Linguistics Applicants for Fall 2021

[anhdang6596]

49 minutes ago, iCelestia said:

I'm a newbee in this website. Congrats to those who got in. Ivan, been scrolling through your posts in these 3 pages, I sincerely hope you get in on your other choices. Or your petition is accepted by the committee at IOWA state U

Since there are many prospective linguists here and not many active topics in linguistics forum, I decided to ask my question here. hope it's not absurdly off-topic.

I'm bound to defend my M.A. thesis around september. I live in Iran and my M.A. will be in TEFL (almost equivalent to TESL). My B.A. was the same major. These days I'm browsing linguistic departments websites and gathering information to apply for 2022. My focus is more oriented towards L2 acquisition, CALL, TESOL, etc. 
What do you suppose are best choices in this area for PhD. ?
I've checked uMass Amherst, UCLA, Penn, UMD, and some other websites, TC columbia, NYU Steinhardt and...  even in the UK, Birkbeck and York... .

I found many university faculties are interested in phonetics, semantics, pragmatics, computational L and ..., but not many in L2 acquisition or related areas. 

Any tips for narrowing down choices, or finding relevant programs in PhD?

Hi iCelestia,

You might want to look into Applied Linguistics or Second Language Studies/Acquisition/Teaching programs as those are designed for your area of interest. Look at Georgetown, UC Davis, University of Hawaii Manoa, University of Wisconsin Madison, Georgia State, Penn State, University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, Arizona State, UMass Boston, etc. and you might find some that fit within your subfield.

I'm applying this season with a focus in second language writing and corpus linguistics so you can ask me for more information on the process if you would like.

 

To everyone in this thread, I have been a long time lurker and finally decided to join once I got my first acceptance with full funding. Finger-crossed for everyone applying this season! :) 

[iCelestia]

23 minutes ago, anhdang6596 said:

Hi iCelestia,

You might want to look into Applied Linguistics or Second Language Studies/Acquisition/Teaching programs as those are designed for your area of interest. Look at Georgetown, UC Davis, University of Hawaii Manoa, University of Wisconsin Madison, Georgia State, Penn State, University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, Arizona State, UMass Boston, etc. and you might find some that fit within your subfield.

I'm applying this season with a focus in second language writing and corpus linguistics so you can ask me for more information on the process if you would like.

 

To everyone in this thread, I have been a long time lurker and finally decided to join once I got my first acceptance with full funding. Finger-crossed for everyone applying this season!

Many thanks anhdang. It was definitely helpful. For one, I was lurking around UCLA's website hopelessly and I now I see their SLA center is Davis!
Because of a huge difference in our currency( like an application fee being equal to a month's salary in Iran), my priority would be on Fully funded programs. Are any of your recommendations famous for their full stipends all the way? 
 

[paulacole]

Oh no, @IvanC, I'm so sorry to hear this! That just feels so unfair. I hope they can give you a better explanation at least so you know how they evaluated. 

Obviously not ideal, but if there are specific requirements that they say you are missing on your transcript, perhaps you could suggest that you make up any gaps during enrollment? i.e. take some additional courses over the summer or during your first year in the program. I have definitely heard of that at other institutions offering that option (CU-Boulder mentions it in their PhD eligibility requirements)

[goodvibesandall]

Ivan, 

I've been lurking on this forum this whole cycle and I made an account just to tell you that I've got my fingers crossed for you! I hope there is nothing but good news in your future. You have put so much positive energy into this very stressful process and I think any dept will be lucky to have you!

[anhdang6596]

13 hours ago, iCelestia said:

Many thanks anhdang. It was definitely helpful. For one, I was lurking around UCLA's website hopelessly and I now I see their SLA center is Davis!
Because of a huge difference in our currency( like an application fee being equal to a month's salary in Iran), my priority would be on Fully funded programs. Are any of your recommendations famous for their full stipends all the way? 
 

All of them should have full funding through assistantships. It's competitive though, since the acceptance rate tends to be between 4-7%. But if you get in, you're usually guaranteed with funding (for PhD students, not sure how that looks like for MA).

[JessC]

Hey @IvanC

Im sorry to hear about this. When I was looking into the Linguistics master program at UCM in Madrid they required an "Homologación de títulos extranjeros de educación superior" It essentially translates and equates your degree to a degree in the country in question, in this case it was Spain. I wonder if there is something similar that can be done in the US. Maybe someone at UAM or at the Brazilian Consulate can help you find information to see if it's available to you. I'm shocked they would rescind your offer after getting so far. I'm sorry this happened to you! 

