IvanBezdomnii

Very cool. I have not heard anything back either way yet. But, I guess I was not really expecting to hear either way untl after April 15. It would not surprise me if some people are yte to make their decisions. Did you recieve a FLAS?

I'm in the same boat with FLAS alternate status at UNC. I know at least one person turned it down at UNC last year. It's not as unlikely as your probably think. However, while I have not lost hope, I am currently planning for life without it. Anyway, congrats on Pitt and good luck!

UNC. I didn't apply to an FLAS from Indiana.

Thanks for that. I got placed as an alternate for FLAS at UNC. I have no idea how many people are on the waiting list for an FLAS there or what order people will get off. I'm hoping someone will decide they are a better fit at a different school or recieve alternative funding and a spot will open up. Not the worse thing in the world, but a little disapointing.

Since you did your undergrad at Chapel Hill do you have any need to know insights on the program/faculty at UNC or the Chapel Hill area? I've been really impressed with the program but haven't been able to visit yet (bad time to get jury duty). My dad actually was a graduate student at UNC in the early 80s and really like the area, but I imagine it's changed a lot since then. Pretty excited to check it out. I won't miss the weather in the NE. BTW out of curiosity, what are your specific interests in the field?

Hey cml, Congrats. I haven't actually been down to visit but I am planning on doing so. My undergraduate professors recommended the program to me. Apparently, it has a great reputation (right up there with Indiana, Georgetown, etc.). But what really excited me about it was the faculty. It depends on what you're interested in studying I guess, but for example Dr. Donlad Raleigh is one of the best contemporary scholars of Russian history and various other faculty members had a lot of intriguing research interests and backgrounds in various facets of RUES. Additionally, I looked at the thesis projects current student are researching. One or two were pretty bland (for example "State Building in Chechnya" - hasn't that been done to death?). But quite a few were really innovative and interesting (one that's stuck in my mind is "A comparison of the funeral trains of Alexander III and Abraham Lincoln" or something like that). So that gave me confidence that I could develop a fresh and innovative thesis at UNC, and not merely find myself wading through a field of stale and unoriginal topics and approaches. Also, the area has a good reputation. I didn't really want to spend two more years in the northeast, no matter how good the programs at Harvard, Colombia, etc. are (which is not to knock those programs at all, simply not for me is all). So I'm looking forward to the pleasant climate and friendly atmosphere, hopefully they will be more conducive to my studies then the NE's eternally grey Novembers and snowy winters (ironic given the field of study, I know). And while I admit that I'm not really an expert on either program, UNC's seems to be significantly better than Duke's. Anyway, I recommend trying to correspond with professors at all your acceptances with whom you are interested in working. Could help you eliminate some possibilities and get more excited about others. Good luck! P.S. I'm not quite in grad school mode yet, so forgive any typos, spelling mistakes, bad grammar, etc.

I decided to enroll at MA RUES at UNC. Anyone else going or considering going? Or anyone know the area or program well and have any advice? If anyone is curious my specialization is 20th Century Russian/Soviet History with an emphasis on the periphery (Siberia, Far East, Kavkaz). Very satisfied with program and faculty. One of the best in the country, imho.