Middle Eastern History at Chicago

[Ottomania]

Ok, so I got an offer of admission at the University of Chicago's MA in Middle Eastern Studies a week or so ago.I have also been offered a half-tuition scholarship which they will extend to full the next year provided I maintain a 3.5 above. As you can imagine, I am completely over the flippin moon. Chicago was one of my top choices and have been told would be a good stepping stone towards a PhD in Ottoman History.

 

Trouble is, I do not know how manageable a 3.5 is there. I am willing to work very hard, give up everything (literally everything; eating, sleeping, bathing.....ok maybe not bathing) but I do not want to get to Chicago and find out that a 3.5 in the MA programme is a purely theoretical grade level (like decent grades are at Utoronto where they deliberately do grade deflation) and that I would have to pay 50 K the next year in all likelihood which I won't be able to afford.

 

[junotwest]

A few questions to consider: Are you able to contact any current students to ask how realistic it is to expect to earn a 3.5 in your first year? Do you know what the grading system is? Can you ask current students to see sample "A" papers?   Additionally, you can ask your POIs what you can expect in your classes, and perhaps request to see sample syllabi from past classes, anything that better enables you gauge the work required of you so you can determine if you think you can do it. But, chances are, you're a rock star student and will do exceedingly well!  

[Ottomania]

Thanks for the reply, junotwest. No, the site has no roster of current MA students I could contact, nor do I have personal contact with anyone remotely related to the department.

 

But you are right, I could contact my relevant professor there and ask for syllabi. I am not sure what that can tell me grading wise about the department. I am not a grade obsessed student by any standard but when this much money is riding on it, I really want to know. 

[Bactrian]

Ok, so I got an offer of admission at the University of Chicago's MA in Middle Eastern Studies a week or so ago.I have also been offered a half-tuition scholarship which they will extend to full the next year provided I maintain a 3.5 above. As you can imagine, I am completely over the flippin moon. Chicago was one of my top choices and have been told would be a good stepping stone towards a PhD in Ottoman History.

 

Trouble is, I do not know how manageable a 3.5 is there. I am willing to work very hard, give up everything (literally everything; eating, sleeping, bathing.....ok maybe not bathing) but I do not want to get to Chicago and find out that a 3.5 in the MA programme is a purely theoretical grade level (like decent grades are at Utoronto where they deliberately do grade deflation) and that I would have to pay 50 K the next year in all likelihood which I won't be able to afford.

 

A 3.5 at Chicago is absolutely feasible. It's a tough place but the work load and difficulty is not unreasonable if you are committed to doing well. If you haven't been on the quarter system before, though, it takes some getting used to and will feel hectic.

[Ottomania]

A 3.5 at Chicago is absolutely feasible. It's a tough place but the work load and difficulty is not unreasonable if you are committed to doing well. If you haven't been on the quarter system before, though, it takes some getting used to and will feel hectic.

 

Thank you so much for the reply. That puts me at ease. Are you at UChicago?

[Bactrian]

Thank you so much for the reply. That puts me at ease. Are you at UChicago?

 

I was. I got my MA and moved on to do my PhD elsewhere.

[Ottomania]

I was. I got my MA and moved on to do my PhD elsewhere.

 

Oh great. Then perhaps I can PM you sometime if I have any additional questions?

[Bactrian]

Oh great. Then perhaps I can PM you sometime if I have any additional questions?

 

Sure.