Francophile1

Some advice needed: I am currently in a MA program and would like to apply to a different PhD program at the end of my MA. My MA program is actually linked to the PhD (and although I only applied for the MA) what they do is after you have passed the MA exams they review and recommend you onto their PHD program. I applied with the intention to decide later whether I wanted to pursue a PHD here, but now I am almost sure what I want to do is apply here as well as other places because I want to slightly switch the specialization. My question is, that I don't know how to approach the recommendation process. If I ask the faculty to write recommendations to different schools will they automatically be hesitant to accept me into their program? Basically I want to have an equal chance of applying elsewhere and being considered here as well. I am in French now, but for PhD I want to apply to French as well as Comp. Lit programs What are the politics of being considered for this school as well as others (in the most neutral way possible)?

Thanks for your reply. Actually the teaching situation in France is not good as far as jobs go, I have been told numerous times that I will have a much better chance getting hired in the US. And as comp lit programs go there they are very different and not as interdisciplinary as back here. Of course I would love to work in France or the US, but I am really trying to decide whether getting a PHD in a language is better than in Comp. Lit as far as US is concerned. I have heard numerous comments that comp. lit departments are few but is it true that they can hire you for other programs? Like English and another specialization, or french and st else?

Hello, I am currently in a French MA program and although I am loving it I am also wondering about transferring into a Comp. lit PhD after. My main issue is that I speak and know 4 languages fluently and would like to utilise this to study lit. in a global perspective and not limit myself to one language. However, I have heard many negative things about the job market after a PhD in Comp lit. Finding a job after graduation is obviously very important. I am in a great program now, top notch we could say, but there isn't really room to take a lot of classes outside of mt department. If you guys can please offer some advice. I would like to study French English And Russian Feminism in the future. I will definitely stay for the MA because I need the extra background knowledge in French but after that I'm not sure. Any advice?

Actually I am in the same boat as you trying to figure this out. I've been told to talk to financial aid at my school but they don't actually put in the fee waiver till later so right now they offered me full loans to cover all expenses, but that might be reduced if the fee waiver will kick in, contact your financial aid. They told me that TA salary doesn't affect the financial aid though. If anyone has any more insight about this please let us know! By the way which univ. are you at?

Actually I am battling the same question. I am in the humanities field (languages) and just starting my MA, as I understand in my university many students opt for the non thesis option primarily because the MA is part of the PhD (and most people there just continue onto the PhD), but I am planning to consider various PhD options so I have heard that it is better to write a thesis to apply to a PhD program after the MA. Any input on this?

Just been finally accepted! Wanted to ask you all (especially those who will be TA's...do some students live in NYC? Is this allowed, I know some schools want you to be that State's resident for tuition waiver purposes, however they didn't mention anything about that...apart from the general commuting issue, is this allowed? Appreciate all responses!

I am kind of in the same situation still waiting on answer from 4 schools, 2 or which are my top picks. I think as long as you let the department know by email by 5pm on the 15th you should be fine. My advice is to contact the schools again by the end of this week, if they still don't answer by then.

Hello all! I have been accepted to the French department's MA program at Tufts and am in need of info on this school asap! If anyone heard anything about the department or overall Tufts graduate programs please help out! As far as I know this university is pretty prestigious but I am wondering how is it regarded as far as French goes and a 1 year MA? I got accepted to the MA with half of the tuition off and this is a shorter program 1-1.5 years (only need to take 8-10 classes to graduate). They said they don't offer TA (teaching) because it is a short, intense program...so I am debating now whether it is worth attending and getting myself into ($25,000) debt. On the upside I heard many good things about the university and the program is only 1 year long, but would like to get more info to make my final decision. I have been accepted also into several other (not so prestigious schools with full scholarship and TA salary) My ultimate goal is to continue onto a PhD after getting an MA in french. Any help or knowledge about tufts is appreciated!

Hello all Does anybody have any input or remarks regarding the Tufts University's French Program in Boston. I didn't manage to find any rankings on it. Please advise if you've heard anything about the program. Thanks

What I meant was in the hospitality food industry so..(cooking)

Yes I would advise to wait as well and try contacting them again next week. I am currently in the same situation, have been contacting 3 schools several times, and they promise to have an answer soon...so I will try getting back to them if I don't hear back by midweek. Good luck!

Does anybody know, do these schools actually abide by April 15th deadline??? 2 weeks left..very stressed!

Thanks for your answer. This is very weird that they don't actually let you know about financial aid before committing. The schools that accepted me either let me know about assistanship , fin aid immediately or within 1-2 weeks. I have contacted the schools that I am still waiting for but they either had no answer yet or said they'll have one shortly. I have heard though if I accept and then try to decline after April 15th, I might be responsible for paying for that year and that that looks really bad. So I think it is best to avoid that if one can. Hopefully I'll get some answers next week...Very stressed right now!

I have been accepted to several schools but still waiting on others, my 1st choice,2nd and 3rd...With only 2 weeks left I am very frustrated because I have to make a decision by April 15th and it seems that these 3 schools are taking their time answering! On their websites they state that students should receive an answer sometime in April, however this is very vague. Do most programs (MA) abide by the april 15th deadline? I have already contacted several schools by phone but they still have not decided on admissions. I really need to know by the 15th... What is your advice? Should I hassle them if they don't give an answer by next week? I applied in February. Any experience with long waits?

I heard that BU supposedly has funding issues for the MA but does consider certain applicants straight for the Phd....Good luck and let me know if you hear anything!

I got in as well...still considering... Anybody know what SC is like? Never been there

Glad I found this thread! ANy parents out there who had to relocate and deal with child custody issues? Also I do want to have a second child in the future and would like to hear from people when would be the best time- going for MA then PHD....and getting older, so need to plan ahead:)

Hoping but not in yet!

Hey, I actually was told that I am still in the running but a decision hasn't been made..I guess there are funding issues...Do you guys have an experience with this?

Does anybody know what are the major differences between Gainesville and Tallahassee? Also UFL and FSU?

Hi! I actually went there for a visit so can provide some info. It is a relatively small town and is rural. I am not sure where you're from but for me it was quiet a shock. The campus is very nice big and has many amenities. But I would say that outside of the campus life there is not much. I found my department to be very good. As far as the town goes there are some really good areas and some bad ones. If you have any specific questions just ask...As I said I just went there for a visit but maybe I can help you out.

I am in the same boat as you right now..tempted between a very good offer at a reasonable school..and still waiting (impatiently) for answers from my top choices...wondering if there will be reasonable funding! I would advise, especially if you will not go on to PhD to take the offer as well, especially if you like the department, environment etc....

I would me more interested in hearing stipends from humanities students...I assume it is way lower than engineering and math related departments...

Applied to several MA programs in Boston..BU, BC and Tufts...anyone heard anything for these programs? They are my top choices- so becoming increasingly inpatient!

yeah they actually emailed me with the assumption that I already received something by mail..but I didn't! Got accepted though! By the way what do you all think between Florida state and UFL..any preferences?