xolo

Your different languages will help you, but if you are interested in Spanish you should be going for C2 certification. It is not that hard! The Cervantes Institute wants you to pass. Spanish Literature is, of course, the traditional route to a PhD in Spanish. You need to eloquently express a research interest that will grab an influential professor's attention. I worked on my writing samples and letter of intent for a year and ran out of time (I'm not that good of a creative writer).

Where you have been/lived is not that important in my experience, nor is the level of your language proficiency, given that your written application submissions are excellent academic language (in your target language). For me, the bigger factor was ability to articulate a research interest that has something in common with a professor on the admission committee, which is what got me admitted to a top-50 worldwide program. That was my experience a couple of years ago. Anyway, I did have a lot of Spanish-language country living, so perhaps I am being one-sided. If you want to reside in France for a while, it certainly can only help! My point is don't be so hard on yourself, do what you want and aim at want you aspire to. You will succeed if you keep at it, probably sooner rather than later!

^^^^^^ agree all WS and SOP rule. Everything else seems to tend to be boxes that must be checked.

I went back after a long break in a completely different field, a total change. Just seconding the suggestions for finding letter writers, I took courses for a couple of years at the local university, then applied. That gave me some coursework and my letter writers. It worked, I got into a great program at a prestigious state school.

I don't think I could keep up with you. A thesis in one semester? wow! If your PhD program is anything like mine, your coming 2/2 plus 3 courses(?!) I guess is doable but do you also have a dissertation topic in mind? That would be the problem for me because in my program the next year, the second year of the PhD, requires an approved dissertation topic and also at the end of the second year qualifying exams. I would need a lot of time to prepare for those things (ie during the first year).

I'm not comp/rhet so I have a little bit of a different situation. I have no degree in my field and my school only takes PhD students so some of my colleagues have already been teaching. My FIRST semester, and every semester thereafter, I have taught one class, so I guess basically 1/1 in the vernacular. My classes are "sections" but basically I am the "professor" in front of the class. I develop my own material but I also follow the book (Spanish language textbook). I have between 15 - 30 students. Just this semester they promoted (?) me to teach an advanced level class in one massive jump (not "normal" according to the handbook), more stress just in time for my Master's exams. Teaching was a SHOCK at first but I feel a lot better now. I can't believe that some people on this thread are reporting 2/2 loads. Jeez, one class could very well be "full time" for me, except I also have coursework and a thesis to write. But I am learning A LOT.

April 15 is the hard deadline for accepting an offer, but you can always ask for more information from specific schools where you've been accepted. A couple of years ago I had to call and email the U of Ariz to find out my status around April 15; I had been rejected. So some schools do not have good process, then again maybe I had been on a waitlist? Who knows.

I was rejected by UT Austin a couple of years ago, just the generic "denied" with no communication. UT Austin and U of Arizona were very abrupt and bureaucratic. I don't recall anyone on this forum ever being accepted to UT Austin. So don't take it too personally.

I've been enjoying your posts since you started here. So glad to hear the good news! Hopefully the first of many!

I think it depends on the institution and can vary but in general I think the percentage is quite high (well into double digits) but some well known schools are more competitive.

First of all, congratulations to all who have been admitted! It's especially nice that the early, first news is good news! But, to the question of interviews. I was admitted about two years ago into a linguistics program. I was admitted into 4 programs (out of 9) and nobody gave me an interview. One school required that I take an automated Spanish speaking - listening exam online. I think that was so they could evaluate me to be a TA. YMMV

I've been back in academia now for about 2 years. "Lots" of people do not complete their PhD, at my school almost always for "personal reasons". I'm at a tier-1 research public school and the way grad students and TAs are treated in not always optimal, a lot depends on your specific circumstances, who is your boss this year, etc. I was admitted into a cohort of 9 students two years ago. Now we are 7, right on track for that 55% completion rate.

All of you MA students that are now applying to PhD schools after 2 short years - you have my heartfelt sympathy. I don't think I could do it. After being back in academia for almost 2 years now, I'm not sure I would even want to re-apply, but it sure has become part of my identity. Fortunately, by mere luck and chance, 2 years ago (already 2 years ago?) I was accepted without any kind of degree into a program that only takes PhD students. So if all goes well this year I will have my MA and then onward.

I think you have your bases covered. Your GPA can only help.

