Septerra

If you think they are familiar with your strengths, stick with them. I asked each of my recommenders to speak to different traits and accomplishments, while at the same time making a similar case for my readiness to tackle a PhD program. One of my recommenders was familiar with my language skills, while one was more familiar with my abilities working with gender and women's history, and so on. Don't be shy in asking for recommenders to write about specific things. I think they probably like that more than giving them carte blanche. Direction is always better than directionless. They will tell you if they don't feel comfortable writing about a certain thing you've requested. While that may be awkward, it's better to know if something is being completely left out of your recommendations that should be spotlighted! The LOR were the most stressful part for me, since it was largely out of my control. Do everything you can to control the situation. Some recommenders will even ask if you wish to look over the letter yourself, although that is more the exception than the rule. Remember, they want you to succeed, and having their former students accepted to PhD programs is great for their careers.

I apologize if this is a topic that has already been discussed at length. So I am in my first semester of my PhD program (I came in with an MA). I think that over the course of my MA program I read somewhere in the neighborhood of 150 books and probably 50-70 articles. This is just an estimation based on class hours, and additional readings I conducted during my thesis research. Some books I read nearly cover to cover, while other books I skimmed a lot. I rarely read a book that was not either assigned in class or pertinent for my thesis research. However, I am wondering what a productive amount of reading looks like at the PhD level. Right now, I am on a fellowship that stipulates 12 hours (4 courses) of graduate credit per semester for the first year. Thus, I am sometimes reading 3-4 full books a week for these courses. Of course, I skim more than anything, since I have never been the kind of person who could speed read entire books. Once I am ABD, I'm sure I'll have dozens of books that I will want to read in full or in part for my dissertation. However, I don't see myself going "above and beyond" in reading the latest scholarship in my field, or trying to absorb the entire canon of my major and minor fields. The general exams for which I'm preparing require "reading" upwards of 200 books, and that I am expected to complete that within the next three semesters. Meanwhile, I have met several colleagues that seem to make reading additional scholarship a hobby, and can cite scholars and arguments in conversation with ease. This is still a challenge for me, and I can cite perhaps a handful of scholars and their major ideas off the top of my head. While this post may seem to be directionless, I guess what I'm really asking is, how much are you guys/how much have you read as a PhD student? Do you think being able to cite scholars conversationally is more a product of heavy reading, a good memory, or just a coincidence of being familiar with that particular work? Just curious!

I say no unless you receive something like "honorable mention."

I turned down an offer with a fully funded year of research because it just didn't feel as right as the other program, people, and city. I may come to regret it when I'm neck-deep in grant writing, but I am firmly happy with my decision at the present.

I am headed there next semester for a PhD in History! Moving in June.

I can say first hand that there are several funding opportunities for this program. Don't let the initial price tag dissuade you from applying. Make sure you fill out your FAFSA and apply for financial aid through Middlebury itself after you apply. Also, check out your department's funding opportunities. Good luck should you choose this route.

Two Words: Middlebury College.

I have decided on The Ohio State University, although it was a very tough choice between two very different programs which both had strengths and weaknesses. However, OSU offered me a fellowship offer just yesterday and it was really the extra little bit I needed to make the decision I already wanted to make. No regrets baby!

Option 1, there is no contest here.

Hey there! I live about an hour north of Nashville and it has a bustling LGBT scene. There are a couple of great gay clubs, including Play and Tribe on Church St., as well as a few others. There is even a lesbian bar called the Lipstick Lounge, although it is a bit off the beaten path. There is a modest Pride parade and festival in June. However, keep in mind that you will be living in Tennessee, and there are several state-wide initiatives that aim to keep LGBT folks down, including one that does not allow teachers to discuss anything in a light that might be considered "pro-gay." Edit: Prepare to see plenty of "Are you ready for the reckoning?" -type signs from Kentucky on southward.

Illinois: "I'm sorry for the impersonality of this e-mail..." At least it was better than a "check the website automated message," I'm looking at you Pittsburgh.

My SO have been long distance for about a year. She went off to grad school about 3.5 hours driving distance from me. However, she decided it was not for her and she plans to move with me to the program city I choose. Long distance was hard, especially for my SO, who was was going through a process of trying to redefine her career goals and questioning her decisions without friends or family near by. However, I am more worried about how things will be once I get my PhD and search for a job. With the academic market the way it is, I will be lucky if I can find adjunct or visiting professor positions for a year at a time. Meanwhile, my SO is looking into pursuing a new career, and it may take her in a different direction. Is it fair to ask her to accompany me around the country for 2-3 years while I work temporary positions in hopes of acquiring a TT position? I am not sure, but I suppose it's never good to count one's chickens before they hatch.

Yeah I was joking. XD

I am finishing up an MA from a school with a very small, and not particularly competitive, program. However, our department has produced some pretty outstanding graduates who are now in high ranking PhD programs, including one at UNC Chapel Hill and Vanderbilt in the last 2 years. This is because, as many will tell you, the MA degree is more about what you do rather than where you go. I know it sucks to hear, "wait another year," but this may be the way to go if you don't want to pay for these programs out of pocket. If you can get into a fully-funded MA program, present at conferences, working on language training, and try to get a book review published. After two years of persistently honing your craft and showing your dedication to history as a discipline and your research area more specifically, you will have a much better shot. I just don't recommend paying out-of-pocket for one of these programs. Good luck.

Perhaps because I am a radical leftist who is repulsed by capitalism and the commercialization of society... But actually it's because I have anticipated a career in teaching/academia for as long as I can remember and realigning myself for a non-academic job sounds like an exercise in existential crisis. I do plan to keep my training as broad as possible and prepare for this possibility, maybe with less dread in the years to come.