funchaku

Hi galataencore. Check this thread out for some beginner book recommendations: Linguistics has certainly come a long way since Saussure. The first step, of course, would be to get a bit more familiar with the field to make sure it is something you are interested in, etc. The book recommendations in the thread above should help. There might be other schools in your neighborhood that does have a Linguistics program, and you can email professors and ask if you can sit in on their classes. I doubt anyone would say no. It is common for Linguistics grad applicants not to have majored in Linguistics, since it is a relatively small field. Computer Science, Math, Psychology (Cognitive focus) or Philosophy might be considered relevant other fields. If you are seriously considering grad school (in my opinion, you need to know a lot more about the field before you make that decision), then research experience can be critical. You might be able to find relevant labs in your school, or you can send emails to professors in neighboring schools asking if they are taking undergraduate RAs.

I got an interview request from a POI in UMD-- I didn't even know they did interviews? Did anyone else hear anything?

I feel like it can help, especially if your recommender has a good reputation/relationships with people at that university. But, I guess it's also worth keeping in mind that we are in a small enough field where the chances of applicants having at least one recommender that adcom members know/recognize is higher than in other fields. Stay positive, though, most notifications go out in Feb/March (though I've been having such a hard time not checking the results page 20x a day.....)!!

Yes, that is pretty much the sentiment I could pick up on. They said they will meet mid-week and let me know before the end of the week.

I don't think it's anything to worry about! Remember that a lot of it depends on when your POI(s) have the time to interview you, so it might just be that yours aren't available for a while longer. I'm doing acquisition stuff, and interviewing with the two people who work on that.

I've heard from UPenn for an interview. Anyone else?

I don't think a great GRE score will necessarily get you into a program, but a bad one could potentially hurt your chances. For instance, the UPenn program notes that your chances of being considered a serious candidate is slim if your combined GRE percentile is < 75%. Beyond that, I don't think it's that big a deal. I've applied to UCLA--definitely hoping to end up at their acquisition lab!

I've heard CUNY is a good place to be! Good luck! I am hoping to do experimental work, though I do kind of feel like answering questions about learnability is the often hidden (or not) goal of most acquisition work.

wall flower

I think most places let you know definitely by end of February. Most of the apps are due late December or early January.

I'm applying to UCLA, Johns Hopkins, MIT, UMass Amherst, UPenn, UMD, Rutgers, and Harvard (Psychology). I'm interested in acquisition (syntactic acquisition specifically), so the school choices were largely based on whether or not they had an acquisition person there. I'm mostly worried about Harvard because I have no formal training in Psych.... Tanner, what US terminal MA program are you applying to?

Some of the schools only accepted one, so I sent a fairly substantial (25 pages ish) research paper. But I'm also writing up another, shorter more experimental paper right now, so I was thinking of sending that in as well. I am jealous that you've submitted everything already, but congratsss!! Where all did you apply?

AHH, I know I'll sleep/eat/breathe a lot better once these apps are out of the way! The hardest part for me has been the SOP, which I've somewhat tailored to each school. And the writing sample-- is everyone just sending in one? MIT, for instance, asks for "one or more" Good luck everyone!

when you first sent the request to each recommender, NSF emailed you a copy of that request. is it possible to find that and forward it manually? The electronic submission link and such should be the same.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. My guess would be that the low GRE score could be offset by other, more important parts of the application, like your SOP, LORs, and writing sample.

Are you including UCLA as a Cal State school, because its deadline is December 10th. I know UMD has somewhat of a rolling admission, though they strongly prefer candidates to apply by Jan 1st or something. UMass deadline isnt until February.

I think UChicago also has a terminal Masters program. University of Hawaii does as well.

I know Harvard has a very good program

related question-- if I am applying to an NSF GRFP and the project proposed is related to stuff that a POI does, is it appropriate to mention it? Or is it better to just talk about my interest in the topic without mentioning the NSF part?

I'm on the same boat! Most of the information I've found is for Physics or Engineering, which is not entirely helpful for Linguistics. My advice would be to be thorough and specific without using TOO much Linguistics jargon, since the panelists are typically not from our field. My adviser suggested that i should have a background, methodology (if you're doing experimental work), expected results, and significance sections. It might also make things easier to remember that the NSF doesn't actually hold you to doing the project once the award is granted. But of course, it's a lot easier to talk intelligently about stuff you're already doing. I would also check out Alex Lang's website, where he has collected essays from previous winners: http://www.alexhunterlang.com/nsf-fellowship

thank you! this is all very helpful information!

Hello! This might be a bit much to ask, but would anyone be willing to read my (somewhat lengthy--roughly 15 pages) writing sample in Linguistics (specifically syntax)? I wrote it specifically for writing sample purposes because I didn't think any of my undergrad works would cut it. This means it's never been reviewed before, and that scares me a bit. I don't personally know anyone else applying to Linguistics programs, so I've been relying on the internet as my main source of grad school advice/help. I'd be more than happy to read over your ws in return. Thanks!!

I would really like a second (or third or fourth ) opinion on my SOP as well. I'd be happy to read over any of yours! Please do PM me if interested!

I had a similar experience having to choose between two fields you're equally passionate about, so I know how hard a decision it must have been! Good luck!

I think it will help immensely if I could look through sample Linguistics SOPs to get an idea of the language, the ratio of past activities vs future research plans, etc. Anyone know of a place I could find such resources?