sohbetocean

Hi! I did my MA in Arabic linguistics and almost completed a Phd in the same area (in the processes of switching programs). There are some great programs for those interested in sociolinguistics..I suggest you take a look at these in the US: 1) Georgetown, Arabic and Islamic Studies Dept, specifically Prof. Reem Bassiounney 2) University of Texas at Austin, ME Language Dept, specifically Prof. Kristen Brustad 3) University of Michigan, Arabic 4) University of Washington, Near Eastern Studies 5) University of Arizona, Near Eastern Studies 6) Ohio State University, Arabic 7) University of Maryland, Arabic 8) Cornell University Funding is available for PhD applicants. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message. I could probably help you more if I knew your specific sub-field within Sociolx. Atfaddali! Also, you might want to join the listserve, Arabic-L, for more information on what's new in the field of Arabic linguistics..... http://listserv.linguistlist.org/archives/arabic-l.html

I fall into the same category as most who posted here. My background is Lx (BA,MA) and hence I can understand how I was referred to MAPSS from the Anthropology PhD program. I have a high GPA (3.93) from a prestigious private university and a strong research background. However, my application definitely was weak in Anthro preparation and I lacked LORs from within that field (although well-known in Lx). I've also been accepted to a few PhD programs although not in Anthropology. Still, I am considering MAPSS as a way to get my foot into the door. To be honest, if I hadn't been offered full tuition to MAPSS, I wouldn't even consider it as I'm not keen on taking out student loans to acquire another MA. Indeed, MAPSS alumni do seem to have a high success rate for being accepted to top Anthropology Phd programs with funding. I'd also hope that the merits of my application to U Chicago Anthropology would improve after taking courses from within the department. Luckily, the deadline for accepting the MAPSS offer isn't until May. Decisions, decisions. Anyone going to Open Days in April?

Of course, zero details here. However, I'd be happy to receive some! C'mon, throw us a bone....Oh yeah, I almost forgot: congratulations!!!! :D

As someone who has a name that is very difficult to pronounce (that also affects spelling), I can confirm that it is possible to have a very close relationship with a professor and still face this problem. This is particularly true if your advisor/prof calls you primarily by some version of your first name. To point, my advisor for 4 years pronounced my name incorrectly on a daily basis. It happens. Regarding your LOR, I would write an e-mail to your referee and ask that she contact the graduate admissions office directly (usually an e-mail is sufficient) regarding how to resubmit her LOR. There is no need for you to approach the admissions office yourself. On the issue of you reading your own LOR, my experience is that it is fairly common (particularly if you have a stellar relationship with this prof) for the professor to send you a copy of the LOR (without even being asked first!). I always waive my right to view the LOR but I have still had professors send me an additional copy for my reference (I am sure that the professor wants me to feel more at ease about the application process in general and boost my confidence). So, my advice, don't sweat it if the prof can not resubmit the LOR. However, send her an e-mail, tell her the issue with the misspelling of your name, and provide the graduate admissions e-mail address in case she would like to inquire about the process for resubmission.

Let's hope it's a sign that the flood gates for Anthropology decisions have been opened....*crossing my finger* I just hope the gates aren't currently frozen shut as I'm wondering if snowmaggedon might cause delays for some of us....At least, I await notification in sunny conditions (75 degrees and rising). Of course, I'd be happy to change climates next winter in the pursuit of doctoral studies. Regarding posting decisions--if anyone receives news on funding, don't hold out!

Unfortunately, independent studies isn't an option in my program. Regarding comprehensives, I would take these at the end of April if I finish my coursework at the end of December. We are allowed till the end of of the first semester following coursework completion. So, that would provide time to prepare for comps and continue to work on the proposal. During the fall semester, I would almost exclusively focus on the coursework. I have looked at the syllabi for the courses ahead of time and a number of the reading assignments will overlap with comps material. This would definitely take a great deal of preparation and I would need to stick to a strict schedule. "If you sink into a phase where for even three or four days you don't do any work, you're probably going to be screwed." Amen! I am going to also look at the option of taking the remaining 3 courses at another university and transferring these to my program. It seems like it might be a possibility. Any other considerations? Also, thank you for your helpful comments. I hope others benefit from this discussion as well.

Yes, that is definitely a consideration. Luckily, I have been working on my proposal through a research award this summer...so I expect to have it partially finished by the beginning of Sept.

So, advice pls.....anyone taken a course overload? I have 6 courses (18 credits left) in my Phd program...and am seriously considering taking a double course load this Fall. I can handle the extra tuition costs myself so I am not worried about the 9 credits not covered by my fellowship. Timewise, I think I could make it work well. Basically, in a past semester, I worked 30 hours per week at another university, kept up things at home (small child--preschool age), and taken 4 graduate courses with an A average. So, serving as a TA for 15 hours a week and taking 6 courses seems doable as I won't be working and won't have familial obligations. This is partly why I am considering requesting permission for a course overload. My spouse's employment moved to another area and so we had to relocate. Hence, I'd much rather finish coursework in one semester instead of two and have more time with my family. Any advice from pros?