SUNY Buffalo Comparative Literature vs./& English

[Poor Yorick]

I was wondering if you guys could give me some information about Buffalo's various programs. It seems to be a very popular school on this board, and I am not overly familiar with it. What is the English Department's specialties? The Comparative Literature Department? How is it to be a student in either program? Are they reputable? If I were to attend either as a partially funded Comp Lit MA would my chances at a top tier PhD program increase? Would I be allowed to take English classes? How do PhD programs know to what extent the applicants with MA's are funded?

Any information about the programs there would be most helpful. If any current students there would be willing to talk to me, that would be ideal.

[Fiona Thunderpaws]

I did my English undergrad at UB, and audited a grad class, so while I'm no authority, I hope I can help you out a little!

UB really promotes interdisciplinary and cross departmental work. My grad class was almost 50/50 in terms of English and Comp Lit students. Even in my higher level undergrad courses, there was a decent amount of cross over. I had very few class requirements when I sought my BA, and I got the sense that the graduate area had a very similar "hands off" approach. Now, that's not to say the faculty aren't supportive--they are all gifted and approachable individuals--but UB is definitely not a place for people who do well with structure, or who have a hard time self-starting.

As far as faculty strengths go, you might already know theory is huge there. My grad course was in theory, and wow, what an experience! But I think most of the fields are quite strong. Gender and Sexuality studies permeated most of my classes-- even though with faculty who aren't considered a part of the subfield. I found their contemporary literature and the 19th century faculty excellent.

I'm not sure what your places of getting into a top tier PhD program would be with an MA from UB, but if you ask the DGS of Comp Lit I'm sure they'd be happy to tell you. I've never heard of an English MA being funded at UB, so if Comp Lit finds their MAs, you're definitely ahead of the game. Funding as a whole is tight at UB, which is certainly an issue.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Also, seriously, if you're thinking of emailing a POI and shooting them some of these questions, go for it. UB English people (and Comp Lit people, as they share a building and I've run into quite a few of them) are very pleasant and helpful!