FAQ about Graduate Study Abroad
The passion for reading and writing, the curiosity for mental exploration, and the desire for in-depth thinking serve as motivating factors for many students interested in the academic world. Perhaps you enjoy engaging in deep discussions on post-Marxism while sipping your coffee. Or maybe you are considering pursuing a master's degree simply because it seems like the next logical step in your academic career.
Students apply for graduate education for various reasons like these. For some, this education represents an opportunity to deepen their academic interests, specialize in these areas, and achieve their career goals. For others, it is a chance to combine work and leisure, blending free time with professional development. However, it must be remembered that along with the opportunities this path offers, there are also many uncertainties and anxieties. After all, even work done with love remains work, and graduate studies are a long process in which you may face the possibility of not reaching your desired goals.
Therefore, it is important to think carefully before committing time and resources to graduate education and an academic career. Particularly if you are uncertain about what you want to do in the future, it is essential to question whether this path is right for you. For some, graduate education is an enriching experience in every aspect of their career, while for others, it can lead to frustration and unhappiness.
However, if you see pursuing graduate education as a meaningful option because you are interested in spending long hours reading and writing in search of intellectual depth, it could be a fulfilling and valuable experience for you.
The short answer is: quite a lot! The traditional purpose of graduate education has been to train future university professors. However, the state of the academic job market has proven to be extraordinarily challenging. Official statistics indicate that fewer than half of graduate students in English secure permanent academic positions. Yet, these figures do not account for students who leave their programs before completing their PhD. The situation in academia is not expected to improve in the short term and is projected to worsen over the next decade.
In light of these conditions, graduate students have increasingly focused their attention on how to apply their degree to alternative career paths, ranging from editorial positions and journalism to entrepreneurship and the curation of digital archives. While this shift is still ongoing, there is now a general consensus among academics that alternative careers are no longer considered second-tier options; indeed, they can often be more fulfilling than a life in academia.
Before applying to graduate school, you must be prepared for the possibility that you may not become a university professor. The earlier those considering a PhD in the humanities explore alternative career paths, the more likely it is that graduate education will be a rewarding and meaningful experience.
In the first 2-3 years of a typical PhD program, students take courses. Typically, three courses are taken each semester, and these courses involve extensive reading; they generally require a major written project, such as a research paper of around 20 pages. As a result, during graduate education, you should be prepared to write at least 60 pages per semester.
After completing their coursework, students sit for qualifying exams. These exams, which usually consist of both written and oral components, are based on reading lists the students have worked on independently for 6-9 months (often around 150 books). When students pass these exams, they are considered "qualified" in their field and are elevated to the status of "ABD" (All But Dissertation). At this stage, they begin preparing their dissertation proposals and ultimately start working on their dissertation, a research project of book-length.
As can be seen, with each stage, students are expected to work more independently and maintain their own motivation.
Students typically apply to Master's programs when they have a particular intellectual interest. However, they may be uncertain whether this interest will lead them toward longer-term academic research or whether they want to use the Master's degree as a stepping stone for a career outside academia. On the other hand, PhD candidates are generally students who wish to pursue a career as academics.
However, since Master's programs at both European and American universities often provide little financial aid to international students, the decision to apply to a Master's or PhD program is frequently assessed from a financial perspective. Doctoral programs typically offer full funding, though the amount and form of this funding can vary depending on the specifics of the program. (See below.)
A recommendation is a confidential letter written by a professor or mentor in support of a student’s graduate school application. The purpose of the recommendation is to provide professors with an opportunity to present their students in a way that enhances the otherwise dry presentation of transcripts or GRE scores. Professors can use the recommendation to offer graduate schools insight into the student’s presence in the classroom as well as their academic performance, commenting on aspects such as teamwork participation, leadership abilities, or the overall relationship developed with the professor (and peers) throughout their undergraduate years.
Given the goal and purpose of recommendation letters, it is crucial that they are written by professors who are familiar with your academic abilities and writing skills, (ideally) have observed your growth and development during your coursework, and understand your intellectual interests and research agenda. In other words, recommendations serve their purpose best when the professor truly knows the student they are writing about. Additionally, it is equally important to seek recommendations from professors who have taught you in advanced courses where they had the opportunity to witness your academic writing in depth and observe your engagement with complex ideas.
