So I’m going to be in Harvard’s class of 2023, and I’m very interested in Classics. I’ve been taking Latin for six years and Ancient Greek for two, got a 5 on the Latin AP last year and am currently reading the Iliad in Greek. Can anybody who knows the Harvard program well tell me what classes/level I would most likely place into next year? I’m just wondering how much review I should do to prepare for the placement test to accurately place myself. Also, any tips on how to get ahead with the Classics dept in general would be awesome, I really want to get to Graduate level courses as soon as possible.
Congrats.
For Latin, most likely any course at the 100-level. For Greek, probably Greek 3.
Minimal to none. You’ll likely have to have a conversation with the preceptor to review your results and you really don’t want to get placed beyond your existing knowledge.
You don’t have to prep a lot for placement. In fact, an argument can be made that it can be good to start below your actual level, so as to do more of the curriculum of your particular school.
I don’t know why you want to get to graduate courses so quickly. I did read your other thread and understand that you might want to do an AM along with your AB. I would try to slow down and enjoy your time as an undergrad, explore various interests, get to know peers, and worry about grad school later.
Every classics department is different: you may even want to do your master’s elsewhere.
If finances are the reason for your plans to do grad work, you may also consider direct entry programs to a PhD in order to secure funding through a master’s, after you graduate from Harvard.
What would you do with an MA in Latin or Greek anyway? That’s kind of a useless degree. It’s not useless to have the expertise in language, history, and literature, but a piece of paper that says A.M. is not likely to be a qualification for anything in the world you might be interested in doing, as compared to a PhD or an AB with lots of skills.
Moot point. One can’t do a 4th year masters in Classics. But @JHS ’ comment is valid for a masters in comparative literature.