aec09g
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Posts posted by aec09g
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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?
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How long should the writing sample be, and is it okay if it is not completely related to your topic? For example, I plan on applying for French Colonial History (with the intent of focusing on Haiti). The paper I'm thinking of using for my writing sample is about 18 pages long and is about Vichy France. I like it, because the essay displays my ability to use documents written in French as a part of my research.
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.
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I think the best way forward is one where your professors and other rec letter writers recognize your strengths as a historian and don't focus on the specific subfield. Correct me if I'm totally off base here, but my recommenders wrote more about my research in generalized terms than ever getting into the specifics of what I actually researched.
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.
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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!
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I ended up accepting the offer for Columbia's PhD in EALC! In the end, it was overall the best fit for me in terms of faculty as well as location and funding. Really excited and can't wait for the fall!!
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!
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Anyone looking for a roommate? I'll be at USC but I want to live in Palms/Culver City, which seems to be the cheapest relatively nice & safe area anywhere near USC. I believe it's 4-5 miles from UCLA.
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.
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AAS Annual Conference would make the most sense.
I attended last year in Toronto, which was a great opportunity to network with professors and other grad students. It was in San Diego this year, but I had to miss it due to thesis work. Next year is in Philadelphia, and I certainly will be attending!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!
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Finally made my decision on Saturday. It was rough, but I'll be attending UCI as an East Asian Studies PhD student. Good luck at UCLA, aec09g
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. (:
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However, at the end of the day, a lot of it depends on you. If you want a job, you have to go in there from day one thinking about the job market and what makes you a good hire. A lot of it involves networking, CV building, etc. Don't expect the school to place you without doing any work.
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. (;
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I think we are haha. I talked to the program adviser yesterday and she did seem extremely helpful and kind. I'm not sure if I'll be accepting their offer, since I just got a very tempting funding offer for a PhD at UCI. But either way, it appears we will be heading to the same area
Edited because I almost forgot to say congratulations!! And at least next year you'll be ready for this torture cycle lol
I can understand your dilemma. (;
If you go, I'll definitely meet you though. Apparently there is a "planned" cohort of 10.
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Does anyone know when grad orientation is? Does it differ by department?
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.
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Hi aec09g, I don't mean to butt into your conversation, but I was wondering which program will you be attending at UCLA? I'm curious because you mentioned it's a one year program, and I'm considering accepting an offer to their East Asian Studies terminal MA program but I'm a bit unclear as to the time frame of the program.
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.
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Awesome! Any money is good money for an MA.
Congrats!Haha, not too nervous. The last two moves I did were to unseen cities in different countries (Yokohama and Edmonton), but at least LA is back in the US and I've visited. Does UCLA offer on-campus apartments for grad students? I'm in a campus apartment now for my MA and it's great. I'll be looking off-campus though since I'll be in LA for at least three years before I head off for dissertation work. Plus I'm planning on buying a car, so no real reason for me to be on-campus.
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.
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Officially accepted USC's offer, so looks like I'm heading to LA as well.
Maybe I'll see you around aec09g, since a lot of USC students take courses at UCLA too.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. /:
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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?
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I know that Florida State funds at least 1 MA per cohort, but I think it might even be 2.
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.
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I applied too, but have not heard anything from Columbia yet, anyway I am not attending even they admitted me coz I heard the Columbia one is pretty unselective Congrats anyway
Did you apply Harvard too ?Hi everyone! Just got my acceptance to Columbia University for their East Asian Languages & Cultures MA program. No funding
but whatever. Anyone else heard back from Columbia?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.
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Hi everyone! Quick question. I am interested in researching Chinese literature eventually, but I'm not at that level yet. I want to get into an Asian Studies master's program so that I can improve my language level and take literature classes, Does anyone know how many years of Chinese I need to have in order to get into such a program?
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.
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I struggle with this too! But I think I've decided that I'll just have to love contemporary Japanese literature as a part of my life but not my career, while I study East Asian art history. But being on cloud 9 after that dinner does indicate a passion in the political side, etc! So you'd probably be happy in either!
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?
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Thanks for the fast response. I haven't really thought about MA programs because I'm quite sure I could afford to go if I didn't get funding. My LORs are really solid, both are top experts in their field and both have personally invited me to do work with them while I was at Georgetown. Both keep in contact with me even after I left and they both said they have an interest in my future. One even said that if I decided to join the foreign service corps he could guarantee me a position in whatever embassy I wanted to go to. So I couldn't really ask for more from them. I took some culture classes when I went abroad to Japan and China. I enrolled at Tokyo University for a semester at Zhejiang University for a semester. In Zhejiang I enrolled in the Chinese literature department. The thing is is that I do like politics and I know that if I chose that path I would have a really solid future. But at the same time I'd rather publish collections of Chinese and Japanese folktales and ghost stories
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. (;
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Hi everyone I'm applying to PhD programs next year but I have a few questions. Will I be more competitive for admissions if I don't need language grants? I've been studying Korean and Chinese since I was seven years old because my parents thought (correctly) that Asia is the future and have native level in both of them now . I was curious if a department would find me more competitive because they would save money on me. Also what would I be more competitive for? I originally was planning on doing a PhD in comparative east asian politics my undergraduate degree is in International Relations from Georgetown's WSFS and I have been working for a defense contractor for the past 2 years. But my heart is really set on folklore. But since I have no degree in anthropology or literature I am worried that I won't be taken seriously. My gpa from georgetown was a 3.7 and my GRE is very high. I already made a list of universities I plan to apply to next year but I'm really getting anxious about all of this.
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. /:
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When I applied two years ago, I heard absolutely nothing from the program until I got my acceptance near the end of March. I wouldn't write them off yet; the MAs at the Ivys tend to come later than other offers.
Did you hear about any funding from UCLA?
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.
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Not too early at all! Thank you for starting this!
I've been an observer of this site for a while and decided it's finally time to get involved
I'm currently looking at around 10 progams. I've visited six of them and met with three potential advisers and/or grad counselors (@ Columbia, Berkeley, UCLA). Has anyone else done this? I'm a compulsive planner so I felt it necessary to understand the feel of the program. My research interests lie broadly in early modern Europe and more specifically in the implications of reformation in the Tudor age.
Couple of things I've run across that I wonder if any of you have encountered/have opinions on:
- negativity from faculty re: job prospects after receiving a PhD
- programs that want to you focus on one specific area of research vs. programs that require you have several fields (potentially including a field outside of history)
All best to everyone!
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.
This is so true - my advisor, who did research on job placement rates for the AHA talked about this recently. He said in one year he'd looked at, 1070 phds were granted and only 270ish jobs were posted. But the competition for people in good programs isn't really that dire because some 600 people come from programs that are simply not competitive and whose students will never get jobs.
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.
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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. /:
Asian Studies 2014
in Interdisciplinary Studies
Posted
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!