ashiepoo72

I have a TA orientation thing to do online as a prequel to the in-person orientation, but I'm not even going to worry about that until I finish packing and move my belongings to Davis! I'm waiting on reading lists for classes, but luckily the quarter doesn't start until late September. That's going to be an adjustment--I've been on semesters for the last 3 years and have to admit I like the longer terms. Quarters are over so quickly...

Ummmmm I HAVE to say, as someone who was raised Catholic and speaking solely from that experience and that religion, different Catholic churches may have different flavors (the "hip" priest, or the one that goes to parishioners' family parties, or the grumpy one, or whatever) but they don't interpret the bible differently. It's not like a business franchise with limited involvement from the upper echelons of the hierarchy. Go into any Catholic church and you'll note that the changes made to communal prayers and rituals recently implemented by the Pope are all being observed by churches across the U.S. (haven't been to any international churches recently, but I reckon they are also following the new "party line" so to speak).

First of all, I wouldn't worry about your "no name" university at all. I went to a "no name" MA program--with a wonderful and supportive faculty that provided me many opportunities--and managed to get accepted into 10 programs, 8 of which offered me full (4-5 years) funding. I did my undergrad at UCSC, which is more prestigious than my MA program but a "middle of the pack" UC if you look at rankings. My grades were spotty--I didn't even make a 3.5 but did manage about a 3.7 in history which is more important. I didn't have a 4.0 in my MA program, and I certainly wasn't co-editor of a published work. I'm glad you're asking a lot of questions about the most important components of your application, the statement of purpose and writing sample. I'm going to try to answer some of your questions, but I hope some others fill in more of the blanks. One of the best advice I got for writing the statement was to go broad and then narrow. What I mean by this is, state your interests broadly so the adcomm can see where your research fits in the broader study of history (for me, it was something like where social, political and transnational history intersect in U.S. conflicts in the 20th century) and then narrow in to show your "niche" (my project has since changed, but in my statement I talked about how I'm interested in how the government, military and public construct and manipulate how conflict is understood during the latter half of the 20th century...I went into more specifics but won't bore you here). Talk about your research and experience--A LOT. I think I had 2-3 paragraphs on this alone. My structure was like this: "grabbing" introduction related to my research interests, broad outline of interests, questions I want to explore and why, research experience, more research experience, narrowed in on research interests, fit fit fit throughout but especially in the conclusion. As to fit, I think you should look beyond your POI. Your POI doesn't need to be a perfect fit...just someone who knows enough about your broad interests to help guide you through a dissertation. Your POI may very well change, and you will have many mentors in your career. Think about how the entire department fits you. I didn't apply anywhere that didn't have at least 2 people I could work with, most had 3. Maybe one person had a methodological approach that interested me, another studied the same period but looked at it a different angle, another more closely fit my interests. Look at what centers and archival material the university offers--often times, department websites will list affiliated centers. I applied to UCSB in part because of the Center for Cold War Studies and International History, for example. Look at the university as a whole, then look at the surrounding area. The University of Maryland is walking distance from Archives II, one of the reasons I applied there. These are all things to note in your statement and will show you know exactly what fit means--it's not just fit with an adviser...you need to choose a place that fits you, a place you fit as well. Your writing sample should be your best piece of written work utilizing extensive primary source material. I would use a historically-based paper, but others haven't and were successful in getting into programs. My paper was very close to my proposed research, but if I had a better paper outside my field I would've submitted that. I am a firm believer in the historiographical review, and I think most adcomms will be too, which is why I think a history paper is best. You also want to show you know how to write historically. That's just my opinion, though. Your research will change and POIs know this. One of the first question one of my would-be advisers asked me when I met him was: "so how have your ideas changed from when you wrote your statement? What new directions are you looking?" <--true story. I haven't even started classes yet and my adviser at Davis already knows I'm thinking in a different research vein from what I said in my statement. The statement isn't a contract, it's meant to show that you know what grad school entails, that you have the preparation to undertake a dissertation and that you can frame a scholarly research project. Last thought--I would contact POIs ahead of applications, but once you're getting acceptances and visiting programs, you'll have a prime opportunity to gauge your fit personality-wise with your potential advisers and departments. It's hard to get that before you actually visit campuses, although some people I contacted me gave me helpful insight that stopped me from applying to their program (like all the people in my field are near retirement, or there is literally no funding, etc). I can tell you visiting advisers in person made my decision extremely difficult and incredibly easy at the same time, and it completely changed my mind about which program to choose. Good luck!

