TMP

Penn cares a LOT about excellent writing. If your writing isn't up to par by page 10, they aren't going to want to read the rest of the paper. They're about being succinct as possible. Can you make your papers so? Orient- do not worry about your applications. Take your time. Of course, it may mean that your POI can have access to your application sooner than later but eventually the POI is going to read them all and choose a few people to nominate.

I was going to suggest similar things as StrangeLight. Economic/business history is tough to find because there isn't much demand for it (even on the job market). But you could look into labor history, which is very population (read: stiff competition) to broaden your list of schools. Make sure you spin your SOP in that direction if you choose to apply to PhD programs in the US. If you want to do your PhD in Canada, look very carefully and ask LOTS of questions about job placements and get impressions from non-Canadian departments. You should give yourself the option of studying in the UK in addition to the US if you can be interested in the European side of area you want to do. OSU and Northwestern definitely comes in mind for "business history" and you'll probably want to research those professors to see where they got their PhDs.

Yes except many people who are not familiar with the workings of academia and faculty and do not realize that politics are involved. So they forget that they can have the very best application but their POI may not be able to have much say because the more powerful faculty members are getting what they want and demand it. This is another aspect of where life and work experiences come to play- as undergraduates, we are shielded from the realities of the "adult world". Not trying to dispute you but the on-going narcissism is just from what I've observed over the last 3-4 years on these boards. I'm not suggesting that the whole process has to be crapshoot and be down about it but people need to understand that there is so much that they have control over and be realistic that they can be very competitive candidates but still not get in due to some reason beyond their applications. Even my adviser still reminds me from time to time when I mutter something about how it's not fair...

I should also point out that in some cases it can be okay to ask a fellow aPplicant for critique when the said applicant's adviser and professors are out of touch with graduate admissions. I'm not sure of this case but the another can be flawed. Applicants share information and the kind of feedback that they get from their aware professors.

Half of my seminars in my MA coursework were first time offerings (largely because the faculty was new to the university and it was their first semesters teaching grad-level). Just learn to go with the flow and give feedback... my professors constantly asked for it so they could tweak the syllabus if necessary. Sometimes there will be a week where they didn't realize that they gave SO much reading that they may half the reading the following week. Go for it. Have fun!

Glad to hear that it went well. Now you can move on... to writing that thank you note and other applications.

That's why I suggested stepping out of academia for a while. I think it's helped me to be more assertive when engaging with academics. Working with kids, of any age, can give you a profound experience in a way because you're not intellectually engaged, which allows you explore "you" more deeply. This kind of interaction gives you a chance to get to know who you really are and how you truly work without being overwhelmed with information and criticism and other things that tests your ego/self-esteem. For example, I incredibly disliked taking my campers to the playground while my teenage co-workers liked it in order to avoid "taking care of them." But I realized that this quiet time for me, while watching the kids, gave me a chance to go over any problems and issues that I was having with my group and co-counselors and reflect quietly. I said to myself, "My gosh, I'm a real problem-solver. I really like doing this. I want to be the most effective person possible." This certainly translated very well into my current job (relating to academia) and research projects. I told my supervisors upfront that I wanted challenging projects and take on tasks that involved any "detective" work. Now I love all of my projects and they've given me mundane tasks like copying on less frequent basis. You also learn to manage workplace politics that won't kill your entire career (maybe just the job at the workplace itself). You learn when it's time to "skip" the chain of command and go right to the top when there's a conflict. And I do have a MA, like you. Take this opportunity of time!

Your LORs will be notified to submit their letters after you've submitted your application. Weird but it was that way last time I applied to OSU. No problem at all, even if I submitted it right on December 1st. Edit: Then again... now I'm not sure. Those LORs are supposed to be confidential. I suppose that your LOR writers can send him their LORs to the coordinator separately... I'm guessing they're trying to be more efficient with the process by collecting as much material as possible from applicants instead of waiting until the Graduate School forwards on applications.

