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I'm at UCLA's East Asian Studies MA program. If that's the one you are on the fence about, feel free to shoot me an email. I'd be happy to answer questions!

I'm actually Japanese history, more so focused on cultural and media, but pop into Interdisciplinary Studies, there is an Asian Studies thread each application year, if you want to chat with people interested in similar programs. Maybe they can be more useful. As for a review, since I'm interested in Japanese history, I really don't have the know how for Chinese history programs off the top of my head. However, this is how I've gauged programs from a Japanese history prospective. Compare faculty (how many in your field? what are their primary interests? 17th century or earlier?) and comparing program strengths (smaller classes? diverse courses? more language options? strong, competitive in Asian history?). A lot of schools have a page full of "what they are looking for" or "what the program is." Those can tell if you pretty easily if you would fit with the program or if the program even matches what your goals are. I scratched University of Michigan, University of Chicago, and Duke off my list that way. No wasted money on programs that just would not have faculty or programs suited to me. Another great way to get your schools shortened is by talking to your People of Interest (POI). Send an email, set up a phone call, and talk about the program. I scratched three off last year, because faculty member was moving/full/retiring. Another two I scratched after a phone call. As for competitive programs, well, in Asian fields, I find it is normally bigger schools that most people know the names of, i.e. Yale, Princeton, Harvard, Berkeley, etc. that have these kinds of programs. Smaller schools you can rank based off of faculty. If there's only one or two Asian historians, then maybe the program is not good. Be honest when you contact your POI about your goals, because half of the people you talk to will give you the "don't go into history" speech and a POI will tell you if your goals won't be met by going to his program. (It happened to me. xd) Lastly, I saw that you want to apply to a lot of places, which I understand spreading the net far. Just remember to stay organized and personalized. You don't want School X to hear about how you love qualities A, B & C, which are at another school. Ya know?

All of my programs were vastly different in length, and each of them will say so under their prospective student section. The maximum range went from 5 pages at one program to another's "no limit." As for topic: I chose something similar but not quite what I want to do as my writing sample, because it was an excerpt from my undergraduate thesis and showed a lot of the critical analysis I had done. However, this year I do not intend on using the same writing sample and, in fact, want to tailor my writing samples to each program. This is because I'm going to be hopping between History PhD programs and a lot of interdisciplinary East Asian programs, so I want to make sure that my capabilities are clear to the committee. (: The point is: what do you think is your absolute best work? Off topic? Prove how it relates to what you are now and the positives.

I definitely agree. As someone who is interested in cultural history revolving around media and race & gender studies, I tend to fall into a few different niche programs, which span from History to East Asian Languages & Cultures. LoRs are all about saying, "I like this person, and I think they will succeed, because x, y, and z." I feel like our SOP is more for where our research is going and the value of that research is judged by the application committee, but for quality of an applicant that can't be determined by writing sample or SOP, then LoR offers a bit of insight. Bonus points, if famous of if someone on the committee knows them. Speaking of SOP I feel so much better about this application cycle's version that while not finished at all I definitely know what I want to do 300% more than what I thought was specific last year.

1. What program are you applying to (MA/PhD/Other)? My problem is that I'm so interested in media studies in relation to modern Japan that I bump around through programs, trying to ensure that the program and the faculty would be a good fit, and it'll be East Asian Studies [or insert interdisciplinary program name] and some History PhD programs that work well with my interests. 2. Where are you applying or thinking of applying? My list fluctuates for PhD programs on a daily basis, but I want to finalize by early September. I know I will apply to History (PhD) at UCLA, History (PhD) at UW-Madison, and University of Minnesota (Asian Literature, Cultures and Media). The rest are too uncertain as of right now. 3. Background information (undergrad, major, etcetc) History and Japanese Language and Culture, undergraduate. East Asian studies, MA (earning currently). 4. Fun fact unrelated to grad school Hm, I'm bad at thinking of these things... but I'm a big fan of a South Korean variety show called Running Man. It's a semi-fun fact? (; Good luck to everyone!

Fun! I loved talking to the professors in the program. It seemed like a good environment. So you should have lots of fun there. Good luck apartment hunting!

I'm in the market actually for a roommate. I'll send you an email, and maybe we'd be interested in the same kind of thing? If anyone else is looking and is interested, I'd love to have you email me as well.

That is very cool. I will have to see where I'm at after the move to Los Angeles financially speaking, of course. But that would be amazingly fun. I've only been to the American Historical Association conference, where there were a few Asian enthusiasts, but not many at all. Plus, I've never been to Philadelphia!

Thanks. (; Maybe all of us someday can meet each other at a conference. I only know of history conference, but if there are any that come up in Asian studies, I would be very much interested in attending. (:

I have an adviser who constantly reminds me of this. Take every conference you can speak at or attend, and network like its your best friend. Every time I talk to this professor about something he knows someone in the field or an editor at a publishing house, et cetera. Networking is just a huge part of academia. How else do you think Dr. X did a co-edit on Book Y with Dr. X? They happened to know each other from a conference or university. These kind of things can give you a huge boost in the end. I think you also have to have a real understanding on your part what you want. Do you want to eventually be head of a department or running an institute at the university? Teaching only? Then doing all the work you need to do for your CV that makes you a worthwhile candidate. But that's just my two cents. (;

I can understand your dilemma. (; If you go, I'll definitely meet you though. Apparently there is a "planned" cohort of 10.