According to UT Austin's Master's in Autism and Developmental Disabilities website, which explains in great detail the requirements, they suggest above a 150 on verbal and quant. See: http://www.edb.utexas.edu/education/departments/sped/prospective/requirements/ Depending on your other stats, and even regardless of them, I wouldn't aim for the minimum requirement or suggested score, but it's a good starting point. As for specifics on UT, I can't really answer that, but their website is quite comprehensive (some programs have bare-bones websites) so you should read it closely. For the verbal GRE, I suggest practicing vocabulary. I also liked the Manhattan Prep books that break down each section...I think it's a series of 8 books that reteaches you the kinds of math you'll encounter (6 books dedicated to math, I believe) and comes with 2 books splitting the verbal into reading comprehension and text completion. I found it useful to split my studying into chunks like this, but ultimately focused more on verbal because I'm a humanities major.

My aunt drove down to one of the programs that invited me to a recruitment event, got her own hotel room and spent the day I was busy with the department exploring the sleepy town and having nice meals by herself, something she rarely gets to do. The following day, we explored together because the recruitment stuff was over. I explained to her before she came up that, while I appreciated her support, I would be busy with the department and couldn't entertain her. She understood, as she is a working professional and knows how these professional-type things work. I'm sure your parents will as well. Why don't you research your town ahead of time and plan a date for them? I think that would be much more thoughtful than skipping out on your grad school stuff in protest. I wouldn't even bring my kid to these kind of events...reasons being, I would be focused on her the whole time, and she'd be bored as hell. I remember some people did bring parents to recruitment stuff, and while the department isn't going to say anything, I thought it was strange and rather awkward. Sure, there are circumstances where it would probably be ok, but grad school is a professional kind of place...I wouldn't bring my mom to an office Christmas party, so why should she come to a grad school welcome luncheon or orientation? All I'm trying to convey is if your parents come down together, they should be able to entertain themselves for the few hours you're busy doing professional stuff--even if it's a meet and greet kind of luncheon, you should still go...it's rather silly for you to opt out of an event at the very start of your grad school career because of the advice given here, though it's your choice and no skin off my back. Honestly, though, it sounds like you made the decision because you became irate at eteshoe, who only came on here to give you (solicited) advice. In addition, why would you ask if parents should come if you're only going to get angry when people give you an answer?

I gift Cronon to everyone and have yet to receive a complaint. That man is my hero. I mean...who else could bring tears to my eyes while describing the journey of a sack of grain?

I emailed my profs asking for the reading lists so I can buy the books. I get books used online so sometimes it takes awhile for them to arrive. Other than that I've been catching up on newsmagazines and rereading books I won't have a chance to read when I'm knee-deep in the PhD program. I'm working on Isabel Hull's Absolute Destruction now, then on to Walter Johnson's Soul by Soul and William Cronon's Nature's Metropolis, my 3 favorite books. I've also been gathering primary sources for a potential second-year research project. I found a wealth of material that I'm excited to start poring over once I move. I'll have about 1.5 months before classes start to do that I'm not doing any specific reading to prep for grad school...I feel my MA gave me enough of an introduction that I won't die the first week of class. I have been editing papers for friends to keep my writing skills sharp and will probably start reading course materials when I get the reading list. My motto right now is not to stress much about what's to come before I have reason to. I know I'm qualified, prepared and work my butt off. I have to say, this is a much better frame of mind than when I started the MA!

My google game is strong...it's a skill I'm proud of haha I also have lots of experience obsessively poring over program websites from my application season. Hopefully someone more familiar with the MA at Stanford will chime in to give you their personal experience.

Here is the how to apply section: https://history.stanford.edu/academics/graduate-programs/ma-requirements/how-apply And the requirements: https://history.stanford.edu/academics/graduate-programs/ma-requirements/requirements Looks like you need to find a faculty sponsor, so I would start emailing potential advisers. For more information, you should contact one of the graduate representatives listed here: https://history.stanford.edu/academics/graduate-programs/graduate-representatives(ideally you'd look for someone in your field) or Art Palmon, who is the student services manager of the grad degree program. He can be found under the staff section, or probably via quick google searching. By the way, I know next to nothing about Stanford's department, this is all info I found doing a quick look at the website.

My house looks like it threw up boxes everywhere. Packing blows. Less than 2 weeks til D-Day for me, guys! I hope your packing adventures are going more smoothly than mine.

UCSC has a terminal MA in history for people who aren't sure about getting a PhD. The timeline to completion depends on you, as you can go full or part time...full time is 2 years if I'm not mistaken. You should contact Professor Brundage, he's the director of the grad program and a very sweet, helpful person. I did my undergrad there, so I can't speak from experience about the grad program, but the faculty is top notch. The program is especially good in the fields of women and gender, labor and East Asian history.

I agree, don't let it deter you. I happened to have offers with more years of funding at higher-ranked programs, and the promise of 6-7 year funding if needed, so it made sense for me to decline the offer. I got the impression that 4 years at Binghamton is a hard number for students entering with an MA, unless of course you get outside fellowships which everyone should apply for anyway! Regardless, the faculty there is stellar and if the your dream POI is there you should apply regardless of them offering 4 rather than 5 years. Also, students entering with a BA get 5 so that's good.