Edited February 17, 2021 by JessC

[JessC]

@IvanC I would definitely try to talk to them about deferring until you have this situation figured out especially since its your top school! Like @paulacole suggested maybe you can complete the credits you need for them to consider your undergrad degree in the gap year. From the outside looking in, I think they might be skeptical of your degree only taking 3 years to complete (in the US you need a certain amount of credits to graduate ~130 or more, and that usually takes 4 years). I would also look into explaining to them why your degree only took 3 years and show them the amount of credits you completed. 

[IvanC]

On 2/16/2021 at 4:34 AM, iCelestia said:

I'm a newbee in this website. Congrats to those who got in. Ivan, been scrolling through your posts in these 3 pages, I sincerely hope you get in on your other choices. Or your petition is accepted by the committee at IOWA state U

Since there are many prospective linguists here and not many active topics in linguistics forum, I decided to ask my question here. hope it's not absurdly off-topic.

I'm bound to defend my M.A. thesis around september. I live in Iran and my M.A. will be in TEFL (almost equivalent to TESL). My B.A. was the same major. These days I'm browsing linguistic departments websites and gathering information to apply for 2022. My focus is more oriented towards L2 acquisition, CALL, TESOL, etc. 
What do you suppose are best choices in this area for PhD. ?
I've checked uMass Amherst, UCLA, Penn, UMD, and some other websites, TC columbia, NYU Steinhardt and...  even in the UK, Birkbeck and York... .

I found many university faculties are interested in phonetics, semantics, pragmatics, computational L and ..., but not many in L2 acquisition or related areas. 

Any tips for narrowing down choices, or finding relevant programs in PhD?

Thanks, brother! I was hopeless about my acceptance to Iowa State, but something has just happened. My university in Brazil issued a document that says I enrolled in a 4-year program but graduated in 3 years because I took more courses. I had already said that, but I believe my word isn’t enough. 

[IvanC]

On 2/16/2021 at 2:30 PM, paulacole said:

Oh no, @IvanC, I'm so sorry to hear this! That just feels so unfair. I hope they can give you a better explanation at least so you know how they evaluated. 

Obviously not ideal, but if there are specific requirements that they say you are missing on your transcript, perhaps you could suggest that you make up any gaps during enrollment? i.e. take some additional courses over the summer or during your first year in the program. I have definitely heard of that at other institutions offering that option (CU-Boulder mentions it in their PhD eligibility requirements)

Thanks, Paula. I actually asked them if I could take extra courses but they said taking extra courses at ISU would not be an option because ISU would not be awarding me an undergraduate degree (unless I apply for a new four-year BA degree and start all over again, but that's not what I’m   proposing). From what I understood, the problem wasn’t the number of hours/credits, but the time I spent in college. I’m guess they believed my BA was a pre-baccalaureate or something. But it doesn’t even exist in Brazil. If you don’t complete your program, you won’t even be awarded a degree. The system here is completely different. 

[IvanC]

On 2/16/2021 at 11:21 PM, JessC said:

Hey @IvanC

Im sorry to hear about this. When I was looking into the Linguistics master program at UCM in Madrid they required an "Homologación de títulos extranjeros de educación superior" It essentially translates and equates your degree to a degree in the country in question, in this case it was Spain. I wonder if there is something similar that can be done in the US. Maybe someone at UAM or at the Brazilian Consulate can help you find information to see if it's available to you. I'm shocked they would rescind your offer after getting so far. I'm sorry this happened to you! 

? I believe this “Homologacion de títulos extranjeros de educacion superior” is the same as WES or any other credential evaluation company in the US. So, Iowa doesn’t accept these evaluations, they have their own evaluators. 

I don’t think their evaluators are bad, but they don’t understand anything about the educational system in Brazil. For example, they compare my program (that I started in 2016) to the program nowadays, and yes, they’re completely different because the Ministry of Education messed everything up in 2018. 
 

UAM is helping me now. I still have hope! 
Thanks for the kind words! 

[IvanC]

On 2/16/2021 at 11:26 PM, JessC said:

@IvanC I would definitely try to talk to them about deferring until you have this situation figured out especially since its your top school! Like @paulacole suggested maybe you can complete the credits you need for them to consider your undergrad degree in the gap year. From the outside looking in, I think they might be skeptical of your degree only taking 3 years to complete (in the US you need a certain amount of credits to graduate ~130 or more, and that usually takes 4 years). I would also look into explaining to them why your degree only took 3 years and show them the amount of credits you completed. 

The Registrar of UAM issued a new document that says I was enrolled in a full 4-year program, but I took more courses/credits every semester and was able to graduate in 3 years instead of 4 years. 

I just hope this is sufficient documentation! 

