Asian Studies 2014

[spottedzebra]

It's that time of the year again, figure I'd go ahead and start the East Asian Studies thread for Fall 2014. 

 

Let's all get acquainted now, so we can commiserate together later  

 

1. What program are you applying to (MA/PhD/Other) 

2. Where are you applying or thinking of applying? 

3. Background information (undergrad, major, etcetc) 

4. Fun fact unrelated to grad school  

 

I'm going for a master's in East Studies, probably going to follow in the footsteps of an EAS alum from my school and go for Stanford, Duke, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Berkeley. I'm an EAS/English double major with a premed concentration at a top 5 liberal arts college in the states. Overall GPA is a 3.5 (shakes fist in air, damn you premed classes), major GPA for EAS is a 3.8. Haven't taken the GRE yet (o.O). I'm hoping to focus on China and specialize in either history or literature. 

 

Fun Fact: I have a cat who is leash trained but doesn't know how to use a litter box and a dog who has a fear of leashes, trees, cars, squirrels, and any other thing that moves except for himself. 

[aec09g]

1. What program are you applying to (MA/PhD/Other)? 

 

My problem is that I'm so interested in media studies in relation to modern Japan that I bump around through programs, trying to ensure that the program and the faculty would be a good fit, and it'll be East Asian Studies [or insert interdisciplinary program name] and some History PhD programs that work well with my interests.

 

2. Where are you applying or thinking of applying? 

 

My list fluctuates for PhD programs on a daily basis, but I want to finalize by early September. I know I will apply to History (PhD) at UCLA, History (PhD) at UW-Madison, and University of Minnesota (Asian Literature, Cultures and Media). The rest are too uncertain as of right now.

 

3. Background information (undergrad, major, etcetc) History and Japanese Language and Culture, undergraduate. East Asian studies, MA (earning currently). 

 

4. Fun fact unrelated to grad school 

 

Hm, I'm bad at thinking of these things... but I'm a big fan of a South Korean variety show called Running Man. It's a semi-fun fact? (; 

 

Good luck to everyone!

[Hige]

It's that time of the year again, figure I'd go ahead and start the East Asian Studies thread for Fall 2014. 

 

 

1. What program are you applying to (MA/PhD/Other) 

I'll be applying to mainly MA programs (only have a BA in liberal arts) though some schools will be a PhD track. All of them are Asian Studies, my focus is Japanese literature.

2. Where are you applying or thinking of applying? 

Let's see. For sure:

-Berkeley

-U of Washington

-U of Hawaii

-Washington St. Louis

-Stanford

-Columbia (more so to appease my girlfriend who would love to live in NYC - I'm pretty much over that unity though)

And maybe

-UCLA

- U of Oregon

- U of Toronto

Y'all have any thoughts on these schools?

3. Background information (undergrad, major, etcetc) 

I got my BA from a private university in New York and had a 3.6something GPA.

I took the GREs and got a a little better than 160 (verbal) and a little better than 144 - eek! - on the math. I may or may not retake the test.

I spent a couple years teaching English in Japan and then spent a year studying Japanese at university here in Japan. So the language thing is alright, though there is still one more test I need to take to prove as much.

4. Fun fact unrelated to grad school  

I'm a bit afraid of heading back to the states! I'm so used to life here in Japan. I'm also going to miss unsweetened tea in the supermarket. Lipton Brisk is rancid...

[aec09g]

 

 

I'm at UCLA's East Asian Studies MA program. If that's the one you are on the fence about, feel free to shoot me an email. I'd be happy to answer questions! 

[steelkokoro]

1. What program are you applying to (MA/PhD/Other) 

MA in Japanese/East Asian studies, with a specialization in anthropology. 

2. Where are you applying or thinking of applying? 

Berkeley, Stanford, Washington, Harvard, Yale. 

Sometimes I wonder if I'm being too ambitious LOL. 

3. Background information (undergrad, major, etcetc) 

Will be graduating with a BA from a Japanese university next spring. My GPA converts to about 3.7-3.8 on the US scale but I'm not too sure about that. This also means that while my language fluency isn't a problem (everything is in Japanese here), I have never written an English paper in my whole life and my recommenders don't speak English T_T 

 

My major is "social sciences", but feels more like an all-round course on the society of Japan to me. 

Took the GREs last year. 164V/163Q/5.0AW.  

