several writing contests in school and received scholarships with writings about gender issues. ; I know these cant cover up my gpa but just hoping that these could show my interest in gender studies) However the gender studies programs in my countries is not that decent. Both schools are a cooperative process and there is only one head professor in each program. "A" school is the school I graduated. this school is an decent school in my country I know the head professor and have took her course in my undergraduate year. There is no phD course in this program. And there are about 5 students studying. Comparatively, there are lots of humanities courses opened. Like literature and feminism or cultural theories and studies. There are full scholarship which goes around fairly turn by turn to every student. The program is very small, and the financial stated of this program is not that strong yet the professor is very cooperative and open, more like friendly. I won't get much help maybe, but I feel that at least I could study freely whatever I want to. the professor also tries hard to open courses which students wishes to study. "B" school is the 1st tier school in our country. But to be honest, I don't think they have the best program in gender studies in our country. Besides all the programs are extremely small and students have to study almost by themselves anyway. This school has no scholarship and I heard that in many ways the professor is very demanding and unfair. There are about 10 students including students in their phD. This school seems more active but somehow I am worried that I won't get along with the only professor in this program very well. The professor does not accept students opinions in opening courses and etc. In the interview instead of asking or commenting about my interests or writings, I felt like the professor was very disrespectful. Still, phD students here often participate in relatively big research projects funded by the government. But they are more concentrating in public policies or things that the head professor is currently interested in. The students don't seems to feel satisfied in the contents of the courses. I read some papers by students who graduated this school and found it interesting. But nearly no student prepare to study abroad. students usually graduate late because there is too many work load other than studying.and there is this somewhat a little authoritative atmosphere. I have to choose the school by this month and just cant make my mind. Which school sounds better?

I am an international student My major in B.A. was American Culture and I was planning to apply in English M.A programs in my country. However the more I studied, even though I love English literature I felt like I didn't want to concentrate merely on English literature Since I was always interested in feminism I am thinking about applying to M.A in Women studies in my country. However, after that I want to study abroad, especially in the states, and I found out that there is not much phd programs in Women studies. I also think I don't merely want to concentrate in phd itself. I am interested in cultural studies, literature and religion and also philosphy.. To be honest I don't think I'm prepared enough to plan after M.A since I didn't choose what I want to study even now. What I want to ask is, is it possible to change majors in phd after doing Women studies as an M.A? I heard that Some programs require certain amount of credits in that major from university level studeks. I didn't choose yet but when I apply to phd's I want to apply to one of the majors above( cultural studies, literature or religon..? )

Wow You know the SKY! It's discouraging to hear even though they had good GPA's they all failed. T.T However, once I determined to study I should try as far as I can.. Thanks for your specific advice. As you recommended, I am planning to do MA in Seoul and then to the mix of MA and PhD programs. During this time, my plan is to improve my English writing and foreign language skills(German) and concentrate on my writing samples. Thanks for your tough love, and I really would like to take more advice about applying to U.S Phd programs.1

Thanks for your advice! Oh, and I for got to write down, and I don't know how much it would help but I do have a U.S citizenship lived in the states for 7 years, but it was when I was young.. So, yes I am an international student since I'm graduating out of the states..

Thanks for your encouragement! I'm really excited about writing a writing sample. i really should try my best !

I am an international student,majored in American Culture and I have an extreeeeeeemely low GPA in 4.0 scale ,my gpa is about 2.5~2.6.. ( I have 2 D and several C's.. I was depressed for a while because of personal issues, but my CGPA is pretty good though..) I know it's so low and I found that some schools screen applicants who have low gpas under 3.0 I am interesting in studying comp lit or eng lit. However, I found it is almost impossible to apply with this low GPA while I don't even have a extremely good writing sample So, I am planning to do an MA in English literature in my country, and during this years try hard to get good points and write a lot and if can apply it to some journals Could I overcome this devastating past, if I try hard from now on? I feel so unsure and worrying T.T