Switching PhD programs in the humanities (linguistics)?

[rwessmith]

So I have a question.

I'm nearly done applying to UT Austin for Linguistics (a good program, but the choice was sort of made for me since my girlfriend is going to UT Law next year), but now I'm getting anxious and looking very longingly at the University of Chicago's program. The faculty there share more of my interests, there are multiple research groups that I'm really inspired by and people I've been reading for years, and I think the program is just a bit more reputable overall. It's not too late to apply... but should I? UT Austin is not a bad option, it's just not at perfect as Chicago seems.

What if I started at UT Austin and switched to Chicago after getting my MA? Is that a common move, and is it really frowned upon in academia? Would a program like Chicago be skeptical of taking me on after I left UT Austin? Is Chicago more or less likely to accept PhD applicants who already have an MA?

What would happen if I went to UT Austin claiming a PhD as my ultimate degree but left after getting the MA (as opposed to making the MA the objective from the start - the problem is that people in the MA program rarely receive funding).

Any feedback/advice/opinions from anyone in the humanities (not just linguistics) or anyone who knows either of these schools/programs would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[fuzzylogician]

First off, you should try and apply to more than one program. Also more than two. Chances of acceptance are low and both programs you listed are competitive. Which one is better regarded depends on what sub field you're in but at the end of the day you could do a great phd at either one.

You can't really transfer in graduate school. If you want to get an MA from UT Austin and then move to UChicago you'll have to reapply just as you're doing now. No reason why UChicago would not accept you because your MA is from Austin, as I mentioned it's considered a good program.

[rwessmith]

First off, you should try and apply to more than one program. Also more than two. Chances of acceptance are low and both programs you listed are competitive. Which one is better regarded depends on what sub field you're in but at the end of the day you could do a great phd at either one.

You can't really transfer in graduate school. If you want to get an MA from UT Austin and then move to UChicago you'll have to reapply just as you're doing now. No reason why UChicago would not accept you because your MA is from Austin, as I mentioned it's considered a good program.

Thanks so much for the response! This was my first post and I somehow didn't expect to get any helpful feedback, but I really appreciate it.

To clarify my interests, I want to study language evolution, language modality, and the linguistics of signed languages. I'm interested in the relationship between formal linguistic systems and less conventional modes of communication like gesture, how that relationship developed, and what role it played in the origins of language.

Chicago is renowned for the study of gesture, has some really great research groups, and has current faculty who are interested in language evolution as well as signed languages. UT has a big focus on signed languages, but as far as I know little going on in terms of language evolution.

I still don't know what I want, but I'm in communication with faculty from both programs. If there really is nothing going on with language evolution at UT, then I like the idea of focusing on sign language there for an MA and then moving on to UChicago. I don't have a problem with reapplying necessarily. My main concern is that UT says there is very little funding for MA students, and I absolutely need funding. I just don't want to commit to a PhD somewhere in order to get the funding, only to find out a few years in that no one really wants to or is able to support me in researching my main interest, language origins. But I also don't want to end up backing out of a PhD program after accepting a bunch of funding, only to move to another program and finish (or I guess start over) there - that seems like it could burn some bridges.

Any further thoughts or advice? Thanks for listening, these thoughts have been eating at me for weeks now and it feels good to get them out in the open.

Edited October 31, 2012 by rwessmith