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I'm graduating next year (summer of 2005) with a Specialised Honours B.A in English Literature, and I am thinking of applying to graduate school. I have a few universities in mind, and perhaps 2 subjects that I will have to choose from, either English Literature or philosophy. I'm already beginning to get worried about what would be the best choice for me, as I don't want the same thing to happen (basically taking two years of Computer Science, then changing major to a completely unrelated thing).. I can't possibly do that in graduate school. And I don't want to waste time or money even if I can do that.
On the one hand, English Literature sounds rather boring. I'm about to cry from the extent of boredom to which I am subjected. I don't understand what they want in the essays. They write comments in essays, and want something, and when you give them it in the next essay, they say the opposite. I don't get it. And I don't really think English Literature is something worth majoring in (both on undergrad and grad levels). It is a serious waste of time and money. Anyone can analyse a passage. You won't learn anything, and most probably won't contribute anything. You will just be analysing other people's works, and maybe if you're lucky, publish a book of criticicsm...
On the other hand, my interests lie in philosophy. Having said that, I've only taken one course in philosophy, and I did great on it. I got an A (class average was a C, and the class had 300 people in it). But the problem with this is that I don't have any philosophy courses on my transcript, and perhaps not enough base knowledge to be admitted to graduate studies in philosophy... So I was thinking about dedicating this summer to reading and reading and catching up on all the things I would've taken had I been majoring in philosophy. Or at least as much as I can. But I am not sure how that would help in being admitted to grad school. All they want is an application, transcript, and 2 or 3 references. Some universities don't even ask for a personal statement. They just ask where your research interests lie.
So now the problem is that, I've only taken 1 philosophy course, and I didn't know the professor, and the professor didn't know me, because we had T.A's (teaching assistants) who ran tutorials, and they marked our papers, etc. But T.A's are graduate students and can't write reference letters... Would it be right if I go to the prof and ask him if he could fill out a reference letter? But the reference letter assumes that the prof. knows the student, and in my case, the prof doesn't even know my name (probably).
And even if he did fill it out, I'd still have to get 2 more references letters (I'm thinking about giving one to my logic - discrete math prof. because it's related to philosophy), but the other one I don't know who to give it to. Is it required that the reference be filled out by someone in the field you are planning on pursuing in graduate school? i.e. can someone do their bachelor's in English and their master's in philosophy??!
And what are some tips for asking profs for reference letters? I don't know any of my profs well enough, as I'm not an exceptionally bright student and so I don't stand out from the rest of the class, and I never go to office hours, unlike some people. Instead, I just e-mail them, so I never get to know them in person and all that... Is it right to ask a prof. you never even talked to, to write a reference letter for you?
And I will ask this because I know a lot of you are in Cali, how's UCLA when it comes to either English Lit. or philosophy? Especially philosophy.
Note that I will be an international student if I decide to study in either Canada or the States... (tuition here in Canada is lower than tuition for UCLA, for overseas students).
And they say that the average should be at least a B+... is that true??!??! I mean, do they strictly adhere to it??? Are my chances of getting into grad school gone forever? I have a C+ average so far (due to some really bad times and personal issues, which resulted in a failure and a few D's), but most of my grades are B+...... What are the admission procedures like? Do I even stand a chance with a C+? I'm trying to pull up my GPA to a B, but that might not happen if some dumb*ss professor decides to mark my paper according to his daily mood. 
And what are some suggestions for universities? I've been thinking of the American University of Armenia, but they don't seem to have many programs?? On my list of priorities are - University of Glasgow, University of Manchester, University of Liverpool, University of Aberdeen, UCLA, York University. How many universities would you normally apply to? lol.. I want to apply to as many as I can (depending on application fees, of course), so as to widen my chances of getting in to ONE.. And it seems like I can't apply to more than one program in grad studies (unlike undergrad studies),, right? So I will have to choose before I'm applying.. ?
