Sigaba

LoL-- Have you read (i) viewed teachforgrad's profile or (ii) any of that user's previous posts? Might it be possible that some who have done both might be offering guidance specifically tailored to teachforgrad's circumstances?

D-- If you don't go to graduate school this coming fall, what is your plan of action?

mj53-- Here's a suggestion. Invite him to Starbucks during a break and treat him to a coffee. During the small talk, you can talk about the application process, where you are in that journey, and, if he doesn't get the hint, make a by the way reference letters of recommendation. If he doesn't get that hint, change topics. Then, after the break is over, you can send him an email saying that you neglected to ask about the letter of recommendation he's writing for you.

lexi87-- In one hand, I'd hold a print out of the email in question. In the other, I'd have copies of some of the short book reviews the POI had written. I'd triangulate the email with the POI's most favorable and most unfavorable reviews. (The question I'd be trying to answer would be: Is the POI a straight shooter when it comes to offering criticism and praise, or does she damn with faint praise?) Alternately, I'd find a newly minted Ph.D. whose dissertation the POI had supervised and make a phone call. In any case, I would take as positive signs a phone conversation that went long--especially if the POI did a lot of listening, laughing, and asked a question like "Where else are you applying?" or "What do you think about...?". I would also interpret a request for a writing sample as a good sign.

sandyvanb-- Congratulations on the positive feedback you've received! (FWIW, I am not surprised.) My recommendations follow. Print out all of the positive emails. Then put them aside for a few moments. Enjoy the moment. Then, in a few hours, if not tomorrow, go back and reread each printed out letter very carefully. Read between the lines and see if you're being told that you're going to be admitted. (In my experience, this message can get "lost in translation.") Sort the email into categories based upon the "between the lines" message. Then, tailor your replies based upon the presence of such messages and your desire to attend a particular school. If you think your dream school is going to admit you on the say so of a PoI, write a note that returns the unspoken wink. If you think your chances are in the fifty fifty range, send a reply that expresses thanks to the PoI and your unvoiced hope that she'll use her 'good offices' to put the word in for you, and all without sounding too "needy." Think thrice before you gush. In dealing with these two possible categories, I would not ask too many questions in my reply. You want to convey that you've got enough savvy to figure things out on your own. (If such is not the case, develop questions and find answers using alternate means.) If you're on the bubble with a certain school, thank the PoI for her expression of interest and ask a really smart question that says "I am the one you want. Do the sensible thing and exert your influence with the admissions committee--you won't regret it." In each type of reply, phrasing will be key. You will want to show that you know how participate in this multifaceted ritual. If you're unsure, go to the library and find a published volume of correspondence--preferably one related directly to your field of interest--for ideas. Or consult with more senior members of your department.

Gracie915-- IMO, unfortunately, there's no quick answer to your question because everyone's circumstances are different. I recommend that you write SoPs that convey your strengths as an applicant. If you happen to have an interesting story to tell, it is relevant to your areas of interest, and you can tell the story well, then think about including it in your SoP. If that type of writing is not your strong suite and you're more of a "nuts and bolts" type, go with a "nuts and bolts" approach. In short, write SoPs that convey who you are and what you're about in a manner that is authentic to who you are at this point in your life and in a way that you can say to yourself "I did the best that I could under the circumstances." To be clear, even if you get guidance from those who say Method "X" got them into Happyland University, and Method "X" simply isn't who you are, figure out what method best suites you and execute that method to the best of your abilities. Then, when it is your turn to offer guidance, tell everyone who will listen "Go with Method 'G'!"

If single anonymous anecdote that may be apocryphal is a reason to reconsider an academic career, then someone in your department hasn't taken you behind the looking glass and shown you where some of the bodies are buried. My recommendation is that you turn up your situational awareness when you talk to your professors and learn to manage your expectations. Then, when you get incontrovertible proof that the Ivory Tower is subject to the same dynamics as any other institution, you can fully enjoy that wonderful moment when the bloom comes off the rose and you figure out the meaning behind the kind knowing smiles you've gotten since you've arrived.