In academia, much like many other elements, a statement of purpose serves as a tool for showcasing performance. In this context, the statement of purpose can be defined as a text aimed at convincing the admissions committee of a prospective student's potential for success in a Master's or PhD program. Specifically, it seeks to demonstrate that the candidate possesses the ability to develop an academic thesis project and complete it successfully. Let us delve into this matter in more detail.
Firstly, when preparing a statement of purpose, it is essential to set aside personal thoughts such as a love for literature or a desire to become a teacher or researcher. Instead, begin by clearly stating who you are, which institution you have studied at, and the program to which you are applying.
Secondly, provide a concise description of your intellectual interests, the academic field you wish to work in, and the research project you aim to pursue in your Master's or PhD program. This is a challenging task, as it may be difficult to predict the topics you will be engaged with five years from now. However, it is important to remember that you are not expected to present a fully developed thesis proposal at this stage. Faculty members want to gauge whether you have a current intellectual focus, whether you understand the theoretical and historical context of that field, and whether you demonstrate a level of intellectual depth sufficient to grasp contemporary academic discussions. The most effective way to convey this is through the research you conducted for your undergraduate thesis. However, this does not imply that you are bound to this research for life; faculty members recognize that your intellectual interests may evolve along with your academic development.
Thirdly, summarize how your undergraduate work has guided you toward this particular field. Transform your undergraduate experience into an intellectual narrative, emphasizing how your specific area of interest intersects with your broader intellectual development. For example, you might explain how a paper you wrote on 18th-century fiction addresses the same theoretical issues—narrative and socio-political concerns—that shape your thoughts on contemporary English novels. Additionally, if you have attended conferences or given presentations, be sure to mention these and discuss how these activities relate to your research project. This narrative can be seen as a creative reimagining of your personal journey, but it is also an essential tool for showcasing your interest in the subject and the intellectual diversity you bring.
Finally, provide a statement on how the program you are applying to will support the development of your research project. Mention specific faculty members you would like to work with (ideally, it should be clear that you are applying to this program because you have examined their work and wish to learn more). Also, identify the resources at the university that will support your research (such as specialized programs, library collections, or interdisciplinary projects). This will demonstrate to the faculty that you have carefully considered how the program can help you fulfill your academic goals. Additionally, do not forget to review and revise your letter carefully, and if possible, seek feedback from a mentor.
Many graduate schools fund their Master's programs, which makes MA programs typically more expensive than PhD programs. In contrast, PhD programs generally provide tuition waivers and stipends for students, in exchange for work. The type and amount of work required (such as teaching, editing journals, or assisting with professors' research projects) in return for the stipend will vary depending on the program. Generally, more prestigious (i.e., higher-ranked) programs tend to offer more generous financial aid packages.
We strongly advise against incurring debt for a PhD program and recommend applying only to those programs that offer full tuition waivers and stipends sufficient to maintain a reasonable quality of life. Additionally, it is essential to research the cost of living in the areas where you are applying, so you can properly assess whether a program’s stipend will meet your needs.
There are several ways to approach this question. Applying to graduate school can be costly, so the number of schools you can apply to may depend on your budget. That being said, a common strategy is to apply to at least 10 schools, distributing your applications across various tiers based on school rankings and the financial aid packages they offer.
Alternatively, you may choose a more targeted approach by selecting a few schools based on the research interests of specific scholars whose work aligns with your own. In this case, you should engage these scholars through email correspondence, discussing shared research interests and inquiring whether they would be willing to collaborate with you. If they express interest, you can highlight this personal contact in your tailored statement of purpose. This approach emphasizes relationship-building to strengthen your application.
It is quite common for students to complete their undergraduate studies in one field and later decide to pursue graduate study in a related or even entirely different area. The key to making this transition successfully is to begin researching graduate programs early and gather as much information as possible regarding the specific requirements and prerequisites of each program.
For example, if you are an English Literature student applying to a Political Science MA program, it will be crucial to demonstrate to the department that you have relevant experience in that field. This could include having taken political science courses, earned strong grades, and possibly obtained a recommendation from a professor in the discipline. Additionally, your statement of purpose will play a vital role in explaining how your background in English Literature has led you to pursue Political Science and why your previous academic training makes you a strong candidate for the program.
