hj2012

Definitely contact and ask, but I doubt that you telling them that you'd defer would spur them to fund you. Most departments have specific pathways for providing TA/RAships, and at the M.A. level I imagine the opportunities are competitive.

No clue regarding the question about one C or two Cs.
 
However, from my understanding a post-bac© is primarily used for people who were unable to fulfill prerequisite courses for grad school during the course of their undergrad career. For example, students who realized they wanted to be pre-med too late, or students who drastically change their majors.

It'll depend on who you ask, as these things are necessarily subjective. I don't think there's any one definition of "top tier" or "mid tier," and I find these words are frequently redefined depending on the conversation. That said, the metric that I've heard thrown around the most is that "top tier" correlates to the top 20 (according to the USNWR). I feel like there's little-to-no consensus on what constitutes the boundary between mid / low tier, though I can't imagine defining a school in the 40-50s (when there are 150+ English PhD programs in the country!) as "low tier."
 
Just my $.02, though.

Jonathan Spence's The Search for Modern China is the size of two bricks, and goes from late Ming to the 1990s. In my opinion, it is a wonderfully written overview of modern Chinese history, providing historical contextualization for the events of the 20th century. 
 
Disclaimer: I read Lieberthal's Governing China in an undergrad course, but I think it's a great introduction to the political history of the PRC.

Getting your master's in Germany isn't a bad idea in and of itself, but it seems that your eventual goal is to get a PhD, hence why you applied to PhD programs in the States. Unless the masters would help you achieve your short-term goals (whatever they may be), I don't think the opportunity cost would be worth it.
 
Have you contacted OSU and TTU to ask directly about the funding possibilities? It seems strange that they haven't said anything one way or other this late in the game.

So you have the nerve to call music and English degrees useless with a sociology degree? Glad old age showed you the light. 

Jonathan Spence's The Search for Modern China is the size of two bricks, and goes from late Ming to the 1990s. In my opinion, it is a wonderfully written overview of modern Chinese history, providing historical contextualization for the events of the 20th century. 
 
Disclaimer: I read Lieberthal's Governing China in an undergrad course, but I think it's a great introduction to the political history of the PRC.

Perhaps this is a misunderstanding on my part, but I took "unfunded" to mean absolutely nada, as in no tuition waiver, no RA/TA appointments, etc. The poster's son is not getting any funding for his second year, either, so it does not seem that the university has a plethora of funding options.
 
External fellowships and awards are great, and I think eligible students should definitely keep them in mind! But most of these fellowship/award programs are extremely competitive, even more so than gaining PhD admission itself. And, to be totally frank, if a student is not competitive enough to gain admission to a funded PhD program, I question if they would be competitive for external fellowships as well, particularly the ones that provide enough to cover tuition+living expenses (NSF, Ford, Soros, Mellon, Woodrow Wilson, etc).

I think it's always a good idea to get professional experience before attending a professional program, for both financial and academic reasons. I applied to professional IR programs straight out of undergrad and got into a number of good places, but all without funding. Now I've been living abroad for a few years (which ironically geared me toward a humanities PhD, so I ultimately didn't reapply to IR) but among my network of friends who applied to IR schools, the ones who worked a bit before applying have all done much better than my friends who came straight out of undergrad.
 
Your current job options sound great, but I would also look into programs like Americorps or consider going abroad to teach English for a year, especially if you don't have any international experience yet. Also, consider using your time off to retake your GREs, as funding is often tied to things like GRE score or GPA.
 
Good luck!

Most people apply to ~12 clinical psychology programs, and many of those highly qualified people do not get in. I love dogs, AND the state of Michigan, but this is not a reasonable way to apply for graduate school in such a competitive field. Especially given that you have selected a competitive specialty within that field. If you are serious about getting a PhD in this field you may have to move.
 
The psych GRE is not going to give you an edge, the only reason to take it is if you are applying to schools that require it. The primary edge you can get is by having research interests that perfectly match up with your potential future mentors.

Not trying to be a jerk, either, but as someone who migrated from science to humanities, it really surprises me the number of people who go on and get a PhD in the sciences. I love what I do, but the other half is knowing that my work is useful in understanding and interpreting a world that is more overcrowded and 'complex' by the day. I am sure there are topics in the sciences that are useful, but when these PhD students usually talk to me, it's usually about 'Euclidean vectors' or 'seasonal reproductive success of sandgrouses.' It boggles my mind that funding even exists for these topics in a time when many Americans lack a basic knowledge of their own national history. Sorry, I know this is harsh to some. It just seems like there are way too many going this route. The number of STEM PhDs stuck in an endless loop of post-docs certainly agrees with me. 
 