[IvanC]

On 2/16/2021 at 4:08 PM, goodvibesandall said:

Ivan, 

I've been lurking on this forum this whole cycle and I made an account just to tell you that I've got my fingers crossed for you! I hope there is nothing but good news in your future. You have put so much positive energy into this very stressful process and I think any dept will be lucky to have you!

???

This is really kind of you! Thank you so much! God bless you! 
 

[AnxiousBeaver]

9 minutes ago, IvanC said:

The Registrar of UAM issued a new document that says I was enrolled in a full 4-year program, but I took more courses/credits every semester and was able to graduate in 3 years instead of 4 years. 

I just hope this is sufficient documentation! 

I think that it is the fact that you are coming from an International institution that is making the review more difficult for you... which should not be the case and in all honesty sounds a bit discriminatory to me . Maybe I misunderstand but If the issue is with the number of years it took... Graduating early does not take away from the fact that you have a degree from a 4 year institution no?? I hope this works out for you

[IvanC]

8 minutes ago, AnxiousBeaver said:

I think that it is the fact that you are coming from an International institution that is making the review more difficult for you... which should not be the case and in all honesty sounds a bit discriminatory to me . Maybe I misunderstand but If the issue is with the number of years it took... Graduating early does not take away from the fact that you have a degree from a 4 year institution no?? I hope this works out for you

Exactly! My bachelor’s degree is a normal 4-year degree. This is all wrong! ?

But I hope they change their minds after they read the letter the registrar wrote yesterday. 

[Saina92]

19 hours ago, IvanC said:

Just an update: 

Here’s the email I sent yesterday: 

Dear Mark,

In your email, you have stated the following: "If you have additional information showing your Bachelor’s degree program was a four year program when you were enrolled, we will review your application again."

Therefore I am writing to ask that you please reconsider your decision with regards to my admission case given the additional information about my degree that is provided in the attached letter from A. S., Registrar of University Anhembi Morumbi. As you requested, this letter certifies that my Bachelor's degree program was a four year program when I was enrolled.

Best,

Ivan Crespo

The letter says: 

To whom it may concern:

I am writing this letter to certify that the degree Mr. IVAN CRESPO received from University Anhembi Morumbi is a full four-year LICENCIATURA/BACHELOR’s degree that required a minimum of 2840 credit hours when Mr. Crespo was enrolled at our university. Our students have the option to finish the LICENCIATURA degree sooner than in four years if they take more courses per semester. Mr. Crespo took more courses per semester than other students and was able to graduate with the four-year LICENCIATURA degree in three years' time instead of four years.

If you have any questions, please contact me at xcopacabana@xxxxxx or Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana, 690 - Rio de Janeiro or +55(21)xxxxxxx(Portuguese).

Sincerely,

AS
Registrar - Diretora e Coordenadora de Polo.

And that’s their reply:

Hello Ivan,

 

The graduate admissions evaluators have completed another extensive review of your credentials.  We still do not see your degree to be comparable to a four year degree in the U.S.

 

We also called in our resource from Brazil, who is on staff at Iowa State.  She is our former Assistant Director of International Admissions Processing.  After reviewing all of your documents and navigating through websites she did not find your degree to be equivalent to a four year degree in the U.S.

 

At this point, you may want to pursue studying at another university.  It’s possible another university may accept your degree, but it is not accepted for admission to the graduate program at Iowa State University.

 

We wish you the best,

 

MARK GILBERTSON  Assistant Director of Admissions Operations 

markg@iastate.edu | 515 294-4865

 

 

Office of Admissions

 It’s sad but I gave up. I now have only 2 chances: 

UIUC

University of Alabama 

I do hope they accept my degree ???

Hi Ivanc,

 

This is the first time I am commenting in this section since I am a newcomer! I have also applied for a position at some universities in Canada and understand how it feels to get rejected when you are almost sure you will get in. As an international applicant, I have had the same experience as yours recently and I want to tell you not to doubt your abilities and strengths. Stay strong and never lose your hope. I hope you will get accepted at the other universities you have applied for.

Best wishes

[AnxiousBeaver]

20 hours ago, IvanC said:

Just an update: 

Here’s the email I sent yesterday: 

Dear Mark,

In your email, you have stated the following: "If you have additional information showing your Bachelor’s degree program was a four year program when you were enrolled, we will review your application again."

Therefore I am writing to ask that you please reconsider your decision with regards to my admission case given the additional information about my degree that is provided in the attached letter from A. S., Registrar of University Anhembi Morumbi. As you requested, this letter certifies that my Bachelor's degree program was a four year program when I was enrolled.

