Princeton Doctorate program: Good or Bad?

[HaruNoKaze]

I have compiled a list of doctorate programs I'm applying to this fall, but I've noticed not many people on the forums mention Princeton in posts/comments. So I'm wondering if there is something about this program that is less desirable that I don't know about, besides the fact I've been told most of the undergrad students there are very pretentious (says a student from Brown lol). I'm interested in their East Asian and theory studies, but just wondering if there is something worth avoiding, or why very few people mention Princeton. Does anyone on here go to Princeton?

[ZeeMore21]

Perhaps there aren't that many current Princeton students on this forum? I think this may be the reason why you don't see Princeton come up that often. I,too, have noticed that Princeton really doesn't come up. I do hope you do get the information you need about this program. I did apply to Princeton this cycle but got wait-listed. I definitely would have attended Princeton if I had gotten in, it is a very strong English program.

[Phil Sparrow]

Are you applying for English/comp lit/a national language, or some kind of East Asian studies program? Because, as I'm sure you know, it's not about the institution itself, but the program. So even if you get answers of "good" or "bad," those judgments may not apply to the program that interests you. We may be able to provide you with better answers if you're more specific about the program that you're aiming for.

[truckbasket]

They certainly have the name recognition.

Although I applied (and was rejected) the program wasn't as good a fit for me as some of the others I looked at. With that said, their funding is phenomenal and their placement record is fantastic. Also, I know a couple of grads who are both teaching in great programs now, and they told me that out of all the Ivies, Princeton is the most kick-back and gives it's students more autonomy to work however they like.

If they have the people you want to work with, definitely give it a shot.

[HaruNoKaze]

I'm doing my MA in English Lit, but there is a specific faculty member at Princeton in the East Asian Studies department who just worked with couple other ppl to publish a translation of an important (IMO) work of literary theory. For the fan of literary theory/criticism and Japanese novelists, it's like a gift from God. I would love to be able to work on future projects involving using the theory of literature with that particular professor and other Japanese literary works. However, to do that, I would also probably need to work closely with the English dept, because the majority of the theory is rooted in examples of western canonical works. So yea, I'd love to know anyone's opinion on East Asian program, but I think that might be asking too much. Just any info on the English Dept would be good, because I'm not exactly sure how I should apply. Should I apply to the English program, specifically focusing on the translated Japanese theory as it applies to western canonical works, or to the East Asian program, because I'd like to work with the untranslated texts as well as other works of Japanese lit? It could go either way I suppose, lol.

[Protagonist]

I'm doing my MA in English Lit, but there is a specific faculty member at Princeton in the East Asian Studies department who just worked with couple other ppl to publish a translation of an important (IMO) work of literary theory. For the fan of literary theory/criticism and Japanese novelists, it's like a gift from God. I would love to be able to work on future projects involving using the theory of literature with that particular professor and other Japanese literary works. However, to do that, I would also probably need to work closely with the English dept, because the majority of the theory is rooted in examples of western canonical works. So yea, I'd love to know anyone's opinion on East Asian program, but I think that might be asking too much. Just any info on the English Dept would be good, because I'm not exactly sure how I should apply. Should I apply to the English program, specifically focusing on the translated Japanese theory as it applies to western canonical works, or to the East Asian program, because I'd like to work with the untranslated texts as well as other works of Japanese lit? It could go either way I suppose, lol.

Mind mentioning what the translated work is? I have a vested interest in Japanese literature.

[HaruNoKaze]

Theory of Literature and Other Critical Writings by Natsume Soseki. It's intense and very complicated, but very well grounded. It's pretty mathematical/scientific too, which can be a little hard for me sometimes. Release the first English translation in 2009, paperback in 2010. He wrote it before he wrote any of his other novels or even started his work on I Am a Cat, he says in the book that literature is formulaic, and if he adherers to his formulas his work will be considered great literature. And well, that's kinda what happened. Very dense, but very good theories.