lotuspetal7

I think you're right, that's really probably best. I just couldn't think how to begin and end it, but that sounds pretty good. Thanks so much for the help!

Thanks for the reply! I know he's taking new students though so I don't really need to ask that.

Hello all, thank you in advance for your help. I put in my first graduate school applications two years ago, mostly to master's programs. I visited First-Choice School and spoke with Professor POI. I asked him whether I should apply to the PhD program at that time as my interest was very serious but my experience was somewhat limited. He told me that I might as well go ahead and put in an application but with my limited experience would likely only be admitted to the (unfunded and very expensive) MA program, and might need to go get a master's from a less expensive school and apply to the PhD program again later. He was very positive in the general tone of his interaction with me--he told me after talking to me for ten minutes that the MA program accepts about 10% of applicants but that he thought I would get in; and when I met some current students of his later on and asked them whether they thought I really should apply now if he said I probably wouldn't get into the PhD program at this time, their eyes opened and wide and they said "If he told you you should apply, then you should apply!" So I did apply, and just as he said I was accepted only into the unfunded MA program, thus I basically applied for the mere purpose of showing my seriousness when I should reapply a couple years later. I got a few different good MA offers and was utterly stuck between the two best, so I contacted Professor POI to ask him which program he recommended as preparation for reapplying to First-Choice School in a couple of years. He answered my email within a few minutes, with a substantial response considering my particular needs and interests and recommending one school over the other for me and my particular circumstances. I thanked him and went to the school he recommended, and that was the last contact we have had since spring 2012. So now I am finishing up my MA and putting in my re-application, the real one this time, and I would like to contact Professor POI to say hello and remind him of myself. I thought about asking to meet in person again to discuss my interests as they've developed while I was in my master's program, but I won't have the time or money to travel there in the next couple of months and I hate talking on the phone, so email it is. I really just want to say hello and let him know I am back. Should I manufacture a question (I remember all his answers to my questions back two years ago and don't really have any new ones), discuss my interests (starting to chatter out of the blue with no real question to ask seems weird), or just leave off extraneous emails and trust that he will remember me when he receives my application? Thank you for your help!

That is an idea, thanks!

OK thanks, that makes sense. I appreciate it.

Thank you for the response MsDarjeeling. As far as "those who didn't provide you with their email," though, even a student who might want the possibility of staying in touch with me in the future (to get a letter or whatever) wouldn't have felt the need to exchange email addresses with me because we already have each others' emails; I used to send them emails all the time about class stuff. But to use it now would be weird, I guess... What about an email to the whole group of my regulars, who all knew each other? Is that still weird? What a good idea about the list thing--I should try that in the future.

Is it too weird to contact past students just to ask how they're doing? I had a few students who stayed with me the whole academic year, who were my little fan club and got to feel almost like friends at the time. A couple of them friended me on Facebook later, but I have no way to keep up with the others. They were all lovely people and I miss them and care about how they are doing, but I should have no reason to run into them again. They took my class to satisfy a general requirement unrelated to their majors, so I won't be running into them in the department. I suppose I should not do any Facebook friending myself. (until maybe years later when one or both of us is no longer at this school?) Can I send them an email? Or is that just weird? I knew this part of TA-ing would be hard for me I used to teach little kids and it would break my heart to realize that in a couple of years they wouldn't remember I had ever existed...

Just wanted to say thank you so much for these later suggestions. I forgot to check this forum for a couple weeks, sorry. This stuff will really help me a lot!

Marquisbey, thanks for the advice! I'll send you a PM. What about a paper I wrote right when I got in and presented to a good reaction from my advisor, but still I now realize the paper was immature and I wouldn't want to show it to an admissions committee? I suppose I should list only papers I am prepared to show should they ask about me? Would they actually call me up and ask to see random older papers I have written? I suppose I could just list it as a colloquium presentation, not as a paper, and if they ask about it say that I don't have a fully fleshed-out version of the paper to show (actually true of my other colloquium presentation, and kind of true of this one too insofar that the version I have is one I can no longer sign off on), and offer to show other papers. Does that sound like a good idea? Eigen, I just saw your reply--thanks. I have looked at some faculty CVs, but they usually have lots of publications and stuff to list. Not sure where to find a CV for a person who's at the same stage in the game that I am!

