Septimius

After being not so confident of my chances to get into a top-flight PhD program (primarily due to GRE scores--590V/610Q/6.0AW), I've been looking at some MA programs that are out there with the intentions of: achieving a higher degree, writing a stronger work that would be a better writing sample (a masters thesis most likely), and that after some more time in academia the GRE will raise itself up to a more competitive number. That being said, there a number of terminal MA programs out there, some offering full-funding, others partial, and of course some offering no funding or tuition breaks whatsoever. The one that caught my eye was that of Yale. There is no funding, no scholarships, and the tuition is pretty hefty (c. $35,000). This is the significant downside. Yet, for me it is do-able, not desirable, but it is do-able. I was wondering if anyone here knows anything more about the program, as the website has a pretty limited description of the program. Also, in general, is going for a terminal MA with the intentions of then going for the PhD a bad idea? My focus is ancient history, and as far as classics is concerned, this route is one that is very typical. Any feedback woulod be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I think that you already have the complete list of US PhD programs that do not require the GRE. Northwestern is it. Although it may be possible that some MA programs don't require it.

Well thank you for the complement on my language training, I've put a great deal of time into it and it's always nice to hear such things. Well, as far as Penn goes I have nothing but great things to say about it. I came from a no-name school with a weak classics dept, and there were few that held a significant interest in studying it. That being said, coming from there to here was a massive shift. The quality of the faculty here, the abilities of every one of my peers, and of the resources are much greater than that of my last school. As far as the post-bac program in classics at Penn in particular, well I have no other post-bac experience to directly compare it to, but I enjoy it. I feel that the professors that run the program are very committed to seeing every student succeed, and I feel that the very high reputation that the program has is well founded.

Well... I just got back from taking the GRE, and its not pretty. This is the third time I've taken it, twice last fall, and then today. My writing score was a 5.0, then a 5.5 and I feel like this time it might be a 6.0, but it's the verbal score that I'm worried about. I scored a 610 Quant, and a 590 Verbal. Obviously I do not know the percentages yet, nor my AW score, but I'd guess a 5.5/6.0 and the verbal probably about 75-80%. I have a good academic record, a cumm. of a 3.5; 3.89 in my major. I have a very well received writing sample, great reccs, and a strong SOP... but I think that it's all for nothing due to the verbal score. I'm going for ancient history, and am currently in the post-bacc program in at UPenn to beef up my Latin and Greek some more. I have had 12 semesters of Latin, 8 of Greek, 1 of French, and intend on taking intensive German over this summer (the equiv. of 2 years) before grad school would begin in the fall of 2010. I guess what I'm wondering is.... am I wasting my time? Do I stand a chance anywhere with that low score? Also, it is an unfortunate fact that with ancient history there are very, very few PhD programs out there, and unless you're from a top ten program you're simply not marketable. The one OK thing is that U-Toronto has a great PhD program in ancient history, and since they're non-US, they don't require GRE scores. This will be round two for me in applying, and am looking for any input or advice. Thanks.