MA in Chinese Studies

[shootsup]

Hello everyone,

 

I am interested in pursuing a MA (or possibly a PhD if the right one is discovered) in Chinese Studies.  I'm somewhat flexible as to the specifics, but definitely something focused on China in the modern world and its international relationships.

 

I scored pretty well on my GRE (165-V, 155-Q, 5.5-AW [scored a 6 on a previous test, would they count that instead?]) and had a 3.3 GPA from UCLA with a BA in Political Science.  I have been working at a top defense consulting firm in DC for the past two years and have an elementary understanding of Mandarin.  As such, I feel pretty confident I can compete at most of the top tier programs (am I correct in feeling this way?).

 

My prompt for you all is providing some perspective on how competitive I really am, and what programs you all might know of that might be interesting.

 

I've started looking at a number of different programs but haven't had time to look in detail yet.  I would ideally like to study in California or China proper, if possible.

 

On my pedestrian run through of potential departments and resulting programs, I have:

CEAS-Yale

CEAS-Stanford

JAIS-Johns Hopkins (this is in China I think)

IR/PS-UCSD

Regional Studies-Harvard

Regional Studies-Columbia

Contemporary Chinese Studies-Nottingham (also in China I think)

[fakeusername]

Based on your experience, I would say that pursuing a PhD in political science with a focus on China is the best option.  I don't think a PhD in Chinese Studies would make you competitive for academic positions and wouldn't be much of a leg up in the type of work you are already doing, whereas a PhD in political science would be a benefit for both.  I would look at any departments that have a strong comparative focus on China and with some really prominent China scholars.  Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Columbia are good.  Berkeley has O'Brien and Dittmer, and is probably the best option; MIT has Fravel; GWU has Shambaugh; Cornell has Mertha and Carlson; Michigan has several China scholars; UW Madison also might not be a bad choice, since Manion is still there.  Any of those would be a great place to get a PhD in political science with a focus on China, and because you have experience they would probably fund your language training.

Edited February 9, 2015 by fakeusername