UT Austin Language & Linguistics

[embersglow]

Hey! I'm a current undergrad from the UK wanting to apply for MA Linguistics programmes in the US. I was wondering if anyone has any experience of the PhD at Austin? Do many students leave after they gain the MA? And I am right in thinking I have to take both the General GRE and the English GRE?! I don't really have a specific research topic or anything I'm particularly interested in, do I need to find one since technically I'd be applying for a PhD not an MA? Thank you!

[Horseshoe]

Fortunately, I don't think you must take the English GRE. The GRE English Subject Test deals with literature at various periods in time and is typically reserved for literature programs. While I think most MAs there look to the PhD, an MA functions to help you decide what you want to do. If you don't have a PhD research project yet, the MA will introduce you to research topics more closely and you'll get a better understanding of what you do like.

 

 

I think you should list some topics that interest you in your statement of purpose. For instance, if you are into historical linguistics, say that you are specifically interested in the change from subject-verb-object syntax to object-verb-subject syntax in languages of northern South America. (just throwing out a topic)

 

Make sure, however, that someone at UTAustin is interested in the things you are. A large part of your acceptance is contingent on whether the faculty feels like "yeah, s/he has a realistic goal that is interesting AND we have the capability to help him/her achieve it." You can be the brightest student in the world, but if you apply to work with faculty that can't help you they won't be too keen on accepting you.

Edited July 16, 2013 by Horseshoe

[sarab]

I would look at the programs you want to apply to and find out if you need a subject GRE. I doubt that they'd ask you for one though.

Assuming you are from the UK, you don't need to take the TOEFL; however, if your first language isn't English you may need to take it. I'm just saying this because I don't want to assume your first language even though you live in the UK.

[embersglow]

Thank you both for the advice! I'll definitely take a look at the staff and see if their interests match up to mine. At the moment my interests are quite broad and I'm thankful for the rounded approach my undergrad university takes, as long as I can keep phonology at bay I'm usually happy! I'm writing my final year dissertation about language ergativity and valency (I don't have a narrowed down, specific question yet though!) Thankfully my first language is English, paying for the General GRE was enough of a surprise without the TOEFL as well!

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

I'm applying there to the MS in computational linguistics.I know they do accept master's applicants for their General linguistics program. You only need to take the regular GRE. Application deadline is surprisingly early (Dec 3) compared to most schools. No funding for master's students.

[Arezoo]

and the acceptance rate is 8% according to the graduate coordinator of the program. I don't know whether the same scenario applies to all the PhD programs in the US.

Edited July 17, 2013 by Arezoo