NELC/Middle Eastern Studies Fall 2014

[Khayzuran]

Congrats Idoone, you've given us a glimmer of hope, although it's the hope that's killing me right now! With two official rejections in the last week and Columbia likely gone as well, I'm down to three schools (the joint MES & History programs at NYU and Harvard, and NES at Princeton) and starting to think in terms of Plan B.

Which programs have already sent out rejections, if you don't mind sharing?

[Conmel]

My rejections have been from History programs - UCLA and LSE officially so far, and I'm assuming Columbia as well, since they sent out their acceptances a week or two ago.

Edited February 22, 2014 by Conmel

[shoshenqiii]

Has anyone heard from UCLA NELC with any official rejections? I saw that there have been two subfield Egyptology acceptances quite early on on the results page but nothing from any of the other subfields. I still haven't heard anything! Hoping that the posted acceptances were the "rockstars" and the rest of us still waiting in the dark stand a chance! 

[Fresno]

Anyone knows anything about when the Umich Ann Arbor Near Eastern Studies will announce the results? Or have you received anything; rejection, interview or waitlist etc.?

[kindle1990]

Anyone knows anything about when the Umich Ann Arbor Near Eastern Studies will announce the results? Or have you received anything; rejection, interview or waitlist etc.?

Yep: a couple of days ago, a friend of mine was interviewed by Umich Ann Arbor NES.

[Ross Thames]

Shoshenqiii, I got accepted into the UCLA PhD NELC program last Friday. I got my funding offer with the acceptance as well. 

[shoshenqiii]

Anyone knows anything about when the Umich Ann Arbor Near Eastern Studies will announce the results? Or have you received anything; rejection, interview or waitlist etc.?

 

I know of someone who was also rejected this week. Best of luck to you!

[shoshenqiii]

Shoshenqiii, I got accepted into the UCLA PhD NELC program last Friday. I got my funding offer with the acceptance as well. 

 

Congrats! And with funding too - great job! Still waiting to hear...

[Ottomania]

Whats the deal with NYU Near Eastern Studies? MA decisions are usually out by now right?

[Ross Thames]

I know this should go in the decisions decisions forums, but I didn't see any activity over there for Near Eastern Studies. Does anyone have any impressions, opinions, ideas, hearsay about the Arabic programs at UCLA versus UT Austin? Just academically speaking. Maybe even general impressions of the amount of academic independence/ size of program/etc for the programs in general. I've heard that UT Austin has a very strict orthodoxy about their Arabic program (they literally write the book) but that they also have an awesome program. I've heard so little about UCLA beforehand, but in speaking with a current student, it seems like a tiny program, which could also be a good thing in terms of independence/access to professors. Any thoughts?

[TinyUmbrella]

Hey Ross, 

 

I've heard excellent things about UT's program. I've heard from several students and professors (from UT and other schools) that it is the best program in terms of the level of challenge and the support from the professors. I've heard Brustad and al Batal are not only experts (like you said they wrote al kitaab) but are very friendly and approachable. The other Arabic program I've heard good reviews from is Georgetown. I'm not sure about UCLA (sorry about that). 

 

One thing--I'm not sure if this is applicable to you/if you are interested in the program--but the CASA program which has been housed at UT has recently (like within the past two weeks) been moved to Harvard. 

 

Hope this helps. 

[Fresno]

I got a rejection e-mail from UMICH a few days ago   Has anyone heard from New York University Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies? (Joint Degree History) 

[Ross Thames]

Hey Ross, 

 

I've heard excellent things about UT's program. I've heard from several students and professors (from UT and other schools) that it is the best program in terms of the level of challenge and the support from the professors. I've heard Brustad and al Batal are not only experts (like you said they wrote al kitaab) but are very friendly and approachable. The other Arabic program I've heard good reviews from is Georgetown. I'm not sure about UCLA (sorry about that). 

 

Hope this helps. 

Hey TinaUmbrella,

 

Yes, that does help. I think that no one really other than current students has much to say about UCLA is telling. I can personally attest that both Brustad and al Batal have been insanely friendly. Brustad wrote me a huge email twice, once before I had gotten in, to explain everything. I also spoke to professor el-Ariss whose book the trials of Arab modernity is excellent. I've been leaning really strongly towards UT, but since I have been blessed to have a choice, I wanted to make it as informed as possible. 