sandyvanb-- Do not to freak out. You can accomplish all of the tasks before you by 1 December. Believe in yourself. Believe in your proven ability to work intelligently, quickly, and efficiently. Rather than looking at all of your tasks as a mountain you need to move, visualize them as a collection of boulders and smaller rocks. Figure out which rocks and boulders need to be moved right away, and what can wait for a bit. Also, figure out if there are any rocks that you can pull that will make moving the boulders easier. Consider the utility of conceptualizing each task--no matter how large or small--as a collection of five to nine elements. (7±2 is a 'magic number' of sorts in educational cognitive psychology.) Treat those elements as the 'to do' list for each task. Remember the value of getting rest when you need it. Some sleep is better than no sleep at all. Remember that your students are counting on you. Historians have many responsibilities. None are more important than the undergraduates we've been tasked to educate. If you need to stream line processes, by all means do so, but do not skimp on the intensity of your efforts on their behalf. FWIW, here are some methods that helped me through a trying stretch when I had some grading to do while also preparing for a conference. Tip One. Use notations and triage to grade assignments. Create a list of notations for the basic types pitfalls and accomplishments that undergraduates exhibit on graded assignments. Examples include: Misspelled word Word choice Wrong verb tense Clunky logic Well made point And so forth. Then, rather than blue penciling an essay or a blue book, use those notations. After you've gone through an assignment, glance at the notations and organize your comments and feedback around them. "You presented a coherent argument about [yada yada yada] but your effort was marred by too many spelling errors. . . ." Apply a type of "triage" to a batch of assignments that you're evaluating. IME, the hardest assignments to grade are those that receive a B+, a B-, a C+ or a C-. The difficulty stems from having to explain why a student has earned a grade and not one a notch higher. When you get the sense that you're dealing with an assignment that falls on a threshold, put it aside. Finish grading first those efforts that clearly fall into the A, A-, B, C, and D ranges. Use those assignments, and your feedback on them, to inform your evaluation of the threshold papers/blue books. Tip Two. Offer additional office hours to provide feedback and cut down on grousing. [*]If you find that you're not going to offer as much feedback as you like and/or you anticipate a lot of grousing over grades, schedule additional office hours that favor you. (I liked seven am on Mondays and Fridays. But don't forget six pm Friday afternoon.) [*]Such scheduling will cut down on a lot of grousing and you can use the time to take care of some smaller rocks or maybe to bolt down some food. [*]Make sure to schedule slightly more convenient hours as well, especially if you've got mandatory office hours. Tip Three. Do not freak out. [*]Keep a sense of humor at all times. [*]Be either cheerful or morose. (But not both, that's just weird.) [*]Find something to laugh about. (But not hysterically--people will look upon you with great sadness.) [*]Do not have a laugh at the expense of your students. (Undergraduates can perceive anything that resembles contempt. They really can.) [*]Keep a sense of perspective. [*]Understand that you're going to get through this tough stretch. [*]Understand that there are others who are going through even more difficult times. [*]Keep in mind that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. [*]Understand that the light may be the tunnel's end. [*]Understand that the light may be another train. [*]Understand that the light may be a gorilla with a flashlight riding a bicycle. [*]Understand that, in the not too distant future (probably when qualifying exams are approaching) when you'll harken back to this stretch as easy. HTH.

A prying question: In your view, what constitutes being prepared for such a discussion? I am asking because I have a growing concern that many members of this BB are psyching themselves out when they could be psyching themselves up when it comes to communicating with professors either as writers of LoRs or as potential PoIs.

Since this thread is about brainstorming, I'm going to drift out of my lane and throw out a suggestion for a project either now or down the line. Start with N.A. Lomov, ed., Scientific-Technical Progress and the Revolution in Military Affairs: A Soviet View (1973), bounce over to how that theoretical work has influenced Western military theory since the 1970s (especially in the U.S.), and then transition to the post-Cold War discourse over the "revolution in military affairs," the impact of that sprawling conversation on the planning and conduct of military operations. (Examples include DESERT STORM, GOTHIC SERPENT, NOBLE ANVIL, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and UNIFIED PROTECTOR.) Then examine the confluence of those operations and American popular culture (especially gaming) and its concurrent impact on the construction of masculine identity in the digital age. (Call it a hunch. )

Ha! File my post above under "Do as I say, not as I do." Last night my tone was definitely chilly while talking to Sprint customer service.

bachr1989-- FWIW, my reading of the instructions is the same of yours--submit the required materials to the designated POC. Were I in your situation (and a part of me wishes that I were), I'd send the materials as PDFs--ideally with password protection to prevent alterations--attached to a cover email using an application that allowed for delivery and read receipts. If you're still uncertain, you could clear up any issues by calling the department directly. You could phrase the call as follows: "I read the instructions on the webpage, and I am calling to verify that I'm understanding those instructions." (I would not phrase the call as "Are you sure this is the way you want me to submit the materials.") Best of luck on getting into THE Ohio State University!

