UCLA or UT Austin for Near Eastern Studies

[Ross Thames]

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?

[sacklunch]

You might try posting in the Religion section, or in the Interdisciplinary NELC thread.

[Ross Thames]

thanks a lot!