Chase Wang

Yes, there are MA programs that do fund students. (Most Canadian programs do, as well as some US ones) What you need to do is look through the websites of every department. You may want to check out my signature.

Fransces I am also admitted to Syracuse and offered a Chinese TAship. In fact, they don't have a linguistics department. The program is under The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. I believe that's why they are able to give TAship in language teaching. I am not sure what you have studied as a undergrad. The courses at Syracuse seem elementary and may be fit for someone who has no background in linguistics at all. However, if you have some training in linguistics, you probably do not want to take Intro to Linguistics again. (Other courses seem to start from the most basics as well) Why do you have to make a decision within the next week? I have never been given such notice. Did they tell you anything about summer support? To the best of my knowledge, the stipend is just adequate for living in Syracuse.

Just got rejected by Delaware. They gave 4 funded offers and 4 people are on waiting list... Have no substantial research experience and applied with an interest in syntax. Had an interview with them and feel flattered.

I didn't realize Iowa could be so early... Thanks for telling me about the funding. I do love both schools. Hopefully we can be classmates! btw are you going to attend with no funding at all?

Hey I also got an AD from Chapel Hill. I haven't heard from Iowa yet. Guess one of my referee hasn't sent out her letter.

Stylz88, what have you covered/read so far?

I have done a bit of research according to the list on LINGUIST List. As for as I know, there are only master programs in Computational Linguistics offered in English in a few prestigious universities. I cannot recall their names but I kind remember those are very fine schools. I do not recall anyone offer theoretical/general linguistics in English. Hope this helps.

Hi everyone! I am applying to mostly MA program in north America this year and wondering if it's good to submit a research proposal (8 pages with bibliography) I've done for a course as a writing sample. I am generally content with this proposal and it received the 2nd highest mark in that class. In my last program, most research projects were done in a group. For the very few I've done myself, I myself find them not very interesting and are socially committed whereas I am interested in theoretical linguistics. Would a research proposal constitute a legitimate WS? Do you think if there is any inherent disadvantage by doing so? Please suggest

Connecticut

Thanks for the suggestions. That's what I plan to do. You certainly make me more determined to go. Tho not too much conferences going on here, two big ones are going to be held in my department, one about bilingualism and comparative linguistics and one on Chinese syntax. quite look forward to it!

@LinguisticMystic Congrats to your admissions and thank you so much for the reply! It's true that research training and demonstrated competence are good assets. I think my problems lie in that 1, I come from a purely humanity background; 2. I had scanty research training and minimal hands-on research experience. It's not valued back in China...................I'm working on it and try to catch up.... I probably will apply for both MA and PhD. but it all depends on where how much i can achieve in the next few months.

congrats to the admitted folks. I've got a random question about applying for a Phd program in syntax and hopefully someone can enlighten me a bit. I am not sure what constitute proper depth and width in the research proposal. What do profs look for in the RP? To what extent should the RP map out my research scheme in Phd study?? I'm constantly confused about this question since PhD programs do admit undergraduate who have little training in linguistics in general and their selected specialty. It seems to me very unlikely that students of this kind can come up with a very profound and workable RP yet almost every programs targets at undergraduates and explicits that they do not care much about previous training. -- I am currently at a one-year non-thesis MA program in HK where I received scanty training in generative linguistics. Only two highly condensed courses - Syntax & Semantics and Phonetics & Phonology For S-side, we only touched upon theta-role, argument structure, tense, aspectuality, x-bar theory and movements. As of P-side, we only went as far as distinctive features and phonological rules. I'm really not sure if I should go straight to apply for a PhD program or do a MA. The hesitation lies in my uncertainty of my background being adequate. would love to hear from u guys. thanks!!!!!

Thanks! I believe so.

I got 3.5 for my analytical writing. Do you guys think it too low for applying most of linguistics PhD programs? I think the statement of purpose/writing sample could compensate for my low writing score. What do you say? Actually I mixed the names of two places in my argument. I was careless. But for the rest of writing, I think I've done well. I wonder if it is the lapse in argument that affected my overall AW score. You may know that most Chinese dont write handsomely in english. But I do have confidence in my academic writing. 3.5 put me into the rank that does not do me justice, either in this particular test or in view of my competency. I am considering whether i should request rescoring. Am i just too anxious?? Am I overplaying the importance of AW score? Please dont hesitate to tell me what you think. THX!