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Northwestern is also a great program (I almost went there--they're good in person as well as on paper), and Christopher Bush is a youngish but up-and-coming and brilliant scholar who is particularly focused on interplay between France and Asia... Rather than doing an inadequate job of summarizing his work, I'm just going to direct you to his faculty page, here : http://www.frenchanditalian.northwestern.edu/people/faculty/bush.html In any case, I'm thinking with a field of interest this specific and this unusual, you're probably going to be looking for very particular faculty members rather than for programs as a whole, and I think Bush might be a good option. The department is also pretty strong across the board, and they're very nice and close-knit. As to your chances--a huge amount of this is up to chance. I graduated from a good (not great) school with a really good GPA, French-dept. involvement limited to taking classes (no French club, no thesis, etc.). My GRE scores were good (but they really only matter if you do terribly, and even then not necessarily), and I'd spent a good bit of time in France. The first time I applied to grad school, I got accepted NOWHERE. The following year, I applied again and got in EVERYWHERE. I didn't reapply to all the places I had the first time, but I did reapply to 3 and got into all 3 (including 2 top-10 programs). Not to be snotty, but I'm at a very well-regarded program at an Ivy now (not as friendly as Northwestern, though!). All I changed was my SOP, and not even that drastically. So it's impossible to say, based on your numbers, what your outcome will be. That said, a few things can be really important: pick schools that are well suited to your interests. Research department. Research the faculty and know why you want to work with them. Mention this in your SOP and in any interviews you might have. And make sure that you have professors who will write you EXCELLENT letters of recommendation. If you're buddies with any profs who have connections, leverage that. Study for the math GRE so that your scores are respectable. Select your writing sample carefully--make sure it shows your best work, and edit it if need be. Basically, make sure your dossier is as good as it can possibly be in every respect. Finally, and this is the best an most important piece of advice anyone can give you, DO NOT ENTER A PHD PROGRAM UNLESS YOU HAVE FULL FUNDING. PERIOD. The job market is too horrendous to saddle yourself with crippling debt in order to earn a degree that might very well never earn you any money. Full funding means tuition reimbursement, stipend, health insurance, and preferably at least some type of summer funding, all for at least five years (preferably 6. If you teach a lot, like we do in my department, you'll need 6 years. That's getting hard to come by, though). In fact, the job market is so horrendous that you should think long and hard about even applying to programs in the first place--and if you do end up choosing to do so, make sure you get a full ride.

Hi there, Frthrow! I'm currently in a French PhD track at an Ivy, and based on my knowledge of MA programs, your interests do sound a bit specific... those are more the kinds of concerns one would be likely to focus on when applying to doctoral programs. That said, though, the best thing to do is to focus not on a program but on faculty (just as you would, really, if applying for PhDs). Look for faculty who are publishing interesting work in your areas of interest, and then research the programs at their institutions to see if they offer MAs. Of course, you could reverse engineer this as well by looking at MA programs and then seeing if there are faculty there working in these fields. And don't hesitate to contact departments to find out about things like sabbaticals and retirements if there are specific faculty who would attract you, as (especially in a 2-year program), that kind of thing can really impact what you're able to work on. If you ring up or email a department, you'll likely just be dealing with a secretary or an admin, and they are generally very nice if you are polite, and are also unlikely to share your comments with professors. Hell, you don't even have to give your real name if you don't want! You can also ask what professors are likely to be teaching in the next few semesters; they usually know that kind of thing a good bit in advance, although none of it is set in stone. In any event, your work in an MA will undoubtedly be more general than what you'd be doing in a PhD. Think of it like this: if you do a program that is MA + PhD, it's really not until you've completed the MA that you really focus on your specific interests. Doing a terminal MA is somewhat different, as you'll undoubtedly write a thesis that allows you to work on things of interest to you, but your coursework will likely be broad-based. On your other point: your writing sample definitely doesn't need to perfectly align with your SOP. It's probably not a bad idea if they're at least a bit related--by period, by theme, by some other "point de contact", but they're more looking to see if you can produce something well-written, scholarly, and interesting than to see "does s/he REALLY want to study what s/he claims to be interested in???". So some overlap is a positive, but a total cadrage is unnecessary and not expected. It's also good for your SOP to reflect your interests while also demonstrating your openness to new ideas--so don't be too much like "OMG ARTAUD I LOVE HIM SOOOOOO MUCH AND IT'S ALL I EVER WANT TO TALK ABOUT EVER!!!!!". They want to know you're excited about things, but they also want to see that you know that you have more to learn. At least, that's the consensus amongst those I know. I'm happy to have others correct/amend these claims.

