mastermind1886

Does any experienced soul here know which history programs might request interviews for certain applicants in the spring? I know Rutgers offers them, but not sure of other programs. This is largely a logistics question - I'm trying to spend as much time as possible traveling and being irresponsible, but don't want to ditch out completely on the application process. Well, maybe I do want to, but I shouldn't...

thanks for all the replies! I think I'm going to hold off on noting my recommender in the form; it does seem to be more about people you've been in touch with in the respective department. what's interesting is this isn't a program specific question (I don't think?). why they ask, I don't know... and, related, my two cents on contacting profs generally: I contacted probably less than ten people (the ones who I was really stoked to potentially work with) over this app. season, and received positive responses. In two circumstances, the professors said that they were taking positions at other schools, which was really helpful for deciding where to apply and what to say on my personal statement.

This is an extraordinarily specific question, but perhaps someone has had a similar experience. I am applying to Yale, and one of the questions reads as follows: Please give the name(s) of the Yale faculty with whom you have communicated concerning your application. One of my recommenders used to be a professor where I went to college, but is now a professor at Yale. Should I write him down, even though he isn't in the department to which I'm applying, nor will I be working with him, nor will he be reading my application?

thanks everyone! first batch fired away... I feel like I'm in the Red Squadron firing proton torpedoes at the Death Star. Anyone else feel that way? Ha.

I couldn't find an answer to this here or in the various FAQ I have read... if I apply to schools that use the ApplyYourself system, can I submit and pay for my application and finish even before my recommenders submit letters? The system says that you can complete the online application before that, but I'm not sure if that means 'fill things out but not submit' or 'submit it and give your soul to fortune.'

I took a pre-test cold (no prep, nothing) and, by the time the official thing rolled around, scored about 200 points higher. Drill the vocab (as much as it sucks, those words do show up) and practice doing the math efficiently but diligently. Stupid mistakes can drive down your score hard even if you do know the material... that was happening to me in every practice test, even though they seemed easy, before I finally made myself focus hardcore.

I have been advised that masters students often get lesser or little interaction with professors, who focus their energies (perhaps rightly, perhaps not) on doctoral students. Be careful to find a program, and I honestly don't know if Yale is like this, that treats masters students like more than just cash cows. How to figure this out? No idea! Maybe talk to terminal masters students, see how much they actually interact with professors?

based on the fact that these committees will have, in some cases, hundreds of applications to read, my guess is that a minor typo (especially in a foreign language!) will go unnoticed, or at least not made significant. a lot of the application systems that take Word documents and change them to PDFs will alter the text somehow - I had some foreign letters get screwed up for that reason, so I had to change them to be... well, wrong... if I wanted the people to be able to read what I was writing! don't sweat it.

Is anyone here applying to Minnesota's American Studies program (alternatively, has anyone applied there)? I have a nitpicky question about their required application statements... and, after emailing the department, I haven't gotten a response. Figured I'd ask here before I call tomorrow morning. The long and short of it: The prompt for Statement #1 on the graduate school application online (in the "Application Statements" section) is as follows: "Please provide a statement outlining your immediate educational and long-range career objectives in relation to your chosen field. If there is a particular faculty member with whom you wish to study, please give that person's name and explain why you want to study with that person. You may also wish to include other information, such as any undergraduate research experience, internships, or other experiences you may have had to document your preparation for advanced study in your chosen field." This seemed, to me, very similar to the directions for the Academic Statement listed under the American Studies supplemental information section on the department website: "Academic Statement: A typewritten statement (not to exceed three double-spaced pages) outlining your interests and professional goals and how you think American Studies at Minnesota will provide focus and instruction toward your goals." Are these meant to be two separate documents, or are they describing the same statement?

I too was scared to contact professors in history programs. What helped me actually do it - and I'm grateful that I did and have been - was to think that they're probably getting tons of similar emails from prospective students. So it can become (or at least I convinced myself of this) win win: if your field is a bad fit for them, they'll say so and will either suggest others or forget about your existence; if your field is a good fit, then you have someone in your court when you do apply. Or the midline: if they're interested but unable to advise, you haven't really lost much; if they want more information, you have a great opportunity to build a more consequential relationship before applications are read; if they don't respond, chances are they won't remember you. In any case: of the few professors I have contacted so far, all but one has expressed an interest in my material, offered substantial (like two pages) advice, asked to hear more about my project, and encouraged me to apply. The one who didn't offer positive feedback as explicitly (she did still offer some advice) is simply not going to be on campus when I will be, which is very helpful to know as well. So you really have nothing to lose, and TONS to gain. I wrote the following: -introduction (name, college, major, year, hoping to apply, etc.) -BRIEF summary of interests - like 2 sentences -BRIEF mention of their interests, and inquiry as to their availability on campus to potentially advise or advice on some content-related topic -closing (if you'd like to know more, email or phone, etc.) and write thank you notes if you get real substantial replies! They don't have to offer that kind of stuff, so showing your appreciation for the time they took to offer assistance will not go unnoticed.