 
 
Look, I actually have a deep respect for the sciences, but consider how ignorant the above paragraph sounds. I don't attempt to convince STEM people that their research is worthless because I can't immediately understand its significance (you're going to spend your entire life observing the mating rituals of jellyfish? that's cool). Knowledge production in the humanities differs from that in STEM, but we need people devoted to the task of interpreting and challenging our social structures and cultural norms, just as we need people to push the boundaries of our knowledge of the natural world. 

I totally understand this feeling. I'm an east coaster currently living in Asia, and I've only been able to see my family twice in the last two years. While it's good to be going back home to the U.S., I'll be relocating to the west coast....which strangely feels like another continent away from my home in Virginia! 

It depends. Are there any weaknesses in your application (low GPA, lack of relevant coursework, etc) that an MA would fix? If not, I don't know if it would be worth the loans. If you decide to apply Fall 2015, I would recommend applying to a larger number of programs, and perhaps a couple funded MAs as well. Honestly, though, with just four schools it could have just come down to luck! And the waitlists are encouraging signs for next year...you might consider emailing the DGS at the schools you applied this year and asking for ways to improve your application as well.
 
My sense is that it would be better for you to go on the job market and make some money than go into debt for a year...but that's my $.02. You might also look into Americorps programs, as I know that many of these are still accepting applications.
 
Good luck to you!

Your V score shouldn't be a problem, provided that you do well on the TOEFL. I would aim for 105+.

I'm not a huge fan of upstate NY in general (too cold and snowy for my taste). Looking at the History department history page shows that their placement is about what I would expect (a number of VAP/adjunct positions, and a few tenure-track positions at community colleges and regional colleges). I'm guessing you're an international student. If you're (1) looking to work as an academic in your home country and (2) have received a tuition remission and stipend, Buffalo seems like a good option.
 
Among the international community, though, Buffalo has a reputation for offering unfunded acceptances to international students. If you didn't receive a full funding package, I definitely would NOT go.
 
Just my $.02.

Not to be an armchair psychologist or anything, but have you ever been tested for ADD or other learning disorders? Particularly the difficulty in reading test questions and transposing digits is a common indicator of certain types of learning disorders; if we see this in our students at the secondary level, we're supposed to encourage them to see our school psychologist.
 
That sounds unbelievably frustrating. However, I'm glad to hear that your advisor is so understanding of your situation, and he's 100% right: you are there for a reason! Keep it up!

Not to be an armchair psychologist or anything, but have you ever been tested for ADD or other learning disorders? Particularly the difficulty in reading test questions and transposing digits is a common indicator of certain types of learning disorders; if we see this in our students at the secondary level, we're supposed to encourage them to see our school psychologist.
 
That sounds unbelievably frustrating. However, I'm glad to hear that your advisor is so understanding of your situation, and he's 100% right: you are there for a reason! Keep it up!

Hi there!
 
What are your research interests again? I seem to recall that you applied to CompLit programs, but don't remember what your AOIs were. I'm going to give you some tough love because I've been in a similar position to you and I have lots of friends who've gone through what you're going to go through. I'm a U.S. citizen but Korean by birth...However, I just finished my PhD application season for 2014, so actual grad students might be able to chime in with more details.
 
Do you plan on applying to PhD programs during the second year of your M.A.? If so, I strongly advise against studying abroad. Frankly speaking, international students (especially from Asia) face an uphill battle forging close relationships with professors because of language and cultural differences. You will want as much face time as possible in order to get those LORs. Furthermore, I don't really see the value of study abroad in Europe if your primary purpose is to gain admission to an American PhD program. It's nice as an undergrad to get away and develop cultural understanding, but as a M.A. level candidate, I see this as detrimental to your overall purpose (familiarizing yourself with the American system, improving your English, etc).
 
Also, I'm afraid that it may also be more difficult than you think to find work off-campus. I have friends and relatives studying in NYC, and nearly all of them have had an incredibly difficult time securing off-campus work that also pays the bills. Many of my friends also went with lofty goals of finding jobs in translation, teaching, etc. The truth of the matter is that these jobs are nearly impossible to come by. Furthermore, CUNY is particularly notorious for not helping out their international students secure work-study on campus.
 
