Preparation for the Philosophy MA Study in Canada

[Davidspring]

Hello guys!

 

I am a fourth-year philosophy undergraduate student in China. This year I had applied to six Canadian Philosophy MA programs and I got four offers (Alberta, SFU, Victoria and Guelph) and two waiting lists (UBC and Calgary). After my careful consideration and consultation, I finally decided to attend the UAlberta for I think the program in this university will give me the best faculty support (my current philosophical interest, history of philosophy esp. Kant and Hume, is fitting very well with the faculty support).

 

A two-year MA program is appropriate for me, because I intend to apply for a PhD program in North America one or two years later and my MA study in Canada would strengthen my academic background on western philosophy. Here, I sincerely welcome friends to give me suggestions about how to have a good Philosophy MA study experience in Canada. Thank you very much!

[MKEPhil]

I can't give advice relative to Canadian MA's, but in general my best advice would be to hit the ground running.  2 year MA's are very stressful, since you only have 2.5 semesters of work to get top quality letters of rec/samples and apps.  Don't get 'settled' into grad life for the first semester or two and then start trying to think of sample or letter writers towards the summer.  It will help you a lot to have a plan of action as soon as possible for those application materials because the deadlines seem to spring up very fast.

[Davidspring]

I can't give advice relative to Canadian MA's, but in general my best advice would be to hit the ground running.  2 year MA's are very stressful, since you only have 2.5 semesters of work to get top quality letters of rec/samples and apps.  Don't get 'settled' into grad life for the first semester or two and then start trying to think of sample or letter writers towards the summer.  It will help you a lot to have a plan of action as soon as possible for those application materials because the deadlines seem to spring up very fast.

Thanks a lot for your suggestion! As for the time, in the first year, I can concentrate on my study for I have no TA work to do. As you suggested, I should think about all of the application issues from the very beginning of my MA study and also actively consult with advisors. Since the education of philosophy in China is rather different from in North America, I would try my best to behave well in the graduate courses.

[bar_scene_gambler]

I am a fourth-year philosophy undergraduate student in China.

 

你好!

This isn't related to your question, but I was wondering if you could tell me about the quality of philosophy programs in China. I'm thinking about working with Eastern Philosophy (Mostly Zhuangzi and Laozi, though I have an interest in Liezi as well) and I'm wondering whether it might be valuable to apply to the City University of Hong Kong or Peking University. What's your take on Chinese philosophy programs, in terms of their strength in Eastern Philosophy?

[Davidspring]

你好!

This isn't related to your question, but I was wondering if you could tell me about the quality of philosophy programs in China. I'm thinking about working with Eastern Philosophy (Mostly Zhuangzi and Laozi, though I have an interest in Liezi as well) and I'm wondering whether it might be valuable to apply to the City University of Hong Kong or Peking University. What's your take on Chinese philosophy programs, in terms of their strength in Eastern Philosophy?

I suggest that the Chinese philosophy programs in Peking University, Renmin University, Chinese University of Hong Kong might be the best here. You can write letters to the professors in these programs to ask for further information. Good luck with your application!