PhD in French - Top Universities

[Nicko]

Hi!
I would like to know what my chances are to get into a French PhD at top american universities, please.

 

My GRE scores are: 

Q158

V160

A 4.0

 

I'm French, I did my undergrad in France (Montpellier), I got excellent marks (almost the best ones in the class). I did a masters at UCL in London, I got excellent marks too (71%). My three recommenders are from UCL.

I think my statement of purpose is very good.

 

I applied to NYU, Columbia, Brown, UPenn and Boston so far, but I think I'll apply for more. I just don't know what kind of uni I should be aiming for.

 

Do you think I have good chance for the ones I applied for already and which universities should apply for in the future?

 

Thank you!

[Zeugma]

Hi there! What's really important is letting us know what your fields of interest are!    There are many stellar PhD programs in French literature in North America, and the important thing is to choose based on your specialization (and not just by arbitrary, fluctuating rankings). NYU, Columbia, UPenn, and Brown's admissions are cut-throat; so yes, I do think it would be wise to apply to more. Quite frankly, your GRE scores will be looked at, but the university's decision will not be based on your those grades. They will look at your Statement of Purpose, letters of recommendations, and -- most importantly -- your writing sample(s). Fill us in on your interests and maybe we can suggest some places in addition to those universities you have listed!   

Cheers,
Z

[Nicko]

Hi,

 

Thank you for your reply!

 

I wrote my MA thesis on dandyism in the works of Barbey d'Aurevilly and Oscar Wilde (it was a Comparative Literature MA).

My field of interest is mainly the writers of the fin-de-siècle Decadence in France and the nineteenth century in general.

I would like to explore the fact that Barbey d'Aurevilly's rejection of society is paralleled by Alphonse Daudet's antisemitism, anti-parisianism and ultra-monarchism. More generally, I'm interested in the repercussion of Barbey d'Aurevilly's dandyism in the works of Huysmans, Daudet and other writers of this century.

 

My background: I'm from the south of France (Avignon) and I'm half-Catalan, I was taught Occitan from an early age. I come from a very rural and traditional background. I started studying science in "Classes Prepas" then in a School of Engineering in Paris, but hated it. I gave up these studies - although they were quite prestigious - to study literature, in Montpellier first, and then in London at UCL.   

 

I didn't know the writing samples were so important! I thought they were looked at only to determine my level of French or English. 

 

Anyway, please let me know what you think about all this  

 

Cheers!
 

[Zeugma]

Hi Nicko! No problem; happy to offer some help. 

 

It's interesting that your MA is in Comparative Literature. There's always a debate whether potential PhD candidates should apply to CompLit or French literature programs, though I do believe that in terms of future employment, having a PhD in French Literature is more marketable. In recent trends, CompLit PhD candidates typically go into foreign language teaching rather than teaching within specific literature departments. In fact, many US institutions' CompLit departments tend to bring in faculty from outside literature departments (French, Spanish, German, etc.) rather than simply hiring a "Professor of CompLit." For example, a Spanish Professor could also hold a position as a Professor of Comparative Literature. So, really, getting your PhD in French Lit. is the way to go. Also, you can most certainly do comparative work in your French PhD program -- it's just about finding the right fit and program that would allow interdisciplinary, trans-departmental work.

Also, regarding your writing sample: Yes, they are extremely important because the samples will show the committee how well you can engage in critical thought. Many schools require both English and French, while some just require French samples. Be aware that many american French PhD programs will offer French literature courses conducted in English. Thus, a mastery of the English language is imperative. Also, don't forget to include your CV in with your application (with lists of your accomplishments: publications, conference presentations, etc.) 

 

19th century literature is an area in which numerous American-based French PhD programs excel. Berkeley, Yale, Michigan, Duke, Cornell, Johns Hopkins are some places that immediately come to mind. These are all excellent institutions that allow their students to have their feet in multiple departments. If I remember correctly, PennState and Cornell have prominent specialists who focus on dandyism. Cast a wide net, in any case! Admissions, especially for out-of-country students, in the United States is quite cut-throat.