I recommend applying to PhD programs as well, they are usually funded but maybe your MA programs are funded also? Also, an MA only lasts a couple of years so you'll have to re-apply really soon. Don't sell yourself short. I was "not qualified" and was accepted into 5/9 programs, including a top-20 PhD program where I am currently. Your GRE scores are acceptable, that won't hurt you. Your SOP and Writing Samples rule.

Hi Klader, perhaps you're overthinking this? I'm in the same boat as you and I haven't said anything. I teach undergrad courses and when I speak about this, most students don't hear me anyway. Just do your job and grade fairly and treat everyone equally. No problema.

I don't have experience with this issue, none of the schools I applied to asked for any documents in both languages. I would think that the department could clarify the issue. I guess that a SOP would not change depending on the language. Aren't you the same person with the same intent? But, good God, it's way too soon to be applying again! I can't imagine starting the whole process again! My cohort from last year now has over 20% attrition.

Ha Ha. Tell a bunch of comp/rhet and English PhD students something about a weird word, NOT! I do not, however, think a comment made on an Internet message board requires scolding and warning since that is obviously not application material.

Hi WildeThing, Most of the things you mention are not determinants (although it's really good you have them, you seem like a good candidate). A verbal of 161 if you are Spanish-dominant is phenomenal. You need a writing sample and statement that show you have promise as a researcher. And possibly also a teacher (although I have little idea what a degree in Intercultural communications entails). As ExpDelay said, you need to align yourself with a department or prof. BTW, 'obfuscating' is properly used in my opinion, your command of the English language is impressive, assuming you are Spanish-dominant. PM me if you want to discuss any details. I went through this process last year, but I'm in the Spanish department so might not know too much that can help you. Un saludo

Hi Scarves, I remember you from last year. How's it going? It sounds like things worked out pretty well for you. I'm starting to sweat next year already because of what I am required to do during my second year (a lot of work!) I'm not familiar with the schools you inquired about, but it seems that you are either going to be in linguistics, Hispanic linguistics, or education It sounds like schools with Hispanic Linguistics would be good candidates for you, possibly with Applied Linguistics as your area. Those types of programs can outsource a lot to the linguistics and education departments, right? Since your interests are pretty well defined, my only advice, which I'm sure you already know, is to start contacting and networking with professors to find one who you can connect with.

This is good food for thought. I'm so glad someone started this thread. I don't really have any good advice, it seems there is somewhat of a random order to these things. I've been thinking about my quals that are due next year (next year equates to "tomorrow" in my mind) and I need to write about 40 - 50 pages. Hey AllPlaid, I remember your great posts from last year when I was still dreaming and before I had to start working like a dog! I'm finishing my first year too and my advisor has advised me to be flexible as I would be getting new ideas. However, I have given a couple of presentations on my originally planned area and it continues to be well received. My area is language contact in Mexico and a visiting prof was enamored of the topic - that was a nice ego boost.

About 5 years ago I decided to go for the PhD. I hadn't been in school in many years and had no degree in my field. I studied for a couple of years on my own, then started taking upper division language classes at the local university. It also allowed me the opportunity to develop a field of interest, writing samples, and LORs. These are some of the most important things for the PhD. In my opinion, grades and such are more "check-boxes" compared to original research, statement of purpose, and LORs. Now I'm in a top-10 program. I see on this forum that everyone has their own path. The main thing is perseverance and knowing what you want, not an exact plan on how to get there. One thing that you should seriously consider. I went from a language student to a researcher and language instructor. Defcon 5!! Shocker!! Big time culture change. Be sure this is what you want. PhD does not equal "I love to read".

Teaching a language is a major time commitment for a number of reasons: writing exams, grading compositions and textual exams, preparing lesson plans. Also, at my institution there is class and homework *every* day. I agree though, you'd need some data to 'prove' it's more time consuming than other TA responsibilities.

This has been an interesting thread. My advisor has told me on occasions: "Don't take that class" or "that won't count/help you" and pretty much bluntly revoked my privileges. She also super helps me and I am lucky she is my advisor. But allowing 4 classes? I don't know your program, but in my program you can finish your coursework timely with 2 classes per quarter. I'm already starting to sweat the quals and academic articles required and that's a year off. If 4 classes is the norm and teaching on top of that, that would be extremely stressful.

Hey tajob, are you taking 4-5 grad courses a semester? That would be impossible for many grad students! That could be the issue. I usually take 2 courses and teach a similar load to yourself teaching language - 20 hours per week in the classroom/grading/writing exams/preparing lesson plans. I had to pass a test in a 3rd language and I was auditing that language course but stopped going every day - too much to do! Take it easy! peace brother/sister!