ashiepoo72

Modern US, WWII and the Cold War, mainly the intersection of social and political in a global context. I'm getting into transgenerational migration lately.

Here it is: I guess I'll be seeing you in a few weeks! What's your field?

I think Blaut's criticisms of Guns, Germs and Steel are pretty spot on, but the value of a book like that is that it's widely read and gets the general public thinking about history in new and exciting ways. I personally take issue with a lot of the book, but some books aren't meant for academic historians--and that's ok! I love A People's History of the United States, and that's definitely not a scholarly monograph, but it certainly gets people thinking critically about history. Howard Zinn was also an incredible human (also an actual historian...wasn't Diamond a geologist?) so there is that. Short story: popular history gets people interested in history.

UIUC and Minn are pretty cream of the crop in my opinion. They aren't top 10, but both are within the top 30 (which if you've read, telkanuru showed that's where the "prestige factor" is) Honestly, I wouldn't recommend anyone turn down funded, well-ranked PhDs that also happen to be their top choices. Even with a MAPSS degree, that won't guarantee you get in ANYWHERE next application season, let alone improve on what you've done this season. There are people on this board with MAs from prestigious programs that didn't get accepted anywhere because it's a crapshoot. I personally wouldn't risk it if I got into great programs already. On another note, are you visiting Minn? I'll be out there at the end of March and I'm ecstatic. I've only heard great things. Maybe we will see each other Congrats on your success this season!

This is the space for you to "complain." And I don't view this as complaining at all! You're understandably frustrated, so don't feel like you need to hold back. You're among people who know what you put into this application cycle. After all that hard work, it's totally okay--even healthy!--for you to be upset. I want to third everything ellebe and JTE said--go do something you enjoy, take a break for however long you need, then put together a killer application for next year. And even though we've all never seen one another face to face, know you have friends here who are more than willing to help out--as sounding boards, SOP readers, and even as listeners for you to vent frustration.

I would ask outright if you can't find any statistics on the website.

A combination of family history (my family is culturally very connected to oral and performative histories) and research I did while in my MA program that pushed me from general interest in war from the Civil War on, to more specifically the 35ish years between WWII and Vietnam. I've always been interested in war and conflict because I was nurtured on my grandpa's war stories and movies like Full Metal Jacket and Platoon...yes, as a child haha

You're making decisions, too! You're more than welcome here. Soubds like you've got a great plan for next year. Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress

Congrats JTE!!!!

Wow. Just wow. Sorry guys

That's so funny! I think a lot of programs don't have the most accurate websites. I do have to say, Davis' notifications went up very quickly and efficiently. Others I've had to wait for weeks after receiving news via email. ONE modern Americanist! That's nutty. They have such a great group of faculty in the field. But I guess it's good since modern US is so flooded with PhDs. I hope I know either good or bad news from my remaining programs by the end of the week. I've already decided to email OSU and IU if I haven't heard by then. According to past years it seems a reasonable timeframe.

Thanks for the insight. I'm actually a modern Americanist. I know a few rejections showed up on the results board today, but I checked the website and my status is still pending! I won't even hate on them a little bit if they reject me, I just want to know for sure haha Have fun at the recruitment weekend!

I know JJWS meant it as a compliment, and I really appreciate all the kind words and support I've gotten from this community over the last year. I'm projecting my own feelings...I hate that some people might essentially be waiting for me to make my decision to get funding or off the wait list, and I want to decline offers as speedily as I can. Once I hear from OSU and IU, I'll feel better about declining several more offers. I'll keep my signature up-to-date for anyone who may be lurking and waiting for notice from programs on my list

JJWS--thanks! And I'm very very aware that there are people waiting on these programs and/or funding from them. I'm doing my best to make decisions quickly. It's just hard because I want to make the RIGHT decision, and some programs jumped up the list because of funding and other bennies. I swear I'm not holding onto trophies!

I just wanted to thank you for being such a helpful contributor in this community. This place can often (and understandably) be an echo chamber of grad hopeful anxieties. Having some insight into the process from outside that chamber is really good in providing us with perspective and (ideally) some clarity. While some programs come across as cold (I initially felt this way about Madison because they didn't even send an email to check the website when they rejected me, but then I received a hard-copy letter...with the number of applicants they receive, they really don't have to provide that courtesy), I'm sure most adcomm members don't relish destroying dreams.

Now that it's March, I don't think it's a problem to shoot the DGS or grad secretary an email asking about your status. I was actually told to do it for IU because it's keeping me from being able to make plans and decline certain offers...but I'm too terrified...so apparently I'm a hypocrite haha

The "prestige factor," as telkanuru pointed out in another thread, is within the top 30 programs. UCSC is not in the top 30, but for East Asian history it is a well regarded program (more so than many of those in the top 30. I know this because it was my undergrad institution, and people go there specifically because it is considered "prestigious" in that subfield). The ranking system is imperfect--you need to look into subfield strength, overall rank and placement rates. As I've said elsewhere on this board, you need to know your subfield to be able to pick strong programs to best set you up for a career in the field. Yes, rank plays a factor but it's often much more complicated. And as an example--people KNOW what programs are good in what subfields, even if it's outside their own. The chair of my department (modern US, urban and women's history) was well versed in the stronger East Asian programs when we started a job search for an East Asianist. And yes, Santa Cruz came up as a prime program.

It depends on the field. East Asianists trained at UCSC tend to do really well because Hershatter and Honig are amazing scholars. In general history, it's a mid-tier program.

Congrats! That's amazing

Mine still says pending :-/ Commiserations to the Ohio State rejections. Wishing you all the best!

Hahaha those are some serious burns

Wullbluomen -- bummer we missed each other! I'm glad to hear you had a good visit yeah, the sunshine, beach and mountains are such a chore to look at in Santa Barbara Congrats Chiqui! I hope you're more excited than terrified now you get to start planning for your move!

Congrats Heimat!!!!!

I'm so sorry Josh. Keep your head up--I hope you apply again next year. You're quite talented, and I think you'd do great in a PhD program.

We can argue over semantics, but in certain cases it is heavily dependent on subfield. When a program like MSU, ordinarily ranked in the 50s, is ranked in the top 5 for African history, that's a huge difference. That WILL affect your career prospects. All I'm really suggesting here is that people know their subfield. Don't apply to places that are not strong in the field you want to work.