Latin American Studies 2012

[mooochael]

Hey, just getting some representation for Latin American Studies if there's anyone out there this application season.

Which programs interest you?

What experience do you have in the region, study of the region, etc?

MA or PhD? I know of few PhD programs, but which are you going for?

What are the plans for post-degree?

I'll post my info soon and hope to hear from others!

[bksmit13]

Hi! I am applying to Latin American Studies programs at the moment.

Here is my list of schools:

Vanderbilt

Illinois

Chicago

Stanford

Columbia

Georgetown

Arizona

I would love to hear from you and any others out there too! I am applying for M.A. programs. I would like to do a phd after but I will probably do it in anthropology or something else related. I bit about my profile:

mathematics major/ Spanish minor

3.31 gpa (but my bad grades are in my advanced math.)

Spanish gpa: 3.7

GRE: 610V/800Q/5

Summer study abroad in Guatemala/ 3 yrs as Study abroad ambassador/ Spanish translator volunteer work

I would love to hear from others! I do not know how I will look coming in with a background in math but I figure it is worth a try.

[Evitaloca]

Hey Guys!

I'm applying to a mix of Latin American Studies programs and International Politics programs with a regional emphasis in Latin America:

UCSD, IR/PS

Columbia

SFSU

Stanford

Chicago

My Profile:

International Studies in Economics, Regional Focus on Latin America at UCSD

3.445 GPA mostly due to a few poor grades in Econ classes

GRE: 480-580V/660-760Q/? (I took the new test, have yet to receive scores, but these are the estimates they gave me)

Summer/Fall study abroad in Chile, taught English in Chile while I was there, worked in translating Spanish news articles to English, Mentor with the MANA Hermanitas Program and a few other leadership roles in local orgs.

My major concern is that I've been working for the last two years for an Institute that specialized everything but Latin America, so I haven't been exposed to projects in Latin America for quite a while. I'm planning a trip to back pack through South America starting next year, so I'll work that into my personal statement...can't hurt, right?

Plans for post-degree...work in South America for a couple of years before coming back for my PhD. It would be a dream to work with JPal in Santiago, Chile, but I know that's a very competitive opportunity and I'll have to work quantitative methods into my masters program wherever I go.

bksmit13- your GRE scores are great! I'm sure that's going to help you a great deal. I think your background in math will help a lot in getting you into Stanford since they're interested in taking students who have had little prior coursework in Latin American studies.

[bksmit13]

Thanks so much for the encouragement! It sounds like you have a really awesome profile and a lot of experience. Hopefully we have what they are looking for!

[Evitaloca]

Hey Guys! I'm thinking about applying to Berkeley as well. Has anyone seen any stats about their LAS program? Is it really small? I know it's through the International & Area Studies Academic Program, but besides details about coursework, I can't seem to find much else about the program.

Thanks!

[mooochael]

I forgot to put my information here! Here's some stuff about me:

-B.A. summa cum laude in Language (studied Spanish and Italian, also did some coursework on Nahuatl)

-I've worked on research projects with professors, resulting in two published papers on Latin American cultural studies.

-Later this month I'm giving a presentation on Mexican film production at an academic conference.

-Taught English in Spain for a summer and Spanish in the U.S. as a part-time job.

And the schools I'm applying to:

UCLA

Chicago

San Diego State University

University of New Mexico

New York University

Ohio State University

Florida State University

[mooochael]

Hey Guys! I'm thinking about applying to Berkeley as well. Has anyone seen any stats about their LAS program? Is it really small? I know it's through the International & Area Studies Academic Program, but besides details about coursework, I can't seem to find much else about the program.

Thanks!

Hey Guys! I'm thinking about applying to Berkeley as well. Has anyone seen any stats about their LAS program? Is it really small? I know it's through the International & Area Studies Academic Program, but besides details about coursework, I can't seem to find much else about the program.

Thanks!

Hey there! I was under the impression Berkeley was not even accepting applications this year! But now I find out that they are and I have to consider whether it would be good for me to apply or not, hahah. Anyway, I found the graduate student handbook for the program here: http://iastp.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/LAS%20Grad%20Handbook.pdf

It looks like they have what most programs offer, a comprehensive exam track and a thesis track.

Also, I saw you taught English in Chile. How was that? I recently came across a program to go to Chile next year and teach for a few months so I'm curious to hear how it went for you.

[Evitaloca]

Mooochael- Thanks for the link! Berkeley wasn't, but now they are!

I noticed UCSD isn't on your list, have you considered it? They've got a great program and centers like the U.S.-Mex and CILAS. A lot of the professors are also adjunct with USD and SDSU. I'm more interested in the Politics/Economics side of things, but I hear they have a great program for those interested in the cultural/historical/sociological concentrations.

To answer your question about teaching in Chile: I taught at a public high school in Santiago while also attending the University of Chile, so I was only teaching one day a week (6 hours, 6 classes). It was a unique experience. The public educational system is severely underfunded so the classes were quite large and the disciplinary system in the school was basically non-existent. So, at times, I felt like a babysitter. HOWEVER, I did learn A LOT about the educational system and teaching English just through that experience and I don't regret it at all. If you have the opportunity to teach at a private school though, take it! If you're doing it through English Opens Doors, you won't make much money, but the cost of living is quite cheap compared to most cities in the U.S. and they provide free lodging and some meals with a Chilean family. I had friends who taught privately on the side and made great money- not sure if that's a concern for you, but thought I'd put it out there.

My recommendation: Unless you have another amazing opportunity in mind, I highly recommend teaching in Chile, or just doing anything in Chile. I can honestly say it was the greatest experience of my life so far. Chile is completely different from any country you'll know. The people are very welcoming, the travel opportunities within Chile and outside are amazing (Patagonia in particular) and don't get me started on the food. I have not doubt you'll be happy with your decision if you do choose to go.

I think that sums it up?

Good Luck!

[Megan Oleson]

Anyone heard any feedback from Vanderbilt for the Master's in Latin American Studies Fall 2012? I read that one person was accepted to the program on the results page on March 5....I am still waiting to hear something.

[cpicardi]

Does anyone know anything about UConn's masters program in Latin American Studies? It never seems to come up in discussions of the top programs, but simply judging by the information on the website it appears to be comparable to those mentioned in the above discussion-at least in terms of the curriculum. Since there are no rankings for LAS graduate programs it is hard to distinguish between elite programs and second tier programs. If anyone knows anything about LAS at UConn, I would love to hear more about it.

[ktwho]

Hi cpicardi,

One of my former profs has just moved to UCONN from UC Berkeley. Look him up: Mark Healey. If you email him, he'd probably respond. He's in LatAm History but taught cross-listed courses in my BA program--Int'l Studies. He was my undergrad thesis advisor, and while he was pretty green and fresh out of his PhD at that point (in 2003!) he went on to win awards at Berkeley for his work with grad students. Shoot him an email!

[Ortega]

Anyone apply to UT Austin's MA in MAS program?