4. Fun fact unrelated to grad school   

For some weird reason my minor is French. Lol.

Also, unlike spottedzebra, I'm sort of looking forward to getting away from Japan. Partly because I've already spent 5 years here and my English is going down the drain. Will miss the unsweetened green tea too though  

[Hige]

steelkokoro, sounds like you have a solid application    

I sure hope you didn't mention you have never written an English paper though   

I'm sure you don't want to out yourself out on the boards here, but I must admit I'm curious where/what school you are at...

I reckon your Japanese is killing it, but based on those GRE scores I don't think your English has slacked off too much! 

Best of luck with it all!

[Authorization]

1. What program are you applying to (MA/PhD/Other) 

M.A. in Asian Studies

*may ultimately use as a stepping stone to a PhD in History, Geography or Security Studies

 

2. Where are you applying or thinking of applying? 

FSU - recently accepted

 

3. Background information (undergrad, major, etcetc) 

B.S. in International Affairs, 3.8 upper division GPA 

 

4. Fun fact unrelated to grad school

My favorite junk food is pizza, my favorite band is Cold Cave, and (not entirely unrelated to grad school) I'm a huge caffeine addict. 

Edited December 8, 2013 by Authorization

[spottedzebra]

Congrats on FSU Authorization!!! 

[Authorization]

Thank you! I am looking forward!  

[steelkokoro]

Congrats Authorization! 

Thanks Hige Well I don't really want to spell it outright.....but I'm in a private uni in the Kansai region that's known for having many international students, so you should be able to guess..

Anyway has anyone submitted their applications for Berkeley/Stanford? Just submitted all my applications today and am feeling really nervous. 

Either way, good luck everyone! 

[saltome]

Hey all,

 

Been lurking for a while now, and wanted to add to this thread. Applying to MA East Asian Studies programs, and a couple PhD programs.

 

 

Congrats Authorization! 

Thanks Hige Well I don't really want to spell it outright.....but I'm in a private uni in the Kansai region that's known for having many international students, so you should be able to guess..

Anyway has anyone submitted their applications for Berkeley/Stanford? Just submitted all my applications today and am feeling really nervous. 

Either way, good luck everyone! 

 

Yeah, Steelkokoro, I submitted my apps for Berkeley and Stanford, and of course am feeling totally nervous about them now. I think the worst part of this whole process is the excitement and optimism I felt during the 2-3 months of working on the application process now being replaced by self-doubt and general feelings of inadequacy. And of course, I still have a few apps left to submit (all done with everything they need, just looking over and double-checking, etc., before I fully submit). Also beginning to regret only contacting professors at 3 of my potential schools beforehand (and at this point in the app process, I feel like it may be too late to contact ones at the schools I have left).

 

Bleh, anyway...back to the stress

 

Oh, Steelkokoro: after you submitted your Stanford app, does the info page still read as incomplete for your app? I sent my GRE scores and transcripts a couple weeks ago, and submitted my app on the 9th, so I assume they just haven't matched up my scores and transcripts with my app yet, but it makes me a little nervous.

 

Good luck all!

[spottedzebra]

Hey saltome! What other programs did you apply do (if you don't mind me asking ) Are you doing EAS for your PhD also?

[steelkokoro]

Saltome, I totally know how you feel   Today my last recommender just contacted me to tell me that he's submitted all my LORs, so this means that I'm officially done with grad school apps, though there's a couple more days to my thesis deadline. That's a different kettle of fish altogether. 

Aside from Berkeley, which reflected my GRE and TOEFL scores immediately after submission, all other schools list my application as incomplete as of yet, if this makes you feel any better It also seems that they haven't received my hardcopy transcripts either. Also, I only contacted 2 professors out of 5, because I felt these professors were a good fit/I wanted to find out more about their work. I hear that for MA applications it shouldn't matter too much though. 

Anyone else specializing in Japan? 
 

[saltome]

Hey saltome! What other programs did you apply do (if you don't mind me asking ) Are you doing EAS for your PhD also?

