Before Fall 2014

[tspier2]

Hi everyone! I was wondering if any of our seasoned graduate students in linguistics had suggestions or advice about what to do during the summer before beginning a Ph.D. program. Your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks! :-)

 

For the record, I'll be heading to Tulane for their Ph.D. Linguistics program.

[fuzzylogician]

Relax, travel, read non-academic books, get a tan, enjoy time off with family and friends. 

 

If you feel seriously behind or lacking in one (or more) of the key subfields you'll have first-year classes in, you could write the graduate student coordinator and ask if there is anything in particular that you should brush up on. Otherwise, I would advise against cramming or trying to learn things in advance. Things will happen fast once you start your program and honestly I think it'd be a waste of your time to try and prepare too much for that. You don't know which way your instructor will take things, and besides they accepted you with your background and therefore they must believe that it's sufficient for their program. 

 

If you have an assigned advisor and you haven't done this yet, I'd suggest you write, introduce yourself, and thank them for taking you on as their student. Ask if there is anything in particular they suggest you do over the summer. Follow their advice. If there is nothing in particular that they recommend, just say you'll be in touch later in the summer when you have plans for when you'll be there, and wish them a productive summer. Normally, grad schools won't expect you to be there or work/study as part of the program in the summer before you begin.  

[hoviariel]

You can try learning French for Reading