I've also found that Korean international students have an incredibly difficult time when studying abroad in the U.S., particularly in the humanities. Not only are there language difficulties, but cultural expectations for studying and student behavior are quite different as well. Also, my understanding is that a mediocre M.A. GPA will totally tank your chances at gaining admission to top PhD programs. You want to be able to focus on your studies without constantly worrying about paying bills.
 
And finally, I realize this wouldn't be what you want to hear right now, but you might want to consider deferring one of the schools and applying again to a mixture of MA and PhD programs. If I recall correctly, you only applied to the very tippy-top places; you may have better luck with funded programs if you apply more widely, especially since you already have a master's degree.
 
Good luck!

Hi there!
 
What are your research interests again? I seem to recall that you applied to CompLit programs, but don't remember what your AOIs were. I'm going to give you some tough love because I've been in a similar position to you and I have lots of friends who've gone through what you're going to go through. I'm a U.S. citizen but Korean by birth...However, I just finished my PhD application season for 2014, so actual grad students might be able to chime in with more details.
 
Do you plan on applying to PhD programs during the second year of your M.A.? If so, I strongly advise against studying abroad. Frankly speaking, international students (especially from Asia) face an uphill battle forging close relationships with professors because of language and cultural differences. You will want as much face time as possible in order to get those LORs. Furthermore, I don't really see the value of study abroad in Europe if your primary purpose is to gain admission to an American PhD program. It's nice as an undergrad to get away and develop cultural understanding, but as a M.A. level candidate, I see this as detrimental to your overall purpose (familiarizing yourself with the American system, improving your English, etc).
 
Also, I'm afraid that it may also be more difficult than you think to find work off-campus. I have friends and relatives studying in NYC, and nearly all of them have had an incredibly difficult time securing off-campus work that also pays the bills. Many of my friends also went with lofty goals of finding jobs in translation, teaching, etc. The truth of the matter is that these jobs are nearly impossible to come by. Furthermore, CUNY is particularly notorious for not helping out their international students secure work-study on campus.
 
I've also found that Korean international students have an incredibly difficult time when studying abroad in the U.S., particularly in the humanities. Not only are there language difficulties, but cultural expectations for studying and student behavior are quite different as well. Also, my understanding is that a mediocre M.A. GPA will totally tank your chances at gaining admission to top PhD programs. You want to be able to focus on your studies without constantly worrying about paying bills.
 
And finally, I realize this wouldn't be what you want to hear right now, but you might want to consider deferring one of the schools and applying again to a mixture of MA and PhD programs. If I recall correctly, you only applied to the very tippy-top places; you may have better luck with funded programs if you apply more widely, especially since you already have a master's degree.
 
Good luck!

From the way you talk about the two schools, you sound much more interested in UIC than Loyola. The red flag is that there's only one person you're vaguely interested in working with at Loyola; based on that fact alone, I would be considering UIC's offer more strongly. Finally, while rankings really aren't that important, I feel that UIC is a more recognized institution than Loyola.
 
Regardless of which you choose, those are great options to have. Congrats!

First off, why such discontent towards a school/program you willingly applied to?  You picked it, why not go?  As for it's ranking: there are just over 2,100 four-year not-for-profit colleges and universities in the U.S.  Being ranked #63 is not that bad considering.  
 
Some feel it is a bit of nepotism to stay at the same school, and others do not.  Your program at Northwestern could very well be of a collective mindset that students need to branch out and experience different schools/programs/teaching styles, in particular if they want to go into academia.  
 
You also mentioned that you "really love Northwestern", is it possible that you expressed too much love for the school/program and not place enough emphasis on why you want to study there (outside of really liking the place), why you want a Ph.D., and what you want to do for career?  There is also the possibility that since you were already a grad student in the program they are already familiar with you as a person/student and of your potential ability to follow-through in a Ph.D. program.  In essence, they have had two years or so to get to know you and more-than-likely have  enough first-hand knowledge of you as a person/student to critique and pass judgement. 

Yeesh. I think the more important question is, why would you want to work for 5+ years with someone who sounds as unstable as this woman? I would take this as a sign of things to come and decline the offer.

I personally would let it go. I didn't receive a response to a sincere and heartfelt email I sent to decline an offer too, but I figured that the DGS is likely busy contacting the next applicant on the waitlist and wooing them, too. Regardless, congratulations on your acceptance and good luck!

^ I second the above. But in general, you'll want to be scoring a 165+ on the verbal section and a 150+ on the Q.

Yeesh. I think the more important question is, why would you want to work for 5+ years with someone who sounds as unstable as this woman? I would take this as a sign of things to come and decline the offer.