Yes, good luck! Remember, keep the ball bouncing, keep the flow of conversation going. I only merely suggested the outline above because it seems quite standard but you never know where the conversation may go. You'll get a sense within a few minutes whether or not you'll lead the conversation. More often than not I've found is that is if the professor challenges you within the first few minutes ("why should I talk to you?" kind of tone, even if the person appears friendly), you do have to lead the conversation with your research interests, how you fit in the program, and ask them questions. This is hard for shy people because shy people generally aren't born to be salespeople! And, oh, you may find it helpful to write down titles of books you've been reading lately, influenced you the most, and helped you set up the framework for your thesis. I've been asked this multiple times and sometimes I'll forget the exact title or the author's name... but they'll usually figure out who/what I'm talking about. Embarrassing but... still embarrassing. And remember why you picked up that book.

If it helps, prepare an outline for you to look at. First, because you'll get so caught up over the fact you're actually talking to this professor, you may forget the simply courtesies. So on the top, write "SAY HELLO AND ASK HOW THEY ARE" (yes, in caps). On the bottom, write "REMEMBER TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THEIR TIME AND YOU WILL FOLLOW UP" (yes, with a follow up thank you note and another follow up that you've submitted your app). So my outline would usually go like this: (based on over 15 interviews and this is going to be the order of their questions) (some here will ask "why do you want to get a PhD" just to unnerve you because most people don't think about this so carefully and thoroughly) 1. Research interests 2. Current thesis project 3. Languages/preparation (archival work, travel, etc) 4. Specific questions for the professor 5. Specific questions about the program 6. Any other general questions You'll want to keep your statements short and sweet so the conversation bounces back and forth. Leave them hanging for more information from you if you can. They are interviewing YOU. You will definitely want to ask about their graduate students. Do not be afraid or shocked if s/he actually starts talking about the job market. You want this professor in your circle, even if you don't get in the program. Be very calm and show that you understand. Don't be afraid to ask related questions because, clearly, this professor is concerned about her job placement rate and the future of academy that s/he wants to make sure that his/her graduate students get good jobs at the end, no matter what. S/he wants to prepare you the best she can if you are open to the possibility of getting a non-academic job. If s/he is getting a student who won't look at other options, it's going to be a difficult relationship. Do mention that you've seen the recent commentaries about humanities PhDs, especially history, coming up with Plans B and C. (Like this one: http://chronicle.com/article/No-More-Plan-B/129293/). Use this opportunity to ask him/her what s/he thinks and whether or not they've discussed it in the department. This is an excellent way of finding out how serious the department is about their students' successes. It's not a bad sign at all, given this day and age. Stand up when you talk. Be confident, sound confident, even if you don't. Put on nice clothes and shoes if you have to to get in the mood.

I wouldn't count on them. You can apply if you really, really want to go there and see what happens if you get in. You can ask questions and read the contract carefully. They indeed have been struggling, even in some of their top departments that's has had to cut back (even from 5 spots to 2-3). But they are very committed to their students that they want and finance.

So, so, so true. I swear that's why I got waitlisted twice at my top choice. Politics. My POIs profusely apologized that they couldn't fight hard enough and urged me to keep trying. Yes, when I heard I got waitlisted, I went back to them and said, "REALLY?! This program waitlisted me again?!?!?!" (okay, in a calmer tone ) As for the second part, be careful. Make sure you check the site or with professors before you ask them those questions. You're going to want to show that you're aware at least of what they're doing. I would just follow up with a question like "So, I understand that you're working on X and Y. Where are you going with this? What have you found? What is going to be your argument?" It's a great way to get them engaging when you're showing interest in their work like that because you're getting them thinking about you as a future RA/colleague (and you're helping them stay productive in their research because they're actively thinking about it when answering your questions). I think some of my best conversations came from this approach. Unless the professor has a reputation of having a huge ego, they should be open to your questioning, suggestions or/and constructive criticism.

Why don't you take the summer to do something different? Chances are, when you finish your MA, you'll be a little tired and you certainly don't want to go to PhD programs exhausted. It may be nice to continue to work in the field but doing something different may give you a new or different perspective. I worked as a camp counselor last summer. Yes, I was yearning for academia halfway through but working with 6 year olds and a bunch of teenagers provide a very good challenge and allowed me to see sides of myself that I had never really saw. I wouldn't trade that summer for anything else. I don't think I did anything history-related for 8-10 weeks because I was just too tired when I came home. But the time away certainly helped me to find real energy to start my job in the field and now I just love my work far more than I expected.

