kent shakespeare

It does seem very PhD heavy, doesn't it? So many go from BA right nito a PhD prog, and get their MAs along the way. I opted to go to a Canadian U, where it's a separate prog. I applied last year and started in Sept. Next winter, I'll be part of the throngs applying for a PhD prog. there are a lot of humanities people, yes, but plenty of math/sciences too. everyone's out of place to some extent, given the range of programs, universities, cities, regions and nations. we are all in place because we are all out of place.

one of my peers is from Spain, doing a History MA here in Canada.

Anyone else out there? I'm currently at rent in the MA History program, but my area overlaps a lot with the Canadian/Indigenous Studies program.

Gudot

Nooooooo It doesn't.

I've worked in a number of professions over the years, and fin that most people have little grasp on any profession they themselves don't do. Moreover, many are quick to make assumptions about other professions with only a caricature-level understanding. Movies/TV both reflect and perpetuate this.

those were the results from "Janurary?" as per the link :"[Feb 2010] Janurary stats: Did you make it to the top ten posters? Check here."

Politician

I love Irish history! I was warned it isn't the best track for a career choice, though. Me: Native + Canadian history, with a dash of medical history too.

tea

Screech

whoever gets accepted (and especially anyone who goes), please fill us in on the funding situation, if the state budget crisis has affected funding as some have predicted. I'm currently in an MA prog, but Davis is one of my top choices for a PhD.

autobahn

Time away from school can be an asset. Yes, you haven't kept up on the books and spelling may have atrophied, but you bring skills and experience to the table that even the brightest 22-year-olds don't have. Life experience carries plenty of weight in ability to handle grad school, even if there are a wunderkind or three in your cohort. Everyone is coming in with different ranges of ability and experience; you are not alone in this (I'm 41). Even if your app for fall has a few blemishes, hits some snags or just plain fails to impress (remember, I said "if", not "when"), don't be discouraged - take the extra time to get your feet wet again. Take a comm college class or two just for the experience (and to get a new prof recommendation); you'll see you get back in the driver's seat quickly enough. That'll also give you time to find that research paper - or even write a new one. That you have gone to the efforts you have to get back to school says volumes. Don't fret the details; it'll happen, even if this app cycle seems a bit out of sorts.

From what I've heard, there are Us out there with PhD programs that only give MAs to those who are weeded out of the PhD program; these Us don't have regular MA programs to even apply to - they assume everyone is going for the PhD. So it is possible that getting an MA from one of these schools might look bad - if you are going for a U of equal or even higher ranking. but otherwise, it does not seem to be a bad thing; it shows you have completed work and have experience in the field; that's a good thing. Especially if you have a good thesis/chapter to show for it. Since your UK school apparently offers both, I doubt there'd be a problem. You could always clarify your reasons in your statement of purpose as well, for those or other reasons. In general, study abroad usually looks good - especially at a reputable school. For many, the logistics of being abroad for multiple years can be problematic as well; you could add that to your statement, too, as it may apply to you.

I found that to be the case; the only denial I received was from a very small program that gave preference to west coasters. I started my MA program in September, at the tail end of my 40th year.

I guess I'm only partially an Americanist. My focus is on Canada and Native peoples, the latter not necessarily restricted to the border.

I'm a bit surprised, frankly. I find it perfectly normal to be friends with profs, especially once they are no longer evaluating you.

following up: I got my study permit at the border, no problems. They issue it based upon your program length; base on the documentation you provide from your U. I brought lots of other documentation they didn't even look at: banks info, loan paperwork, etc.

I agree. You're better off buying new electronics over here.

I'd try to find an open-minded prof at a Turkish U who is willing to offer insight - or direct you to someone who can. But my gut feeling is to steer your proposal into something less threatening, at the periphery of the taboo in question. Once you're there, you'll have a better sense of how much you can drift back towards the controversy in question.

If you're in a 1-year program, and would definitely be wanting to start a PhD the year after, then yes, you would have a problem. You'd either have to (1) try to build relations very quickly at your MA school, (2) still mostly rely on undergrad profs, (3) some combination of the two, or (4) take a year off in between. If I were you, I'd list out the pros and cons of each. I have a couple peers in the one-year program; they're already pulling their hair out over the timetable looming in front of them. Unless your MA program is going to be a cake-walk, seriously consider how jam-packed a year it will be - and that you have to fit PhD apps in there somewhere, too.

I agree with the other. There is nothing wrong with stating "mother" or "homemaker." Those are both undeniably jobs. You were not unemployed, even if your employment was not one rewarded by direct currency remuneration.

well, first of all, Carleton and Queens are both great schools. Even if the average Yank has never heard of them, you can bet someone on the admissions committees have. If your undergrad programs were even halfway decent, they'll probably have a decent rep among US profs in your field. At a very minimum, programs in the Northeastern US should know you schools quite well; we get a lot of Canadians down. You are hardly going where no Canadian has gone before. as someone else has said, the idea of a 'safety school' has less than a full consensus. But I'd ask in the subforums on specific disciplines, where you can better target people who know your fields, rather than out here. Ziz, If you were accepted into Oxford, I wouldn't worry too much.

all that shows is one mistake, and that you had the fortitude to step up and correct that mistake. I had the same situation with Statistics. I took it last fall with a real See You Next Tuesday (a term I don't use often), and got an F. I took it in the spring and pulled an A-minus. I also have bad grades from 20 years ago at a Comm Coll that I replaced soon after. Anyway, of all the programs I applied to, I was accepted in all but one (and that one only had 15 slots, and prioritized west coasters). I know it may seem worrisome, but it's not. Profs and committees understand that things happen, but (1) that you retook it - and did well - shows that you have the ability to correct your mistakes, and (2) the rest of your grades show that you are an achiever in general - dedicated and hard-working. It's not even worth mentioning in your personal statement. Seriously. If anything, you'll just waste time/space getting sidetracked on irrelevancies and de-focusing your statement, and that may hurt you more than the one bad mark ever could.