Alumni of our Classical Studies MA program have gone on to many places and careers, and some have recently shared with us their thoughts on their time here at Columbia. See what they have to say below!
"This Fall, I will begin my PhD in Philosophy at St Andrews University in Scotland, focusing on early modern philosophy, particularly Spinoza, and the philosophy of psychology. My preparation for doctoral studies was significantly enhanced by the MA in Classical Studies at Columbia. The Philosophy track within the program allowed me to integrate Classical philosophy with early modern studies, thanks to the encouragement of my supervisors. This balance afforded me a comprehensive training in the history of philosophy. Additionally, the program's interdisciplinary nature enabled me to translate Euripides by day while delving into Spinoza’s philosophy by night, which I found to be very intellectually stimulating. I am deeply grateful to the academic community at Columbia for supporting my passion for both Classics and Philosophy!"
- Aliza Ashraf, PhD Candidate in Philosophy, University of St. Andrews (Classical Studies MA '23)
"I am currently a PhD student in a joint Classics and History program, but I entered Columbia’s Classical Studies MA program in 2020 with a much different background. I studied Civil Engineering with a minor in History as an undergraduate, followed by an MA in History at the same institution. Although I had received thorough training in a history department, I needed to improve in two main areas before applying to PhD programs in ancient history: competency in ancient languages, and familiarity with the methodologies and departments outside of History that could aid me in my study of the ancient world."
I applied to CLST in the hope of growing in these areas and found exactly what I needed. In addition to building my skills in Latin and Greek, my classics courses allowed me to practice using literature to ask historical questions. I also took my first graduate-level seminar in art history, the final paper for which I used as my writing sample for PhD applications. Not all of my training took place in a classroom, either: during my time at Columbia, I was able to work on a project for the Rare Book and Manuscript Library’s epigraphy and ostraca collection, and attended my first excavation at Hadrian’s Villa—my first of many summers of fieldwork to come.
From this breadth of exposure, when it was time to apply to doctoral programs, I not only had a clearer idea of what I wanted to study, but I was also able to articulate and justify how I intended to do it. I am now in the University of Michigan’s Interdepartmental Program in Ancient History, conducting research on Roman workers that engages with literature, inscriptions, art and archaeology. I have no doubt that my experience in CLST instilled in me this multidisciplinary approach to the ancient world that still reverberates in my daily work."
- Nicola Allora, PhD Candidate in Ancient History, University of Michigan (Classical Studies MA '22)
"The Classical Studies MA program was an exceptionally rewarding experience! I certainly enjoyed Columbia's rich library resources and stimulating variety of lectures and advanced courses, on everything from Metaethics to Star Poetry, Seneca and Varro. But most of all I appreciated the supportive mentorship of so many of the faculty members, who were always so generous in offering their time and wisdom, whether in one-to-one meetings or in feedback on essay drafts. I am now a humanities teacher at an independent high school in Manhattan, and content from many Columbia seminars makes it into my curricula every year. Surely my good fortune to have received such an education at Columbia has made me a much better teacher now. I often day-dream of going back!"
- Adam Johnson, Latin Teacher, Grace Church School, Manhattan (Classical Studies MA '14)