International Student: Grad School for Linguistics/Languages

Graduate School
1

<p>I’m from Austria and hope to go to grad school in the US. I’ve completed my BA in linguistics with approximately the equivalent of a 3.9 GPA (out of 4) and graduated from high school as the best student of my year. I’m fluent in English and German, I have near native fluency in Icelandic, and I have a working knowledge of French, Spanish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and Mari (a Finno-Ugric language) in addition to six years of Latin in school. I’m currently completing a second BA as well as taking select courses in economics and Russian. </p>

<p>I’m working part time as a translator, mostly translating from/to Icelandic, and I’m teaching learning disabled children German and English. In addition to that I’ve lived in Canada for an extended amount of time and been to many different European countries. I have not done any research apart from for my thesis or published papers so far though as the school system here is different and doesn’t require you to do that.</p>

<p>I haven't taken the GRE and TOEFL yet, but at least the TOEFL won't pose a problem.</p>

<p>I’m hoping to go overseas for a while when I’m done with my second degree. My focus is obviously on Eastern and Northern European languages. I’m considering master programs in Languages and Linguistics (and after the master most likely a Ph.d.). </p>

<p>Which universities would you recommend I look into considering my background? </p>

<p>Do I even have a chance at being admitted to one of the better universities?</p>

<p>One big factor for me are the tuition fees and general living costs. How common is financial aid for international students in the US?</p>

2

<p>Are you looking only for a master’s program or also a doctorate? You said that you’re teaching languages right now. Do you hope to continue to teach? </p>

<p>Here are some top universities for linguistics and language/literacy in education:
[Educational</a> Linguistics | Penn GSE](<a href=“http://www.gse.upenn.edu/degrees_programs/ed_linguistics]Educational”>http://www.gse.upenn.edu/degrees_programs/ed_linguistics)
[Applied</a> Linguistics at Teachers College, Columbia University](<a href=“http://www.tc.columbia.edu/academic/a&hdept/AppliedLinguistics/]Applied”>http://www.tc.columbia.edu/academic/a&hdept/AppliedLinguistics/)
[Language</a> and Literacy](<a href=“http://www.gse.harvard.edu/academics/masters/langlit/index.html]Language”>http://www.gse.harvard.edu/academics/masters/langlit/index.html)</p>

<p>As far as financial aid, there really is no “free” money for graduate students. You would have to work as a graduate fellow, research assistant, do work study, etc. Although if you’re going for a doctorate then your tuition should be covered by the school. The majority of schools cover the cost of tuition and provide some sort of stipend for the Ph.D./Ed.D students but this will require some more research on your part.</p>

3

<p>I’d like to continue to teach, but more at a university level or with older children while doing some research in regards to Northern and Eastern European languages.</p>

<p>For now I’m looking at master’s programs, but I will most likely do a doctorate after that.</p>

4

<p>Since you’re doing a second BA, it sounds like you still have a few years to go before graduate school. From your background and GPA, I think you do have a good chance of being admitted to schools in the US. I can’t really say for certain without any test scores. </p>

<p>The GRE will be changing soon (in March?) so depending on your vocabulary level, you may want to take it before the test changes.</p>

5

<p>If you really want to pursue scandinavian languages UC Berkley and UW Madison are the best for it.</p>