 

Hey spottedzebra I don't mind at all -- here's a little bit about my apps and such:

 

I am applying to 9 programs altogether (7 MA, all [East] Asian Studies, 2 PhD): the PhD programs are at U of Chicago (East Asian Languages and Civilizations) where I would ideally pursue a double PhD w/ Cinema & Media Studies, and University of Michigan (Asian Languages and Cultures). At U Mich, I talked to them about bumping me down to the Center for Chinese Studies Master in Asian Studies: China consideration if they thought I was not qualified enough for the PhD program (which I probably won't be!), and they said they commonly do just that. So, I figure I might as well apply to their PhD program

 

MA programs: Duke, Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley, Indiana U- Bloomington, U Illinois- Urbana

 

I know that I am applying to many schools, but I see this as an investment for my future, and I can't stand the idea of applying again next year! Haha...

 

The three I am really interested in / excited about are Berkeley, Duke, and UChicago. Yale's program threatens to be 1-year, and I <really> don't look forward to going through this process again next year if I end up going there (to apply for PhD programs)....

 

My focus is contemporary China (with interests in identity / sub and countercultures relation to music, media, film and literature), and I would like to do my PhD in EAS also, but I am leaving the option open of pursuing a different PhD with China as the specialization, since part of the process of going through an MA program could involve the shifting of interests or focus.

 

 

Saltome, I totally know how you feel   Today my last recommender just contacted me to tell me that he's submitted all my LORs, so this means that I'm officially done with grad school apps, though there's a couple more days to my thesis deadline. That's a different kettle of fish altogether. 

Aside from Berkeley, which reflected my GRE and TOEFL scores immediately after submission, all other schools list my application as incomplete as of yet, if this makes you feel any better It also seems that they haven't received my hardcopy transcripts either. Also, I only contacted 2 professors out of 5, because I felt these professors were a good fit/I wanted to find out more about their work. I hear that for MA applications it shouldn't matter too much though. 

Anyone else specializing in Japan? 

 

 

Steelkokoro, grats on getting all of your apps finished, that must feel awesome! I am 1/3rd done, but the remaining 6 are simply a matter of editing SoPs and filling out a little more info on the apps. I had to take a couple days break from the whole process, as it is way more demanding and exhausting than I thought it would be. 

 

Also, good to hear that I wasn't alone in not seeing GRE / transcripts received reflected in the online app (aside from Berkeley, which updated theirs quickly!).

 

Too bad there aren't more people in this thread, but it is nice to meet some fellow apps and possible future classmates/cohorts!

[spottedzebra]

All applied... now I just want to crawl in a hole and cry. Applying to schools is such a humbling experience  

[Authorization]

 

My focus is contemporary China (with interests in identity / sub and countercultures relation to music, media, film and literature), and I would like to do my PhD in EAS also, but I am leaving the option open of pursuing a different PhD with China as the specialization, since part of the process of going through an MA program could involve the shifting of interests or focus.

 

While there's no specifically structured regional specialization track within my program, I'm also looking to be a China specialist, with hopes of a possible career in either academia or diplomacy. Focusing mainly on history, politics and development related to China including China in an international relations context. Actually have a few books on the subject lined up to read over winter break, including David L. Shambaugh's China Goes Global: The Partial Power, Rana Mitter's Modern China: A Very Short Introduction, and Jeffrey Wasserstrom's China in the 21st Century. 

 

My program also includes some Middle Eastern studies courses and that is certainly a secondary interest of mine. Would love to learn Arabic as third language but will continue focusing primarily on studying as much Chinese as I can. 

 

I completely understand looking into a PhD in a different field, as Asian Studies is a fairly narrow specialization. Especially if one is considering a career in academia there are likely more teaching positions out there for someone with a PhD in History, Geography, Humanities or Political Science than someone whose doctoral work represents a very limited scope rather than a broader picture. 

[steelkokoro]

Any international students who applied to Berkeley? I was just checking their website again the other day to make sure that I had fulfilled all the application requirements......and the page states that official transcripts are required (which I didn't send because the gradadmissions page stated that they were only required -if admitted-) 

It's at least a week past the deadline and the dept seems to be on winter break I just sent my transcripts over today, hope it's not too late.. 

[Hige]

Any international students who applied to Berkeley? I was just checking their website again the other day to make sure that I had fulfilled all the application requirements......and the page states that official transcripts are required (which I didn't send because the gradadmissions page stated that they were only required -if admitted-)

It's at least a week past the deadline and the dept seems to be on winter break I just sent my transcripts over today, hope it's not too late..

