lelick1234

Hmm, I personally hate studying for the GRE. Would excellent language preparation possibly limit the importance of GRE scores? For example, I am an Americanist, but I am close to having advanced reading level in Arabic. There has to be some exchange. I personally believe that spending my time learning a language is far more beneficial academically then memorizing test-taking tricks to pass the GRE.

So bottom line with the quantitative is to get within the 40th percentile, above 85th percentile in verbal, and above 4.5 on the analytical writing?

Exactly, victorydance. I am also concerned that social science requires much more math and statistical analyses. I noticed that the GRE minimum requirements are much higher than at history programs. I will have to do some additional research about the field. Obviously given my math scores, I will probably not become a Game Theory specialist, especially since us humanities types find such practices to be slightly problematic intellectually. LOL!!! Maybe it's because we suck at math. So, if I am interested in understanding the causes and future outlook for the Arab Spring, what sort of field should I be studying in political science. I am also deeply interested in the role that Islamism, in radical and democratic forms, play in the Middle East. I apologize for seeming naive. This is a very preliminary enquiry into the field. I have a couple years before I apply. So in theory, I will have time to develop academically as prospective student through self-study. I hope all of you are patient with my questions.

No, but it might give me a chance to conveniently take some political science courses and produce a political science thesis which could get me into a PhD program, right? My question is whether it is possible to switch from a history specialty to a political science/area studies specialty through this sort of program and be competitive in a political science PhD program.

I am going to try to master Arabic first before I apply, then Farsi, and then hopefully Hebrew. I am mostly interested in speaking fluently Arabic. The other two I just want to be able to read I figure these goals are little bit more realistic.

I am a student of the history US foreign policy towards the Middle East who wants to attend graduate school. I have lived in Egypt for the past four years. Earned a 3.8 GPA from UCSB in history. Have crappy GRE scores though. If I get into Georgetown's Arabic Studies MA program, should I specialize in history or political science? I am completely ignorant of the job prospects for political scientists. But I am pretty knowledgable of Middle Eastern politics and am close to mastering Arabic and want to complete three other Middle Eastern languages. Is political science in a better state than history for jobs?

Thanks for advice. I have been in contact with a prospective advisor. He thinks that American foreign policy should be my major field, while Middle Eastern History should be my minor. I have about four years teaching American and world history at an Egyptian secondary school. I know its not college-level, but it's better than nothing. But you bring up an interesting point. If I am aiming for community colleges, I should see what sort of teaching positions a graduate program might offer its graduate students.

Yes, yes, I understand a PhD means producing meaningful research because of your own passion for a topic. But I also believe that there is nothing wrong with exploring the possibility of trying to find work afterwords. I am not trying to sound somehow uncommitted to the academic world and academic endeavors. My whole approach to applying to graduate school is that if I don't get into a top-20 program, or am at least comfortably supported by a 20-40th ranked program, I will not invest my time and money on such a journey. I also understand that even getting into a top-20 program does not offer guarantees. I was just asking that if I have passions for both fields, which might procure employment given the certain trends in employment. I was by no means trying to diminish the hard work that current graduate students are currently engaged in. I think it is important to have a Plan C and D. Plan C was community college and Plan D was teaching at a private high school. I was merely trying to ask whether having a PhD in Middle Eastern History would make it more difficult to earn employment versus an American history specialty for community college and private high schools.

Here is something that has always perplexed me. If I was to switch to Modern Middle Eastern history and was still unable to find easy work, would it have been better to be an Americanist in order to secure community college/ private high school positions because American history is a requirement for graduation, whereas Modern Middle Eastern history is almost never offered at community colleges? Like I said, I don't need a tenure track position at a research university, but I do need medical benefits and a modest, steady paycheck. I am often afraid of switching to the Middle East for this reason.

LOL!!! It seems that this is touchy subject for graduate students.

I was just curious about the top fields today. I am not really concerned. If my destiny is to teach high school at a private school after my PhD program, I would still be happy. It sure beats doing anything else.

What is the hottest field of study for getting hired in academia? What is the coldest? My own conflict is between U.S. Foreign Policy towards the Middle East and Middle Eastern History with a focus on the growth of Islamist groups. I have more knowledge of the historiography of U.S. foreign policy. Middle Eastern history would require quite a bit of language preparation before applications, plus I am not as well-read in the field.

Does this mean he will not be able to advise history graduates at Harvard?

Ashiepoo Why didn't you decide on UCSB?