I just accepted for French... the French and Comp. Lit. departments are pretty interconnected, so we will probably run into each other, Ahorse! What are your interests in comp. lit.? And have you visited Providence? I've never lived in Providence, but I'm from the northeast, so it's probably a little less scary for me!

If you accidentally accepted by expressing excitement about your admission, I have accidentally accepted multiple offers! In all seriousness, though, I think it's fine to be enthusiastic--assumedly, you only or mainly applied to programs that you would sincerely love to attend, so it's natural that you would be excited by good news and respond accordingly. These adcomms will know that, but they will also know that you have applied to many lovely places and probably received other, equally-exciting pieces of good news. Relax! You haven't accepted, even unofficially, until you use that actual word. Yes, grad school applications have made you insane, but that's true of most of us.

To add to what a few previous posters have said about so-called "top-tier" programs, I would recommend looking at job placement rates before you decide what that really means. At least in my humanities field, the placements for many of the more traditionally respected, higher-ranking programs has been less than stellar in recent years, while many less well known but more innovative programs have increasingly excellent results. When I applied this year, I really looked into placement rates, and I was incredibly surprised. Like you, I applied the first time to only the most prestigious programs and was rejected across the board. This time I applied to a broader group, based on fit instead of rank. I've had more success this year than I expected or hoped for. I've even been considered by/accepted to programs that rejected me last year without a second thought. Why? First of all, there are so many factors out of your control (other apps, funding, which profs are on the adcomm, etc), that simply applying at a different time does make a real difference. In terms of my app, I replaced one letter. A added one tiny credential to my CV. I scrapped my SOP and started from scratch, which I think made the real difference. I also made a better case for why each school was a good fit, and for how much I wanted to go there. Of course, it was much easier to say why I wanted to go to these schools because I'd done much more homework this time around. I know so well how hard it is to face this kind of sweeping rejection. It sucks. But don't let it totally deflate your ego--you know you would be a benefit to any of these schools, you just need to refine your method of informing them of this. Be sad. Mourn for awhile. Consider alternative career paths, like becoming a beekeeper or trapeze artist. Then start thinking about next season, and how much better prepared you'll be, having gone through this process once already. Really. And for amazingly awesome chocolate cake (and a distracting baking project), check this out: DELICIOUSNESS

I second michpc on Lower Allston... I lived there for some time, and it's quiet and pretty family-friendly. You get to stay near all the cheap eats and nightlife of Allston, but without actually living in the student ghetto. The Oak Square/Brighton Center area is pretty nice too. Very safe and quiet, good neighborhood feel, good access to Mass Pike and buses to Cambridge. Bikeable to Harvard, also; my old roommate used to make that commute every day unless it was actively snowing. And to second michpc again (a second time-ha!), I am also quite familiar with the area, so questions are welcome! Good luck!

Bienvenue hcohu! I don't know if anyone else is applying to master's programs on the thread, but maybe your posting will bring others. Regardless of the degrees we are pursuing, I think we are all pretty much in the same boat--waiting, perhaps, for final words on admits or funding, and trying to figure out where we'll end up next year. Hey, you have an advantage--at least you know in which city you'll be! Anyway, I replied largely because, although I did not do the NYU Paris MA, I did study abroad through NYU Paris; because I was an advanced-level undergrad, I took many courses with the grad students and could probably offer you some insights on faculty, etc. Not to put the cart before the horse, since you haven't heard back yet. But if I can answer any questions, feel free to ask. Congratulations on your acceptance, and good luck for your upcoming results! Hey Forsberg and Joey--did you enjoy Columbia? I ended up not going and withdrawing my candidacy... great program, but I just didn't think it quite as perfect a fit for me as a few others, particularly since I dislike NYC and have offers in cities where I'll be much happier. I was a little worried about it, but got very nice and supportive emails from the DGS, administrator and grad students. So I've embarked on my decision-making process, officially, since I've now turned down several offers (scary!). How was the open house? Did they successfully seduce you guys?