Hello all, I'm a current master's student getting started thinking about some Ph.D. applications I'll be turning in this winter for fall 2014. I'm thinking about how to write my CV and wondered if I could get some opinions on organization. I'm TAing my way through this master's program, so I have the academic stuff and the TA stuff to write about. Before that, I have four years of work experience outside an academic environment, and before that my undergraduate stuff which I will summarize just briefly. So, should I do education (M.A., undergrad) and professional (TA, 2 jobs in between undergrad and grad school)? Or chronological? Also, I'm not sure what to write about in the part about the M.A. degree I'm currently getting. In undergrad I had a bunch of flowery things like phi beta kappa and honors program, and in my jobs outside of school I did a bunch of special projects and whatnot. But for my grad program I'm not sure what I'm supposed to put on there. I've only been in this program for just over a year and have spent most of the time working on getting the basic sort of background I need since my undergrad program was in something unrelated. I'm writing a thesis which will be in the refining stages by the time I turn in my applications. I've read papers at a couple of small colloquia and will be looking for any more chances I may get in the fall. That's not much to put on my CV though...I haven't published anything, though for my field (Japanese literature) at my level that seems not to be a problem. It would be nice to be able to take a paper to a bigger conference before turning in my applications, but I don't think there's going to be one in the next six months. (My field within the U.S. is very small and I'm aware of just two major graduate student conferences, both in February, and one major professional conference which accepts mostly pre-arranged panels). I have lots to say in my SOP about my research interests, and I should have a great writing sample, probably a cut-down version of my thesis. I spoke to all my POIs a couple of years back when I was doing my M.A. applications, and I think a couple of them should remember me and be anticipating my application. So I'm confident in general but not sure what to write about the year I've spent in graduate school so far. I'd really appreciate any advice. Thank you!

Thanks a ton TakeruK! That does indeed give me a much better idea! I guess my common sense might be an okay guide after all because I guessed correctly for all the examples you posited. Really appreciate the thorough explanation!

I'm a new TA with questions too--for undergrad I went to an undergrad-only school so I had no idea what a grad TA's role was. I started both as a student and as a TA this summer quarter, so I had no orientation or anything. There will be an orientation before fall classes, so I guess I can ask then any questions I still have, and there is a TA handbook, but I feel like there are some things I don't know. For example, I saw on some forum, can't remember whether it was this or another one, that one TA said he/she didn't recommend becoming Facebook friends with students. When I asked an experienced TA here about that she said oh no, you shouldn't do that. Not a written rule per se, but ethically prohibited. That's the kind of thing I just wouldn't have known if I hadn't happened to run into it--I used to become Facebook friends with profs back when I was an undergrad 5 years ago in the days when Facebook was a little different. And there are other things I feel like I don't know as well. Is all light socializing outside of class taboo? The other day I thought a student was about to follow me to lunch after class--would that have been a bad idea, for example? I have no idea...

I have just started this summer quarter as a TA teaching an intensive course in introductory Japanese. Somehow I had the idea that I would be doing mostly a bunch of grading and office hours, but the week before classes began they up and told me "so, you'll be teaching solo 10 hours a week," and I felt a little freaked out. I also had no orientation or training whatsoever because it's summer, they just threw me right at it. But my first week has gone okay as the lesson plans were all filed away just waiting to be printed out. The students have a 2-hour lecture with the prof where he explains the grammatical structure in English, and then a 2-hour session with me mostly for doing a bunch of exercises practicing what they've learned. I'm supposed to basically speak only Japanese to them, though in reality it's okay for me to give the more complex classroom instructions in English, preferably saying it in Japanese first for more immersion effect and for the students who already have some background and will understand. They probably won't ask you to do anything impossible. Ask whether the lesson plans are already prepared, and ask if you can get in touch with a current TA to ask questions. Maybe ask the current TA whether you can occasionally use English or at least write it on the board if the students really don't understand what it is they're supposed to do. But in general I think it's unnecessary to freak out about teaching Spanish in Spanish. You can just teach them classroom commands on the first day--write them on the board and practice giving them and making students respond until they have them down. My students absorbed the basic classroom commands (listen, look, say, read, write) within a few minutes on the first day and with no English explanation, only gestures. You can tell them, for example, to turn to page whatever of the textbook by saying it in Spanish, holding up the textbook, and writing the page number on the board--trust me, they will get the idea. It's no big deal. It should be even easier for students of Spanish than of Japanese because it's a language related to English and they will recognize some of the word roots--even if they don't already know a few words of Spanish, which many of them will. Students who understand will whisper help to their puzzled neighbors, etc...these things work themselves out. The immersion part is the least of your worries. I'd be more concerned if there were no lesson plans available for you to use, but if you ask you may find there are or at least that more experienced TAs can help you make your first few weeks of lesson plans.

thank you SO much for the help everyone. very good points, especially ailinna and poeteer. I sure don't want to end up doing a second master's, so I suppose the UW situation will be better for me all round. I just declined Yale's offer feeling much better about my decision. Thanks a ton all!

OK, I guess that makes me feel better. though I still decided to send Yale an email asking for a day or two to think. A couple of professor friends I asked advised me that I won't make enemies by bowing out of an offer for an M.A. program, so I'm still considering. One of them advised me to ask again the professor I hope to work with in the future, the one who advised me to go to UW over Harvard. I wonder if I should bother him again. If Yale gives me a day to think, I could. But I worry he would think badly of me for even considering turning down a school I have committed to. Is that over-worrying? Should I ask him tomorrow?

