Intro and an inquiring (Canadian) mind...

[alter_klang]

Taking a page out of other posters' books, I'll start with a wee snippet of introduction and then move on to questions. (Well, a few questions -- not all my questions, goodness. This graduate school business is daunting!)

I'm going into my fourth year of an undergrad combined honours program (essentially, a double major, but with honours standing,

Comments

[arctowardthesun]

I took the GRE at the beginning of November last year and i'm pretty sure it was for a Dec 15th deadline.

[tisiphone]

If you're prepared for it that works fine, I think, scores are pretty much instantaneous. The only problem is if it all goes pear-shaped and you have to retake, you won't have time.

[alter_klang]

Okay, that makes sense to me. It would make sense to apply next year anyway, seeing as I've had to reconsider all my grad school possibilities all of a sudden. Cool beans! Thanks!

[tisiphone]

The thing about the American university system is that there's an insane number of undergraduate degree-granting programs in the US, I think over 2,500. Because of that, American universities are well used to dealing with applicants from smaller schools and those with focuses in areas that schools aren't generally known for. Your application is mostly about you, not about your program; if you can demonstrate you're a good candidate, as long as your program meets minimum requirements like accreditation it's not going to make that much of a difference - applicant from high name recognition schools have some advantage, but not enough to overcome lack of basic qualifications. Just make sure you have a good spread of schools and you'll be fine.

[alter_klang]

Sounds good to me. Again, really useful information. My main concern was as a foreigner, but seeing as the school itself really isn't an issue and being that the basic qualifications are what matters, I should at very least be okay to apply next year when I'm actually prepared.

Thanks!

[homericlaughter]

(*trying to guess your university)

University of Kings College?

[alter_klang]

That's it! Nice one. :D

[endxgame]

Yeah, I was going to say the exact same thing. It was pretty obvious from the description. Now I am just trying to guess who the OP is.

[alter_klang]

Chris Parsons?

Danielle, from the historiography seminar, intro German tutorial, and KSU functions...?

[brittdreams]

Without knowing what aspect of German interests you, it's pretty much impossible for people here to recommend departments for you. It's your job to find an advisor that will work for you. That means doing research on faculty's research and research interests, then finding out if they're taking students. Sometimes a department that people consider top-rated is terrible for you because no one is a suitable advisor.

As for your GRE question, see here, as a similar question was just asked.

[alter_klang]

Sorry for being a parrot, questions-wise; I'll try to read back entries better if I have another question in the future. Thanks for the link!

I suppose specifics would be useful, wouldn't they? Sorry for not writing that information -- my main interest for applications' sake is visual art and aesthetics, possibly specifically relating to Klee and/or Kandinsky. I'm also interested in the history of sex reassignment surgery and sexology in Germany.

Anyway, what you've given is really good advice, and it helps direct me as to what to do next. I think what I need to do, based on how disorganized I am, is take the year to do some research and study up for the GRE, and then apply for 2011-2012.

Thanks for the help!

[brittdreams]

You'll definitely want to define/refine your interests for your application. I know very little about German but, it seems to me like the two areas you list are vastly different.

And really, if you know what your interests are, you can find schools, take the GRE, and apply this fall. I didn't start researching programs until the summer before senior year and I applied in fall of my senior year. It worked out for me, as I got into my top two choices with funding.

[alter_klang]

Oh, geez. Good point, on the refinement. *headdesk* I'll try to consider something more specific within one of the two that I've mentioned -- probably within the former (aesthetic theory re: Klee/Kandinsky), as it seems a more traditional, safe kind of bet for applying to German departments.

It's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who started researching so late, at least!

[greekdaph]

GPA and recommendations are important, but especially for humanities programs, your writing sample and statement of purpose--where you articulate your specific interests and explain why the program you're applying to is a great fit for those interests--matter far more. Focus on polishing those, and work on getting a good GRE score (it doesn't have to be great, but you want it to be high enough to ensure that your application gets a thorough read) and on finding the best schools for you. Good luck!

[alter_klang]

Thanks--! :D I suppose it's hard to isolate "the ONE thing that matters" when... they are asking for a number of different things. If only one element of the application mattered, then why ask for so many different proofs of your fit to the program, right...? *headdesk*

It helps to know, though, that the GRE score will at least be potentially what draws eyes to the application. Looks like I'm going to be hunting for some good GRE study stuff as my next project. :3

Thanks again for the reply -- helps me to remember how much actually is involved in the application, that it's not all just numbers. Very helpful--!

[greekdaph]

Glad I could help