Postgraduate Linguistics Help!!!

[ligocap]

Hello y'all! I don't know if this is the correct place to post this, but here's my situation, I have a BA in French and I'm hoping to get into a MA program in Linguistics. Even if I didn't technically take any course from the linguistics department in my uni, I did take some linguistic-related courses during my undergraduate studies, but nothing strong (I did take two sociolinguistic courses). But there are a couple of things I feel that affect me... a lot! First, I feel like my GPA (3.27) is affecting my competitiveness in a very bad way. I used to have a minor in Economy which I quit but which left me with a couple of very ugly grades that make my transcripts look quite ugly... I still have a GPA of 3.8 in the Languages major curriculum alone, but I don't think it works that way... 

 

I'm planning on applying for an MA for next fall 2014. I have an interest in endangered languages and language documentation, but also historical linguistics in general. I still have no specific area of interest in mind (I do lean towards Near East and Caucasus languages) which is why I want to get into a MA program where I can develop myself and later work for a PhD (which is what I think people in my situation without an actual background in linguistics do). 

 

Anyways, I'm asking for suggestions, comments or whatever of what should I do and where should I apply with my current academic background. I know I'm not being that specific in what I'm asking, but I'm looking for a bit of orientation I guess from others who might be in the process of applying or starting postgraduate studies in linguistics. Do y'all think it's okay what I intend of doing of pursuing a MA in (General) Linguistics and after that pursuing a PhD in the area where I find an interest in?

[esgalerin]

Speaking as somebody who has had zero experience applying to grad schools yet, I think you're on the right track.

 

According to one of my professors, master's programs for people who need a chance to explore some more or to build up the requisite linguistics background before going for a PhD, and that sounds very much like the boat you're in.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about your GPA. I think a 3.8 in French shows that a) you have some sort of interest in language, and you can work hard when the subject is something that you're interested in. It should help if you also got good grades in the linguistics-related classes you took.

 

The one problem that I see with your plan, though, is that terminal MA programs in non-applied linguistics seem to be few and far between. If you can find one that suits you, great. (I know that UC Davis just started one recently if that's any help.) If not, it might be better to see if you can take linguistics courses as a non-degree student somewhere.

[ligocap]

Thank you very much for your response!

 

Yes, that's the main reason for me to get an MA. I've seen that most of universities that offer what I'm looking for in an MA seem to have very competitive programs, and I have no clue of how competitive I am. lol I did find a couple of MA programs to be "general and complete enough", like the one in UC Boulder for example, but yeah, most of terminal MAs I've seen are mostly about applied linguistics.

 

So do you think I shouldn't worry too much about my GPA? I'm not trying to get into the biggest MA program in the most prestigious university, I'm just looking for a complete enough program somewhere (right now I don't care too much about where I go as long as I can find someplace with a good program). I still need to take the GRE, and all that extra stuff. I took one linguistics and two sociolinguistics classes, and I got A on all of them. Also most of my electives where language-related courses (Italian, Russian, classical Greek), so I hope that helps!

[esgalerin]

From what I can tell, MA programs are a lot less competitive than PhD programs are. You say that you "used to have" a minor in Econ, so I assume that you stopped taking Econ classes partway through undergrad. Presumably your grades went up after that? I think if you mention briefly in a personal statement/SoP that your poor grades came from an unrelated field, you should be okay. Again, though, you should take everything I say with a grain of salt since I haven't been through this myself.

 

If it makes you feel any better, I'm applying to PhD programs with an overall GPA of 2.9. I've had my panicky moments about whether any grad program would want me and a couple of my profs have had to talk me down. They tell me that because I have a 3.8 GPA if I only take the past two years into account, I shouldn't have to worry too much. One told me that he would actually look favorably on that kind of growth (but in my case, there is a very marked contrast between my first two years and my last two years).

 

My point is that if my professors seem to think I can get into a PhD program with a 2.9 GPA (below the GPA cutoff at a lot of places :S), you can probably get into an MA with a 3.3. Of course, your LoRs and SoP will have to be stronger than those of people with crazy-good GPAs, but most of them are probably going to PhDs.

