TMP

Congrats c&I, SToF, and others! Patience is a real virtue.

OMG. I basically said the same thing, except the reverse, to one of my POIs when I submitted my app in December. I wrote something like, "my god, I didn't think that I would make it this far. March seems so long ago when I was rejected from your program and I wasn't sure if I wanted to apply again..." It's all come to almost full cycle and it's pretty incredible how time does move along. Really, before you know it, you'll be sitting here again in March 2013!

Enjoy Miami, Sandy!

If they've already had their visiting weekend, I would call and find out to be sure.

Seriously consider a year off. It sounds like you're still a senior in college and you're going straight to graduate school. I will tell you two important things that I have learned in the last month: 1) If I had applied and gotten into Wisconsin 2 years ago with the interests that I had, I would've just gone. My travels abroad and employment made me realize that I really want to do transnational history and have a strong support system in the other region. Now I have to think about Wisconsin again and see if it's really the right fit as it used to be. 2) Several professors, especially my POIs in programs I've reapplied to, told me that they really enjoyed watching my intellectual development over the last year or two because time away from school have allowed my brain to process all the information I encountered in my MA program and absorb my life experiences. I'm in middle of revising my article that's been worked on for the last two years and it's incredible how much it's matured in terms of analysis and methodologies used. Don't stress. Don't rush into this process. Give yourself time between degree programs.

SoTF, they really do. And they damn care a lot about the funding packages that they're putting together. I've clued in my UW POI that his package may not be as competitive as he might think it is as I'm aware that OSU is already figuring out how to get around its particular structure. And OSU was quite adamant about that when we talked last week. I think once each school have made their final offer, then they will sell their programs. So, sit back and enjoy the ride!

nah... nothing got deleted. I think it's the programming of this forum. Morning! Here's to another week!

Get lost? I can think of more worse campuses to get lost in.

Take her up on it! She's offering her free services! I mean, she'll show you the deepest and darkest and beautiful secrets of Princeton University that will make you terrified but super excited to be part of the elite club. Don't worry, she's not going to haze you.

I did have multiple B+s but... it took a LOT to overcome those grades in my MA program even though they were all in non-History courses. Sometimes I still wonder how much the more subjective aspects of my application really mattered. Whenever I hear my POI gushing over my application, I think and wonder, "Um, and you don't care that I had a B+ average in my MA program?" I was working part time when I made those kind of grades so... yeah, I wish I didn't though, then again the money allowed me to travel a little while I did my research

Congrats STF and C&I!!! Now you are going to be doctoral students like some of us! Can we have a spread thread for next year as a support group thing?

Just checking in in general... congrats to acceptances this week and condolences for the rejections. The game is nearly over! I hope that I wasn't the only one who almost dropped the fellowship letter while reading it because it's hard to believe that I actually get paid to research and study history!! Even my parents had to admit that it's all a wonderful thing and are just super thrilled that somebody's willing to do this!

I'm checking in with Indiana applicants as I e-mailed with my Indiana POIs for some thoughts on my own situation. First, I can stop griping about Indiana. This was definitely NOT made to be. Second, if you are in EUROPEAN history, better pray very hard as the field itself had only one in the top 20 (first round of offers) and another offer has been made. So only 2 offers were made this year for European history.

See my PM, monster. I did forget to mention what others are saying. She sees potential in your application but the competition was just too stiff. She is interested in mentoring you from here on if you want to take advantage of her generosity. She doesn't expect you to take the Plan B but is only a suggestion that a MA would make your much more competitive.

That's what the MA route is for. Just because you graduated a year ago doesn't mean that you can't get back in touch with your professors for advice. Hearing from former students really make their day (er, career).

Wow. That's definitely not Wisconsin. I can't see them writing that.

RE: OSU I wouldn't expect anything until after March 12th or so.

One of the regular forumites here (who knows a little too much ) Let your bookshelf guide you. Whose books and articles really interest you? Look up and see where they're teaching. Put it on your list if that department has a graduate program. Note where s/he got his/her PhD, especially if within the last 10 years and look up thatcadepartment and if there are people there who interested you, put it on your list too! Academia runs on pedigree so as long as your potential adviser comes from an excellent scholar who comes from a wonderful scholar ,etc. you will be fine no matter where you are. There's already a trickle-down effect where students of very top programs get jobs in the next level down, etc. By the end of it all after all the retirements and the younger faculty move up, we'll be fine. Also, get recommendations from your professors. Professors really trust LORs from people they know very well more than those from complete strangers (that's where your transcript and writing sample become a little more important- they show evidence of your potential). Applying to history PhD programs involves a LOT of planning so make sure your writing sample and languages are polished as they can be. How good is your Arabic?

Ask them about the job market and preparation for it. That should help you decide.