TMP

Do you have another faculty member whom you're also interested in working with? One of the things graduate students need to do is learn to cultivate relationships with others and find "surrogate" advisers. It takes a community, not one person, to "raise" a graduate student. Can this POI keep in touch via phone or video chat?

I will elaborate on this point. I came to my MA program intending to do a different case study on a same topic that I wrote for my BA thesis. I was already doing original research so it wasn't all that difficult to go with it. But once I got into the archives, I realized that there was another side of the story that just didn't intersect with my original topic and the materials brought out an idea that I had back in 2004 after reading a memoir. So I ended up with 2 narratives to choose from for writing. My adviser thought the first narrative was easy and straight forward and it seemed like something that she felt qualified to advise. On the other hand, we both saw the value in promoting Narrative #2 as it had never been published or touched upon, even by the local historians. It was more complex but it was more culturally exciting for me. So we went with Narrative #2. It was a huge challenge and I had to depend on multiple readers to give me feedback so it could be of high quality. Now that Narrative #2 has been the driving force of my PhD research interests and is in middle of revisions for an article. Revising that piece with feedback from multiple outside reviewers allowed me to see sides of Narrative #2 that I had never seen before. I've become quite excited about some of the new project ideas I have in mind after thinking and questioning. Now I am at the crux of several fields and must decide which one I'd really like to pursue. From talking to one of POIs, it seemed like I would most likely need to substantially revise my ideas because he's really not a true expert on these ideas. But given lovely conversations with "potential" committee members, I could remain on the trajectory to some extent and within that pursue even more interesting dissertation topics that I'd probably never think of. On the other hand, the other POI seemed quite comfortable going along with whatever I'd like to do (and meant it) and has the right faculty support. In either way, I will need to be open to different intellectual opportunities. But for you, I will say that it was twist of fate during my MA thesis research that allowed me to work on this topic that I had in my back pocket for years, I wouldn't have pursued this incredibly exciting topic if it hadn't been for my thesis requirement and incredible support from my adviser. I am SO glad that I took advantage of it right then, not waiting until my PhD (or even as a professor!) to do it.

You DO need a thesis. Students take too long because they lack the confidence to pick a topic and stick with it, even when things get tough (like suddenly finding out that the collection you want to use is no longer available to the public). Thesis is a great way to know how much you love researching and writing, two essential things to have in order to complete the dissertation, I mean the PhD.

I'll disclose that my funding packages are mine and non-transferable. So both programs aren't pressuring me. Thanks, Sigaba for the support!

Sorry folks by no decision yet! My visits to Wisconsin and OSU made the decision making process more complicated than I expected. Now I understand why my professors and colleagues say the this is tough!! I'm fairly confident that I will wait until April 14th or 15th to decide.

Owisc- This is what I was thinking of: http://www.yale.edu/amstud/publichumanities/index.html

owisc- Yale. They're serious about developing opportunities to do public history, at least I've heard that the grad students are pushing for it. I don't know if UCLA can offer that.

I should add that I had a VERY long conversation with my UW POI. We did discuss the admissions process for my subfield. I expressed my frustrations trying to find enough excellent programs to support my research interests in that subfield. He understood why I ended up applying to Wisconsin and it was... basically the only place I could apply to study in that particular area due to particularities in other programs that kept me from applying there. He realized that my opportunities were very limited. At another point, we did discuss OSU. He was trying to understand how it was possible for OSU, Stanford, etc to have a designated major field for our subfield and even though Wisconsin always had him and (now departed but soon to be replaced) a counterpart teaching that field, it just doesn't have that option. I think he understood that it's not about how many historians but rather just providing the opportunity for students to explore that area without being restricted geographically. I think I gave him very valuable feedback that he could use to help shape the department's future admissions process and the number of applications he could get. It all really, really depends on your relationship with your POI and how much you two are willing to level with each other. I believe that in my case it was quite possible to do that because he's a genuinely nice, honest, caring man who is deeply committed to our field, and we're basically like a big family.... he really respected my network connections and who I considered my mentors. So might as well be upfront about how things really are. I think this part and the whole conversation with my UW POI really unsettled me in a way that I really regret not taking up the opportunity to volunteer to give up my seat on the 2nd flight back home and ask for a second date. Overall, my trip to UW was really... unexpected. The graduate students and the faculty were just absolutely wonderful. I felt a real sense of community there. And funding? The department really does work very hard to find funding for unfunded students who decide to accept the offer of admissions. It's just prior to accepting the offer that they won't help. And pretty much everyone finds funding. Now I have to go OSU... and am feeling scared about it! Mainly that it won't meet all the expectations that I have...

