xolo

I'm a bit anxious. I have a guaranteed TAship and nothing has been scheduled. In my case, languages, I will be teaching an undergrad class. I have to take mandated teaching and TA related coursework - I'm just worried about starting and the first few weeks.

After I accepted a PhD program offer, the DGS asked me if I was completed decided about my research interests. I think she was actually relieved when I said no, that I was open to exploring other options.

This was one of my first posts on Grad Cafe. Since then I've thought about this question a lot, made my applications, and was accepted into 4 programs, including a funded top PhD program, which I took. I have a lot of respect for the admission committees, that's a big responsibility.

My department chair was as anal as he was brilliant. He didn't want to write me a LOR and went about saying so in a very round-a-bout way. I finally cornered him one day and told him I needed a great LOR and if he couldn't do that I would find someone else to write it. (It makes me shake just to remember that conversation) He said he would write it and I guess he did a good job since I got several acceptances. I waived my right to see letters and nobody offered to show their letters to me.

The OP says she has had loose contact with the field the last 8 years (which might be different from no contact, as most posters are assuming). OP, I think you can do it, actually, there isn't any question about that. However, I think the idea that you need to fill in the gaps is valid. There's more to a strong app than just LORs (and I don't mean GPA and GRE). I was in your shoes (actually, I was never in my field so for me it was worse). I basically went back to undergrad for 2 years and completed translation studies. That gave me my LORs among other important things. If you are applying this cycle that is going to be difficult, as you are discovering.

1Q84 you have exceeded my expectations. This is a great thread, just a little rough and pedantic (in my opinion, but then I'm a plebeian). I don't discredit or disregard any academic pursuit, but it seems there are a few topics that most researchers focus on: 1) gender 2) social class c) race. (citation for Carlos Eire here). It does seem a bit narrow for the universe-city.

I know the feeling, I still seriously have impostor syndrome. Can't hardly wait for fall. The world is changing and someone did ask for my permission. French literature is extremely important, just like Spanish literature. The first modern novel was written in Spanish (not English) by Miguel Cervantes. Your reasons for studying English are good ones, you prattled on just like I do.

Hi Hecate, I'll jump in here to add my comments. I just finished my translation studies and, like you, I don't really care to do any more literary translation unless someone pays me ​ I am older than you and I don't have a degree in my field and got into a funded PhD program at a top 30 school on the first cycle. Just by reading your posts I know you can do the same. Don't believe the naysayers. One of the profs who reviewed my initial material told me I should apply to the anthropology department. Thank God I didn't listen, well, I listened enough to make a major revision to my material. My suggestion is that you need to get at least one LOR that is fantastic, written by someone that really believes in you. The other LORs can merely be extremely good. You need to develop a holistic strategy for your application and, if I were you, I would be hard at work now for the next cycle. So why do you want a PhD in English? (I could never answer this question for Spanish and have sort of decided it is impossible to answer)

Hi hsrnl, I took the GRE last year and it took about two weeks iirc to get the official scores on-line. September should be fine, but like you say a re-take could get tight.

Hi Drewling, You should stay positive about your prospects. The trick will be a good writing sample that shows capability to do graduate, original research. You also need a similar focus in your SOP. I would certainly include your Italian and American background in the SOP - that is interesting - but try not to sound bitter about your situation. Remember, make it a positive! I had a successful app cycle for fall 2015 and I had some similar challenges as you. If I can do it, surely you can do it. ADD: Have you considered applying to Italian departments that have linguists? (Just an idea)

Wow, what a vague requirement. It never fails to surprise me. I would expect what maelia8 says to be the case. If you are worried, or if you want to build your application profile, I know that German has exams for all levels B1-C2. Except, if you are a native speaker, I don't think they allow you to take the exam (but in that case, it should be obvious that you speak German)

That sounds like a solid plan for applying. It sounds like you have all the fundamentals with no issue - excellent grades, good GRE, etc. Opinions vary on contacting people. I did contact some people but very sparingly and I tried not to bug anybody. Many people on Grad Cafe advocate being much more pro-active about contacting POIs. I know nothing about French, but for Spanish, your country of origin is not a black-and-white factor. The purpose of the PhD is to do original research, this does not require being a native speaker. I wouldn't let this worry you whatsoever. For the writing sample just make sure of the obvious - that the grammar and spelling, etc are impeccable. And that it shows capability for original research. A MA thesis sounds pretty lengthy, at the schools where I applied the requirement for the length of the writing sample varied wildly, but around 20 pages was a common denominator. I tried very hard to follow directions. In my opinion it is not too soon to draft the SOP, most schools expect 1-2 pages, and it really took me a long time to write my SOP. In my case I had about 750 words and then added about 150 words for each specific school, plus or minus. If you're anything like me, expect multiple major re-writes.

