ClemSnide

Another UBC applicant; got an email recently that I got in. No word on funding yet, but almost certainly not going to accept unless they are able to top U of Toronto's funding offer. I also liked the fact that the DGS at U of Toronto called me and chatted to me for a bit, as well as communication over email. Seems like an awesome department for an MA.

I applied to UBC for a Classics MA. Canadian like you, and decide to stay in Canada for an MA. Also applied to University of Alberta and University of Toronto for the MA program. I talked to Hector Williams at UBC and he said that they were going through the PhD applications first and would start going through the MA ones soon enough. I guess I should be hearing back in early February. I don't think I have much of a chance of getting accepted there though since my research interests are not really covered by anyone on the faculty if Bablitz decides against me. Applied there just because I was told that after U of T they have the second-strongest language program in Canada. Do you know anything about the MA application decisions?

Wow, CNS, thanks very much for all the information and the detail. Sorry I wasn't able to respond sooner; final exams and term papers have been keeping my busy. It sucks that Thomas didn't write a reference and didn't respond to your emails; the not responding part is just beyond rude, doesn't he realize that people actually spend a lot of money to do this kind of stuff?! When I emailed Albert Henrichs about the Greek course he's teaching next summer, he didn't respond to my email. I think your experience and Henrich's attitude make my decision about where to go next summer a lot easier. The 5-7 page paper, the fact that most of the attendees are not undergrads, the not exactly exacting reading pace makes it sound like the money could be better spent elsewhere... But I shall try to get some perspective from my professors too, although I doubt they'll think it's still worth it based on what you've told me. Thanks again!

Thanks Corydon_non_sum. Yeah, it is really expensive, especially since I will be coming from Canada and will have a bunch of other fees to pay... Questions for you, if you don't mind: How many people were in the class? Were you able to get a reference from Thomas (or did he write references for any people)? How many lines of poetry did you end up reading in the class? And was there a research paper? How substantial was it? Was the class comparable to other regular upper-level Latin classes you've taken? Sorry for so many questions, but I want to make completely sure the course would be worth it before I put down that much money (for both a Greek AND a Latin course! Yikes).

People! Rally! Help me out here.

Great! I'll try to find out. Any other American programs?

Thanks. Do you know if these are equivalent to their regular upper-level Latin and Greek courses? I mean in terms of being as rigorous etc.

I did the intensive Greek workshop at Berkeley this summer and it was an amazing experience. I was sent off into the advanced level of Greek this semester, and I'm already doing upper level Latin courses. Next summer I'm looking to return to the States to do some more Greek and Latin. The problem is that practically all the programs out there are for the intro or intermediate level. CUNY has an advanced-level one but they won't be offering it for Greek next year. Dumbarton Oaks has one, but again, not being offered next summer. Anyone know of others? I've sent off a letter to Reggie Foster in Milwaukee, but I'd prefer a place where I could do Latin and Greek at the same time. Suggestions?

I came here to post a thread on this topic and saw the one about teaching Greek in high school. Anyway, as a Canadian I'm wondering what sort of degree one needs to teach Latin in private schools in the States and the UK. I imagine the stipulations differ from those in Canada. Would a Masters in Teaching Latin be enough for the very elite private schools? I went to a few masters programme websites but they don't have much information on placement unfortunately, so I'm not sure where their graduates end up.

If you do end up going to U of A, Chris Mackay would be a good guy to talk to due to his interest and work in medieval theology and medieval, scholastic Latin.

John: Are you applying to U of Toronto for fall 2010 admission? I'm applying there next year. And who are you planning to work under at U of Alberta? Just curious; I know several people who did their MAs there. If you need any information about their program, I'd be glad to give you the dirt! I know way too much about the gossip and program there.

Sarah Ruden is an example of someone who has a PhD from an Ivy but is not in academia. She, among other things, writes translations of classical works (her translation of Satyricon is pretty good). My Plan B is: 1) Working for a university press 2) Becoming a librarian (I wouldn't do a second degree though; I heard something about a presentation at the APA meeting on successfully going into the library field with "just" a Classics PhD). 3) Going into journalism, writing for something like the New York Review of Books. 4) Becoming an elementary school teacher. Yay kids! 5) Teaching Latin, Greek, French at a posh private school like Boston Latin (if they'll have me). 6) Editing (i.e. grammar glosses etc) intermediate Latin and Greek texts - because all the ones I've used suck.

Thank you rockchalk. I kind of forgot about this forum, what with holiday revelry. Your background is very impressive. For me, I am not worried on the GPA front, but about the writing samples. I plan to submit my thesis as well, which I am working on these days. I really, really hope it will be good enough for them.

I know someone who got rejected every place she applied (but then she only applied to three programs I think). This was right after her BA. She was devastated but she enrolled for a terminal MA at her alma mater, did one year, applied again and is now at a really good school. In the past whenever I`ve needed a little bit of money I did freelance writing for local arts magazines. They`re always looking for people to do reviews, previews etc and because these tend to be small independent publications, they don`t care that you don`t have a journalism degree, as long as you can decently enough. The pay, of course, is crap, but that sort of work is always an option. But I`m sure you won`t have that problem LateAntique. Just thinking about not getting in is giving me terrible heartburn, and I`m applying for 2011 entry!

It's funny you say that Sparky; I was a Philosophy major before I switched to Classics. And guess why I switched? Because I found philosophy impossibly hard. At least Greek and Latin get easier with practice and dedication.