Probability Question

[Patrick879]

Hi Everyone -

I wanted to see if I could get some advice on starting applications for next year for a Classics PhD or Masters program. I am currently in my fourth year at a state school that doesnt have a bad (but most certainly not a great) classics program. My advisors have been really busy and unfortunately not that helpful in my grad school search. My problem is that last year I had two jobs that totaled over 40 hours a week (I have to pay for school myself) on top of my full class schedule. It was a really rough semester for me in all aspects and I got two B-s (one in Latin) (I have since quit one of the jobs). The grades were totally deserved (often I would sleep through class). However they were the first Bs I've ever gotten and my college career I've been a straight A (there are no A+s) student with two A-s (one in Botany and one in Art History freshman year). I've always had in mind that I wanted to go to graduate school and pursue Classics, but now I'm afraid that I will not get in anywhere. This is technically my senior year, but in order to not have bad grades in my last two years, I am going to continue to study onto next year. I will then have 5 years of Ancient Greek & 5 years of Latin under my belt and 5 semesters of German.

Does anyone have any insight as to whether or not I've completely lost out on it? Or any recommendations as to what I could do to try to compensate? I was thinking of sending a letter attempting to address the Bs to each place I apply and I asked my advisor, but didnt get any real response to it. I would like to go for PhD, but realize that I may have to start out with masters and then apply for Phd.

Thanks for any help! And congrats to everyone who have just gotten their letters!

Meg

Edited April 27, 2012 by Meg1

[non humilis mulier]

Hi Meg,

Don't sweat the grades -- your GPA is going to be just fine. I had a rough academic semester when I got engaged, and wound up with a couple Bs that semester (one of which was an upper level Latin course). In my opinion, a special letter explaining your "bad" grades is completely unnecessary. If your profs want to address it in their letters -- fine -- but don't draw attention to it. It's not a big deal, and if you don't get into grad school, I seriously doubt it will have anything to do with your GPA. Invest your time in your writing sample. If there is any one factor that will set you apart, that will be it. Work on it NOW -- and try to get it to publishable quality. GREs are going to be a big deal, especially in Classics. From what I understand, the quantitative section isn't a *huge* deal (as long as you're in a decent percentile), but you really should be at the 90th percentile for both verbal and writing, at the very least. (Others may disagree with me here).

If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me...

Best of luck!

[Patrick879]

Thanks for your feedback! That definitely makes me feel better about the whole thing and I am starting to really work on my sample now too.

[rkg2012]

I know you posted this awhile ago, but I thought I would add my two cents. Don't sweat the Bs. My undergrad record was way less than stellar, and included a C+ in second semester Greek and several of A-s/B+s in the Classics courses. I did a post-bacc year, with much better marks and chose to do a master's abroad (non-language based). After all was said and done, I had several very good options. Granted, as an archaeologist, the languages are somewhat less important, but even so, I don't think that a couple of so-so grades will hurt you. As for addressing them, I was advised not to. I did, however, have a recommendation from someone who knew about the extenuating circumstances which account for some of my short-comings, as well as my later improvement. She told me that it is much better to come from the recommender than from the student. Also, you can always add hours/week to the employment section of your resume/CV, so it will be obvious to anyone who looks that you were working more than the average student.

As for the GRE, study and do well, but I don't think it will make or break you. I know several people who have gotten into good schools with mediocre scores, and some schools only use it as a get a minimum bar ( e.g.1000 total for funding), sort of like a pass/fail system.

The most important things:

~Personal Statement: What you want to do and why x/y/z is the place to do it. Sell yourself on a couple of clearly defined (even if broad) interests. At the same time, don't appear to be inflexible.

~Recommendations: Get them from people who know you well and will say great (not just good) things about you. You don't want a generic letter though, so help them get to know you better and provide them with your statements/writing sample/ etc. If someone can vouch for your difficult year with too much on your plate, that would be good.

~Writing sample (duh): The most important thing is to show that you can have original and critical ideas. I felt that mine was mediocre writing but had a strong argument. I'm also my own worst critic. Strangely, it didn't come up in my interview or any of my campus visits.

Good luck!