HistoryPhD

As I've stated, I've already had a career. I enjoy history and my reasons are my own. I am not ignorant of the realities. Thanks for the input but I believe my part in this discussion has run its course.

I wouldn't mind being an adjunct or lecturer. Not really interested in a tenure-track position.

Well, I'm one of those crazy people pursuing a PhD in History because I enjoy it, not because I dream of a tenure-track position where I can sit at the same desk for 30 years. I already had one career like that and have thankfully moved beyond such frivolity. That is one of the primary reasons I even considered taking up a PhD in the UK. I do not necessarily even care to work at a US school. It isn't as if I am not aware of many of the points raised concerning the difference in standing overall but I am completing a 2yr MA now in which I have already received a great deal of the "professional" training and I primarily just want something different. This is another reason why I chose Miami. Aside from the fact that my advisor there comes highly recommended I think I will enjoy the climate. An absolutely horrendous reason to consider a school, I know. But it is what it is. I am not inclined to wait another year, attend a few more conferences, add a couple more lines to my CV and seek out placement at a higher ranked US school. Quite frankly, if that is what I wanted then I would have applied to them to begin with. I did my undergrad at Chapel Hill so I do have connections in the field. I will be very happy at Miami if that is what I decide to do, I just wondered what peoples thoughts were on going into debt for schools like Edinburgh, which for Medieval Studies are top notch, even if outside the US system. Thanks.

I understand your point and appreciate the input. I do find it somewhat distressing that the costs in relation to gain are so skewed in the UK. Thus, the reason for my post here. Of course, if I were one of the lucky few to gain funding then it only makes sense to take up a position at a higher ranked institution where I would have more immediate access to the source material. I also want to apologize if I came across as smug in regards to Miami. It is a great institution and overall seems like a wonderful place. In no way do I think it would be a bad choice. I don't believe my job prospects with a PhD from Miami would be any more or less scary than anyone else's. I just had my heart set on living in the UK and am torn.

Thanks for the replies.. And yeah, going over $100k in debt isn't even a real option. I would never consider it. That said, I do not think I would be very competitive in the top US programs because of space. UK programs, even the top ones, can give many more offers than similar US schools because they don't generally have limits on incoming class size. If an advisor is willing to take you on then you can realistically have a shot at admission since they don't obligate themselves to pay like most US programs do. My MA qualifications are outstanding (3.9/4, 164V GRE, 3 publications) but I barely got into the MA program at all because of my undergrad GPA - 2.2/4 (I had a 12yr gap in my ugrad career - immaturity got me kicked out with a 1.7 after my Junior year and I finished strong with a 4/4 in my last year in order to squeak out graduating) and I have been told by several people at the top programs that the politics involved with letting a low uGPA in would likely be a deterrent. I guess it would be hard to keep a top 10 ranking in US News if you let in 5 people and one of them screws up your overall GPA average...lol. Regardless, my main thought is that I might get some funding from Edinburgh or Leeds, the latter allowing me to apply for a UK/EU national only program under an exception because my research intends to use AQM. Edinburgh has a number of TA-ships that it distributes. Considering the respective costs of living, if I was able to get fees paid for at either school that would leave me with maintenance concerns, which would equate to roughly $20k per year. Still a large sum, but not insurmountable. I am honestly excited about Miami's offer, but as a Medievalist, it just doesn't compare realistically to being across the pond.

So I have something of a dilemma (in a good way I guess) regarding my applications. I am completing a 2-yr MA course here in NC this spring and would like to go to the UK to finish my PhD. I believe the research intensive training and teaching experience from my MA will offset the lack thereof in a UK PhD course (at least that is my opinion at present). I have received offers from Cambridge (MPhil to PhD), Oxford (M.St. to PhD), Edinburgh (PhD), Leeds (PhD) and Exeter (PhD) in the UK and just so that I wouldn't be stuck in the lurch if something happened, I applied to the University of Miami as well. Cambridge and Oxford are very likely to give me zero money. Basically because of the competition and I am realistic enough to know I was not one of their top candidates upon admission. I may get some funding from Edinburgh and Leeds, depending on how that plays out in April. Exeter doesn't seem to have as many funding options for international students as these others so I may be out of luck there as well. Miami has offered me tuition + $20k/yr in stipend for five years. I have also been nominated for a University Fellowship, which if received will bump my stipend to $25k/yr and excuse me from teaching for 2 yrs in the 5 yr program. Basically a very nice package, even considering the cost of living in Miami. So, at what point would it be stupid to pass this up? Miami isn't exactly known internationally for its history program (although it is a top 50 school) and would not carry the gravitas that a PhD from Oxbridge or Edinburgh may but the cost at Oxbridge unaided will amount to about $150k US for the three years, roughly a swing of $400k between the two. Edinburgh wouldn't cost as much overall but would still equate to a substantial difference. Provided that I get no funding from any of the UK schools it seems like a no-brainer that I simply go with Miami, correct? It is unlikely that I will ever compensate for the disparity in the cost of education with a job in academia. Even if I gained tenure quickly and worked for 30+ years the difference that a "prestigious" PhD would make compared to simply a "good" one wouldn't equal out. But, if I did get some level of funding from Edinburgh or Leeds, who seem to have the most options available, what would be the expected threshold to accept and potentially go into debt for a portion of the course in your opinion? I am mainly just looking for a different perspective because I am having some difficulty weighing the pros and cons presently. Thanks!