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Hello, I'm looking to transfer to a different program since my interests have evolved. What are folks' opinions on the best programs for someone with a general interest in early African American history? It seems as though many of the biggest names in the field have just retired or are on the verge of retirement, so what are my best bets?

I'm so ready to be done. I'm practically failing a class (outside of my field, of course). My funding is good enough that I don't need to worry about any external fellowships in the first couple of years. By the time I'm applying for fellowships, I'll have finished course work and will have a solid diss project.

Their signature specifies the SUNY.

Hi! You should have at least a 3.5 GPA to get into a program worth attending. Your GPA should probably be even higher if you're coming from a master's program because you're only taking classes in your field. You might want to reconsider your plans if you have anything less than that. Apart from the issues of grades, however, the difference between a European and American master's won't matter much. Do you have a more specific sense of your interests? That would help you determine which programs are good fits. For example, which early modern empire(s) do you want to study? Fees vary. The most I paid was $125, I think. Lowest was in the 65-75 range.

A friend of mine was put on the alternate list for MTL. She was told they made 5 offers, but does anyone have any insight on her chances of getting off the shortlist based on previous years?

Emory's acceptances have gone out.

Yeah, after talking to professors at the programs that are on both the high and low ends of my list, they all seem pretty clear on what my top choices are without me having to tell them (eerily so, in fact), so it might be better for me to just decline. I don't think it will read as that disrespectful to go ahead and decline offers from schools where they already know I'll be a better fit elsewhere. Thanks!

What are peoples' thoughts on declining an admissions offer before you've heard back from all of the programs to which you applied? I got into a couple of programs that are low on my list (I applied to too many in the first place) and I'm wondering if I should go ahead and free up a spot for someone else. At the same time, I feel like it's only fair for me to weigh all of my choices, which would also send the impression that I'm taking all of my offers seriously. I imagine that might help me to maintain connections with the POIs I'm turning down. Thoughts?

Thanks! Follow up question-- what kind of answers should I be looking for? That is, what is it reasonable to expect from a program in terms of summer funding? From asking about this at an earlier stage in the process, my sense is that programs don't just guarantee summer funding (although I do know of one program that funds one summer for their students). So is the goal to figure out what would be the sources of funding I'd rely on-- university research centers, graduate school grants, availability of FLAS grants, etc?

Actually, I do have a specific question now. How does one go about comparing programs as a whole rather than potential advisers? So far I've been thinking about people I would work with, but I haven't considered the departments themselves quite as much. What makes one program distinct from another, besides who I would have the chance to work with?

I'm trying to decided between my current institution and another program. Both are excellent fits in terms of research matches with potential adviser and committee members, but the school I don't currently attend has my academic idol. That said, I do think staying where I am will mean there's less of a chance people on my committee will leave for another university. I haven't looked at any numbers yet, but the locations are fairly comparable in terms of cost of living. I have no idea how I'm going to decide and, absent any meaningful difference in funding offers, I'm banking on either being fed up with being where I am or completely in love with it by the time I need to decide.

Can you say more about this? Is the prospective student weekend an informal/"secret" interview process? Is it mostly for applicants who might get in but also might not (versus definite admits)?