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Furcifera

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Everything posted by Furcifera

  1. Punching Tacitus sounds fun. Fall's great for pumpkin pie and such, but the wavering weather never fails to get me sick. I've been ill since the weekend, and all I've wanted to do is suck some DayQuil, watch dumb tv, and sleep. But today I had to teach and hold office hours, so sleeping was out of the question, though I did imbibe some DayQuil and kick my feet up to watch some Star Trek before class. And wouldn't you know it, a student finally shows up for my office hours to catch me in a semi-DayQuil-induced-daze, enjoying Journey to Babel. Just my luck. Hope your week is going smoother.
  2. Heck, all the power to you for starting the cursed thing. I don't even have a draft to forge a better SoP from, yet. I do have the letters sorted and GREs completed (blargh) and a final list of schools selected. I still need to finish up my writing sample and work up the courage for the SoP. I actually asked two professors how to handle an MA statement of purpose as opposed to those of the PhD variety. Their advice was to elucidate areas of interest, instead of discussing possible projects. Take it or leave it. I expect things on here won't take off until admission decisions start trickling in. Or maybe a month before, at which time we group-translate Vergil into Klingon to alleviate otherwise disabling anxiety.
  3. Thanks, BAW & Canator. BAW-- I'm not sure. My gut says yes, to feel out the situation. I've been able to meet with or email a few of the professors from some of the schools I'm applying to-- I'm more sure of my fit at those places. I wouldn't suggest emailing now, though-- it's the beginning of the semester, full of crazy schedules and an incessant exhaustion. Canator -- Thanks for the suggestion! I'm scouring the site now. Is there a place where you can check out some past students? This is one of those times where I wish the website was a smidge more engaged... As to my topic-- it's my way of saying I want to do philology-level study on various histories & ethnographies, with various tacks. But when I mention the specific texts I want to study, some people expect me to be history track. Usually mentioning the grammar research reminds them I'm going philology. How about you? Any particular time period, subject material, etc? Type of program?
  4. Tough one. My knee-jerk responses are: a ) if you think you'll have two great ones and one "meh," send two to the places that ask for two. b ) I would use your History professor, if you know s/he'd give you a better letter and can speak toward your preparedness for graduate school.
  5. Oh, whoops. You're right. You apply directly to the MA, but with the expectation that you'll continue onto the PhD. I definitely spend a lot of time on faculty pages, especially of the younger faculty members whom I haven't come across in my reading. I also appreciate blatant teaching opportunities: first years TA a lecture course, have a recitation, etc. I'm trying to get as much teaching experience as I can, so vague statements like: "We try to fund most of our students through fellowships or teaching assistantships," are a bit offputting. Has anyone heard anything about the Tulane program? I certainly wouldn't mind spending two years in Louisiana, and they do fund, but, because it's run concurrently with a 4+1 BA-to-MA program and accepts students with only one year (or possibly no years!) of a second language, I fear it won't be very strenuous.
  6. Hey, Wiley! Glad to have someone in my boat. Thanks for the tip re: UF and FSU. I wasn't even aware the University of Florida had such a program! I've met a few of the FSU professors; they seemed like very active and exciting researchers. That list of MA Alumnae/i is putting me off, a little... either they've been a bit lax about keeping up with their graduates and updating the website or not many have moved on to PhD programs. I'm guessing it's the former, though. I'll admit that some shallower aspects (like a particularly helpful/unhelpful website) often affect my list. Anyone been attracted to any particularly encouraging websites or put off by the opposite?
  7. Great question. I was just today revisiting my list. The definites/not-leaving-the-list-ever for the MA are: Colorado, Maryland, Vanderbilt, WUStL, and Texas at Austin. Notre Dame and Boston College keep bouncing on and off the list. I'm applying to a few PhDs as well, but I'm slightly underprepared in one of the languages, which is why I'm aiming toward MAs to boost my skills. Do you have any suggestions of programs to add? I'd love to hear some more opinions. How about you? I know CU and Notre Dame are strong in late antiquity. How's your list looking?
  8. Hello, all. I am also applying this year, mostly to MA programs. While not nailed down, my interests generally orbit Latin & Greek grammatical decisions in descriptions of place and race. I took the GRE already, but must take it again due to scores expiring this semester. (Alas.) I've also been dragging my feet when it comes to talking to potential recommenders, having only officially asked one of three. Anyone else having problems gaining the necessary courage?
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