Preparing for PhD in Middle Eastern Studies

[pdoseven]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm new to the forums but have been lurking for months as I contemplate what options for the future are going to best prepare me for admission to a Middle Eastern Studies PhD program. I'm concerned that I don't have enough relevant experience to be competitive candidate.

 

Some background: I graduated May 2013 with honors with a degree in International Studies and Spanish. Since that time, I've taken a position at a non-profit focused on college access for low-income students -- great work, but not relevant to my goal of become a professor.

 

As an undergrad, I didn't take much coursework directly related to MENA, but I did take two years of Arabic, and spent two summers in North Africa through the State Department's Critical Language Scholarship program. This, and some small-time volunteer work I do at a non-profit focusing on Arab-American literature and art, is my only experience with the Arab world.

 

What I need guidance on is whether this background is enough to go ahead and apply for PhD programs, or if I should try to get more relevant post-college experience first.

 

Thanks all for your insight!