lekw

Thank you so much everyone for all the information and advice. I have taken heed and have begun studying GRE math like crazy on the weekends and after work. Although it is draining, especially after a long day at the office, I do think that I am making good progress and will probably have a much more respectable math score when I take the exam. I have also been working on recommendations. So far one law firm partner geared on research and writing and second from a grad school professor who actually remembered me!!! Now my biggest problem is the personal statement. I am trying to focus on what area I would like to study but this has been difficult. I will try to explain. I love European history especially Eastern Europe and took many classes on the area in college and grad school. However, I do not speak Russian or any Eastern European languages. Other then English I do speak, read and write Hebrew and Spanish. Obviously this will not help me with European history which appears to require at least German and French. I also read a great deal of American history especially civil war and constitutional history. Constitutional law was probably my favorite law school class. I think I would be happy studying either and am trying to decide which to choose. Now as noted I am aware these are very different areas of interest but I do have interest in both. From a practical matter I seem to be moving towards American Constitutional and early post colonial history. Does this make any sense at all? How do you balance practicality and interests? In regard to kate07 response I used the wording in my last post as examples (I was looking at two college papers I had written). That being said as noted above I am not sure what area I would like to specialize in. I do not think this fact or that I am interested in multiple areas suggests that I am not doing this for the right reasons. As per my original post I have a well paying profession that I worked ridiculously hard to become part of. I also have a full time job which I am aware probably pays me more then I will be paid even after six or more years of school to get my PHD. I also know that the job market for PHD

Thank you so much for your reply. I hope to be in your position next year. It appears we have very similar backgrounds and I would very much like to ask you further questions about the transition from law to PHD. Is there anyway I can contact you of the list (lekw2001@gmail.com)? A few other questions generally for the forum. I am trying to put together a personal statement. I have seen samples and advise online and in books that point to a review of life academic work. How specific should the statement be? Many samples just say that the student would be interested in entering any history program. Would I have to be specific saying something like I would like to study E. European History or even more so I would like to study the history of womens rights in Romania during the 1950-70's? Any other essential things I should know about the statement? Thanks again everyone so much for all the help.

Okay I need some big time advice and have many questions so thanks in advance to anyone willing to tackle this and provide assistance. First some background. I was a history Major in college a SUNY school then took about 21 graduate credits in history at CUNY Queens College. My college history GPA was about a 3.5 and graduate GPA 3.8. Before finishing graduate school I went to law school. I graduated passed two bar exams and have been a practicing attorney for three years. I now have an opportunity (no need to get into the specifics), to apply and attend history programs. This is something I always wanted to do but decided I should have the practical law education first. Now my questions and issues: 1) How important is the GRE Quantitative section? I have not studied math for +10 years. In the practice tests I take I score high verbal but horribly low in math. Can I get into a program with +600 verbal and maybe like 300 math? 2) I have zero letters of recommendation what should I do? I can get letters from judges, employers, even politicians but my last history class was 5 years ago? I can ask college professors for recommendations but even if they would write them these would be based on only grades and no memory of me. Can I get into programs with less then great recommendations? 3) Should I try to enter MA programs to establish more of a foundation in history. Are the requirements less strict? For example can I get into a top MA program then work my way into the PHD program? 4) Are there any schools or any fields that I can apply to that my law degree would help. I was thinking early American History maybe focusing on Constitutional history? I know I have many questions but really have no idea how to proceed at this point. I feel that this is a lifelong dream but that I am at a severe disadvantage for going the practical rout first. Do I have any hope of getting in anyplace worth while? Thanks again so much for any help, information.