GRE required for UChicago Humanities

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I'm sure there's a FAQ and other threads on this somewhere, but I did look and couldn't find them.</p>

<p>Basically, I'm an Australian student looking at doing an MA at University of Chicago in Humanities. Not sure if the area of study's relevant, but it's Near Eastern Languages and Civilisations. Their site says that there's no minimum to apply, but I'm sure there's a minimum to be competitive? </p>

<p>The reason I ask is that I could sit the test a number of times between now and when my application would have to go in. However, it'll mean a lot of study to get even an okay score in the quantitative section (I haven't done any maths for 6 years).</p>

<p>Lastly, would a place like Humanities really consider all of the score parts equally?</p>

<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :-) </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>First - Ignore most of this post if you're on the "modern" side of NELC!</p>

<p>I'm a student in the Classics post-bac at Penn so for what its worth, we're being told in Classics the top programs (like Chicago) are expecting scores in high 1300s/5.5AW as a minimum to be competitive with the Verbal score being given higher weight in the evaluation. Don't worry too much about the "math". It is no more than high school geometry.</p>

<p>That said, the GRE is one of those things (like GPA) that can keep you out more than get you in. There have recently been some posts on CLASSICS-L that indicate that the "real" gating factor (in UC Classics admits at least) is language preparation. In our case, that's 3 years each of Latin and Greek, plus German reading knowledge. Given those, the attention then shifts to the writing sample and LORs. Essentially, for Chicago, no one with less than that level of language prep gets past the first screening. Very high GPA is a given: greater than 3.6 (I've been told my 3.63 is "acceptable").</p>

<p>Obviously, for NELC there's going to be some differences since very few undergrad programs teach those languages (at least the ancient ones). Just at a guess, to be competitive you're going to need at least German (plus a modern NE language if that's your area of concentration). Greek would probably help if you're doing the ancient side.</p>

<p>So the bottom line is:</p>

<p>1400+ combined on the GRE
3.6 or better GPA
Superior language prep (email and ask what they are looking for to be competitive)
Excellent writing sample
Enthusiastic LORs
Coherent SOP</p>

<p>Graduate admissions have become insanely competitive these last few years. Good Luck!</p>

3

<p>Thank you so much for your post.</p>

<p>I know you say not to worry about the maths side, but I literally haven't done it past year being 16 (now 22), which was in our year 10 (year 12 being the last of school). So I've literally done one year of high school maths. I'm looking at prep, and given the amount of time that I should have, I think that I can be competitive with it (hopefully!).</p>

<p>For the record, I'm looking at the very ancient side of things. From the beginning, I've understood the importance of German, so I've been essentially doing it as a major as well. Also have reading knowledge of French.</p>

<p>My GPA is actually something like 3.9 - most of my marks have been HDs, although I've got some Ds as well as one credit, so I think that shouldn't be a problem. </p>

<p>May I ask what you mean by "LORs" and "SOP"? </p>

<p>Your post is really encouraging - the big problem is that none of my colleagues have much experience with US admissions. Would it be reasonable to send an enquiry to the university and ask about any other things they're looking for in a graduate application? Their website is unfortunately very vague. </p>

<p>Thank you again for your help. To be honest, I find the GRE system a bit mind-boggling at times. I've had several academic papers published, I contribute to archaeological fieldwork, etc, but I have to go back and waste valuable academic time to cram for a test which is not even testing skills that are going to be relevant for me. It's like being in high school all over again. :')</p>

4

<p>LOR = letter of recommendation. Not sure what SOP is. Statement of ...?</p>

5

<p>SOP = Statement of Purpose</p>

6

<p>If one was looking at UChicago's Ph.D program in Egyptology, would reading knowledge of French and German be acceptable?</p>

7

<p>pwar - others have hit the acronyms for you, so...</p>

<p>It looks like you have everything nailed down. Definitely email (maybe even arrange a time to call) and describe your situation. They may be in a position to make exceptions - but be sure to ask if that sort of thing would affect your eligibility (or competitiveness) for university-wide fellowships and other financial aid. </p>

<p>White_Rabbit - I would expect so - obviously only a handful of schools teach the ancient languages to undergrads. Be aware that schools vary widely in what they accept for the "reading knowledge" requirement. Some accept undergrad transcripts showing the elementary sequence, others offer a summer "reading knowledge" course, and some, no matter what your preparation require a formal test. Nothing to really worry about, but obviously you want to avoid a situation where you might have to take additional courses that first year.</p>

<p>And of course if your interests extend to the Ptolemaic period, Greek could help as well. (can you tell I'm in Classics?)</p>

<p>And remember that UC has an early application deadline - December 15!</p>

8

<p>WilliamC, you're like a classics pusher. I envision you standing on street corners: "Hey, kid! I got this Greek textbook for you, cheap. I also got a good dictionary or two, you know, to take the edge off. if you like that, come back and see me. I'll hook you up with some Sophocles."</p>

9

<p>I'm actually only a freshman in college at Harvard. However, I have long held a certain romantic feeling for Egyptology at UChicago. I would have gone to UChicago for Undergraduate if their FA hadn't been 1/4 of that offered by Harvard. So I'm merely looking to the future. I'm already taking French, and I found a course here that is a German "Reading and Writing Course." So it is beginning German from just the reading and writing point of view.</p>

<p>Also, if you happen to know anything about what they might look for in applicants. If I decide I want to apply, what majors do they look for? My current intended major is History, but is having a degree in Near Eastern Language and Civilization a must? The program here has a very strong modern focus and so it doesn't appeal to me.</p>