Best,

Ivan Crespo

The letter says: 

To whom it may concern:

I am writing this letter to certify that the degree Mr. IVAN CRESPO received from University Anhembi Morumbi is a full four-year LICENCIATURA/BACHELOR’s degree that required a minimum of 2840 credit hours when Mr. Crespo was enrolled at our university. Our students have the option to finish the LICENCIATURA degree sooner than in four years if they take more courses per semester. Mr. Crespo took more courses per semester than other students and was able to graduate with the four-year LICENCIATURA degree in three years' time instead of four years.

If you have any questions, please contact me at xcopacabana@xxxxxx or Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana, 690 - Rio de Janeiro or +55(21)xxxxxxx(Portuguese).

Sincerely,

AS
Registrar - Diretora e Coordenadora de Polo.

And that’s their reply:

Hello Ivan,

 

The graduate admissions evaluators have completed another extensive review of your credentials.  We still do not see your degree to be comparable to a four year degree in the U.S.

 

We also called in our resource from Brazil, who is on staff at Iowa State.  She is our former Assistant Director of International Admissions Processing.  After reviewing all of your documents and navigating through websites she did not find your degree to be equivalent to a four year degree in the U.S.

 

At this point, you may want to pursue studying at another university.  It’s possible another university may accept your degree, but it is not accepted for admission to the graduate program at Iowa State University.

 

We wish you the best,

 

MARK GILBERTSON  Assistant Director of Admissions Operations 

markg@iastate.edu | 515 294-4865

 

 

Office of Admissions

 It’s sad but I gave up. I now have only 2 chances: 

UIUC

University of Alabama 

I do hope they accept my degree ???

so sorry Ivan but very proud of you for advocating for yourself! It is good to question things that dont seem right, definitely dont give up and continue to fight for what you know u deserve! 

[IvanC]

7 hours ago, Saina92 said:

Hi Ivanc,

 

This is the first time I am commenting in this section since I am a newcomer! I have also applied for a position at some universities in Canada and understand how it feels to get rejected when you are almost sure you will get in. As an international applicant, I have had the same experience as yours recently and I want to tell you not to doubt your abilities and strengths. Stay strong and never lose your hope. I hope you will get accepted at the other universities you have applied for.

Best wishes

Hi Saina ??‍♂️
 

I’m so really sorry to hear your received a rejection. It really sucks ?

I don’t know if you have received an offer yet, but I also hope you’re accepted at other schools. 
 

Thanks for your words!

[IvanC]

7 hours ago, AnxiousBeaver said:

so sorry Ivan but very proud of you for advocating for yourself! It is good to question things that dont seem right, definitely dont give up and continue to fight for what you know u deserve! 

Thanks! It’s been super hard. I haven’t slept well since Monday, but there’s still hope! I won’t give up! 
 

 

[Saina92]

5 hours ago, IvanC said:

Hi Saina ??‍♂️
 

I’m so really sorry to hear your received a rejection. It really sucks ?

I don’t know if you have received an offer yet, but I also hope you’re accepted at other schools. 
 

Thanks for your words!

Thank you very much Ivan. Unfortunately, I have not received any offers yet. Still waiting to see what happens and this waiting time is such a torture tbh ☹️

Fingers crossed 

[IvanC]

11 minutes ago, Saina92 said:

Thank you very much Ivan. Unfortunately, I have not received any offers yet. Still waiting to see what happens and this waiting time is such a torture tbh ☹️

Fingers crossed 

Yes, this waiting is killing me!!!! Stay strong, everything happens for a reason. 
Easier said than done, I know ?

[Stella0906]

Hi there,

Does anyone hear anything from ISU? 

[IvanC]

4 hours ago, Stella0906 said:

Hi there,

Does anyone hear anything from ISU? 

ISU = Iowa State University? 

I have heard from them. I was unofficially accepted on a Thursday and rejected on a Monday. I’m really disappointed. 
 

(see the posts above) 

[Stella0906]

5 minutes ago, IvanC said:

ISU = Iowa State University? 

I have heard from them. I was unofficially accepted on a Thursday and rejected on a Monday. I’m really disappointed. 
 

(see the posts above) 

Oh, I am sorry to hear that. 

I have not heard from Iowa State University so far. I am applying to the PhD program. 

[IvanC]

Just now, Stella0906 said:

Oh, I am sorry to hear that. 

I have not heard from Iowa State University so far. I am applying to the PhD program. 

You will hear from them soon. I only heard before because I submitted my application in October. Good luck! You’ll love that department. It’s just a pity the grad school didn’t accept my transcript! It’s a nightmare,  I don’t want to hear again the word “Iowa” for the next few years.... ???

[IvanC]

7 minutes ago, Stella0906 said:

Oh, I am sorry to hear that. 

I have not heard from Iowa State University so far. I am applying to the PhD program. 

One last thing: you can definitely email Dr. E. to ask for updates on your status. Dr. E is awesome and he does his best to help everyone.