Uhhh, I know, long post.. Sorry... If anyone knows the answers to these, that'd be great lol.. I know it's a bit early still, but man, in September, I should start applying, eh... the excitement of it all!!
Any other university suggestions? lol
dan
On the one hand, English Literature sounds rather boring. I'm about to cry from the extent of boredom to which I am subjected. I don't understand what they want in the essays. They write comments in essays, and want something, and when you give them it in the next essay, they say the opposite. I don't get it. And I don't really think English Literature is something worth majoring in (both on undergrad and grad levels). It is a serious waste of time and money. Anyone can analyse a passage. You won't learn anything, and most probably won't contribute anything. You will just be analysing other people's works, and maybe if you're lucky, publish a book of criticicsm...
On the other hand, my interests lie in philosophy. Having said that, I've only taken one course in philosophy, and I did great on it. I got an A (class average was a C, and the class had 300 people in it). But the problem with this is that I don't have any philosophy courses on my transcript, and perhaps not enough base knowledge to be admitted to graduate studies in philosophy... So I was thinking about dedicating this summer to reading and reading and catching up on all the things I would've taken had I been majoring in philosophy. Or at least as much as I can. But I am not sure how that would help in being admitted to grad school. All they want is an application, transcript, and 2 or 3 references. Some universities don't even ask for a personal statement. They just ask where your research interests lie.
So now the problem is that, I've only taken 1 philosophy course, and I didn't know the professor, and the professor didn't know me, because we had T.A's (teaching assistants) who ran tutorials, and they marked our papers, etc. But T.A's are graduate students and can't write reference letters... Would it be right if I go to the prof and ask him if he could fill out a reference letter? But the reference letter assumes that the prof. knows the student, and in my case, the prof doesn't even know my name (probably).
And even if he did fill it out, I'd still have to get 2 more references letters (I'm thinking about giving one to my logic - discrete math prof. because it's related to philosophy), but the other one I don't know who to give it to. Is it required that the reference be filled out by someone in the field you are planning on pursuing in graduate school? i.e. can someone do their bachelor's in English and their master's in philosophy??! And what are some tips for asking profs for reference letters? I don't know any of my profs well enough, as I'm not an exceptionally bright student and so I don't stand out from the rest of the class, and I never go to office hours, unlike some people. Instead, I just e-mail them, so I never get to know them in person and all that... Is it right to ask a prof. you never even talked to, to write a reference letter for you?
And I will ask this because I know a lot of you are in Cali, how's UCLA when it comes to either English Lit. or philosophy? Especially philosophy.
Note that I will be an international student if I decide to study in either Canada or the States... (tuition here in Canada is lower than tuition for UCLA, for overseas students).
And they say that the average should be at least a B+... is that true??!??! I mean, do they strictly adhere to it??? Are my chances of getting into grad school gone forever?
I have a C+ average so far (due to some really bad times and personal issues, which resulted in a failure and a few D's), but most of my grades are B+...... What are the admission procedures like? Do I even stand a chance with a C+? I'm trying to pull up my GPA to a B, but that might not happen if some dumb*ss professor decides to mark my paper according to his daily mood. And what are some suggestions for universities? I've been thinking of the American University of Armenia, but they don't seem to have many programs??
On my list of priorities are - University of Glasgow, University of Manchester, University of Liverpool, University of Aberdeen, UCLA, York University. How many universities would you normally apply to? lol.. I want to apply to as many as I can (depending on application fees, of course), so as to widen my chances of getting in to ONE.. And it seems like I can't apply to more than one program in grad studies (unlike undergrad studies),, right? So I will have to choose before I'm applying.. ? Uhhh, I know, long post.. Sorry... If anyone knows the answers to these, that'd be great lol.. I know it's a bit early still, but man, in September, I should start applying, eh... the excitement of it all!!
Any other university suggestions? loldan
But if i'm applying to a university that normally doesn't require GRE, would i have to sit for it if i'm doing something i have no proof of knowledge of?
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