Best of luck and happy holidays   
Cheers,
Z 

Edited December 25, 2012 by Zeugma

[Nicko]

Thanks

I have an interview at Northwestern University! I'm still waiting for an answer from the other unis I applied to...

Do you know what a grad school interview for a PhD in French is like? I saw somewhere in this forum that it was more of a casual thing, and you have nothing to worry about: if you have an interview, then it's basically like a definite acceptance... Is that true? 

 

Or should I revise everything like crazy?!

[Canator]

I'm not a French student so I can't say this with any authority, but I wouldn't be dismissive of an interview or assume it is a sign that you've been accepted. I would be ready to field a lot of questions about your writing sample(s) and to defend your views. They will also most likely ask you questions about your interests. Obviously that should have been addressed in your SOP, but they will probably want to go a little more in-depth. It's nice because you get to touch on some of the points that the short format of the SOP doesn't allow you to explore. One thing you can almost certainly expect them to ask is if YOU have any questions for THEM. I think this can be a good place to show your interest if you have a thoughtful question or two prepared.

 

It will be casual in the sense that no one is going to be rude, but formal in the sense that it is used as an evaluation of your abilities ... and as a sort of means of checking if the "paper" you they see in the application matches up with the real world you. It will also give them a sense of what it is like to work with you as a person. Are you standoffish? Disturbingly shy and difficult to pull into conversation? Boisterous? Those types of things. They're committing to five years of working with you and you can bet they don't want it to be unpleasant.

 

I also wouldn't consider it a definite acceptance. Again, maybe this is different in the world of French departments or at Northwestern, but most universities will use an interview to make their final decisions. It's definitely a good sign to have an interview, but don't treat it lightly. They might have a few more qualified applicants than spots - the interview could help differentiate yourself.

 

Bottom line - don't freak out, but definitely do not brush it off.

[Zeugma]

Hi, Nicko   

Congratulations on your interview with Northwestern. I hope all goes well on that front!

I do want to specify that landing an interview does mean the university is interested in you and in your scholarship (thus using the interview as a way to match paper to face). However, an interview does not automatically indicate a definite acceptance. Remember additionally that an interview is two-way: You will also get a sense or "feel" of the school, and you will be evaluating the professors who interview you (i.e., their professionalism, cordiality, etc.).    I was interviewed by two schools -- one of which was an Ivy. I was immediately turned off by the, may I say, lack of professionalism of the Director of Graduate Studies of one of the institutions. I was actually quite thankful for that interview. The other interview went extremely well, but much to my chagrin I did not get accepted. 

The tone of the interview is casual, of course; and half of it will be conducted in English, the rest in French. (Or some ratio very similar -- it's just an opportunity to have them evaluate your French speaking proficiency). You will be asked about your research interests, why you applied to that institution, what motivates you to pursue your field of inquiry, and -- as was the case for both schools that interviewed me -- there is always a "zinger" question at the end. The Ivy that interviewed me asked me "What do you read that's not academic?" Had a great time with that one!  

Wishing you the best of luck, Nicko, and keep us posted on your results!
Z  

[Nicko]

It was pretty easy actually! Thanks for your advice!

 

It was very informal and relaxed, but I still had to prepare a 15 min presentation of my interests. I had to meet some potential supervisors, etc., they mainly asked if I had some questions for them. I think it went well but we'll see.

 

Now, I'm just waiting for other replies from other unis. I saw that NYU, Columbia and Brown already sent an email to their candidates to invite them for an interview day, but I didn't receive anything, does it mean I'm rejected? Do you think that not having heard from anyone yet is bad news or good news overall?

Is it rude to email them and ask for some information?

[chaton42]

I attempted to get info on why I wasn't accepted and didn't get a straight response but they kept emphasizing that my research interests didn't match with the French dept. at Duke. I have been accepted to LSU and waiting om Tulane. Has anyone heard if the LSU program is reputable? I was impressed with their faculty and interdisciplinary research interests. I wanted to apply to thw big names like Yale, Princeton and a few others near me, like Emory. However, I took the gre too late and missed several application deadlines. Does anyone have any info on LSU and Tulane? Would rather get started on the Phd than wait until next year to apply again but definitely want to get a great teaching post afterwards!