It sounds to me that you just woke up and realized how hard the job market is and want to hide out in graduate school. It's November, after all. Employers don't really start hiring until March-May when they have a better idea of their finances and the current market demand. I say, take a year off. If you are a good student, you absolutely have the right to be the best you can be. That is to say, take your time. Take your time to explore the world outside of Jersey (yeah, I grew up in Jersey and know how Jersey people can be). Take your time to finish very strong at your present institution. Take your time to write a honors thesis and polish it to sheen. Read a lot. Live in another city. The whole process of preparing will take another year- this is a good training for you. If you can be that patient and endure these, then you will have the experience necessary to get through your first few years of graduate school. The decision to do graduate school should not be taken very lightly. Patience is an absolute virtue in academia, even as a graduate student. For example, your professors aren't going to turn your paper back to you in 1-2 weeks as in undergraduate. They are more likely to take at least 2-4 weeks. Or longer with the busiest or most disorganized ones. Also, it sounds to me you're expecting to pay for the PhD and trying to do it at Rutgers (at in-state tuition). It's false and you should be able to aim for Princeton, which is fully funded (if the faculty interests' match yours). Most (sensible) PhD programs pay.

Remember, it's more important that the person actually knows YOU and YOUR work. 2 of 3 letters that I had weren't super well known as the third but they know me much better (they've seen me cry and have nervous breakdowns) and nobody complained why didn't I ask the other super famous professor in my department (who would've written a lukewarm letter). I would suggest that you PM me with any more questions about your admissions process.

If you are fluent in Hebrew and are applying to NYU, you have excellent chances of getting in. The DGS looks extremely favorably on anyone who is capable of doing research and speaking in Hebrew. I would consider Brandeis as well as they have a fellowship specifically for Israeli Studies. Don't worry about your GRE. Your Hebrew will trump it.

Do it anyway. It's mainly for the DGS (director of grad studies) to see where they stand against other programs as a program, not trying to figure out if the applicant is really going to go elsewhere "better" or has "better fit". In other words, it's for records. Professors are more likely to find out about your application to other schools through word of the mouth, especially if it's a VERY small field.

Depends. If the professor has already made offers to meet, read writing samples or statements, or talk over the phone, the professor's asking for it. But it's up to the applicant to use the time very wisely. If all you're going to do is talk about nothing, then I would think it's a red flag. Make sure whatever you do in terms of "asking" are actually productive and beneficial to you and possibly them. It also depends on their personalities. Some are more hands off and others are very hands on.

If you've had good positive e-mails and you have to take a day off from work to "visit" them and you don't hear from them (try one more time this week) by Thanksgiving, then don't sweat it. It's on them if they don't get a chance to meet you. You've already created a positive impression so you can just let it go if you can't squeeze in any kind of communication before December. Also you don't even know who else in the department may be interested in your application and want to work with you more than some of the others.

Worst that can happen is just apply and see what happens, if Wisconsin is where you really want to get in. Nobody likes the hierarchical system but it's going to be what you make of the program.

My first suggestion is... ask your professors! They are the EXPERTS in the field. Now to your questions: 1) Unless you are a graduate student, you don't have a good idea of what's really original in terms of approach. I would ask this one to your professors but my thought is, unless you are an undergraduate still trying to get a handle of primary sources and using them, I would say not really. But you can certainly search out for similar articles like anything on the Great Gatsby, Uncle Tom's Cabin, the Grapes of Wrath, etc. and see what others have done. If there is another article "taking" your idea, read it and see if you agree or disagree. If you have another angle to it, I don't see why you can't do this paper. It's called scholarly discussion. 2) They're in American or some other ethnic studies program. These kind of papers do exist in those kind of departments. Look harder in the journals. JSTOR is your best friend. 3) Sure if you don't have another paper or a honors thesis.

Don't waste your time with it. You've got your SOP and writing sample to show what kind of writer you are. They don't even pay much attention to the AW.

Use your law professor- they'll want to know how you did in law school and how you've grown there. Use your thesis adviser- it's mandatory (unless you two can't stand each other). Adcoms expect it. For the third- it depends how comfortable your grad prof feels about writing a strong letter. If he's like, well, I kind of know you... then register him a fourth if there's space in the application form. Start going through them now so you can give him a list of which schools he can actually write for. All the suggestions for the writing sample are excellent. Give yourselves time. Be critical. Question every single verb, adjective and adverb. Also, it really helps to just read several journal articles and study them for form and style to help you revise so the paper appears to be more concise without selling itself too short.