ashiepoo72

Girlscoutcookies--my undergrad institution had a larger history department, while my MA institution has a very small one. My BA department was nice because there were so many options, a lot of coverage of most places and periods of history, and it happened to be better funded than my MA dept (though I didn't realize it then, because the UCs are battling for financial support). My MA institution is awesome because small class sizes, small cohorts and lots of professor-student interaction. I never really got to know professors at my BA school because it was so much larger. I won't ever badmouth my undergrad institution because I was well trained, but theres something to be said about smaller, more intimite departments. I think it really depends on each person individually. I'm okay with either kind of department, but some people might feel lost at sea in a large program or equally poorly in a small one.

Hugs, rmw I hope you hear good news soon.

I think I've mentioned this before, but POIs I spoke to repeatedly told me they're looking for interesting candidates. I think having an atypical academic journey doesn't necessarily mean a mark against you. Obviously you've succeeded regardless of the setbacks, so that shows mettle!

Age is nothing but a number, guys. Besides, once we become parents all of us prematurely age because of this:

I should say I was told not to mention my kid by one prof, and another said to go for it but tactfully. I think it shouldn't be a sob story or excuse, and I think Chiqui is spot on to only mention if it's relevant. Also, don't do it if it makes you uncomfortable! It's a personal choice.

I didn't view it as a shortcoming, but I thought I needed to explain the gap and turn it into a positive (I still graduated on time). I failed a class my first quarter and didn't talk about that. Besides, I wanted them to know about my daughter. She's my partner in crime, and I want to go somewhere that knows I'm a two-person deal.

I guess I'm older too. Took a year off after the BA, then spent 3 years in my MA program. Never thought I'd say 26 was old haha

Yay so many parents! I talked about my daughter in one line, but only because I had to explain why I took 2 quarters off during undergrad.

Same age as your son, Chiqui Aww congrats Heimat! I miss the baby days, except for the lack of sleep. Though it's quite similar to grad school I guess haha

I'll send you a PM, manda

I'm a modern Americanist, primarily focusing on WWII and Cold War interventions. The date range would be something like 1940-1975ish. I do social and political history in a global context. Please please please don't be discouraged! I am grateful I received early news, cognizant of the fact that y'all are in limbo and don't want you to be discouraged because some of us have gotten acceptances. There are still plenty of programs that haven't even started notifying, and many programs notify in waves. It's super super early in the season--we should expect to hear from schools during the entire month of February, most concentrated in the mid-late part of the month. I know I'll be sharing in your happiness and excitement soon!

And how the hell am I out of upvotes already?! I guess I'll have to do digital high-fives until Gradcafe sees fit to give me more

Thanks for the info catsandscarves! Congrats on the acceptance AZMoose! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get an awesome funding package! And Heimat, my professor told me that state schools are more likely to have 2 waves, one funded on fellowships (university, diversity etc) and one on TA/RAships, though this really depends on the program. She also said that many state schools will likely have a wait list they actually end up pulling from (unless they purposely over-admit knowing this will probably result in a good cohort size) because they usually can't provide as much funding as private top programs, so if admits choose by size of funding package the state school usually loses out. Again, this all depends on the programs.

I'd start with The "Good War" in American Memory by John Bodnar and work my way from there. I know you want to focus on the bomb, but a good sense of how Americans remember the entire war is useful for contextualizing the collective memory (and mismemory) of the atomic bomb.

I'll send you a PM wacyeah Congrats tingdeh!!!

Congrats U of Washington admits and all the North Carolina State folks!! And welcome wacyeah! I think for your interests Alice Yang and Alan Christy at UCSC are ideal advisers. I see you applied there. If you have any questions about the history department at UCSC, I did my BA there and would be happy to chat

Chiqui it's still early!!! These programs would be lucky to have you! Don't give up! Minnesota notifies in 2 waves. And Henry, I'd be happy to buy you a tea as long as you don't judge me for drinking coffee

Congrats to the Urbana-Champaign admit! What a great program I'm sure you guys will hear good news in the coming days! I'm seriously looking forward to cracking open that patron with y'all to celebrate!

Heimat, it was an informal email, so official notices haven't been sent out yet

Could it just mean he's out of the loop when it comes to notifications? I'd just be vague if you're uncomfortable answering. Like "I'm not sure, it seems to vary year to year."

It's really hard to say...I chose programs pretty carefully so all of them could support my interests. I never expected to get into a single one.

Omg guys I think I died. I just got into Minnesota!

LeventeL--Well that sounds promising!

Looks like a lot of those snowy states have been notifying other disciplines so I don't know if the weather explains why there's radio silence on the history side. I haven't heard anything from Indiana, I think those notifications will come later this week.

I don't think those programs have started notifying. Do you expect them to soon?