kbb04

Every professor that has advised me on the matter steered me towards a History PhD - it will give you more options for a TT job. You can get a job in a ME Studies dept with a history degree, but the reverse might be more difficult. You mentioned Columbia's MESAAS - my understanding is that this department is more focused on language and culture. The research interests you described much better fit a history program. I wouldn't be worried about not having the history background - I have an interdisciplinary degree in Middle Eastern studies, and had no problem getting into History PhD programs. I hope that helps! Good luck!

It sounds like you already have a strong application, so really now you can just focus on GRE and SOP. Additional language is definitely good if you aren't at a research reading level for the ones you'll need, but I think they'll mostly just focus on your undergraduate record and what you've already done academically. I took a 2 year gap between my MA and applying for PhDs (just finished the application cycle for that). I did nothing in those 2 years related to history or to improve my application and was successful, so having the gap didn't really seem to hurt at all.

I posted the Maryland acceptance. It was an email from the DGS with an official letter - though the letter is dated February 26th, so perhaps thats when they plan to send more!