Advice for incoming masters students going on to PhD

[Averroes MD]

I, along with several others here, will start a masters degree (MTS at HDS) in fall of this year. I am strongly considering a PhD (in Islamic studies).

What should I do to optimize my chances of getting into a PhD program (in the U.S.)?

Also, what about languages? Is knowing primary language enough (Classical Arabic in my case)?

Advice with regard to what classes to make sure to take, how to arrange schedule, etc. ?

Thanks!

[awells27]

If I could do it over.

 

1.  Make sure, when you schedule classes, that you are lining up which professors you will take more than one class with - professors known and published in their field - so that you will maximize the chances of who will write your LORs 2-3 years from now.  You want LORs from known scholars, not last minute profs you request whom you took one class with.

 

2.  When you do research, study the works of scholars whom you might want to do doctoral studies with.  That way, when you apply down the road, both your SOP and writing sample will show an honest and critical understanding of their work.

 

3.  Start considering how you can advance research in your field under  potential faculty advisors in future PhD programs.  

 

4.  Do not start studying for the GRE during the fall round of your application season.  Better to take a summer off and prepare when you are not in class.

 

5.  The languages beyond Arabic will depend on which historical period is your specialization.  I would think that in most cases, Hebrew, French, and German would be requisite, and then, depending on your specialization, others may be relevant.  

[Averroes MD]

Thanks for your awesome advice!

By the way, I do think it's the height of Orientalism that I would have to study European languages for Islamic studies aside from Arabic instead of Persian, Urdu, etc.

[awells27]

Thanks for your awesome advice!

By the way, I do think it's the height of Orientalism that I would have to study European languages for Islamic studies aside from Arabic instead of Persian, Urdu, etc.

French and German are requisite modern research languages for almost any field in the humanities.  If you are studying Islam's relationship with European countries in medieval times, likewise you would need European languages.  If you are studying Islam in the Near East, you will still need French and German for research languages, as well as Persian, Hebrew, etc.  This isn't Orientalism; this is reality

Edited March 18, 2014 by awells27

[sacklunch]

You're quite right; it is orientalism at its finest. Though because western scholarship is essentially grounded in an orientalist POV, you gots to study those languages. Even if your goal is to overturn that traditional narrative, doing so will require engagement with those western secondary/primary sources. 

 

awells gave a great list. languages, languages, languages. If you're in any ancient/medieval/certain modern field, do it now or you will blow your chance for one of those big name doctoral programs. HDS has great summer language programs. Do those. Hell, start this summer, either there or wherever you can. If you are not married and/or with kids, go abroad. Take a community college summer German or French class. Find ways to document your language skills. Admittedly, I am a bit anal about all of this, since my interests are decidedly 'textual'; but I also had really good luck with doctoral apps this season. So I suspect I'm at least somewhat correct!!

 

And yes, take as many classes as you can with your letter writers. I am absolutely sure my writers, having studied independently with two of them, made a huge difference in my application. If they can say a lot about your work and your personality, you may just move to the head of the pile. 

 

One last thing: be friendly, to everyone. Ours, like all academic (sub-)fields, is an incredibly incestuous and insular field. If you say something negative about a scholar to another scholar, there is a good chance they know her/him. Be friendly, open-minded, courteous, humble, and most of all, professional. No one wants to take on a student who's a jerk for five plus years. Good luck!

Edited March 18, 2014 by derewigestudent

[RedDoor]

I suppose this might be a good place to discuss the ever present "if I had to do it over again" question.

I didn't apply to any universities or mainline seminaries at the time because I had no money to apply elsewhere (I worked for 2 months for ~minimum wage to pay the matriculation fees) and I had a very low academic self-esteem. My college is not well known and my references have not been published, so I thought a more moderately conservative seminary like Fuller, Wheaton, or GCTS would be my only shot (I say moderate because at the time it was them versus TEDS or DTS). But, it might very well have been my experience here that has caused me to change in a way to realize these things. Who knows. Also, I wouldn't have met my wife--that'd be a bummer.

 

So, if I had to give advice to my undergrad self and anybody applying to M* programs in the future, it's that you'll never know where you'll get accepted--believe that any place is a possibility, no matter how remote, and apply away!

 

Also, start dressing better. Yikes.

Edited March 21, 2014 by RedDoor