Emdave

I've heard really good things about the Goethe Institut-- they also have a summer "German for Scholarly Reading Program" that's $450 total for the whole course. Does anybody know anything more about it? Has anyone done it?

So, I stole this heading from a similar thread in the Engineering Forum because I didn't see one in History and I'm intrigued to hear your thoughts on this. Is the sheer amount of publications the indicator? I can't really afford to fly to all the prospective schools I'm considering, so it will be hard to ask the informal, probing questions of current grads in those departments. How can you tell?

I would just speak to the relevant people in your program and see what they have to say. If it were me, I would speak to my current adviser, explaining the situation and asking about possible new advisers. Then, I would speak to the possible/most likely new advisers from your program to see if they are willing and able to take you on as their advisee. Then, if you get that sorted out, take it to your DGS or other powers-that-be. I would warn against any other order-of-inquiry than that, but the actual changing of your program topic is ok, if not very common, as long as you can get an adviser.

I would recommend starting even earlier than October. I wouldn't try the summer (or earlier-- like now), because it's still a little too soon in my opinion. I know a bunch of profs who have mentioned being annoyed by people pestering them about Nov-Dec business in June. However, I would very highly recommend emailing profs even as early as August. That way, you can start testing the waters well before you need to start working on your applications. Ideally, you would already know exactly which schools you'll want to apply to (and which are viable options, re: what we've discussed above) by the time applications become available in September. That way, you'll be confident in your possibilities at the schools you choose AND (very important!) you'll have established relationships with profs by the time they start reading your applications in Dec/Jan.

Thanks! What history do you do?

This is to all the humanists out there gnashing their teeth. What I usually say to the condescending science types who think we do nothing of value: "at least if I endeavor to prove something with my research, and it fails, I've created new knowledge and can continue my task. If you fail a research project or mess it up somehow, you've wasted a few million of your university's research budget for chemistry/physics/bio/engineering. The worst I did was possibly waste a few years of my own life, and I still enjoyed that time anyway." Then I usually stick my tongue out because this stuff brings out my inner troll.

Salvete! While my home department is and will be History, my sub-field is Classical Reception (at the turn of the twentieth century). I'm here to ask about professors in this field generally (and even better if they do my time period). The only one who comes to mind is Caroline Winterer at Standford. Otherwise, profs seem to put "reception studies" on their faculty pages without actually doing much in the way of reception studies. Ergo, I come to you. Have you had a professor who actually studies reception? Do you know of one? I'm starting to feel like they're unicorns. Except for a profs who do Byzantine reception of Classical Greek drama, I can't find many (living) profs who do anything even close to what I'm interested in. Auxilium!

Me too! But I live in Chicago, so all I'm billing them is a $30 L pass for the week.

American Intellectual History at the turn of the twentieth century, or really Civil War to WWI. I focus on the changing shape, status, and function of the university as an institution as a lens. Within that, I'm really interested in the history of classics and classicism within universities and how it changed so drastically in this period. Or, as I've sometimes described my undergrad thesis: "Explaining to people who don't care why they stopped caring about what they don't care about anymore."

Are you going to MAPSS visiting days in April?

While I agree, to a point, that you shouldn't apply to work with Assistant Profs because they're young and untenured, etc, I don't agree that you should *never* do so. In my own (anecdotal, sure) experiences, I know many people who have applied to work with APs, gotten into those schools, and succeeded in those programs with their AP advisers. My boyfriend is on year 3 of his PhD and his adviser is up for tenure next year. The POI I'm hoping to work with at Hopkins has only been there since 2010, but he seems hopeful about my candidacy. I know half a dozen others who got into programs by applying to APs for advisers. Now, I agree that you shouldn't list them as sole advisers, but what worked for me was saying "oh hey, I'd prefer to work with XXXXXX [the AP] and XXXXXX [another AP], but I know my research would also benefit from XXXX's [tenured prof] experience with graduate students in my field as well. One should also beware of applying to a school that only has a single prof in a field of interest. You never know when life will step in, whether it's an older prof or a younger one. If something happens, you'll end up with poor Phdoobiedoobiedoo's situation. I hate to add to the doom and gloom, but a professor whom I almost asked to be my adviser just died last weekend. She was in her early thirties, a rockstar, and most certainly was going to get tenure. You really never know when someone will fall ill, have an accident, or will be pulled away for millions more unforeseen reasons. That's why I would recommend applying to a program that has 3-4 profs who teach, if not your exact sub-sub-sub field, something close to it, e.g. having three profs who all do something in intellectual history or various topics within the 17th century. At least then you can craft independent study classes to fit your sub-sub field without having to consider other institutions. Having at least a small cabal of profs interested in the same sub-field/specific time/theme might also indicate more support for your subject and could open the possibility of special conferences or events. etc (not to mention personal networking) in your field.

If I were in your position, I would put down "beginner/moderate French" or whatever specific abilities you have with the language. Some applications will specifically ask if you can read or speak or write the language. Then, I would work on bulking up your reading ability, because that's primarily what grad schools care about. Most of them have a language requirement in place to make sure that you will be able to read the necessary primary sources for your project without having to ask other people. So, French would be ideal for Early American, but you could also look into Spanish (depending on your specific interests within your time period) because there are dozens of quick-immersion Spanish courses you could take. During my undergrad, I worked for one of the biggest names in Colonial American history for four years, so I think I have some familiarity with the ins and outs of what they're looking for, even though my personal time period of interest is post-Civil War. Feel free to PM me too if you have questions. Also, hang in there and don't succumb to self-doubt! If you worry about your chances too much, you might end up sabotaging yourself. It's good to worry and be realistic, but you still have to dream and push for what you want. Em

Thanks all. If I have it right, basically just stay close-ish to campus, not too far in any direction, and rents are decent? What about the car/parking situation? I currently have a car that I might like to bring with me. I wish someone had told me not to when I brought my car to Chicago because it's almost more hassle than it's worth and parking is hella expensive. Is it the same in/around Baltimore? I understand paying more for a parking space when you rent an apartment, but, just for example, there are some places in Chicago where that will run you an extra $200 a month. Is it the same, or similar, in Baltimore? Any other tidbits or advice for a prospie looking at Baltimore/JHU? Thanks again

Kimolas, you give me hope.

