UCLA-Dartmouth

[radicaliterata]

So, I'm having a real hard time deciding what exactly I'm going to do. I was admitted into several great programs, among them being UCLA's Department of Comparative Literature PhD and Dartmouth's Masters program in Comparative Lit. Both programs are offering me funding (Dartmouth is also only a one year program), and both will allow me to do work around critical prison studies. I took a tour of the UCLA campus and program last week, and will go to Dartmouth in about 2 weeks to get a feel for their program. My overall feeling is that UCLA would allow me to do interesting work due to the extensive resources they have available on campus and through other departments, and their campus is obviously aesthetically pleasing and lively. My ultimate goal is to receive a PhD and teach at the university, but I'm not sure if it makes sense to establish a base at Dartmouth, and broaden my academic network while honing my project, and, then, either re-apply to UCLA and go there, or potentially receive placement from a top program.

This is a tough decision because I live in the SF Bay Area, so am partial to California, but was also highly invested in the idea of being in New England and at an Ivy for a year.

Obviously, this decision is ultimately up to me, but I'd be really interested in hearing what people --especially in the Comp. Lit./Humanities fields -- have to say.

[omgninjas]

Although I am probably going to end up picking an Ivy over UCLA (English), I would say in your case you should probably go to UCLA. It sounds like the program and school is a good fit for you, and do you really want to go through applying again? Who knows how things will go the next time around?

Broadening your academic network is wise, but I don't know if Dartmouth would be great for that (don't get pissed at me, D'mouth people). Beyond being the most isolated Ivy, Dartmouth also has the smallest graduate community, especially if you exclude the B- folks and the Med students. Also, I feel as though a one year program isn't going to allow you to make a whole lot of meaningful connections with the faculty.

Anyways, you're going to visit Hanover soon, so why not find out where their graduates typically end up heading after receiving their MAs? If they place well, and you're really hoping to shoot for a school at the absolute top, it might be a good decision. Otherwise, I'd go with LA.

[lotf629]

I'd lean toward UCLA as well. If Comp Lit is as good as English, it's a very strong program. If this damn process has taught me anything, it's that there's a whole hell of a lot of luck involved in getting in to any top-10 program, even for highly qualified people, and I would hesitate to turn down that kind of luck for the sake of an MA anywhere. It's easy to feel confident now that your offers on the other side would be as good or better, but you really don't know that, and next year could be harder rather than easier for applications...If UCLA is a bad fit and Dartmouth is an awesome fit, that's one thing, but if you're just trying to be strategic about a competitive placement, I think you should think hard about accepting the Ph.D.

[swr22]

Equally, if you have always been in Cal, then maybe try something new. Life experience is a really underrated criterion for choosing on these boards, I think. Do a year at Dartmouth, see some new things and then apply for the PhD at wherever you like. It's not as if having Dartmouth on your CV is going to harm you...

[teaganc]

I would definitely choose the school that allows you to avoid reapplying in a year; you will have to reapply this coming fall, and will have had only a few months of the program at Dartmouth to improve your applications (but will be judged with other MA-holding applicants). Plus, you mention reapplying to UCLA after spending time in Dartmouth--why? Why take that risk when you can be at UCLA this fall? You know when a good time to visit the Northeast would be for life experience? When you are interviewing for great jobs with your degree from UCLA. Trust me: "life experience" is stressful, even when it is useful, and the last thing you want your first year of grad school is also adjusting to being far away from everything and everyone you know.

[socialpsych]

I'm not sure if it makes sense to establish a base at Dartmouth, and broaden my academic network while honing my project, and, then, either re-apply to UCLA and go there, or potentially receive placement from a top program.

If you turn down UCLA this year and then reapply, I think you probably won't get in again.

[sophie-bie]

I am inclined to admit that UCLA might be better, lovely location, lovely weather, and lovely reputation.

Anyway, UCLA is a promising place.