I already have 3 schools who are sitting on the "Losers' Bench." Luckily though, I have 2 POIs from 2 schools who are already working with me on some of my materials so it's really a win-win situation and I couldn't be happier. Third school? POI's loss and potentially his advisee's gain.

Professionalization above everything else. It is one thing that many PhD students don't *get* until they hit the job market. It means being kind, respectful of everyone not the professors you work with directly. Project self-confidence. Be willing to listen and know when not to ramble- maintain an engaging conversation. Learn to be tactful and patient when you're dealing with annoying people. As for publishing, do not publish unless your research-oriented professors say "okay" and are very encouraging. Ask for journal suggestions. IIf they are low-tier, do not waste your time. Believe that your research is important. Choose conferences that you know you will get a lot out of, not just presenting papers. Conferences mean setting up a meeting or two with other scholars, networking in the form of introducing yourself to the presenters who interest you, and talking with book exhibit people. There is a lot of socialization (see first point). So in particular, try to attend at least ONE conference in your subfield so you get the feel for what people are doing and what may the future trends be. And..... choose your thesis topic asap so you can apply for summer funding asap with a sound proposal.

In my case.... I'm sure it's gender history. Trying to catch up here...

Re: March Madness. Since my decision is tough... I am beginning to consider using the tourney as a way of helping me make my decision. Whoever goes further wins. So far, OSU and Wisconsin have made to Sweet 16. I knew I did the right thing by applying to big sport schools for PhD.

You might have put off some people but no. It's not like you've stolen 100 books out of the rare books collection....

That said, if you live near a crucial archive (like me) at the moment and will be moving away, try to scan as many files as you can... at least the ones that will be indispensable. I'm debating whether or not to play with the six year old campers again... if the camp will give me a senior level position, I'll consider being a kiddie for my last time! Oh wait, that means dealing with parents...

uh, I do mean if you want to be in academia...my particular source of info for SCs' wishes were from SLACs and R1s.. If you DON'T want to be in academia, then choose a brand-name program that's more recognizable to non-academic employers.

What I've heard from search committees is that they're looking to hire YOU, not your program. They want your work, your excellent training, and personality. They want to see a very productive scholar. So choose a place where you think your work can really thrive and that may mean choosing somewhere where the funding is deeper for your research (additional summer support? Is there an additional year option for dissertation writing?) and more faculty members for you to take coursework with and put on your committee. LORs trump program name.

