Chances to get into a Linguistics PHD program...

[ryan785]

Hi all,

 

I have been lurking on this forum for the last few months and I know how often you get this question, but I couldn't help but ask since you all know what it takes to get accepted.

 

I received my undergrad in an interdisciplinary field (Human Communication) which focused heavily on English education, communication, philosophy, and history. I am continuing my education at the same state school, where I am receiving my MS in Instructional Science and Technology.  This degree is focused on developing an understanding of how to teach effectively, designing online learning materials, and developing an understanding of how to know more about your students and their learning styles.  I also have an ESL teaching certificate, which I received online, so I'm assuming it will hold no to little value on a PHD application. 

 

I currently teach English at two different locations.  The first is an online English school, which is one of the bigger online ESL schools on the internet.  I am also going to start tutoring English, with a well-known education company, soon.  I have also volunteered as an ESL instructor in the past and have worked as a freelance tutor on the side.

 

While all of this is fine and dandy, I admittedly have little formal education in the field of linguistics.  I have learned a little about linguistics while in my MS program, but I've had to supplement much of that by reading journal articles and books about the field.

 

Originally, I wanted to teach English overseas after graduating with my MS, but I have developed a strong desire to research SLA and really want to teach at the college level.  Programs focused on SLA, such as those at UC Davis and Arizona, are appealing, but I just don't know if I'll be attractive to any linguistics ADCOMs.  TESOL programs don't really appeal to me, because I am someone who prefers to work with theories and also theories that may affect learners of all languages, not just English.

 

Sorry for giving you all a rundown of my life, but I thought it might help when you all give me some honest feedback about where I stand...

[this_is_a_wug]

You pretty much hit the nail on the head. Ph.D programs are pretty hard to get into, and as it stands, you don't have very much to show that you're qualified for a Ph.D program. You don't have to know exactly what you want to do going into a program, but most programs need to know that you a) understand what linguistics is and have potential in succeeding as a scholar. Although many people come to linguistics from a variety of disciplines (math, computer science, foreign languages), they usually have to have some demonstrated familiarity with the field before getting into the field. What classwork have you taken so far in linguistics proper?  

 

 In fact, how certain are you that linguistics (rather than "applied" linguistics/TESOL/SLA) is right for you? Do you know what kind of direction you want to go in, for example, what subfield you want to study or what questions you want to answer? If you can't answer this, then you almost certainly need to take more coursework, but from what I can tell from your post, your interests seem bent towards L2 acquisition. If that's the case, SLA programs would be better for your interests than linguistics programs (which tend to focus on L1's).

 

Here are a couple of SLA programs I know:

Arizona: http://slat.arizona.edu/prospective-students

Indiana: http://www.indiana.edu/~dsls/

Maryland: http://www.sllc.umd.edu/sla

 

Contrast these programs with linguistics programs at the same schools: 

Arizona: http://linguistics.arizona.edu/node/541

Indiana: http://www.indiana.edu/~lingdept/

Maryland: http://ling.umd.edu/about/

 

Also, you didn't mention research. One of the best ways to increase your chances of getting into a program is getting experience with research and many skills are transferrable.  If you haven't already, ask the linguistics faculty (if there are any in your school!) if they know of any research opportunities. 

[Snuffleupagus]

Hi! Thinking about SLA vs. Applied Ling is a tough choice, especially if your only knowledge of Applied Ling is from your TEFL diploma.  Have you thought about doing like an Advanced TEFL program at a university?  This normally requires taking 3-4 Applied Linguistics courses and might give you more insight into your true interests.  My alma mater has one: http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/dept/linguist/tesl_tefl_certificates/advanced.htm  This would be my first suggestion.

 

Now, let's say that you really do want to do SLA/SLS.  Let me give you a bit of a background.  I am going to be doing my PhD in SLA at the University of Maryland (UMD).  I only applied to UC Davis, UMD, and UA.  I have 8 years' ESL experience, 2 years' of qualitative research experience and 2 years' of quantitative research experience, plus they REALLY wanted you to have experience with stats.  I am also working on Here are some suggestions: 

 

1.  UC Davis only has an area of focus in SLA, it is not a program in SLA.  There is a huge distinction there.  

 

2.  I would also add University of Hawaii, Manoa - SLS to the list of programs.  

 

3.  Research experience is paramount. 

 

You can always PM me if you have more questions