<p>Getting ready to start my senior year in the fall at South Carolina. I've got Ole Miss and Univ. of Alabama at the top of my list. I want to get my MA in French. Both MS and AL have small programs in a small town and both schools have replied promptly to my emails.</p>
<p>That being said, I'm a bit worried about my chances of getting in. I know I'm not applying to the hardest schools, but I'm still worried about the process. I think I'm applying in August. Both schools told me that GAs and financial aid are on a first-come first-serve basis. I hope I'm not applying too early.</p>
<p>Another thing I'm worried about is my GPA. It's only a 3.2, but I've got a 3.75 in my major courses. I'm hoping my recommendations can help this some. I haven't taken the GRE yet, but most French programs don't require it, so I don't know if I'm going to.</p>
<p>Finally, most schools want a writing sample in French. I've written many essays, but the best one is only six pages long. Is this an adequate writing sample for graduate school? Also, if I apply in August, how long should it take each school to give me a decision?</p>
<p>First, I have to wonder why you want an MA in French.</p>
<p>Second, as far as deadlines go. You can apply in August IF the applications are up. Most schools don’t put their applications up until late August or early September. Then, how long your decision will take depends on the school. Programs with rolling admissions may let you know ~6 weeks after you apply. But more than likely, the school has a deadline sometime between December and February and you won’t actually find out until March or April.</p>
<p>GPA - your major GPA will be more important than what you got in math or biology.</p>
<p>Six pages is generally too short for a grad school writing sample - most I’ve seen ask for between 10 and 25 pages (15-20 being the general average).</p>
<p>Basically, I’ve enjoyed majoring in French here, but feel that I haven’t learned enough. My school didn’t offer any phonetics courses. I’d also like to take courses just on certain periods of French literature and history. I’ve pretty much just skimmed the surface during my undergraduate studies.</p>
<p>I’ve got a good major GPA, so I’m not worried there. I am however worried about the writing sample. I only have one other essay that’s longer, but its just about architecture in France. The other paper is about existentialism theory, so I feel it better suits the spot.</p>
<p>Should I write a long paper this summer about my experiences abroad or something? I want to make sure my writing sample is adequate.</p>