halliejo

Congratulations on your acceptances, rlmcman! Best of luck making your decision.

Hello eafreder! Looking at all the websites is fun but also stresses me out a bit when I don't need to be...but hopefully it will pay off in the long run!

ladygirltomboy, thanks SO MUCH for your input on state schools. UOregon and Rutgers are actually the two I am looking at most seriously. I'm a bit afraid that the Rutgers program is more museum studies under the title of "preservation studies," but maybe that's not a bad thing. I'm interested in Rutgers because it would be in-state and I'm not sure why exactly I'm interested in Oregon but...I am. It looks like there might be a lot of opportunities there. I actually applied for the Croatia Field School this summer as they accept people who are not currently enrolled in degree programs. I know nothing about those Canadian schools, but I'll definitely look into them. I have heard of Willowbank and the program sounds really interesting. However, because it's a "diploma" program and not a Master's (or even Bachelor's), I have no idea how it counts academically. I'm also not sure if I want to focus on conservation. It's only March (many months before application season rolls around) but every now and then I get sucked into this black hole of researching grad schools!

ladygirltomboy, it's too bad to hear that you feel that strongly about the failures of historic preservation programs! I've been exploring many Master's programs, and there are a lot of histpres programs that I think sound great (Columbia is not one of them, interestingly). Anyway, I was wondering if you (or anyone else) had information on any state schools. All of the ones you've mentioned are private universities...

geo22, I did an archaeology/historic preservation workshop with someone who graduated from Pratt a few years ago and she wasn't too thrilled with the program...she attended mostly because the location was right.

No problem, thanks for responding. I'm just trying to gather as much information as possible! I'm slightly regretting I didn't go ahead and apply for Fall 2014 but hopefully I will instead be able to work another year and save up some, which will probably be a good thing in the long run.

What about funding in historic preservation? I know there are many programs that have a few TAs or fellowships, but are any programs known for giving Master's students particularly good funding?

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been looking at specific program websites and reading faculty bios but if I didn't have to compile basic information about the programs myself, that would be great.

For undergrads there are several websites like College Board, Zinch, College Prowler, etc. to aid in searching, comparing, and compiling information. I'll admit I didn't use these a ton when applying to undergrad, but as I'm looking for grad schools I wish there was something similar...I know Zinch does have some information on Master's programs, but I can't seem to sort for only Master's degrees. Plus, I'm not sure if all schools are on their site. I have a few field-specific resources for researching grad school and I've started my own spreadsheet, but I was just curious as to whether or not something like this existed. Thanks!

I've got lots of similar questions! I'm also considering going for a MSHP/MAHP. I've got a BA in history with a double minor in German and Art History. I'm really looking for something more hands on and from what I've experienced thus far of HP, it seems like it might be just the thing for me. Anyway, I'm curious about the answers to questions 1, 2, and 4 above, and I have my own question about people's thoughts on programs. Namely, any thoughts on UOregon, Rutgers, UMD, Clemson? Thanks, and good luck rlmcman in making all your decisions!

Thanks for all the thoughts. I have another related question: I've heard/read about contacting professors at schools you are applying to...what is the appropriate way to do this?

Thanks for the input. I perhaps should have clarified that I am interested in related fields (museum studies, archives, library sciences, historic preservation, art history...) and am trying to figure out if getting a history MA would be helpful or if I should pick a program that is more specific or profession oriented.

Hello all, I just graduated with a BA in history and I'm sort of lost at what direction to go in next. I'll be working abroad for a year as an English Language Teaching Assistant and am trying to decide if I want to apply to grad school for Fall 2014. I really like history, and I loved doing my thesis, but I am not sure if getting an MA in history is the best idea. Unfortunately, I don't *really* know what I want to be when I grow up. I was hoping some of you would share with me why you decided to go for your MA of PhD in history, and thoughts on how to go about picking a program that is the best fit. Thanks!

I'd love others thoughts on this as well...I'm finishing up my undergrad and considering grad school for next year (spring or fall 2014). My BA will be in history and as I'm writing my thesis I'm realizing I love the research aspect even more than I thought. I've been interested in archives for a while but there is just SO MUCH I think sounds interesting I'd really like to hear other people's thoughts. Unfortunately, the school I could go to in-state doesn't have a dual MA History/MLS degree.