I haven't heard a thing about a grad orientation, but I know my department is small and interdisciplinary, so it's less likely that there will be one for its department if it's by department. I did quick search of UCLA's website but found nothing regarding an orientation for graduate students except for one made for specifically international graduate students. Anyways, has anyone else figured out where they are living? I'm choosing off campus housing. Pricing is just so much cheaper, and I intend to bus to school, with the full knowledge that I will be getting up and leaving my house way earlier than my classes start.

Ack. Technically it's a two year program, and it's the East Asian Studies program. But after talking to the adviser for the program, I discovered that some incoming students can complete the program within a year's time. The graduating requirements is having three years of an Asian language and nine courses that match requirements. I've already done three years of Japanese, so I've satisfied that. And since UCLA is on a quarter system, it is perfectly do-able to have 3 courses for the 3 quarters in the year. Meaning 9 courses completed in a year. So anyways, it's two years, but apparently students are accepted who do complete the program within a year. I'd be very interested to know if you are thinking of the same program and if you go! Oh, and you should call the program adviser like I did. She was very helpful, and I think she works very hard to make sure her "students" are taken care of. I was sort of surprised by it. Last but not least, I'm going to go and officially accept UCLA today. (; And start stressing over the fact that I'm still going to be part of the application cycle this upcoming fall.

There is a grad student housing, and because I'm out of state, I'm from what I understand guarantee a spot. I did the math though, and it'd save me a bit if I was off campus even though I'd be there for just a year. Plus, parking is expensive! Somewhere around 250 for each quarter. So I think off campus near a bus route, and I will plan to take the bus very early before class. And I've been to LA once before. It was only for a day; I've spent more time in San Francisco and San Diego. But I think it'd be exciting to live in LA. I love being in big cities, and the middle sized city I'm in now just seems dull.

We may! I talked to the offices today about the program and found out with my background the two year program can easily be one year. And they offered me more money. Not full still since I'm out of state, but it's a good money offer. Now I'm almost full steam ahead. I want to run a few things by my adviser, who has been such a huge aid for me this year. But I'd be excited to see you in LA. You nervous about moving there and finding a place? I'm actually considering on campus. The difference is bare-able enough that it might be worth it, though I thought I'd never do a dorm again. /:

We've been pretty inactive here as of late, but I figured I'd pop in. UCLA offered me a bit of funding, so now I'm trying to work out how much debt is the max for a two year master's program. Decisions like this are really hard to make. I never expected to be in such turmoil. But since April 15th is flying fast towards us, is anyone else struggling to decide things or has everyone made up their minds?

I attended FSU as an undergraduate. I can concur that there were at least 2 fully funded acceptances last fall in the MA cohort. 2 other accepted students received some funding. 1 person was accepted with no funding, but his POI fought for sort of a work study funding at the program. However, that's really unlikely, unless you have a POI that is really willing to fight for you. I know this POI was quite angry that this person was not accepted with funding.

No news from Columbia as well. If I got in, I do have a POI who did work there and it sounded like she'd help me out in figuring out finances if accepted. But I hold little hope, since a different POI sent in his LOR literally 3 weeks late... /: So I sent an email to my POI at UCLA a week ago, and I've had no response. I know this week is exam week for the students there. At what point in time should I just send an email to the program instead of my POI about questions? I feel so impatient, but pre-exam and exam week are generally busy for professors, so I assumed that's the reason he hasn't responded yet. I guess I should just wait some more.

Any master's program that I contacted/read their program's information said three years of study. Some said that three years were expected. Others said that three or more would be great but they'd do less if well qualified. It depends on each program I think. But I think having three years should make your eligible for a large percent of programs.

That's a great point. Just because we have to focus in on an interest doesn't mean we have to give up on our other loves. That reminds me. I feel like this is an excellent time to just ask, because I've running it over in my head several times. I've always planned on getting a PhD in History because I assumed that was the only way I could get to my end goal--teaching and researching at a college. However, after a lot of prodding from my LOR/adviser, I've been wondering if I could accomplish the same goal by earning a PhD in an East Asian Studies or East Asian Languages and Culture program. My research interests are twentieth century social history in Japan, so it kind of works for both programs. So my question, what sort of placements do East Asian Studies/EALAC PhDs get? What/where are their jobs?