I've already committed to the University of Washington's two-year M.A. program in Japanese literature. I've been offered a TAship there which will look great on my CV when applying to Ph.D. programs. I decided on UW over Harvard, where I was offered a partial stipend, when a faculty member at a Ph.D. program I am interested in for the future recommended UW over Harvard for me, both for the faculty and because of my financial situation. Now Yale's one-year M.A. program in East Asian studies has up and offered me full tuition and a full stipend. I only found out about this hours before the reply deadline at midnight tonight. I guess I have to stick with my decision, right? I've talked to the people at Washington a lot, and you can't afford to make enemies in a small field like this, I suppose. Plus I told the prof who advised me to choose UW that I would take his advice. I suppose the two-year program at UW will prepare me more completely for my Ph.D. applications, plus the TA experience will look good; I guess I'd better stick with my decision. But I admit that if I'd known about this offer sooner, there's a good chance I would have taken it for personal reasons--the TA position is going to have me really tied up all year round, including summers if I don't want to pinch pennies on my dinner. I guess that doesn't matter anyway, I have to stick with my commitment. Right? Any wise words for me? Thanks all!

thanks so much tsujiru! The opportunity to go to IUC does sound great. (I just got home half a year ago from four years in Japan, but I miss it terribly and want to get back as soon as I can!...and I was living near Yokohama so I'd love to go back there and hang out with my old buddies.) The upshot is that I asked all around very nicely, and they answered really nicely, reiterating that they really wanted me to come and that the professor I want to work with really wants to work with me, and have been very helpful with discussing all other types of funding options. but they say they have no more money and have little hope there will be more next year either. Work-study at Harvard seems to be plentiful and pay decently though, so maybe I should go for it...still a hard decision but kind of leaning that way...glowing reports like yours do sway me in that direction!

Thanks so much for the advice everyone! I'll ask nicely and maybe focus more on finding out what 2nd year options may be available. I really appreciate all your thoughts!

thanks so much for the advice. Btw at UW my program is not part of the Jackson School but of the Asian Languages and Literature department. UW is pretty good in my specialty, Japanese lit--a bit more minor than Harvard of course, but then I'd have the TA experience going for me. Both would be pretty great for getting into a Ph.D. program. But I want to go to Harvard, so I'll send emails all round and see what I can figure out!

thanks for the advice! Yes I am probably planning on going on to a Ph.D., not 100% sure yet though. OK, I'll try some emails and phone calls all around and see if anybody can help me! Thank you!

I've been accepted to a master's program at Harvard with full tuition but only a 5K stipend. I've also gotten into another school (UW) with a TAship that would mean I wouldn't have to worry about money at all. Should I try to negotiate with Harvard? I guess I will have to talk to them anyway about how to cover the remaining approximately $20,000 a year of living expenses. While I'm at it, should I mention that I have a better financial offer at another school and see if there's anything they can do? In a way I feel foolishly ungrateful to ask for more when they're already giving me more than tuition. But the idea of taking out a total of $40,000 of loans just for a master's program is daunting enough that I'm a bit on the fence, though leaning toward going to Harvard anyway. If I try to negotiate...any advice on what to say? Also, do I call financial aid first, or my program?

I'm lucky enough to have gotten into my master's program of choice (Regional Studies East Asia) at Harvard, with full tuition and a 5K stipend. I've also gotten into the Japanese program at the University of Washington with a TAship. I guess if you get into Harvard--and find out you are admitted when a famous professor sends you an email personally requesting you to come--then you should go. But living in Boston is expensive, and it looks as though I'd have to take out as much as $20,000 in loans per year to meet living expenses. If I went to Washington, I wouldn't have to worry about money at all. I guess I will have to give Harvard financial aid a call anyway to discuss how to meet my living expenses, presumably through loans. While on the phone, should I mention that I have a better financial offer at another school and see if there's anything they can do? If so, what exactly do you say in such a conversation? I hate talking about money! Thanks, hope somebody can advise!

I submitted a Columbia app recently and I think I remember the instructions saying these questions were optional and for the purpose of learning more about the demographics of their applicants. I think you can apply for financial aid without answering every question, and in any case I'm sure it's ok to estimate. Check the instructions for which questions are required and which are optional.

OK, thanks. As for advanced literature courses, I've actually taken none as my undergrad degree was unrelated. My advanced language skills were acquired by translating and interpreting for 3 years in a Japanese government office where I was the only non-Japanese. I'll be explaining plenty about that for sure. I'm just worried about fitting the letter onto one page. I guess I could include a copy of only the certificate but say in the letter that my score was 153/180 cf a passing score of 100/180, and that I had a perfect score in listening? Just say that without copying the score detail? That could be my best bet.

At one of my programs I'm applying for a TA position teaching Japanese. I'm writing the cover letter now explaining my language background. My biggest credential is that I have passed the highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. I'm going to enclose a photocopy of my certificate of passing. I can copy only the certificate, or I can copy the score detail as well. The passing score for the test is 100/180 total with at least 19/60 in each of three sections. My score was 153/180 total with 43/60 in reading, 50/60 in vocab and grammar, and 60/60 in listening. So my scores are good. But I am afraid they will just look at the fact that my reading score is lower than my other scores, even though it is still actually not a bad score. What do you think, copy only the certificate of passing, or include my score detail with explanation?