Averroes MD

You can always take the master's and apply afresh. I knew someone who did this, but he had a really good reason to do so (as his supervisor left the university).

I guess this leads to my next question: are there restrictions on PhD students working outside of the university? Do these only apply while in residence?

Thank you all for your very thoughtful replies. You may be right, but I knew a UChicago PhD student who spent his first year at Harvard, and I'm pretty sure it was through the Exchange Scholar program. So, this would be before candidacy. The program says it funds tuition for X number of years, a stipend for Y number of years, and Z number of years of teaching fellowships, etc... So, I am assuming that the tuition is guaranteed for X years irrespective of if you do teaching fellowships, etc., right? Thanks for your very helpful reply. I thought I'd bring this up only after I get accepted, and before I accept the acceptance. Sneaky, I know.

Due to family reasons, I need to live in location X, but I am strongly considering a university in location Y (top tier program). I noted that the residency requirement is only 2 years. Moreover, the university has an Exchange Scholar program with Z university somewhat near X (where my family lives). Coursework done at Z university would count toward the PhD degree, and the website says it would reduce the residency requirement by one year. Am I reading this right? Does this mean that I could be living on campus for only one year of the 6+ year PhD program, and spend the remaining years using the library/resources of a university closer to my family? Obviously, this is a sup-optimal way to do things, but I am just wondering from a technical standpoint if it is possible or not. Hope this makes sense. Thanks!

Thanks for the advice. Issue is I will be out of HDS by the time I'm ready. (I'm applying to PhD programs 1 year post masters.)

^ Telknaru: I thought about that, but that language exam is not offered (Persian).

Thanks, Marxian! I'm not sure I'll be able to include it in the writing sample, since I'll probably be at a beginner level at that time, and only reach the intermediate level by the time of the start of the PhD.

By the time I apply for PhD's, I should have strong command of two primary languages, which will be reflective in my coursework. There is a third primary language that is considered very important to the field of my study. I don't think I'll be able to take any coursework in this language, because of schedule conflicts. Therefore, I am considering self-study, with the goal of nearing an intermediate level of reading (without a concern for speaking or writing). However, because this is self-study, there will be no paper trail to prove that I read this language. Would it therefore be a waste (in the sense of being admitted to a doctoral program)? (I realize one can continue to study languages in PhD programs, but because I am applying to UK programs I don't have those extra couple years to do that.)

Yeah, you're right... It's a long shot.

Well, people *do* get scholarships, although they are very competitive to obtain. I think therefore it would be unreasonable to brush aside *every* Oxbridge student as just paying their way there. For example, the Cambridge Gates Scholarship is extremely prestigious.

Whoops! Read that completely wrong. I read the thread in the morning and posted at night, by that time mixing it up in my head.

Where do people with Phd's in Sociology of Religion usually end up working? Sociology or Religion department? Or either? How does it compare with other religion PhD's as far as employment opportunities? (I'm not interested in going the sociology route, but just curious.) Thanks!

Going to Brown? (Congrats!)

I think most/many European countries have dissertation-only PhD's.

Oxford in the faculty of theology and religion is my top choice (won't apply this year but next). I fear I will have to do the same as you. Like you I can afford it but it seems like an unjustifiable cost. Personally i would not be too worried about crossing over with Oxbridge on my cv. I'm dreading making the decision. By the way, do you mind sharing which uni in the US you are picking over Oxford? I wonder how Oxford and Cambridge compare when it comes to scholarships.

Very helpful post! What do you think is the minimum number of years of study for your primary language prior to starting a phd?

What's the level of Arabic needed for Islamic studies PhDs? I guess it would differ based on which department, with NELC requiring more than others? (Or should I open another thread for this?)

The earlier I was in my career, the more fluff I had on my CV, simply because I had nothing substantive to put on it. Each year, I've removed more and more fluff. Now, after over a decade in academia, the fluff is gone. I considered volunteer work to be fluff, and so I eliminated it. So, I would put it if you are early in your career and you need to fill your CV out. Otherwise, you may want to remove it, unless it's very substantive and relevant.

Sorry for the typos and grammar. Using my phone to type.

I'm in Islamic studies, planning to apply to Oxford... I have some ideas about what the differences between the two (Theology and Oriental Studies) but thought I'd leave it open to input. Also, does this difference track out pretty well with the differences between Theology/divinity and NELC at other universities (or Asian and Middle eastern studies at cambridge)? What are some differences between applying between the two in what they look for? What about while you are there as a phd student, and then what about job prospects afterward? Thanks!

Well, many applications ask "have you applied before?" I can see how a university may be less inclined to accept someone who turned down the same offer before.

Thanks! I've decided to take the class for a grade because I heard from people that the prof is an easy grader.

Yeah it's between having a gap year or one extra year with a much better CV.

Thank you all for your responses. You gave me a lot to think about. Sacklunch, did you end up getting into a good PhD program?

Hello friends, I'm currently doing a master's degree with a hope to do a PhD (although most likely in the UK). I'm debating whether to change one of my courses to Pass / Fail. It's not a language course. I'm just concerned that I might get a B in it... for some reason, I just have that bad feeling... I have all A's otherwise (although I've only had one semester of grades so far)... Would it be wise to change to P / NP so that I don't get a B in the mix? Is taking one course a semester P / NP a big deal? Thanks!