[ligocap]

Good to know then! I still have two F's from the semester I decided to quit Econ from two years ago, but my GPA is still 3.6, so it's not so bad.

 

Thank your anyways, and good luck with your admission to the PhD!

[esgalerin]

Thank you! Good luck yourself! (:

[ladyling]

Hi ligocap,

 

Based on how you describe your interests, I actually think the place I went for my MA (University of Virginia) would be a good fit for you. Several of the faculty work on endangered language documentation, and it's a good program for people who don't have much experience in linguistics coming out of undergrad.

 

A few caveats: for most people, the program is unfunded. This can be a major barrier if you're not from Virginia, as non-resident tuition is about $10k/semester. The program itself takes 3 semesters to complete, in my experience, though you could do it in 2 if you really pushed yourself hard.

 

If you're interested in the program, I recommend talking to Lise Dobrin (my former advisor) or Ellen Contini-Morava. They both have a very good sense of the program and can help you make a decision you'll be happy with. You're also welcome to PM me.

[sarah saber]

hi everyone, i am new to this website and i don't know if this is the right place to ask this question.

i am a postgraduate student, i have a premasters course in linguistics, and i am now preparing for my master's degree but can't choose a topic yet. i was thinking of sociolinguistics and relate it to optimal theory but don't know how, or maybe something in sociolinguistics only, i am also thinking to apply it on two languages, arabic and english,

i was hoping anyone would help me to go on the right track as i am so confused and my supervisor is not much of a help.

waiting for any replies and thanks in advance

[Eigen]

None of the three places you've posted this are "the right places". Ideally, you should make new topic for your question in the Linguistics forum, rather than hijacking semi-related topics. 

[LinguisticMystic]

Just saying. Sociolinguistics and optimality theory. 0_0

[fuzzylogician]

hi everyone, i am new to this website and i don't know if this is the right place to ask this question.

i am a postgraduate student, i have a premasters course in linguistics, and i am now preparing for my master's degree but can't choose a topic yet. i was thinking of sociolinguistics and relate it to optimal theory but don't know how, or maybe something in sociolinguistics only, i am also thinking to apply it on two languages, arabic and english,

i was hoping anyone would help me to go on the right track as i am so confused and my supervisor is not much of a help.

waiting for any replies and thanks in advance

It doesn't help that you post the same question over and over in semi-related threads. Start a new topic for your question. For us to help you, you have to help us. You need to frame your interests better than you do because right now it's do vague I wouldn't know how to begin to help you. Coming up with good research questions is an essential part of doing research and we could help you, but we won't just do it for you.

[sarah saber]

It doesn't help that you post the same question over and over in semi-related threads. Start a new topic for your question. For us to help you, you have to help us. You need to frame your interests better than you do because right now it's do vague I wouldn't know how to begin to help you. Coming up with good research questions is an essential part of doing research and we could help you, but we won't just do it for you.

as i said before i am new to this website and still figuring out how it works, and i really appreciate your readiness to help me and i am looking for help and not someone to do the work for me. can you kindly tell me how to make  a new topic like you mentioned. anyway i am trying to figure out the website because its my first time on it.

[sarah saber]

fuzzylogician

thanks for your reply, i created a new topic and hope you can help me out. i am really interested in sociolinguistics and just need someone to help me be on the right track. thanks in advance.

[GeoLing]

Ligocap,

I got a Master's degree in order to focus my research interests and it worked out great for me. I also had a 2.98 GPA from undergrad, so I needed to show potential PhD programs what I'm really capable of doing. Unfortunately, while it's easier to get into MA programs than PhD programs, it's much harder to get funding for those programs. Definitely plan on financing the MA with some external funding (fellowships, scholarships (even little ones!), savings, income from another job, loans, etc.).

Check out the University of Hawaii at Manoa. That's where I'm starting my PhD in the fall. Most of the faculty focus on some aspect of endangered languages, and several do historical linguistics as well.

Best of luck!

[ligocap]

Thanks for the advice GeoLing! 
You reminded me about something else I wanted to ask. For those who have done it, how doable/possible is having a job while studying? I think it depends, obviously... I'm saving all the money I'm making with my current job but I've never worked and studied at the same time.

Thanks for all the help and comments everybody!