10

<p>Wait, is the OP doing the MA or the PhD? Applications to MAPH, the general humanities master's program at Chicago are WAY less competitive than the PhD programs. If they require a GRE score, I can't imagine their average is much higher than 1250 with a definite drop in math. Do you even need a language? I'd be shocked if you did. MAPH is the default repository for a lot of PhD program rejects there--they will often offer admission to people who don't make the cut for a humanities department PhD. Also, keep in mind when applying to MAPH that you're NOT applying to the NELC department, but to a general program. I'm not even sure your application will be evaluated by a professor in the field. OP--you sure you don't want to just try for the PhD instead?</p>

11

<p>OP is applying to MA it seems. I was asking about the Ph.D program in Egyptology.</p>

12

<p>I really can't thank everyone enough.</p>

<p>Just to clarify, I'm interested in Egyptology. I've hit the ancient languages as hard as possible (with the exception of Greek, although I've got a 'working' understanding of it ;-) as well as modern.</p>

<p>Since you've brought up whether I'm applying for the MA or PhD - I'd definitely be looking at the MA. However as far as I know, these programs are linked. See [url=<a href="http://humanities.uchicago.edu/depts/nelc/currentrules.html#1-5%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://humanities.uchicago.edu/depts/nelc/currentrules.html#1-5]here[/url&lt;/a&gt;]. Is this correct? Say if I apply for an MA there, it looks like I could continue to a PhD if all things go well?</p>

<p>I'd be very interested in continuing on to a PhD there if the MA went well, but I'd definitely need to do the MA first. I really don't want to jump into a PhD simply because I'm not trained enough in what I want - I really need something like an MA coursework before even hoping to start a PhD.</p>

<p>whatsyours - thanks for the info about the MAPH. It looks really interesting, but not what I'd be doing in a NELC MA. The website doesn't really specify, but I don't think I'd be enough Egyptology for me. I reckon it'd be cool for someone that just wanted a general grad degree though!</p>

<p>White_Rabbit - as you can see, I'm certainly no expert on the matter. But as you know, if you want to study Egyptology, make sure you've got a good understanding of German and French. German is slightly more important, imo. Despite what people say, a 'reading knowledge' really isn't enough. I recommend taking 'real' German classes as I just don't think any amount of reading courses are enough. I really believe you've got to take the speaking courses too. For you (I assume you'll graduate with a BA at Harvard), is it really viable to go from your current undergrad degree to a PhD? From what I understand of your system, you'd need to look at what I'm looking at, ie something like the combined MA + PhD.</p>

<p>WilliamC - thanks again (to you and others) for your help. I've emailed them about it and just got a response to email someone else. :p Your idea is great; I might set up a phone conversation to explain my situation to them.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the help again, all. Outside of what I've asked above, any other comments or experiences that may be helpful (or just interesting!) would be greatly appreciated. :-)</p>

13

<p>I would be applying to the MA/Ph.D program. Most programs allow you to pick up the MA along the way if that interests you, but it really isn't a huge deal unless you plan on leaving the program. Though please correct me if I'm wrong on that account.</p>

14

<p>I think that's correct.</p>

<p>Much better system than here, where the MA is basically another discrete degree, separated from your Bachelors and from any other research degrees.</p>

15

<p>I'm not aware of Chicago offering any terminal MAs other than MAPH in humanities. What you're looking at seems to be a PhD program application, only the department structures it so that the MA is a more significant part of the process than usual. But yes, it in this case, ignore what I posted about MAPH standards--totally not relevant. I assumed you were referring to the terminal master's.</p>

16

<p>From [url=<a href="http://humanities.uchicago.edu/depts/nelc/currentrules.html#1-5%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://humanities.uchicago.edu/depts/nelc/currentrules.html#1-5]here[/url&lt;/a&gt;], I understand that you enrol in their grad degree. Not sure what it's called or if it even has a name. After two years in this program, if it's decided that you shouldn't continue on to a PhD, you take out an MA. I would hope to continue to a PhD, ie that's my aim. </p>

<p>Sorry about the confusion - I thought that you applied for an MA, and then transferred. Understand it now!</p>

<p>I actually have a friend who would still love to do something like the MAPH, so I shall pass it on. Thanks for all the info again. :)</p>

17

<p>

Well, don't get <em>too</em> focused on Egyptology at Chicago. At the graduate level, it really comes down to a good fit between faculty and student research interests. A student interested in the New Kingdom would arguably be better served at Johns Hopkins, for example (since Peter Dorman left Chicago :(). </p>

<p>As it turns out, you're not that bad off. Harvard has a postdoctoral</a> Egyptologist on staff this year, and it's in the process of hiring a full-time Egyptologist to start next fall. Harvard doesn't usually offer Middle Egyptian, but I think John</a> Huehnergard teaches it occasionally; you might want to ask him when it'll be offered again. </p>

<p>I agree with WilliamC in terms of preparation. I would add that an archaeological field school would be a nice plus if you're interested in Egyptian archaeology. NYU's Amheida</a> project might be of particular interest to you. In terms of language preparation, reading knowledge of German and French is practically required. Most programs don't require Egyptian, although a few either strongly recommend it (Brown, Penn) or consider it a plus (Yale, JHU). Greek probably wouldn't be that helpful unless you're interested in the later periods of Egyptian history, but Akkadian (offered in NELC) would be extremely useful. Hebrew and/or Hittite might be useful to have as well. Finally, you're lucky enough to have two good museums nearby- Harvard's Semitic</a> Museum and the Museum</a> of Fine Arts. An internship at either would look very good on an application.</p>