Short Version Hm, well, I think it’s hard for many of us to be 100% honest about ourselves when we apply and write our SOPs. We want to get in and fit in with the department so badly that we may be willing to conform our research interests and goals to that of the department’s. And this leads to a big list of schools that we apply to. SL's mentioned a few times that she applied to like 9 schools and if she had to do the whole process over again, she would've stuck to 3 programs that were perfect fit for her, where she could truly thrive with her interests and project ideas. Long Version You gave me food for the thought during my run this morning. When I first applied, I had no European languages that would make me competitive for the European field. So I applied as a straight up Americanist even though half of my work would be based in Europe for historical background. Also, the idea of “transnational” history was still so new to me that I didn’t know how it would work for me and none of my professors seemed familiar with it. I liked comparative history but few people were working on that. I don’t think I was 100% happy with my SOP then and now I think it’s a piece of crap. Conformity, you might say, and lack of understanding/knowledge of European history as I was surrounded by Americanists. Last year, I was in Germany and I was much happier learning about its history, language and culture. I also loved learning about immigration politics in Europe and just found it all so fascinating when I compared it to American immigration history/politics. The idea of comparative was a possibility but I still didn’t quite get “transnational.” With that, I split my applications up to US and European fields and really tailored each SOP and argued for a bit of comparative history. It was closer to “me” but not quite there yet. I did get into a program that would allow me to work in both US and European history evenly but no funding. So I turned it down. Also, mind you, my life long passion had been widely considered as an oversaturated field. I struggled in my conversations with my POIs, convincing them that my proposals would add a new dimension to that history. POIs dismissed them and encouraged me to go back to US history as there were still gaps to fill (true). They also wanted to know how MY work would fit in with THEIR work, which was singularly focused national history. Also, this very topic tended to bring up less-than-cheerful subtopics and I was sure that my POIs were not interested in reading or supervising such a dissertation. Case in point: The exception was Indiana where it’s actually my POI’s specialty and there’s a reason why I was waitlisted there for 2 years and it had an excellent reputation for producing PhDs in that topic. I could have applied to UCLA or UNC Chapel Hill but the POIs there were no longer taking students. So I was really stuck seeking out relevant (tenured) POIs who were not experts in my special topic and I tried to emphasize the use of the European faculty for support. Sometimes this reassured them, but more than often not. Finally, when I e-mailed with my POI after getting rejected from her program and all others, I just broke down in tears and said that I was completely at loss. I didn’t know what I wanted to do if the last two cycles failed. I tried being an Americanist. I tried Europeanist. I couldn’t find my niche and it just seemed like I might as well forget about doing the PhD altogether if programs weren’t ready for me or willing to accept my cutting-edge ideas. She said that i needed to try just one more time and would help me work through the application process. She sent me questions about my SOP last April so I answered them freely, putting down every single thing that was on my mind. She had been so approachable that I felt that I had nothing to lose by spilling my entire academic history (from my freshman year). One of the questions that really did struck my nerve was her rephrasing of “Whose works influenced you?” to “What historians have influenced you and why?” I had some books that influenced me but it was the people whom I had met and taken classes with who had a bigger impact on my way of thinking about history. So that really allowed me to talk about my courses, professors and interactions with other scholars. I really shined in my Latin American and comparative American history courses so I was able to talk about them and connect them with my ideas. Those classes tickled my lifelong love for exploring different countries and cultures under several themes. It was never the courses that were directly in my field as many would suspect. (Another reason why I didn't apply to Yale- I didn't think I could really do a book review and say that it was the MOST influential book for me). The way my POI had framed her questions for me certainly made me feel like she genuinely wanted to know who I was/am. With this particular framework, my SOP covered such a wide variety of overlapping topics and stretched across geographical fields that would seem to appeal a lot of historians. I figured that with this newly reworked SOP, I had nothing to lose by trying again one last time. Did it make it difficult for me to create a list of schools? Yes because at that point I knew exactly what I wanted to do and I really felt true to myself with my SOP and there were programs still in transition of creating that “transnational” field and many others have yet to create one. All of my programs, with the exception of Indiana, offered such an opportunity and I was quite pleased with my list, even if it had only 5 schools. I was happy with my choices of POIs (though I kind of wish I could have done Brown but no transnational field). If I could do this year all over again, would I change my list? Nah, I don’t think so. They were all just right. I would say that this POI was really the best-kept secret. I truly feel lucky to have known her and have her full support as i know that there are tons, tons and tons of POIs who would be very unlikely to do this with any applicant. By being honest with myself in my SOP (and loving it) and having her genuine interest really kept me sane, much saner than I’ve ever been during the application process and waiting for decisions (even though I had the inkling of fear that she might find someone better!). That's why it was so easy for me to be hush-hush on these boards about applying this year and nobody realized it until I hinted something from Wisconsin and screamed that I had gotten in at OSU.

Ja, das ist warum ich lernte Deutsch von die Anfang mit lesen, schreiben, sprechen und hören! Ich möchte mit andere Leute über unsere Forschung reden. Aber ich brauche nicht fliessend Deustch sprechen! So von hier, ich kann sich auf das Lesewissen für Forschung konzentrieren. Translation: Yes, that's why i learned German from the beginning with reading, writing, speaking and listening. I want to speak with other people about our research. But I don't need to speak fluent German. So from here, I can focus on reading knowledge for research.

CCB! I am so touched! You're not the only one who's wondering. *cough*Kai210*cough* Well, though I know you're not speaking to me directly on your nice post, I will say that my research interests and projects are really reflection of me as a person. It just took so long for me to be able to sit down and write my SOP honestly. I knew that if I couldn't be honest with myself, then how could I be honest with my PhD programs and POIs? And remain happy in the program? And as you said, make the whole experience worthwhile. After 2 cycles of not being *quite* honest with my interests and plans, I knew I had nothing to lose except to say "this is who I am!" in my proposal (and especially in my concluding paragraph though it could've been pushing it). So what if transnational goes out of vogue in 5 years? I'm still a trained US historian and I can see how i can interject analyses and perspectives I've gleaned from doing transnational work into the "traditional" framework. FWIW, I did not write that final draft of my SOP without crying because I felt that I really had nothing to lose at that point by being myself and being true to my personal identity, not be somebody other professors expected me to be. And I am so grateful that both of my POIs seem to deeply appreciate it and perhaps these choices are really meant to be and they really do feel right.

So true. I've been talking to newly-minted PhDs and ABDs just finishing up and they will absolutely tell you that when they entered grad school 7 years ago, they thought there would be jobs, at least not have such long odds as we have going on for today. Some remain realistic and going with the flow, while others are jaded and wondered why they went through the PhD for nothing. Yes, just don't apply for jobs in gigantic cities like New York or LA or Chicago... consider yourself lucky if you even get an interview. I already know 2 well-established professors move out of Big 10 to New York, simply because of the location and research opportunities.

If it makes you feel better, I have a stack of fortunes from my fortune cookies that I've been reading religiously since submitting my first application in December. And am still keeping up with my weekly ritual until my funding offers are finished. I'm not kidding.