No problem. I lurk here often during this application cycle. Looking for other peoples news and distracting myself, while I wait to see if I have a funding offer. I understand your uncertainty. I started getting very interested in media as of the last year, and I've normally had a strong focus on social history in Japan, so this growing interest in manga and the arts. Or kamishibai. It's a lot of blending on fields, so I'm struggling to find a way to use both and have them complement each other. /: Anyways, your LORs sound fantastic, and your background abroad with culture classes could be nice bonuses. I think the best way to see what you want to do is talk things over with a LOR you trust most. I talked with my undergraduate thesis adviser (LOR writer) and a new faculty member I became close to after the application cycle about how they felt about my plan for the future, what programs would be best for me, et cetera. Also, talking with POIs was such a huge eye opener for me into understanding the program and what they want. Long story short. It sounds like you are making a lot of headway, but start talking to POIs that you may not work with at a school/program but are in your field of interest. Ask for advice; reach out. Most are nice, informative and happy to give some advice, and if they aren't, they ignore your email. Besides, if things go well, they may be future colleagues! Oh, and it gives you an excuse to talk to a scholar that you may have had a fan girl style crush on his research. And then you freak out when said scholar responds and tell that your project X sounds really interesting and that you should consider talking to scholar Y and Z. (;

I don't think they will think you are "saving them money." More so just saving them time in the PhD earning process. fluency is a great thing to have, especially in two languages. If those are the two areas you want to focus your interests on. Having graduated from Georgetown, with high a GPA, and a good GRE score are good bonuses to your application. Have you done research? Do you want to do research? What do your LORs look like? (side note: when you apply, make sure they are aware of what you want as well. Provide a SOP if you'd like.) International Relations is what I would consider a pretty much a political, diplomatic study of the twentieth/twenty-first century. So it would be a good background for anyone who wants to do comparative East Asian politics. However, I think you should always do the thing you are most interested in. You don't want to get into a long program and absolutely hate what you are doing with your life and burn out. Besides, just because your undergraduate program doesn't match up with what you really want, that doesn't mean you can't do it. I had a friend who got into (admittedly) a low but still tier 1 history PhD program but working under someone rather famous in the field who graduated with a degree in Psychology. 'Besides you have a SOP area where you can explain how your background fits and complements your current interests/goals. You have fluency to study folklore which is great A+. If you never took any culture, anthropological, literature, folklore, film, et cetera classes and have done zero research in the area, it will not look very good. I admit that entrance to a PhD program on that basis is shakey. If you wrote a kick ass writing sample with research on that area, it would be better-ish chances. A MA program might rectify this, but I'm not really sure. Of course this is all speculation. Anyone else can chime in here for their POV. A lot of this has to do with you. Your interests are your interests. Find out what you want to do with your interests, specifically. Then figure out what kind of programs could get you to the end goal. Because in the end your competitiveness as an applicant really depends on the kind of program you apply to. Oh, and if you have a list of programs you like, once you figure out your plan of what you want do, start contacting your POIs and start asking them for advice for your scholastic career. How to reach goal X and Y, and how you think working them might you help you achieve Z. POIs can really let you know if a program is or is not for you, pretty fast. If you can't determine that based on the website's available information that is. All right, I'm done. Sorry I'm long winded and probably tangent-y. /:

No, not yet. I'm going to have to email them and see what funding options are available to me. I keep telling myself I'll do it tomorrow. I'll do it tomorrow. But I'm a little scared of hearing the news. I'll have time to sit down and write an educated email this weekend since spring break is starting up. So I'll just have to force myself to deal with the issue.

I think that is a solid start. I talked to all of my POIs over late summer/early fall and had built barely any relationship with them. It was something I really regretted for this application cycle. A faculty member who knew me better might defend me during application season. So I think you're at a good start. Have you talked with them regarding what they expect out of an application? If your POIs are taking students and their funding options? I always interrogate regarding languages and what options I have/don't have. That's just me though. (: But negativity towards new PhDs is something you will hear about a bajillion times from faculty. Most seem to feel that they need to give you this talk because they don't want you to throw away your time and money on something that has no jobs in the end. However, I've had some great advice come from these talks. I had a POI that I emailed (and then discovered was retiring) who gave me a full 3 page email about problems in the field, how I should approach getting into Japanese history and learning the language, scholars that were close to my interests/felt I would jive with, and such. Area of interest wise I got nothing quite like that. I did get asked, at quite the detailed level, what I'd like to do for a long research assignment/dissertation. I gave a vague answer and then got pestered for more information. Afterwards I was kicking myself for not having a more solidified decision about my dissertation ideas. /: so yeah, learn from my folly. That's just sad. Thankfully most of the crappy programs don't have Asian historians/options for PhD in Japanese history, so I have less of an ability to be trapped into a bad PhD program . . . I hope. Anyways, once the last of my programs from this season gets back and I received word regarding funding, I'll know if I'm doing a program or not this year. So I'll be able to plan my application list for next year in April I believe. I'd start communicating early May with my programs. I think I'd aim for say, 5-7 range. UCLA, UW-Madison, Columbia are high on the list.

Is anyone else waiting to hear back from Columbia's EALAC Master's Program? Even though the news generally comes around this time, I feel like the lack of communication from them (plus, a late POI letter) really put me out of the running. Also, what is the form for asking about funding when you get accepted? Should I email the program coordinator or my POI/person who emailed me my acceptance? I don't want to sound demanding about money and funding. /: