Canadian Universities

[sevenleagueboot]

This doesn't fit into Classics 100%, but as I am Classically-inclined in my studies, I want to post this question here.

How well is UBC perceived in the field of Classics?

I actually got accepted in the M.A. program in Ancient Culture, Religion and Ethnicity in the Mediterranean and the Near East. If I go to this program, will it hurt my chances for PhD programs in Classics? I am at the point between deciding between the US school (top 20-ish program) where there is no money for me ($35,000 costs) and UBC (rank?) with guaranteed TAship and a scholarship.

I feel pretty lost right now. Help, please?

[sidereal]

Do you have any professors (maybe your referees) that you can ask this question to? I find that my profs are the most accurate source for how a program is perceived in the field, as they are in the field themselves.

[kbatulli]

I would definitely go to UBC. I asked a professor about Universities outside of the States to recommend, and he lumped Cambridge, King's College, St. Andrews, Toronto, and UBC together. He said he was particularly impressed by UBC.

And especially if they are paying you to go there, why would you spend 40 k a year to study in the States?

[sevenleagueboot]

I would definitely go to UBC. I asked a professor about Universities outside of the States to recommend, and he lumped Cambridge, King's College, St. Andrews, Toronto, and UBC together. He said he was particularly impressed by UBC.

And especially if they are paying you to go there, why would you spend 40 k a year to study in the States?

Thank you so much; that makes me feel a lot better. I just needed someone else to spell it out for me.

Do you have any professors (maybe your referees) that you can ask this question to? I find that my profs are the most accurate source for how a program is perceived in the field, as they are in the field themselves.

Thank you, I will do just that when I go to class tomorrow.

[nike of samothrace]

Another thing to keep an eye on - actually, perhaps the most important! - is the reputation of individual professors in the department. If there is anyone particularly well-known there, that is a huge point in UBC's favor. If you could study with that person and perhaps get a recommendation letter when you apply for your PhD, that will help get your foot in the door. Letters from recognizable people are always better than letters from professors no one has ever heard of.

Is Anthony Barrett still there? I almost applied to UBC for my MA. I was really into ancient biography at the time, and I was excited about possibly getting to know him.

[Canadianpolsci]

Toronto is by far the best classics program in Canada and top ten in the world, perhaps top five. You should be sure to check specifically how UBC compares to Toronto.

But for classics, spending 35K on a "top 20ish" school sounds like a bad idea. So I think the choice fairly clear. Be a star in the MA, go up to bat again.

Good luck

[palimpsest]

Speaking of Canadian universities, has anyone heard anything from Toronto? I've seen a couple of posts on the results board but I haven't heard anything myself. My online status still shows "pending."