Ross Thames

thanks a lot!

Hey TinaUmbrella, Yes, that does help. I think that no one really other than current students has much to say about UCLA is telling. I can personally attest that both Brustad and al Batal have been insanely friendly. Brustad wrote me a huge email twice, once before I had gotten in, to explain everything. I also spoke to professor el-Ariss whose book the trials of Arab modernity is excellent. I've been leaning really strongly towards UT, but since I have been blessed to have a choice, I wanted to make it as informed as possible.

Does anyone have any impressions, opinions, ideas, hearsay about the Arabic programs at UCLA versus UT Austin? Just academically speaking. Maybe even general impressions of the amount of academic independence/ size of program/etc for the programs in general. I've heard that UT Austin has a very strict orthodoxy about their Arabic program (they literally write the book) but that they also have an awesome program. I've heard so little about UCLA beforehand, but in speaking with a current student, it seems like a tiny program, which could also be a good thing in terms of independence/access to professors. Any thoughts?

I know this should go in the decisions decisions forums, but I didn't see any activity over there for Near Eastern Studies. Does anyone have any impressions, opinions, ideas, hearsay about the Arabic programs at UCLA versus UT Austin? Just academically speaking. Maybe even general impressions of the amount of academic independence/ size of program/etc for the programs in general. I've heard that UT Austin has a very strict orthodoxy about their Arabic program (they literally write the book) but that they also have an awesome program. I've heard so little about UCLA beforehand, but in speaking with a current student, it seems like a tiny program, which could also be a good thing in terms of independence/access to professors. Any thoughts?

Historian7, you got into UT? What is your research interests?

Shoshenqiii, I got accepted into the UCLA PhD NELC program last Friday. I got my funding offer with the acceptance as well.

Thanks Idoone. A prof reached out to explain everything last night. There are some wonderful, super thoughtful professors out there. Good luck everyone!

Hey everyone, I've got an acceptance for a PhD program, and am waiting to hear about funding. Is it wise, in order to express my interest in accepting, that I write or call the graduate adviser to say I'm happily and patiently waiting for more details, or write to a POI to do the same? The department hasn't heard anything from me since they accepted me, but I don't really have anything to say until I hear more details, any thoughts?

yay! who got into UT?

I had a phone interview this weekend!

Hey there, I tried to start the same forum as you, sorry I never saw yours, I've had a few people answer over at "NELC 2013 - Middle East, Near Eastern Studies" I'm interested in Arabic language ideology and intellectual production, applying to Berkeley, UT, and UCLA

Modern Arabic literature and sociolinguistics

Hi there, I've applied, I started another thread and it's been dead quiet. It's called "NELC 2013 - Middle East, Near Eastern Studies".

I applied to Berkeley, UT, and UCLA.

Salaam, A few years ago when I applied to graduate programs in NELC, this forum kept me sane while waiting around. I have just sent off my application for Near Eastern Studies, and have 4 months of waiting ahead of me. I only have the stupid GRE left to take (didn't know I had to take it again until about 2 weeks) ago. I thought I would start the thread this year. Once deadlines are past I will be happy to talk more about where I've applied and what my academic interests are. Anyone else interested in commiserating? Middle Eastern Studies Phd Near Eastern Languages and Cultures Turkish, Arabic, Persian