You've been clear on this point. You've also been clear that you accepted a situation in which you'd have been able to review a 'draft' of the LoRs and that you were disappointed when that opportunity did not materialize. So while you did not ask to cross a boundary, you were more than ready to step over it when the opportunity arose. In my opinion, that sensibility is highly problematic. MOO, LoRs are the most important aspect of the application process. IMO, all stakeholders need to understand how confidentiality contributes to integrity of the process. My $0.02.

geogeek-- Seek and destroy those portions of your heart that hold feelings for your ex. Slash and burn, salt the earth, and then pave it over and build a parking lot. Avoid triggers that will activate memories of her. If you find yourself still thinking about her warm embrace, mock yourself as if you were a heckler during a performance of a legendary insult comic. Delve ever deeper into the stacks of the library. Read, read, and read some more. (Wait, did that I sound bitter?)

donnyz89-- A mentor and close friend of mine (who is now emeritus), uses legal pads exclusively. When I worked for him as a teaching assistant, I would mock him at least once a week for this practice. As far as I could see, they were more trouble than they were worth as the rest of the civilized world used letter sized paper. However, on those occasions when I needed a copy of his notes, I could see that the extra inches allowed for more information on a single sheet of paper--not a bad thing if one needs to look down in the middle of doing something else (either writing or lecturing). And now and then, he'd zing me if my attention to detail and recall weren't up to speed. Maybe if you'd written it down on a piece of legal paper, you'd have remembered, was the thrust of his comments. More generally, a big advantage of using pads rather than spiral bound notebooks is that one can more easily rearrange, replace, and/or copy loose sheets. In any case, my two cents are these. Use what works for you and to heck with what anyone else says. That said, please use a system that is durable--assume that one day you're going to be such a titan in your field that future generations of scholars will want to consult your papers in a library-- and easy to 'back up.' (FWIW, I myself prefer wire bound computation books <<EXAMPLE>> but when working as a T.A., I used letter sized yellow "legal pads". (In case I needed to make copies for students--ultimately a moot point as my writings is illegible.)

If you're especially concerned over how your ping might be interpreted, bend over backwards with the phrasing. That is, find a way to remind without using the word "remind" in your email. "I just wanted to touch base with you..." "I recently realized that I've neglected to point out..." "I may have generated some confusion in my last email..." "I am taking this opportunity to thank you again for agreeing to write letters of recommendation on my behalf for X (due on ____), Y (due on _____)...."

I would provide the requested information, that is, the GPA for the major. The metric may be used to gauge how well you did in an area of study that required most of your attention and effort as a collegian. If you want to draw attention to your minor GPA, do so in your SoP.

When you say other thread, did you mean this one << Yes. And bluntly, you should have declined this opportunity. Jellybean24-- With respect, I think you should take to heart ktel's guidance. I understand that you're under a lot of pressure and your concerned about your candidacy and that there are aspects of this process that are proving especially worrisome. However, you are putting a lot of yourself "out there" in cyberspace during a time you want to convince others that you are calm, cool, and collected.

riley90-- IMO, you should not let anyone, least of all yourself, deter you from applying to at least one of your "dream schools." If you've hit a road block with some big named professors, see if there are others at that department with whom your research interests "fit." If you're in a field in which convention requires you to reach out to a professor before hand, figure out a way to explain why you're late to the dance. If you're in a field where such communication is not necessary, consider the advantages of not initiating contact. More generally, look inward. Find reasons to have more confidence in yourself, your abilities, and your potential as a scholar. You have not gotten to this point by accident or by luck or from the favors of others. You have gotten to this point because of your own hard work. Down the line, there will be moments when you, as a graduate student, encounter peers, professors, and students who will get inside your head. Likewise, your field will find ways to challenge you. At times, you will have set backs. You will navigate these experiences more successfully if you have self confidence to draw upon. (If you were to fill out your profile a bit more and/or start posting in the forum related to your discipline, you may get guidance that is better tailored to your specific needs.)

Loimographia-- Which course of action will benefit you more: (i) having fellow aspiring history graduate students look at your SOP or (ii) having professors (and maybe grad students) look at your SOP?

I don't know why a phone call would be out of line. You're not calling the person at home. IMO, the options are: Phone call to POI's job (departmental line or direct line, take your pick), physical letter, (maybe with a self addressed envelop enclosed), "pop in" during POI's office hours.

I am going to stray out of my lane long enough to say that I think you're still in the running because the POI not only replied but he/she replied favorably.

TG-- LTNS. I'd take the silence as an indication of how busy the professors are. In addition to their teaching responsibilities, they've got committee work to do, and the omnipresent pressure of 'publish or perish.' Consider alternate forms of communication. HTH.

r_h-- Thanks for the clarification. If I were in your situation, I'd take a very close look at that city's economic situation. Is the city growing, holding steady, or has it been hammered by the recession? If the city is growing--for example, it has received stimulus monies for projects and your work will be related to those projects--you might be getting hired "just in time." That is, the existing staff has been so over worked that you're being brought on to ease the load. In this case, your request for a flexible schedule might not go over well. If the city is holding steady or doing poorly, your request may raise questions from other departments/divisions. They may wonder why your team gets to have a guy work a flexible schedule when everyone else is busting hump. In short, if this is a job that will help your professional development down the line, my recommendation is that if you get it, take it, defer on graduate school, work as hard as you can for a couple of years (or at least until the economy is in recovery mode), prove you belong, and then negotiate for the flexible schedule. My $0.02.