BlueandBuff

Matilda, I'm not usually Canadian, but I'm playing one this week. A friend's fiancee is on the Canadian snowboard team and is competing in the Olympics, so you caught me the one week of my life where I'm wearing maple leaves! At least we know what our job prospects are. It's not as if any European or US History subfields have excellent job prospects, so we're well-prepared. Although I thinK TARDIS is a terrific idea! Your research topics sound fascinating, especially the radical histories work. For the 17th century, what period are you concentrating on? I think if I wasn't focused on the 1790's I would be working on the Flight of the Earls and Ireland's relationship with the Stuarts.

Branwen: Yes, children + spouse + pets = pandemonium. I have a jack russell/beagle mix in addition to the human family, and it's just one more thing to worry about. He's in doggie school right now so that he can avoid terrifying potential landlords. I was looking at schools in Britain and Ireland, but between quarantine for the pup, a different educational system for the peanut, and scary health insurance issues, I had to cross them off my list. I don't envy you - that's a big move! But welcome back to the diaspora Captiv8ed: I hadn't thought of that. Now I've one more thing to worry about!

Worrywort, Are you going for an MLIS or a PhD? I noticed you'd heard back from UMich, and I'm still waiting :-)

Captiv8ed, I think the limiting of options is something that makes us unique compared to the more traditional students. I had to let go of a lot of programs because they didn't offer stipends or didn't guarantee funding. I thought it would be heartbreaking to get in somewhere that I loved and not be able to afford it. I only have four applications out because there were places that we just couldn't go based on poor schools and/or high cost-of-living. Is anyone else coming off a non-traditional bachelor's degree? I attended the best school I could under the circumstances, but because I was an adult student, and working full time, I missed out on a lot of research and publication opportunities. I also, G-d forbid, used CLEP to save some money. This haunts me, and will continue to do so until I (hopefully) receive an acceptance.

Mocha, I feel so bad for you after reading your story. I didn't realize that he intended to move out with you. If he needs help finding a job, please PM me - I have quite a few contacts in the metro area and would be glad to help him network before I (hopefully) leave. I'm in my early thirties, and moving a family with me when I go. I have a son in kindergarten and a husband who is disabled - so fortunately, they're fairly mobile. I find myself researching elementary school districts as much as the university programs, though. I worry about pulling him out of a top-ranked charter where he's doing second grade math and putting him in an academically non-competitive district. It complicates things immensely. We're also selling or renting our house when we go. I know everyone is impatient waiting for results, but I think it's worse when you know that there's *so much* to do before you can leave.

In4mation, I don't think I'd be getting worried yet, what with Snowmaggedon and all. I work in a job where I cover the East Coast, and I can tell you that my phone's been pretty silent the past few days. Hopefully we'll both get positive responses from Michigan! It's my only iSchool program - the rest of my applications are in European History - but it's the one I'll take if I can get it :-)

Two results from Michigan so far... If you're one of them, can you comment on your subfields, etc.?

For everyone who was turned down by Yale (I wasn't one of them, since I didn't apply), the following link should make you feel better: Yale video Any college that completely lacking in self-awareness doesn't deserve you :-)

Matilda, You and I have the same subfield, and you're right - not much in the way of job prospects ;-) So Wolfe Tone, eh? I'm interested in Grattan, the Ponsonby brothers, the Fitzwilliam crisis - basically, how and why the reformers failed to prevent the 1798 Rising and Union. Well, there. Now I've good and outed myself to any committees that are browsing the boards!

africanhistory, I just realized that my post may have come off as a little cruel. I certainly didn't mean to imply that you weren't a top-notch candidate - only that the UDub admit probably bribed them with ponies I've been doing some hiring these past couple of weeks, and it's helping me keep perspective. I had someone I liked and was lobbying for, and then someone else came in at the end who'd worked in the industry, in the same job, for four years. I lost the vote to my other two co-workers who were on the hiring committee. That's another scenario - your POI did really like you, and lost out to the committee. And it's probably just as likely.

One thing I've tried to keep in mind with one particular school where the DGS contacted me and asked me to apply, and where the POI was very encouraging is that back in November and December they didn't know what other applications they were going to get. They may be absolutely earnest at the time that they say it and then have someone come along with our subfield but perfect stats, tons of publications, independent funding and a pony or two. I know in hiring people there have been times where an early application was 'the one' until one came in on the last day that blew it out of the water.

Anyone else in the think-they've-been-rejected-from-Notre-Dame boat based on the results posts? ::sigh Congrats to those who got interview invites. I keep trying to tell myself that South Bend is a horrid place - but it's not really working ;-)

I'll be glad to jump in and tackle a couple of these... 1. -> Does it hurt to come from a country where universities aren't ranked at all and don't hand out any awards? Bonus question: How many student are there usually from continental Europe? I don't know about the bonus question, but the ranking issue shouldn't hurt you. 4. -> Are languages proficiencies looked at on the application? Oh, yes. This will really help you. 5. Would this count as research? Yes. Qualitative historical research requires an ability to analyze primary sources and select and critique secondary sources. There usually isn't a quantitative analysis component, although since you stated an interest in science, an understanding of scientific methods and research might help you. 6. -> Could I lose here some points? -> Are LORs from people unknown to US professors are problem? Adcoms know that European referees tend to be less effusive in their praise, and adjust accordingly. My strongest LOR writer is European (study abroad), and I was assured by everyone that a modest LOR would be looked on favorably. Also, while American referees will often agree to write LOR's out of a sense of obligation, I think that's less prevalent across the pond. At the least, mine questioned me extensively on my goals and rationale, and informed me that I was one of very few students that they were willing to recommend. It was a little like running a gauntlet, whereas my US referees were falling over themselves to write letters and asking me what I wanted them to include. It's just different, IMHO.