This is a hilarious thread. I didn't even know there were two spellings. I thought it was only advisor. I'm glad I don't usually correct other people's grammar. All I can say is that Spanish is a lot simpler. Well, not always.

Hi merteuil, it's pretty dead around the forum right now, last year it got crazy between about December and April. Very active. I don't think there was a thread for French last cycle, however. (Not that I remember anyway). Languages are some of the smaller departments, except possibly English, at least in the US. What is your strategy for applying? This time last year I was working on my SOP, which ended up taking 6 months and I still ran out of time!

A psychologist asked me this very question about why did I want a PhD, and what I blurted out was met with a comment about how shallow I am. After thinking about it, I guess I can answer the question now, but most people cannot, so don't over-think it. I'm not getting a PhD for job prospects which seems to irritate some people on GC. I do think it's good to ponder these big questions, it shows you are really thinking things through.

I'm not in your field but I just completed a cycle of applications. I switched fields so in that sense it is somewhat similar to your situation. I applied to a mix of programs and got admitted to about half of the programs I applied to. Since I didn't have an MA in Spanish I had to apply to some MA programs but fortunately got admitted to a school that only accepts PhD students. In my opinion the core of your apps are the LORs, WS, and SOP. These need to be excellent and the WS should show original research capability. The GRE is not part of the core app and I wouldn't worry about it too much. Why not just take it and see where you stand?

I assume from your post that you are native in English. I just was wondering because many a PhD Hispanic linguistics candidates at prestigious universities have pathetic verbal scores because they are not native English speakers. So you might want to check with the departments, they might not care that much. In general, GRE is not that important unless there is a low cut-off or if, at the high end, you want goodies like fellowships. Other than the GRE you seem like a good candidate!

Hi Francophile1, I have the same problem. Even now, when I look at my classes for next year I wonder how come I'm doing all these research oriented digressions from the language. (Like statistics, for instance). Can you take a class in writing for the humanities or something like that? Do you have a mentor that can review your paper as you progress it?

Well, I don't know about ILR, but since EU is not North America, I would think you are just fine. Because, here again, you are tying back to your work experience. Even better! I am super non-traditional and I think what helped me the most to get into a top 30 school was the consistency of message and telling my story. You obviously have a good story. Good luck!

A couple of simple suggestions. Depending on your research interests, consider writing an academic essay that ties everything together (unless you already have done this in your courses). This should leverage your work experience. Second, consider getting an EU certification at C2 French and as high as possible in the other languages, hopefully C2, which would be great.

Hi JenniferinFL, I have a somewhat similar profile as yourself. Anyway, I got into a well ranked school in a PhD program. Grad school is not as rigid as it used to be and many schools are looking for diversity. My recommendation to you, because I think it was what helped me, is that you have to develop an application strategy that unifies across your SOP, LORs, and WS to delivery a consistent and unique message. In other words, worry about your message and not about your self-perceived defects! (That aren't really there). For instance, your languages do not appear to connect well with Eastern Europe, so you need to develop a good logical argument why they do, and this could be your unique story! Try to lift the GRE to above 300!

Albeit not CS, I got into a top-30 school with little academic background. I did what you did, I took classes for two years which also got me my LOR writers and time to prepare my application. IMHO, at least in the humanities, the LORs, writing sample, and SOP are the most important items. A decent GPA and GRE are sort of expected for entry into a top school. So, if I can get an admit, I guarantee you that you can do it. Your class list is excellent, very much in line with a modern CS education.

I was admitted to a PhD program at a well ranked school without a bachelor's degree in the subject area. I did take two years of upper division classes before applying, however, which represent most of the requirements for a bachelor's - still pretty weak though compared to much of the cohort. My cohort-friend just completed her MA in Spanish lit. My SOP had about 5 major re-writes and about 40 different revisions (I really don't know for sure, it's all kind of blurry now ), plus I'm not very academic anyway. The WS damn near killed me and I simply ran out of time at the end. And I agree that knowing Latin helps.

I oscillate between really excited and really panicked. But definitely looking forward to this major life change! rainbowpink is so right, the application feels like a distant memory now. Those were crazy ups and downs!

Since you want to study Linguistics you can leverage your paper on bilinguals, so I agree this is strong and somewhat unique. Bilingualism is a big topic in the US. Assuming you are bilingual, this makes the story even better. I agree with the previous posts, perhaps consider applying as a US person but play up what makes you stand out.