Congratulations, AA! First of all, I think it's silly that someone would vote you down on this post out of what is probably sheer jealousy. I am in a somewhat similar situation to yours, in that I have been accepted to way more programs that I really love than I ever would have expected! For what it is worth, here is a compilation of my own approach/advice that I've been given for what seems like an insurmountable decision-making process: -Visit! If you haven't already, go check out these places in person. You will learn so much more about the department in person than you can from the website; interacting with not only the faculty, but current grad students and your potential future cohort will give you real insight into the vibe of the place. Ask about infighting within the program, support for whatever projects you might want to undertake, pedagogical preparation, etc. -Read some of the work of the professors in the department, particularly those with whom you might be working. Think about how their perspective, not just their subject matter, relates to your own. And remember, made them famous 20 years ago may not reflect the work they are doing now. -Look at job placements for all schools very carefully. Many institutions publish a selective list highlighting only their best successes, and this can be extremely misleading. You want to know where ALL their recent grads have gone, not just the lucky few. - Consider the different cities in which you might be living. Cornell and Columbia couldn't be in more different locations! Where do you want to spend the next 5-6-7... years of your life? Especially when you're trying to compare otherwise similar programs, these things do matter. Bear cost of living in mind, as well. I'm sure you've heard most of this before, but it bears repeating. And, at the end of the day, your gut matters, too. If Harvard seems less of a good fit than an equally excellent institution like Columbia, maybe it is... And if it turns out after your visits that your instincts were wrong, then go to Harvard because you have changed your mind and see it as the best possible match, and not just because it's Harvard. Good luck with your decisions! They're certainly not easy, but perhaps they shouldn't be. PS- Not sure if you are considering BU, but I did my undergrad there (French), so feel free to PM me if you have questions about institution--or about metro Boston life.

GK, I couldn't agree more. The pervasive (American) belief in the irrelevance of the humanities is what leads to, for example, the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities having their already meager budgets slashed... And you make a very valid point about the allocation of resources in the university environment; my undergraduate institution repeatedly eliminated humanities courses due to "budget constraints" and froze tenure-track hiring, yet continued to augment the salaries of administrators, renovated the Student Center, and invested in additional buses to transport students to the medical campus more frequently (although the route was already served by regular mass transit AND the university shuttle). Time to stop, or this will rapidly devolve into full-blown ranting. On a lighter note, my SO (one of those weird business/sciences/math/econ types) and I have been trying to figure out ways to make humanities recruitment more like sports recruitment: "I don't know, Yale... while your stipend is larger, this offer from Harvard includes a Corvette, a Beacon Hill apartment, and a 'flare' fund." In all seriousness, though, we are the ones who will be facing the challenges of making the humanities relevant in the coming decades, and what an uphill battle it promises to be. Joey, interesting perspectives on "fit"; you're correct to assume that your advice is not original, but that does not make it less valuable--perhaps the greatest benefit of these forums is simply that they remind us that we are not alone in our anxiety and neuroses. I misread your assertion about Harvard as meaning it is your *one* dream program, rather than one of several; good to know that you, like myself, are feeling pulled in multiple directions! Each program has so many unique features and strengths... it's like trying to pick a favorite novel/food/ice cream flavor! As to Harvard, I've decided to stay on the waitlist; I do feel like it would be a good fit, and I'm trying to not worry about which is the *best* fit until I have a more complete data set. Options can never hurt, I suppose. I really enjoyed the article on Princeton's German program. While we, of course, tend to focus on what various departments offer their grad students, I think this Princeton's approach to their undergraduates is particularly compelling as well; if humanities, and languages in particular, are to stay alive and active, departments must entice undergraduates with new and dynamic opportunities like these that serve to demonstrate why these disciplines are still relevant. Or that's my two cents, anyway.

First of all, congrats to everyone whose been getting good news! Those of you who are attending Columbia's open house, I will see you there.... Two questions: 1) Now that many of you have some options on the table, what are you thinking about going into the decision-making process? I am actually perhaps more filled with anxiety now that I do have options; unlike many people, I didn't have one "dream program" going into this. So now, I am facing a choice between multiple departments that I really love! Visits will help, I know, and I have several more over the coming weeks. But what are your perspectives on making these decisions? 2) Forsberg, JoeySsance (and anyone else in the know): You have both been accepted to Harvard (way to go!). I was also called yesterday and notified that I have been waitlisted. I'm sure they will be asking if I want to remain an "active candidate," and I'm having trouble deciding. I do really admire the department, but I'm not sure if I should just be happy with the wonderful offers I've already received. What are your thoughts on Harvard? Why is it your "dream program"? Just wondering if my own thoughts on this line up with y'all's...

Congrats, Forsberg! That's awesome. Let us know how it goes! May there not be a huge blizzard the day you are supposed to fly out for your interview..................

This, sadly, was not the plan but the reality: -Jump up and down for half an hour -Inform boyfriend, cats, parents, recommenders, facebook -Crash from adrenaline rush -Go to bed and get the first good night's sleep in awhile -Wake up -Go to work -Receive phone call of second acceptance -Start freaking out over how to choose between two acceptances, with possibly others to follow -Return to grad cafe Why do I feel like even once I've chosen a program, I'll then be freaking out about whether it was the right choice... DOES THE MADNESS NEVER END??? Still stoked, though... good luck everyone!

Thanks, Forsberg! I suppose the nervousness is unavoidable, and maybe it at least shows how much we care...? Keep us posted on your interview endeavors! Is WashU by phone or in person?

Thank you GK! I feel slightly better now...