I asked sent an email asking about this. I explicitly asked if I needed official transcripts and I for an email saying they were not necessary at this point. I am seeing the same thing on my app, but I can only assume what the person from the department told me is correct.

;

[steelkokoro]

Oh great, they got back to me. Apparently I -do- need to send my transcripts over, because my BA will be from a Japanese university. Phew. 

[MastersHoping]

Hello everyone! I just submitted all my applications in! Nice to meet all of you (virtually, at least ) Good luck to everyone!

1. What program are you applying to (MA/PhD/Other)

I applied to 7 MA programs:

Yale (first choice) transnational east Asia, Stanford (Korea), Harvard (transnational east Asia), Georgetown, Duke, UCLA, SUNY Binghamton

2. Where are you applying or thinking of applying?

^above

3. Background information (undergrad, major, etcetc)

I am currently a 4th year at a very highly-ranked university (I am hoping that this makes up for my low GPA a little), I have a 3.4 overall and a 3.7 in the major (East Asian studies)

I have GRE scores of 163 Verbal, 162 Quant, and 5.0 writing

4. Fun fact unrelated to grad school

Uhhh...I'm fluent in French?

[makingmoves]

I have a question about my application... I don't have time to retake the GREs for my application deadlines this year. 

 

My scores are mediocre... V: 155, Q: 150, 4.0 AWA, 305 Total. (I have diagnosed ADD, so I constantly found myself running out of time during the test due to timing and anxiety/focus issues (practice scores average 155-158Q, 158-160V). I only found out about extended time options too late... so I couldn't use those benefits. Maybe I can upload the diagnosis as supplementary info? If I don't get in this time around, I can always work hard over the year for next year  )

 

I'm applying to Yale and Columbia's East Asian Studies programs.

Yale has a min of 308, and Columbia doesn't have a specified minimum for that specific program.

 

- I have 5 solid recommendations, 3 academic, 2 professional. 

- 3.7 GPA for Chinese coursework (41 credits), 3.45 Major GPA in MIS, (3.25 cumulative due to Computer Science minor) from a mid to upper tiered school (University of Connecticut)

- I've studied abroad for a semester in Taiwan, and speak Mandarin with an advanced proficiency

- Hired as interpreter and venue security for General Electric executives at Beijing Olympics

- My statement of purpose is also solid. 

- I've worked 3 years at a respectable multinational fortune 50 company... facilitating some projects for Chinese customers

- I also have lots of volunteer experience at local schools, tutoring, and TA'ing the language and culture. I'm also working with Junior Achievement's China Global Business Exchange program to help 20 kids from Beijing and CT to create a mock global company.

- And am currently developing a video game to facilitate the learning of the language

 

That being said, do you think the scores will preclude my chances of getting in? How competitive are these programs anyway? Do I have a shot at all?

 

I would apply to more schools and more programs besides Area Studies programs (such as International Relations, Columbia's practical Chinese MARSEA training program, International Business, etc) but my full-time job is willing to sponsor part-time graduate studies. So I can only apply to somewhat nearby schools that offer part-time studies... So given my strong language background, I was going to shoot for a higher level MA in East Asian Studies program, develop a solid foundation of the language, history, and economics of the region, and combine that later with an MBA to become a liaison for business or some other field. Given this goal, any thoughts on local/online/part-time programs I should look into?

Edited December 19, 2013 by makingmoves

[Authorization]

makingmoves: your application will probably be considered as a whole package. I wouldn't worry too much about the GRE scores. Study abroad and experience with the language should certainly help you out. 

[makingmoves]

I'm applying to Yale and Columbia's EAS and EALAC programs, respectively. 

 

I'd like to read a few books from their notable professors to perhaps have some talking points in my essays. My interest is to gain a deep understanding of East Asia (China focus) from a literature, contemporary events, history, politics, economics perspective and combine it with my international business background to perhaps be a liaison in business. A friend from Columbia's EALAC program recommend Columbia professor Madeleine Zelin's The Merchants of Zigong. I plan on reading that over break. Any good reads from Yale professors?

[Authorization]

makingmoves: sounds like you've got some pretty decent goals in mind. Knowing what you want to do with the degree is certainly important! 

[MastersHoping]

How hard is it to get a scholarship or funding for any of these masters? Specifically, Yale, because that's my first choice! And does anyone know how many people apply, how many are admitted, and how many get partial funding?