Dartmouth Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS)

[Alex0266]

Hi all,

 

The MALS program at Dartmouth College and the MAPH at U Chicago look very much alike, except that the MALS does not even require the GRE general test for admission, which makes me a little bit suspicious of its standard. But unlike many programs which only allow application for the fall term, it has the advantage of allowing students to enroll in any of the four terms. I've seen the thread where  people generally have positive opinions on the MAPH. Does anyone have any experience in the MALS or know something about it?

 

Thanks~ 

Edited May 7, 2013 by Alex0266

[nokingofengland]

Alex--

 

I don't have any experience with Dartmouth's MALS, but I have tons with other liberal arts programs, and for what it's worth, I wouldn't necessarily judge an institution's quality by its reliance on standardized testing--at least not the way you seem to here. It may be that, being a liberal arts program that values broad, interdisciplinary knowledge, they feel compelled to judge an applicant's merits on (at least what I think are) more useful and program-relevant measurements of intelligence. What bearing would a standardized test score have that a writing sample, SOP, and interview not--especially in an individualized program?

 

In other words, I wouldn't let that alone turn you off. Personally, I think it's something to admire. But in any case, since it is a bit unique for a graduate program to not ask for test scores, I'm sure they'd by happy to explain themselves if you called and asked.

 

Best of luck,

 

-nk

[Alex0266]

Alex--

 

I don't have any experience with Dartmouth's MALS, but I have tons with other liberal arts programs, and for what it's worth, I wouldn't necessarily judge an institution's quality by its reliance on standardized testing--at least not the way you seem to here. It may be that, being a liberal arts program that values broad, interdisciplinary knowledge, they feel compelled to judge an applicant's merits on (at least what I think are) more useful and program-relevant measurements of intelligence. What bearing would a standardized test score have that a writing sample, SOP, and interview not--especially in an individualized program?

 

In other words, I wouldn't let that alone turn you off. Personally, I think it's something to admire. But in any case, since it is a bit unique for a graduate program to not ask for test scores, I'm sure they'd by happy to explain themselves if you called and asked.

 

Best of luck,

 

-nk

 

Hi nk,

 

Thanks for your advice! It's not that I tend to make a fetish of standardized testing; I am a Chinese student so I am not very familiar with liberal arts programs, and the MALS program is the only program I've ever seen that does not require the GRE general test. (Probably I should do more research!  )

 

Alex

[nokingofengland]

Alex,

 

I understand. Like I said, I’m just running on assumptions as far as Dartmouth is concerned, but I know more than a few undergraduate liberal arts programs that don’t require (and are opposed to) standardized test scores. I tend to agree with this movement, especially for smaller, liberal arts programs--though if you’re not used to it, I can see how it might seem strange. Like I said, though, I’m sure it’s for a good (read: thought-out) reason, and the programs I’ve encountered that don’t require test scores can generally speak eloquently about their reasoning behind it.

 

I almost envy your unfamiliarity with liberal arts programs—how much you have to discover!

 

On another note, I was recently in China, from Beijing to Hong Kong to Hezuo!

 

-nk