Yeah, and I was also concerned that I would have to do comps 1.5 years into the program at Binghamton instead of having time to focus on comps after coursework is over in my 3rd year (which is the expected timeframe at Davis). I'm sure some people can do it, but I like the flexibility of having more time if I need it.

I just want to say the department at Binghamton is fabulous all around. All the professors I contacted were extremely helpful and open. I ended up declining their offer because for students entering with an MA they only give four years of funding and, even with an MA, I don't think a transnational project like mine could be finished in that timespan. However, they are very supportive of their grad students after they graduate and it seems like a collegial place.

It seems silly to dislike something that doesn't hurt the people who subscribe to it and doesn't affect you or your quality of life in any way. However, since many people do this, I guess it qualifies as a popular thing I hate.

The main way to nurture a long-distance relationship is through communication and trust. Obviously this is important in any relationship, but it's especially so in long-distance ones. I've found studies that suggest solid, committed long-distance relationships can be just as fulfilling because couples are forced to communicate how they feel often. You also have a lot more to talk about when you aren't seeing each other daily. It's important not to be controlling, clingy or obsessive because, for one, it's unreasonable behavior generally, but also because your partner can easily end a long-distance relationship if you act crazy. You have to learn to trust someone who you don't see frequently and to give them space, not be texting and calling them 24/7 which can be overwhelming in any circumstance. I think if the relationship is worth making work, you will work to make it work. Two adults who care about each another and want to stay together will try to make a long-distance relationship work. The important thing is to have the emotional maturity and self-confidence necessary to weather your partner's long absences. Some people might think it's not worth it, but it all depends on you. I think long distance would totally work for me, considering how busy I'll be in grad school. It also helps that I've never been a jealous type girlfriend and I like having my own space anyway. Relationships are very personal--you know what has the potential to work for you. It's good to plan to see each other so it doesn't seem like you're looking into a long abyss of no physical contact, too. As long as you always have a planned visit in the future, you have something to look forward to and get excited about (maybe switch off months to visit and see each other for at least a weekend if you can. Skype is also your friend).

Obviously it depends on the rest of your application package--extensive research and/or publishing can offset lowish grades, for example. Most programs will expect your MA grades to be as close to 4.0 as possible. An A-/A average is the ideal, especially because you're only taking classes in your discipline, unlike in undergrad when overall GPA is less important (though not unimportant) compared to major GPA. You should get at least a 3.7, in my opinion, but above a 3.8 is best.

Mention people in the department and definitely people outside but connected to the department who you're interested in working with. It shows you've done your research on how you fit with the program and the university. You should emphasize any relevant experience, research or otherwise, that connects to your field. I would focus on what you want to research at the graduate level--even if you don't have much research experience, it shows you've thought about what grad school is and where you see yourself going once you're in a program. I would also demonstrate knowledge of whatever methodological approaches that are crucial to your field, and try to figure out any trends in your field that may be important to your research. Show that you've thought about the specialties of your potential advisers and how it connects with your future research.

My friend told me he's not guaranteed funding for 5 years, but it's "pretty much guaranteed" via TAships. I don't like the "pretty much" part haha

I'm funded via a pretty sweet fellowship my first year, which covers 12 months, but after that it's a 9-month stipend and hopefully summer research funds if the department can swing it. Despite this, Davis' funding is sufficient to live on because the area is much more reasonable than the Bay, which is where I've lived my entire life. Yes, it's pretty much poverty, but all the grad students I talked to before I accepted said its "secure poverty" because everyone comes in with guaranteed funding and the department almost always manages to fund people for additional years if need be. I know STEM fields make a lot more in general, but I spoke to a friend in the engineering PhD program and he's funded year to year, entirely by his PI, which feels much less secure than the 5 years upfront--but probably 6-7 years--I'll get. Maybe it's because I have a kid, but knowing I have income for at least half a decade means the world to me, even if it's not as cushy as the sciences.

I think you've gotten great advice, and as the resident Medieval historian telkanuru is a great resource. I just want to say that you're going to bring a really interesting perspective to the course. In my historical methodology MA course, my professor had us analyze texts and film sources using methods from different disciplines. It provided a broader and deeper understanding that we otherwise would not have gotten. Your perspective will be of value to your classmates--you may notice things they don't because they haven't been trained to look at things the way you do.

You should take the practice tests on the ETS website, I got almost the same score on those as on the real GRE.

Not everyone at UW received full funding, or even first year funding. Some people were admitted with no funding and had to apply for TAships every year, term to term, hoping they could cobble together a full package after paying for the first year. They started admitting people with multi-year packages in 2014 I believe. Madison used to admit somewhere around 60 people, but that was cut in half or more when they switched to a full-funding structure.

I PMed you

What time period?