So this semester is over, today at 11 a.m. I'm going to see some of my senior friends graduate and move on with their lives. Some are going to Grad school, others straight to the work force (or don't know)- either way they have some sort of plan...
I'll be a fourth year student, the thought of Grad school is around the corner, right now, it's not early at all for me to think about Grad school ( along time ago [two years ago]), I didn't want to think about the possibility of going back to school for another two years, but I'm reading about the subjects and classes offered in Graduate programs, and I find them exciting-- more in tune with my interest
ideally I would like to get some experience in the working field but if nobody would hire because of lack of "specification" I'm hoping that a MA in folklore would provide me with some experience and specialization...
I've been reading on some of bios of students in the folklore field,--they're very interesting and they matched my general interest in art, literature and culture-- most of them even incorporate gender, identity studies, news media. I really like the individual aspect (almost like a self-design MA program)-- I've said it a thousand times that I wanted to do something in art and children's literature and storytelling incorporate identity, perception, understanding, interpretation of the world around them grasping role (transition)---focusing on island life/culture relationship with land and nature (its effects on superstition) this is a vague thing I want to explore (I think I like the identity formation and imitation stage of life, metamorphosis, change).
my vague idea in some sense differs from most of the bios I read (this can be a good thing or a bad thing-- good because it's unique, bad because the higher ups might not think it's strong or relevant)
As of right now, --my number 1 choice --UPenn's Folklore and Folklife program is currently suspended indefinitely. I emailed the guy in the website and surprisingly he emailed me back. He was sorry that he didn't know much about the current status, he gave me some names who most definitely would know about the status of the program.
My second choice looks promising (it's in University of Oregon). I looked at the faculty and some of them attended UPenn, so if I couldn't go to UPenn, in some way I would still get some influence because of the faculty's background.
My third choice UC Berkeley is more competitive (they focus on Oral literature)-- they only accept four students in the program every year. My fourth choice is Ohio State (I din't get a chance to read their info as much)...
Finding information on these universtiies and the program and learning about the application process (GRE's and all that jazz) prove the mantra true-- applying to a grad school is the hardest part-- the application process tends to be longer and complicated...
for example for the University of Oregon
I have to
-complete a Graduate Admission Application ( I have to request this from the folklore department - each department is different)
-mail my SHU transcript to the right department
-get three letters of recommendation
-write a statement of academic objectives not to exceed five double-spaced printed pages
-fill application checklist form indicating three areas of study and names and departments of chair and committee members
-write a tentative program of study (52 credits in all)
-write a current resume
this will all help me focus and really reflect on what I hope to accomplish. I'm not as worried I just have to begin, schedule my GRE test, study for it, find professors for the recommendation, think about the objectives,design what i'm going to study (my favorite part), find the right department and mentors. This is sort of like writing an essay or research paper, just start writing and brainstorming and doing the necessary research...
If all else fails there's a possibility of trying to get a summer internship at Scholastic Inc.!
Posted by Michael Diezmos at May 13, 2006 1:05 AM