PhD in Classics

Graduate School
1

<p>I am a philologist (specialised in Latin). I would like to apply in an American PhD. Considering how bad the academic job market is supposed to be in classics, I would like to limit myself only to top departments. Now, I have no clue as to whether my file is strong enough to be competitive. I would rather be told to stop now if what I target is unrealistic. Perhaps someone can help? </p>

<p>I am Canadian. I did my B.A. at a big Canadian research University and I am currently doing my M.A. at another, bigger, Canadian research University. </p>

<p>My UGPA is slightly above 3.7, on a general trend upward. I have no mark below B-. During my last semester, I had a perfect GPA (while taking only M.A. language seminars). The problem is that due to a variety of reasons, I do have some Bs in advanced undergraduate classes, including some in Latin. That is stressing me out a great deal. They are spread out over my entire B.A. (last year excepted). I won two (minor) scholarships during my B.A. I made the Dean's list (top 10%).</p>

<p>I will not be asking for letters of reference from my undergrad institution as I suspect I would get much more enthusiast and more up-to-date letters from my current department. So, if I feel that explanations are needed for the Bs obtained during my B.A., I would need to provide them myself. I am not certain of whether I should, as it would take time (there is no single cause for all of them that I can easily pinpoint).</p>

<p>During my first year of M.A., I got a mid-A average (85% average). I would say I am definitely above the average of my cohort, but nothing absolutely outstanding. I did not receive any Bs, but there are still some minor potholes (one Latin class in my speciality with a decent but somewhat disappointing low A). No mark could be called 'poor' or 'worrying'. A few are excellent, but none are astounding. I fear that this might be a bit low for what is expected of applicants, but I hope this is not enough to exclude me.</p>

<p>I do not have any publications unfortunately, but I presented this year the research I did as an undergraduate (it was well received everywhere). I read two papers (one at an out-of-province graduate student conference, the other at a smaller venue at a nearby university). Another paper has been accepted at a conference for next year. This conference is also open to faculty members (I am the only M.A. presenter, in fact, if that is worth noting).</p>

<p>I won a small fellowship from my university this year, but failed to obtain bigger, national scholarships. With the economy, I was told this was to be expected. Still, this hurts. </p>

<p>I am working as a research assistant (doing work actually related to Latin philology, albeit outside the scope of what would fit usually in a classics department. I am also doing some comparative lit. in French). As a teaching assistant, I was taking care of an advanced literature class, in translation. I also have some teaching experience under my belt (I prepared and gave a few lectures here and there). I will submit parts of my M.A. thesis as my writing sample.</p>

<p>I will be applying with 6 years of Latin (13 classes all in all, one directed reading), but only 4 of Greek (6 classes. I am trying to help my file by tackling on several directed readings this summer). Greek might be a weakness, as the first three years are considered undergraduate-level. I will be joining the M.A.-level seminars only this fall. In comparison, I began taking M.A. seminars during my second year of B.A., in Latin. So, I have a very strong language (in which I got a few so so marks), and a much weaker one (though the marks are excellent). Odd. </p>

<p>My GRE score is above 1400 (740 Verbal). I got a near perfect score on the TOEFL. I am perfectly fluent in French. I am actually still doing research in French and I have formal training in linguistics and French philology. I have 2 years of German (strictly for reading purposes, I cannot speak it) and one year of Italian (for reading and speaking). </p>

<p>So, can anybody help assess my chances? With no major scholarship and a few dull marks on my report (so so marks in Latin, UGPA that leaves a lot to be desired, etc), but several years of Latin, R.A and T.A. ships, conferences and lectures... should I even think of the bests departments in philology? And will the fact that I come from Canadian universities hinder me much?</p>

2

<p>Coming from Canadian universities should not hurt you at all, especially if they are recognizable institutions (Univ. of Toronto, McGill, for two). Your undergraduate GPA should not be much of a factor considering that you have a track record at the graduate level, although an undergrad 3.7 out of 4.0 is still strong.</p>

<p>I know nothing about Classics doctoral programs; however, you probably will be competing with recent B.A.s, giving you an edge over less experienced applicants. You may have to take more classes than you’d like (say, in Greek, along with the others who have not had more than 4 years.) And – again, an uninformed opinion – I would guess that your competence in other languages would be a plus as well since all humanities disciplines require reading competency in at least two languages, with more languages strengthening the application.</p>

<p>Since you want to limit yourself to only the top departments, go for it. If you don’t get into any, then you can reevaluate your plans. But if you DO get in, you’ll be glad you took the chance.</p>

3

<p>Bs are not bad. Do not let Bs stress you out. I have some Cs and even an F and I made it into a top graduate program. You do not have to explain a B.</p>

<p>Anyway, considering your stats, I think you have very chood chances. You have the research, the scores, the fluency in French and experience in Latin, your Greek is fine (I’m not in classics, but I think 4 years of Greek is more than most applicants have – just from perusing threads like these), your GPA is excellent and your MA record seems excellent too. Most applicants don’t have any publications, but you have conference presentations.</p>

<p>I think you’re a good candidate for admissions to top programs. Don’t put yourself down so much.</p>

4

<p>Focus on the positives, not the negatives! I’ve seen the difference in myself on how I’ve been presenting myself to professors since I started the whole graduate school process nearly 2 years ago.</p>

<p>I found that if I focused on the good parts of my application and my research, professors tended to be more responsive. If you’re showing concerns, they might not say much to give you advice on how to move on. It’s a waste of time for them to hear you talk about your faults. I tell you, it’s friggin’ HARD at first. But realize that eventually all the professors care about is your research interests. I have one professor who’s always turning our conversations TO research projects, nothing else about PhD admissions. Focus on the positives and you just might win the PhD admissions game.</p>

<p>Bottom line: Don’t talk about your Bs. Or your grades at all anywhere in your application.</p>

5

<p>I agree with juillet. I rarely tell Classics applicants they have an extremely good shot at top programs, because the truth is that such programs are incredibly competitive. Your background, however, would put you near the top of the applicant pool.</p>

<p>If you are still selecting programs, the Classical Journal is a good place to start. It has detailed information about the best graduate programs, including admissions information.</p>

<p>[The</a> Classical Journal](<a href=“Golden Tiger Casino | $1500 Bonus | United States 2022”>http://www.classicaljournal.org/study_classics%20surveys.php)</p>

6

<p>Thanks a lot people. I actually was just told these things by two of my professors this week. You helped me understand what they were saying. I should focus on the positive, in order to show that I am a suitable PhD candidate, that do not need basic training any longer, instead of trying to justify every little thing that I perceive as a weakness. They can contact my professors if they need reassurance or very up-to-date data anyway. </p>

<p>I am currently taking summer classes in Greek (the equivalent of three course load of translation). I will be joining an intensive Greek reading group during the next school year, in addition to coursework. If that does not do it for my Greek, no amount of explaining is going to help. </p>

<p>I should have mentioned that I have in mind to go to a German university, if I can afford it, next summer. I would sign up for undergraduate classes in German. I am taking lessons in German this summer, with that in mind. That should get the modern language skills requirements out of the way. There are also three summer schools that seem highly interesting, all in classics. I will apply to everything and worry about how to manage my time, if I get in everywhere :)</p>

<p>I should probably say that what made me particularly insecure about my file is that two of my colleagues nearly struck out, even though, at least in theory, their file were (much) stronger than mine. Well, one has an offer without funding, the other one got in at only 2 places out of many. Our professors are still under the shock, I fear. That might explain in part the lack of enthusiasm…</p>