TMP

I would not apply to CU Boulder next year if there are that many faculty leaving. it usually takes several years to get new lines, especially at public universities (Our last modern Japanist retired back in 2012? And still haven't gotten an OK. And it took a good 4 years, I think, for us to get Modern Middle East). I would simply try to get in a funded MA, work on your writing sample to show off your skills as a budding historian including incorporation of foreign language(s), and continue to read on your own.

Don't worry. Wait until after April 15th. You'll usually be given a little time to accept the offer if they make it to you then. @bakesealactually, having a full-funded studentship at Oxford is a *very* big deal and possibly just as good as getting a PhD acceptance at Berkeley. Had you gotten into Berkeley, I would have advised you to defer your admissions if you could and take advantage of this studentship. (I actually had to explain to my non-academic family that my cousin's funding for Cambridge was like winning a lottery and should be celebrated. Not just "oh, that's nice that they got merit aid.") *Everyone* knows that when reading your CV for applications of any kind going forward. CONGRATS!!!

Truthfully, I would really have a one-on-one conversation with history professors on your campus, especially those who have gotten their PhDs after 2008. They will answer a lot of your questions and concerns about how you can be prepared for a PhD in history and give you a realistic picture of what being in PhD is like (2-3 years of coursework, exams, and then 3-5 years of research and writing.... not to mention working avg of 20/wk as a teaching assistant as part of the funding packaga, unless you got fellowships to release you from that obligation). If you want to speed up your Russian, I cannot recommend Middlebury's Language Schools enough and they have very generous scholarships.

Dear X, Thank you for all the support that you have given during this process, including the many questions that I had to help me make an informed decision. I have decided, however, to attend Y. I hope that our paths will cross again in the future. Best, Z Then hit send. That's all you have to do. It's all part of the game.

Do they actually email the right applicant?? Can you ask about the purpose of this Spanish oral exam?

One comes to mind is Michael Cohen at Tulane who has written extensively on Southern Jews and the economy throughout the 19th century. @APwent there for PhD. I know it's a bit far out of your preference but can't hurt to reach out.

It doesn't hurt -- you need to know before making a decision and this is getting a bit late in the game for (funded) PhD programs to be sending out first-round acceptances.

Yes because you have a funded offer in hand (I assume this is funded offer). You can simply write, "Dear X, I am writing to inquire when the decisions will be released. I have an offer from Y and your program remains of interest to me. Your response will be appreciated." This is short and sweet and keeps the message to the point without all the unnecessary information.

Honestly it depends on the program. I had some programs tell me right off the bat, others kept me in the dark until I contacted them after April 1st to inquire.

You can certainly contact your POIs at your waitlisted institution -- but be sure to ask "How does the waitlist work? is it ranked or by fields?" In my case, it was really a matter of luck and timing along with simply having a clearer sense of what questions I really wanted to ask broadly, not just the project that I had in hand. This year just sucked more than any other year, that's all. All you can do is take a total break from your application (and anything with history) for a couple of months and then re-write your SOP with more clarity once you start reading again.

It didn't work in my case. My examiners were pretty fast to poke holes in my "knowledge" during our meetings. So I had to go back and... well, actually get the books and "gut" them.

You might want to consider teaching in private schools/prep schools that do generally prefer PhDs. Take a look and see what the qualifications are. Also you'll want to think about where you'll ultimately want to teach high school -- most states require certification for teaching, which is *not* part of any PhD teaching training and is something you'll have to do on your own on the side.

Ask about living expenses, funding opportunities for conference and research travels. Ask if their 9-month stipend is livable for 12 months (spoiler alert: most grad students don't think about stretching their 9 month payments over 12 months). Ask about summer support. Ask about unexpected expenses of attending that PhD program. Also, ask about how easy it is to get mental health support.

haha I know. so hard to believe that we started together and finished the PhD while still on this board! Along with @AP. Hope that other regulars finish too!

CONGRATS @dr. telkanuru !!!! WAY TO GO

Got it. Regardless, the answer is yes. As long as you can produce a strong writing sample (usually from a thesis), a clear, solid statement of purpose, and LORs, you have a shot (but no means guarantees!)

I would email the DGS at the school you're waitlisted at and ask a very simple question if you secured external funding for a year, would the program consider admitting you? The problem is that the program would then need to come up with funding for you for the next 3-4 years form of TA/RA-ships. Don't go to a PhD program without minimum of 5 years of funding altogether, upfront.

What is your ultimate goal and why?

honestly, every archive is different. While the applications are used to track researchers, they also let archivists know of your interests so they can guide you to appropriate documents. The staff do like knowing what you're into so they can be helpful and, maybe, in some cases, link you up with another researcher doing similar topic (with permission from both sides, of course). As long as you respect them and appreciate their hard work, they can be quite generous with their time and knowledge. They're used to helping new researchers like yourself. Not much to worry about, really.

Did you ask them directly?

I know it really, really sucks to not be getting anywhere on your second try with a MA in hand. I applied 3x in a row shortly after the Great Recession began when it seemed like everyone was applying to PhD programs to find some security for several years (and I was applying because I truly loved what I do and long wanted to get a PhD). i was exhausted after my second cycle (and one year after I got my MA). I wanted to take a year off but my (new) work colleagues encouraged me to try again one more time. With their help and bit of luck, I got in on the third try. Yes, I was wiped, depressed, and broken after I got the acceptances and made a decision. The recovery to feeling like myself was very long. I encourage you to seek help if you can. I don't disagree with @Sigaba's assessment of why PhD programs may be favoring US historians in this climate We don't know whether this result poster is a troll or what their work is actually on. As I mentioned a few pages back, PhD programs are being more self-conscious about who and what projects they're accepting as a result of BLM protests last summer. But what we do know is that the PhD programs are following the lead of the current academic job market, which is, frankly, strongly favoring folks doing race and ethnicity in US history, especially African Americans. Frankly, I am astounded by HOW MANY schools still do not have African American history specialists and this particular absence had to be pointed out by students and some faculty. Hang in there. I know it's all very hard to take if you're not an Americanist or waited so long to get into a PhD program. THis pandemic definitely sucks but I've learned that there are always silver linings. Sometimes these silver liinings don't show up right away.

At least no one is saying "Fuck 2021!" which is giving me some hopes for a better year ahead.

Yes. Hold off until you hear from all schools. If you get into Michigan, which has, arguably, one of the best funding packages of ALL PhD programs, you'll want to take it very seriously and mention that you've been accepted at Northwestern.

Transnational Europeanist here. There were VERY few jobs for Europeanists this year: 1) At a regional campus in a major city (222 applicants) 2) In a Christian college in PNW 3) In a teaching college in middle of nowhere in the Plains 4) In a semi-rural area of Kentucky That's it. 4 tenure-track jobs alone. Plus 2 on "France and the World" in liberal arts colleges. Meanwhile, there are over 35 tenure-track jobs in.... you guess it, African American history or US history emphasizing race and ethnicity. PhD programs are certainly responding to the demands of BLM too.

Absolutely. Reach out to the DGS and your POIs. Express your dissapointment but understanding that it's all very difficult -- for them in reviewing so many applications and having to make hard choices. Acknowledge that Berkeley is your top choice and specific one or two unique things about it. Ask how about the waitlist process. That's it.