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Question about graduate studies

 
Old 08-15-2010 at 04:05 AM   #1
Ziggi
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Question about graduate studies
Is it a bit too early to be worrying about this?
Either way, I'm curious/anxious/worried now.

I was looking at the prereqs for History/Anthropology graduate programs [not sure which I want to go into at the moment]
and for a MA or PhD in History you need to pass a language test
and for a PhD in Anthro you need to pass a language test

It says German or French [or the language of your focus of study] and I haven't taken either of those since 10th grade.

Although, at this point [going into my first year of undergraduate studies], I haven't decided either or not I want to attend graduate school, I'm still worried that I won't meet the requirement when the time is right. Should I try and get into a German/French class now [I do like/am good at languages, so it wouldn't put a strain on my school work]?

Should I wait until second year, maybe when I have a little more direction? Or would that be too late?
Old 08-15-2010 at 09:30 AM   #2
MCHEDDENITE
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wait until second year. in first year so many things change and u will find that u may not like the courses u planned to major in. 2nd year gives you a much better idea on what to focus on
Old 08-15-2010 at 11:21 AM   #3
Mahratta
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From what I've heard, the knowledge you need for graduate school in French / another language isn't particularly difficult to attain. You have to pass a particular test (translation). Remember that history studies in university are very different from high-school, and tend to build towards the academic style used in graduate history. First-year history, however, is pretty rudimentary in this sense - however, you'll eventually learn that academic history is not about regurgitating facts and dates, but about viewpoints and arguments...

So, coming out of high-school may not be the best time to cement the ideas of what you want to do in the future, because you don't really get a proper exposure to many / most disciplines in high-school (unless you've looked into it on your own time, of course, then you know all this)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ziggi View Post
Is it a bit too early to be worrying about this?
Either way, I'm curious/anxious/worried now.

I was looking at the prereqs for History/Anthropology graduate programs [not sure which I want to go into at the moment]
and for a MA or PhD in History you need to pass a language test
and for a PhD in Anthro you need to pass a language test

It says German or French [or the language of your focus of study] and I haven't taken either of those since 10th grade.

Although, at this point [going into my first year of undergraduate studies], I haven't decided either or not I want to attend graduate school, I'm still worried that I won't meet the requirement when the time is right. Should I try and get into a German/French class now [I do like/am good at languages, so it wouldn't put a strain on my school work]?

Should I wait until second year, maybe when I have a little more direction? Or would that be too late?
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Old 08-15-2010 at 11:56 PM   #4
marieeeeeee
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I'd say decide after 2nd year.....grad school isn't for everyone (even though you might consider it now). I know Anthropology MA/PhD applications require a thesis proposal and choosing which stream you are really interested in (Cultural, Physical or Archaeology). 1st year Anthro courses are very general in comparison to upper year courses so your interest can change if you decide to pursue Anthropology as a major.
Old 08-16-2010 at 01:38 AM   #5
jhan523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marieeeeeee View Post
I'd say decide after 2nd year.....grad school isn't for everyone (even though you might consider it now). I know Anthropology MA/PhD applications require a thesis proposal and choosing which stream you are really interested in (Cultural, Physical or Archaeology). 1st year Anthro courses are very general in comparison to upper year courses so your interest can change if you decide to pursue Anthropology as a major.
I agree, with this. You have to complete all four years of university in order to apply to graduate school and you usually have to do a thesis in your fourth year. So I wouldn't do any crazy research, maybe just some general research to make sure you sort of know what you are trying to get into.
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