Astarabadi

Hi,

I've been doing serious research on South Asian studies programs. Here's what I found (this is as of late July):

1. You will find the best S.Asian studies programs at Title VI schools: that means the state schools. In random order:
U-Washington (Henry Jackson International) People: A. Yang and P. Dhavan
U-W Madison (Andre Wink). Madison is also where the annual South Asian studies conference takes places, followed by the South Asian librarians conference (good to look into both).
U-C Berkeley (M.Faruqui holding down the fort). U-C Davis also to some extent (A. Anooshahr).
U-T Austin (C. Talbot) Good Mid-Eastern studies program as well
U-M Ann Arbor (Cole, F.Mir, etc.)
Rutgers is up and coming with S.Guha and I.Chatterjee on the S.Asian team

As for the private schools, Columbia has gotten weak recently, chaotic program. NYU/Harvard/Yale I am not sure about, but I think the last two are more focused on anthropology and art.


In terms of subject matter, the state schools have good solid historians in the field. This is important, as it forms the matrix for other field such as art, literature, etc.
In terms of religion, I am really not sure. I think there are a few and far between experts on S.Asian religion, but the program is held down by historians. They have a certain personality that tends to sometime "cast a shadow" on the artists and poets.

In addition, a little helpful tip that someone told me to do during the interview:

Take a small little notebook with you. Anything that fits snugly in your pocket will do. Before your interview, write down a list of questions you'd like to ask each professor/grad. student. Keep the list of questions handy, and you can refer to it during the interview if you get nervous or might have forgotten something.
Also, you can note down something that stands out about the professor...maybe he's bald and likes to joke about it! These little things can make a good impression, and break the ice and help you remember.


It's good advice but I haven't tried it. But it's worth a shot, if you like noting everything down like I do.

*whew* only two more applications remaining, just waiting for someone to give me a final review of my writing sample.

Quick question, since this is regarding something I CAN change: should you include dates in your SOP? I painted a chronological picture of my intellectual development, but did not include specific dates (I am relying on my CV to do that). What do you think?

Also, how do the application rounds work anyhoos? Candidates make the first cut based on SOP and CV right? then I guess they go to Writing Samples and LORs......right?

just checking, but by now most of you should be *relieved* ...enjoying football season (or whatever else)......


good luck chumps

*whew* only two more applications remaining, just waiting for someone to give me a final review of my writing sample.

Quick question, since this is regarding something I CAN change: should you include dates in your SOP? I painted a chronological picture of my intellectual development, but did not include specific dates (I am relying on my CV to do that). What do you think?

Also, how do the application rounds work anyhoos? Candidates make the first cut based on SOP and CV right? then I guess they go to Writing Samples and LORs......right?

just checking, but by now most of you should be *relieved* ...enjoying football season (or whatever else)......


good luck chumps

Hi Lion87,

I'd like to share some of my experience:

1. From what you have said about the number of hours, they seem excessive. Best thing to do, really, is to look at how much you want to get in the GRE and aim for. The GRE will test how well you take the GRE, is all (yes, this is frm PR and its true). What I did was look at my target schools and how much the average GRE scores were. This information is easily available if you search their website. I then aimed higher than that average score ( you always have to aim just a little higher) and then made a study plan. You don't need to get a 100%, no-one does.


2. Once you have determined the ideal score (lets say 1350 or 1400) then study for a bit, and then take the practice tests. See how you do. Once you realize your strengths and weaknesses, go back and start again. This repetition helped me, since I was good at vocab and not-so-good at math. All I really needed was to learn test taking skills. I practiced with the proper books (PR and Barrons helped me the best) and then sat down on the computer to test myself. Both parts of preparation were essential, since one is preparation, and the other is actually taking the test (on the PC).

3. Your brain will get fried. What worked for me was 3.5 hours a day, which is still much. 2 hours in the morning, 1.5 in the evening. I would work on math one day, review vocab. I would then switch the next day. Kept doing this for one month, then took a little break of 10 days. Plan to go back for one last month in September and take it at the end of the month.

4. You will have to take the GRE twice. You will do better the second time, that is a guarantee. Use the rights books as well.


Good luck~!

Hi Lion87,

I'd like to share some of my experience:

1. From what you have said about the number of hours, they seem excessive. Best thing to do, really, is to look at how much you want to get in the GRE and aim for. The GRE will test how well you take the GRE, is all (yes, this is frm PR and its true). What I did was look at my target schools and how much the average GRE scores were. This information is easily available if you search their website. I then aimed higher than that average score ( you always have to aim just a little higher) and then made a study plan. You don't need to get a 100%, no-one does.


2. Once you have determined the ideal score (lets say 1350 or 1400) then study for a bit, and then take the practice tests. See how you do. Once you realize your strengths and weaknesses, go back and start again. This repetition helped me, since I was good at vocab and not-so-good at math. All I really needed was to learn test taking skills. I practiced with the proper books (PR and Barrons helped me the best) and then sat down on the computer to test myself. Both parts of preparation were essential, since one is preparation, and the other is actually taking the test (on the PC).

3. Your brain will get fried. What worked for me was 3.5 hours a day, which is still much. 2 hours in the morning, 1.5 in the evening. I would work on math one day, review vocab. I would then switch the next day. Kept doing this for one month, then took a little break of 10 days. Plan to go back for one last month in September and take it at the end of the month.

4. You will have to take the GRE twice. You will do better the second time, that is a guarantee. Use the rights books as well.


Good luck~!