Francophile1

Hello, I am toying with the idea maybe to apply to a Linguistics PhD. I am now in a literature based program but I am finding more and more that I would be more interested in the language aspect of it. Please help me out here! If I have very little experience in linguistics- my minor was in it but that was a while ago and that's it. Should I be applying to MA only programs or PhD combined programs?

Hello, I am looking in options where to go after my MA, and wanted to find out more about linguistics. I am pretty familiar with Applied linguistics but do not know that much about other areas. I got a minor in linguistics but did not take that many classes. Could you contribute? List what you are studying and what it entails I.E Semantics-what you study mostly/what it's geared towards etc... Would much appreciate it!

Hello, I am planning to transfer to a PhD program after receiving my MA (hopefully) in a foreign language and was wondering if anybody knows how different programs view B grades coming from a different type of MA. Will it be a big problem if they see I got a couple of B's in a foreign lang lit. course? I have posted about this issue before, but would like to find out more info. particularly in relation to comp.lit

I am a first year grad student, and have voiced some of my concerns here already. So as one student to another. Be prepared to do WAY more work! And in much more detail. And for me personally, undergrad. school was pretty easy, but in grad. school I did have to result to outside help, such as tutors etc..so be ready for that. Also if your program is MA/PHD, you will most likely have classes with PhD students who probably know WAY more than you. Just accept this fact and learn from it. Finally as I was advised, if you do not get perfect scores, talk to the professors because you wanna know what you are doing wrong. I don't know how it will be for your major, but for mine our grade is pretty much just based on a final paper, so everything depends on that.

yeah..i think you're right about the C thing. Humanities departments basically rarely give C's. so B=C makes sense. I am tried to inquire as to what exactly I should have done better, since I am not really sure. Some of the professors in my program are very forthcoming while others just say it's not good and that's it.

criminologist...well I wasn't told it was a D but I was told it was not good. Then again as I said we do not have - grades so that makes it a bit different than those schools with +, - grades

Hello all, It's me again! I've posted just couple of days ago regarding grades but that was before I found out of another B! Very stressed out right now! 1st year of MA got 3 B's so far. How bad is this for me if I want to apply into PhD programs. And is there a difference if I will be applying to different PhD program (not exactly same field). I am in literature. Do schools usually consider the fact that some institutions don't have A- for example and therefore grad students can only get (A, B+ or B ), or do they not care about this at all?? Do I even have a chance to apply to any top 20 lit programs with 3 B's? Again it wouldn't be in exactly same field but still lit related thanks all!

Thanks! I guess so I will discuss it with him. I just find it kind of weird that we are thrown in Graduate school without any real guidance how exactly they want us to construct a research paper. I guess it is assumed we know how, but I find that even though I have written graduate papers for undergrad, at this level their requirements are way different.

We don't have -, just regular grades or +

Hello, all Received another B in a graduate course. I am in MA level- 1st year, but the classes we take are with PhD students. Very disappointed and do not know what to do! I've been told not to get B's. Should I be concerned that they might ask me to leave the program altogether?? ALso extremely frustrated because, we are not exactly trained on how to write these research papers or what they want exactly. And from what I can tell the approach is much more severe and detailed than in undergrad. What do you all think?? P.S I worked extremely long on this research paper, and was hoping at least for a B+ ((

Hello, I read on here that it is advisable to tailor your SOP for each school, but I was wondering how much? When I applied to MA programs I pretty much kept it the same except for the professors I wanted to work with and some other small aspects about the university and my fit. Is it really advisable to change the whole SOP or is adjusting it slightly ok as well? Please advise

Hello, Yes you can definitely make a case for it in your application. Most students (american) are probably at that level or B2 when they enter MA in French. It might be a bit harder to get into PhD. But you will need to have a french writing sample- about 10 pages on a literature topic. I don't know if you might have an opportunity to go back to France, but a Master's in French in France would definitely be good as well. And much cheaper! If you cannot, apply to MA here and research programs because there are many that will give you financial support and maybe even give you a TA job. I am in such a program now. If you have any questions you can PM me as well.

All schools should give you until april to decide. That is the standard date for acceptance. So don't stress out about not making a decision instantly

Hello, ALL Can people in the Comp. Lit departments comment on what do you teach? Do you get to teach languages or just comp.lit classes?

Seriously it's a myth that funded MA's do not exist! They do! and even if you apply to PhD programs and don't continue after MA noone will force you!

Well..First of all congratulations! Ta's actually vary according to programs. Some (like me) teach full on classes, design on lesson plans etc. Others might just assist a professor with grading..etc. And yes even though you have no previous experience they might ask you to teach your own classes with guidance of course. You should verify this.

Glad to hear the discussion is still going! Yes it is definitely discouraging and it should not be like this, but I decided to keep going..for now!

I had a similar situation but I got one B. That is a no-no in my program. Just hold through it and try to do better. And do not be discouraged!

By the way how are you liking U of Florida, I applied there but then went somewhere else.

Yes applied ;linguistics is possible but what kind of jobs can you get after. Mainly teaching linguistics or being director of language program?

Hello, All I am not sure if such a topic has already been discussed (sure it has). What to do if you realize that you are really more interested in language rather than lit. I am currently in a Foreign language MA program and as we know lit. specializations at the MA and PhD level are much more common than language. Most language courses are taught by TA's in big universities. But what if this is precisely what you are interested in? Language (beg-intermediate-advanced levels) what is the best route: High school teaching Community College Liberal Arts schools? Any advice is appreciated as I try to decide this! Thank you P.S I am sure I am not the only one with such a dilemma!

Interesting to hear this happened. And although i would rather not disclose too many details here. I feel like I agree with most of you. It is a tactic to maybe get you to improve but at the same time i find it too harsh.

So just to follow up on this...turned out to be a big deal! Basically was told one B is ok but no more! So it seems to be a big nono:(

Wondering if any of you came across this? In early stage of graduate degree, advisor's harsh words...anyone came across this?

Early but I will join! Looking in comp lit programs now!