[mswaney]

Has anyone heard anything from NELC at UPenn? It's the last program I'm waiting to hear from, and I'm getting a bit of pressure to make my decision...Thanks!

[TinyUmbrella]

Hey TinaUmbrella,

 

Yes, that does help. I think that no one really other than current students has much to say about UCLA is telling. I can personally attest that both Brustad and al Batal have been insanely friendly. Brustad wrote me a huge email twice, once before I had gotten in, to explain everything. I also spoke to professor el-Ariss whose book the trials of Arab modernity is excellent. I've been leaning really strongly towards UT, but since I have been blessed to have a choice, I wanted to make it as informed as possible. 

 

Awesome to hear--I'm actually in a dilemma myself--perhaps you might be able to help, as a fellow MES applicant strongly considering UT's program.

 

Of the schools I have been accepted to, I am strongly considering UT's MES MA program, NYU's Near Eastern Studies MA program, and Harvard's Middle Eastern Studies MA program through CMES. I am really lucky to have these great options, but I find myself constantly changing my mind on which is the best program for me. I definitely have a modern focus and there are professors at all three schools that mesh well with my proposed thesis research topic. Also, funding isn't an issue for these three programs. Again, I feel really lucky (but also stuck). 

 

I think UT probably has the best Arabic program. Also, I've heard there's a great level of cooperation between the students. Plus, Austin would be a great town to be in (less important, but still noteworthy when making a decision). The downside, is the professor I'd work with isn't interested in exactly what I'm interested in (but still in the general scope)--my advising options would be closer to my interests at NYU and Harvard. Based on my conversations with current NYU students, the professors are really accessible and it's very easy to find an advisor. Also, I've heard there are a lot of events on campus from really excellent guest speakers. Harvard has (obviously) the name that would be recognized internationally. I like that I'd have access to HKS, Fletcher, and HDS, so I could really tailor my experience to my interests. Again, great events/speakers. However, I'm not sure if my educational experience would be as "intimate" as it would be at UT and NYU since many of the professors/ researchers are really focused on their own work. 

 

Ultimately, I want to be able to get a job or possibly go on to get a PhD. I want to have a challenging and worthwhile experience at school, but I also want to make sure I am in a position where I am employable. Have you (or anyone else on this forum) heard anything that could help sway me one way or another? Any help would be much appreciated! 

[TinyUmbrella]

I got a rejection e-mail from UMICH a few days ago   Has anyone heard from New York University Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies? (Joint Degree History) 

 

Hey Fresno, I've heard from the NYU Middle Eastern Studies MA program. I heard about a week back. From my experience, the Kevorkian center faculty (I assume your program is under that dept.) is really friendly and responsive via phone and email. Perhaps you could give them a call. I'm not sure about your program, but I have to accept/decline their offer by March 28 (eek! soon!), so it may be best to give them a call just so you don't have to make a rushed decision super close to the deadline. Best of luck to you!

Edited March 7, 2014 by TinyUmbrella

[boomah]

Off topic: are there any funded MA programs in Middle Eastern studies / Islamic Studies / NELC?

[TinyUmbrella]

Off topic: are there any funded MA programs in Middle Eastern studies / Islamic Studies / NELC?

 

Hey Boomah, 

 

Many offer funding through FLAS or general scholarships; however, funding is less common for MA candidates (in comparison to PhD candidates). U Chicago is generally great about offering funding. Also, I know several people who have received some sort of funding from UT Austin, Gtown, JHU SAIS, NYU, and GW Elliott. I'm not sure if you're looking into these programs, but I hope this helps. Best of luck. 

[mswaney]

I know I asked this earlier, but does anyone have any info about acceptances/rejections for NELC at UPenn? I hadn't heard anything from them, so last week I finally emailed the department and they told me I am on a waitlist. I haven't really seen much activity on the results page for UPenn, so I have no clue when they might have made their offers. Just trying to gauge how long of a wait I am in for until I get a definitive answer. 

 

Thanks! 

[partycat]

Anyone have any idea about the likelihood of getting off a funding waitlist? I've been accepted to the MAAS program at Georgetown and the NES program at NYU, but I was waitlisted for funding at both.