As a current Evanstonian, I would say that, if you're frugal and smart about going out, you could live on $800-$900 for rent, and about $200-$250 for living expenses per month. If you happen to catch a particularly good deal or sublet in Evanston, you might find a place for ~$600-$700. A lot of grad students live in Rogers Park down a little on the Red Line. It's a cultural wasteland for the most part. There's not much to recommend it beyond the facts that you can get to the University on the L in under 20 minutes and that the rents are lower, e.g. $500-$700. Food and other basic living costs here aren't too bad. If you're looking for a grocery store within comfortable walking distance to the University, all we have is a Whole Foods ($$$). If you're willing to carry your groceries a little further, you have a bike, or you have a car, there's a small Jewel about a mile and a half from campus. We have a few new, kitschy restaurants like Found that are a little pricey, but worth it. There aren't too many good bars in Evanston, so you'll have to commute into the city for things like that (which will offer you a great variety of cost choices). Never go to the Keg, by any means. BY ANY MEANS. The Celtic Knot is good, though. Our beaches are free when they're open. The campus is pretty. We're starting to have a bike theft problem, but considering the crime rates in other parts of Chicago, I'll take it. A last note about apartments: There are some really great apartments and then there are some not-so-great apartments, the same could be said of anywhere. For the most part, though, I would recommend finding a place with more amenities at a higher price point even if it means having to scimp and save elsewhere. The lowest rent apartments will be crowded by undergrads (because we don't have enough on-campus housing) and often have no amenities like laundry, AC, radiators that don't sound haunted, etc. Also, be prepared for walkups. Do some squats before heading north. Also, the Purple Line stops running at 2am and the night bus connecting Howard (the northernmost red line station) and Evanston has been discontinued. Recommendation: live in Evanston if you find a good place (duh.) but consider a different suburb/neighborhood if you want better nightlife or lower rents. If you rent up here in Purpletown, you're probably looking at $700-$800 for anything decent. More like $900 if you want something fit for a real adult.

Thanks everybody. The day they sent me my waitlist notice, the prof emailed me to say that he was hopeful for me. He told me he's lobbying the grad admit board for me, but he's also a pretty young prof, so I'm not sure how much pull he has. I've been trying to keep on his radar via an email about once every month and a half. The last time I contacted him was mid-February and he basically said: "most people don't tell us till close to the deadline." I really need to start planning which city I'll be living in, how to navigate the money situation, finding an apartment, etc, so I would rather know sooner than later. Would it be too desperate-sounding to send him an email today or in the next few days, given that it *is* so close to April. I have an offer out at another university (which I will only take if I don't get into Hopkins), and I don't want to get into a situation like someone mentioned above wherein I have to make important irreversible life decisions in three days. Thanks people, you're wonderful

Thanks Telkanuru, My worry is that, even though Chicago's deadline is May 1, I may not hear back from Hopkins in time. Or, I may not hear back from them until, like, three days before I have to make a final decision. I'm not sure about the withdrawal etiquette. I was under the impression that accepting an offer was practically written in blood and unchangeable unless some massive mitigating factor (like a bad illness/family emergency) came up. Maybe it's more flexible? I dunno. I'm somewhat comforted by an email I got from my would-be advisor at Hopkins who says they will only admit students with full funding. So... if I get in, money won't be an issue? (hopefully) I'm a super financial aid kid at Northwestern, but because I have a lot of friends/support in Chicago, I may be able to swing the living expenses without having to take out loans or climbing a stripper pole. Here's hoping. On another note, I'm also concerned about the varying levels of prestige/credentialism that come with a degree from each school. By current probably useless rankings, UChicago is #4 whereas Hopkins is #11. Does that mean that an MA at #4 is equivalent to a PhD at #11? Is one significantly better than the other? I want to jump straight into graduate school despite all the job market warning signs. I'd rather not have to brave the application season again next year. Blarg Please Advise (again)

Long story short, I've been accepted to the MAPSS (Interdisciplinary Social Science MA) at UChicago. It's a 1-year program, and I got full tuition remission but no living or research stipend. That's my option A. I've also been waitlisted at Hopkins (for their PhD program in History), but I may not get accepted. And, if I *do* get accepted, I may not get full funding if they try to scrape a package together at the last minute for me. That's option B. Opinions? Please advise. Em

Hi all, I was recently wait listed at Johns Hopkins after applying and doing an interview by phone. The specific professor I was hoping to work with emailed me to tell me that he was still hopeful I would get in but...... does anyone actually get accepted after being waitlisted? In other words, does that happen a lot? Is there still a good chance or does 'wait list' really just mean 98% chance of 'no'? Thanks

Where are the best/cheapest/safest places to live in and around Johns Hopkins? I'm not in love with the idea of on-campus grad housing, but I also don't want to go bankrupt or have to fear for my safety. Any advice appreciated!