Caganer

I am wondering if anyone here applied for PhD programs after only one year in an MA program? Otherwise you have to take a year off in between, which I am not against doing myself, I am just looking for those who did an MA before PhD programs to share their experience. Thanks!

Thanks so much for the advice heyles! Great stuff. You touched on a lot of great ideas. Did you do the MA before PhD route?

Did you fill out a FAFSA for your MA? Did you get any grant money? I am planning on doing it but I have been told not to expect much. Other than loans that is.

I have heard this from friends in other masters programs as well, however in my program 5 courses is full time. Many people have told me this is not normal and our program realizes that most will not finish in one year as they would like. I am curious though, for those who don't work during a masters program. How do you pay for it? Loans? Trust fund? I just don't understand how so many people are able to do a masters full time like its no big deal.

You're blowing this out of proportion My school also allows a bilingual dictionary for proficiency exams but like StrangeLight said, its best to contact the DGS or the department in charge of administering the exam. At my school the exam is a scholarly text of one or two pages that has to be translated. I've seen the exam for Spanish and if you know Portuguese well enough, you should be able to pass. However, should passing be your goal? Since you're a Latin Americanist, knowing Spanish well will help immensely in the future. If your interests shift at all during your program there is a good chance that you're going to be using Spanish. It will also make you a stronger candidate for jobs in the future. (And normally PhD programs in LA history require Portuguese, Spanish, and French, no?) Also, I have noticed that the culture of some Latin American departments are Hispanocentric (I think I am inventing this term but you get the gist). That is, Portuguese speakers are usually outnumbered and often end up communicating in Spanish, guests are often invited to give lectures in Spanish and rarely are lectures held solely in Portuguese (yet I'm sure this depends on the department). Knowing how to communicate in basic Spanish will allow you to take advantage of more opportunities in the future. I bet if you took an accelerated Spanish course over the summer and put some Shakira and Calle 13 on your ipod you would pick it up in no time.

I second this. I am doing the same, although I did it in reverse. I applied to an administrative position at my school before I applied to my program. I work full time in another department but I get health insurance, a paycheck, retirement plan, FSA etc. but the best part is that my school gives me two courses worth of tuition free every semester, including the summer. More people should take advantage of this sort of an opportunity. Also, since you are working in academia you are able to see how departmental politics function, have personal contact with professors, hear about great opportunities, etc. I dont think I would work and study in the same department though, that might get a little incestuous.

Hahaha, no, no kids. I am youngish with basically no responsibility outside of school and work and (family/partner).

Hello all, I am planning on starting an MA this fall. I am planning on working full time and doing the MA half time (3 grad courses or 2 grad courses and 1 language course a semester). Has anyone else tried this? The most I have done up to this point has been 2 grad courses while working full time. It was a busy semester but I did very well in both classes. Any opinions or advice? Thanks!

I am about to start an interdisciplinary MA this Fall. Although its possible to do the program in a year, I will most likely do it in a year and a half. I am planning on applying to PhD programs in History in the Fall of 2013 for admission in Fall 2014. That means I have a year and a half to prepare an application. I did my BA in Literature and took only a few history courses. I am planning on taking as many history courses during my MA as possible. I am curious to know how others, who did an MA first, prepared themselves (successfully) for a PhD. Language studies, trying to get published, perfecting a masters thesis for submission as a writing sample, presenting at conferences, archival research, cultivating relationships with professors? What would you say are the most important things to accomplish while in an MA? Thanks so much!