reed155

Hello, Babeuf! Have you thought about Columbia's MA in History and Literature? I know it is particularly focused on France, and since you are interested in Intellectual History, the literature component might be worth doing.

TMP, thanks for such an extended and helpful response! This is very helpful! Rising-star: visiting archives - that's what I was thinking at the beginning, but I agree with TMP that will make much more sense after reading existing historiography. Anyway, both of you - thanks!

Interesting. Thank you. In your program, when do people start taking exams? Can you choose exam fields?

Hello everyone! I am about to begin my PhD program in September. While this summer I keep myself busy preparing to move to U.S. and reading some of the key works in my field, I am curious what kind of work graduate history students usually do in summer, especially when they are still at the coursework stage? Do people prepare for conferences? Try to get published? Visit archives?

Can anyone give me a feedback on living at Axis? It's a student dorm/ apartment building: http://www.universitycityaxis.com/about.asp I am considering it as a temporary living option, for 2 or three months. Thank you!

I didn't see it. Thank you!

Hello everyone, I was wondering how do you people take notes? This is a question primarily to those of you who are in humanities/ social science disciplines. When I read scholarly articles/ books I come across with a lot of factual info (names of important historical figures, names of scholars who work in my field, dates), I think I have a trouble taking notes so that I could go back to my notes when necessary to use this info for my work...Any idea how to fix it? Is their any software, for instance, that you can recommend? Also, how do you keep record of ideas/ concepts of other historians/ political scientists/ social thinkers, etc that are relevant to your work? Thanks everyone for your input!

Emdave, thanks much! I even printed out your post because there's lots of helpful info I will def need should I go to NW (still debating my choice). Wow, looks like life is rather inexpensive in Evanston and its nearby places.

Hi everyone!I hope to rent an apartment in Evanston or Rogers Park starting this fall. I am not an American and I am rather confused by all the apartment hunting process. How far in advance would you advice me to arrive to Evanston/ Rogers Park to make sure that I am not left homeless?

Hello everyone! I have a question to those who are familiar with Chicago (especially Evanston) standards of life. What amount of money would you consider a minimum to live in Chicago or Evanston?

Thanks for your response!

Thank you, New England Nat. By saying "nice" I obviously expressed my thoughts in a wrong way. By "nice" I meant helpful. Would you consider a poorly-organized and unhelpful DGS to be a red flag?

Also, what do you guys think about the importance of a nice, well-organized, well-disciplined and understanding DGS? To what extent does your success at the program depend on your communication with DGS? How does the way DGS performs her/his functions affect each grad student individually?

Sorry, everyone, I didn't thank you for your advice on dealing with my taciturn prospective graduate school. I am calling the administrative assistant today. Btw, I visited another school I was admitted to. I was taken aback by the warm and friendly atmosphere!

Czesc (I am sorry I misspelled you name in my previous post), thanks for advice. I'd be so relieved to know that abrupt e-mails with the lack of definite answers are explained by age/ busy schedule. Will have to remind her again...although I feel extremely awkward each time I have to write to her. Jeez, I hope if I accept their offer and will be studying there I won't have to communicate a lot with her.