UCSB and Ohio State probably have the best options as far professors related to my field. Ohio State has a US foreign policy expert that specializes in the Middle East, and a few other professors that work in the diplomatic/international field. UCSB has professor Yaqub, Professor Hasegawa, a modern middle eastern history specialist, and a great Islamic studies program that has professors that specialize in the history of Iran and Islamic groups. I feel that I am in a difficult position because I find that there are only a few professors that I am interested in working with in top-10 universities. Honestly, there is a professor at UC-Berkeley that would be perfect but he is only an assistant professor. I would hate to cut out Yale. I think I should talk to Professor Yaqub at UCSB because he got his PhD from Yale. I am assuming that Gaddis probably worked with him a bit. I am mainly applying to U.S. foreign policy positions because this is what I have the best historical knowledge and could write a pretty decent SOP about my academic intentions.If I get into Georgetown Arabic studies program this will help develop my historiographical knowledge of the field because you can specialize in Arab historiography. My next set of PhD programs might look very different after I earn my MA from Georgetown. We will see what happens. I have heard that there is more demand for historians of the Middle East than US and world.

Here is my list of possible programs and the last name of possible advisors. I am leaning towards U.S. and the World, transnational, U.S. foreign policy towards the Middle East, or just straight history of the Middle East if I get into the Georgetown Arab Studies MA program. Harvard- Erez Manela (Hail Mary Longshot. Love this professor's work, however.) Yale --Gaddis (Hail Mary Longshot. Not so hot on his work or his politics, but it's Yale ) Cornell-- Logevall (Hail Mary Longshot. Love his work, but I am little afraid because I am focused on U.S. policy towards the Middle East and his specialty is US policy towards Southeast Asia) UCSB--Salim Yaqub (Probably a decent chance. Also an absolute perfect fit. Have experience doing research projects with my prospective advisor as an undergrad. He let me enroll into a graduate course as an undergrad and even advised a special research seminar for me when I couldn't enroll in his official seminar class. Ohio State University-- Peter Hahn (Probably a decent shot. I need to read more of his work. He advised a student whose dissertation has become an awesome piece of historical literature. That is probably worth something.) Vanderbilt: Paul Kramer ( Probably a decent shot. Love this professor's work) Georgetown (Arabic MA Program) *If I score high on the GRE, I might be able to get the tuition waived. If I am accepted into this program, which would force me to achieve a high level of Arabic to graduate, I will probably focus on applying to programs in the history of the Middle East. I have 3.89 undergraduate GPA, and have lived in Egypt for the past four years. I might have a good chance of getting some help with this program. Western Michigan University (Funded MA?): There is a professor who specializes in US foreign policy towards the Middle East and it has a decent, but small Arabic program. Seems like funding is offered to MA students, which is an additional plus. But I think, overall, it is a weak program. Miami University Ohio (Funded MA?): Funded MA, there is a professor who teaches a course of US foreign policy towards the ME/NA. MA program offers ample teaching opportunities and focuses on pedagogy. Weak Arabic program, however. Overall goal with my PhD? Well, if I get into a Ivy league, then I must be destined for career academia at the greatest institutions available. If I get into one of the mid-level PhD programs, I was destined to be teaching at lower-level colleges in the Midwest and the South, or maybe a very cushy private high school. If I get into any of the MA programs, well, maybe this is a second chance to reach a higher level of academia by applying to PhD programs, or a sign that I should cut my losses and find a nice, stable secondary teaching position.

Hey Folks, Ok, so I have made my list of top 10, pie in the sky, pipe-dream graduate programs. What really vexes me, however, is what I should do if Plan A doesn't work out. I am curious about your opinion about earning a MA in religious studies with a focus in Islamic studies as a means to complete my Arabic studies. Also, the MA is offered at UCSB, where I got my BA in history in 2011 (3.89 GPA). This option would this also give me a chance to reconnect with my professors who would write my recommendation letters. My current research interest is US foreign policy towards the Middle East. Would it weird out PhD admissions committees if my MA was not in history? I have posted the program requirements below. M.A. Program, Plan II This Master’s degree does not lead to Ph.D. work at UCSB. Requirements for the terminal M.A. in religious studies include completion of 36 units(of which at least 24 must be graduate-level units in coursework related to the proposed area of study). All of these must be for a letter grade and include the following: The religious core course RS 201, offered in fall quarter only, is required of all incoming M.A. II students. In addition to RS 201, M.A. II students must take five graduate seminars (20 units) related to the proposed area of study. A maximum of 12 units of RS 596, Directed Reading and Research, may be counted toward the required units of graduate-level coursework. Three additional courses (12 units) to meet the unit requirements must be at least at the upper-division level, and only RS 596, Directed Reading and Research, may be counted from the independent study options. No foreign language or thesis is required for the M.A. Plan II. Ordinarily all degree requirements are met in one year. --Leo

Hello, I am sure this has been discussed before, so point me to the right direction for this issue. 1) What role can assistant professors play in your graduate studies? 2) I like a graduate program because of an assistant professor. Would it be a waste to apply to it? --Leo

Hey Folks, I am an Egyptian student who will be immigrating to the United States with my American wife. I hope to continue my studies in English at a MA program. I unfortunately have only a 2.9 undergraduate GPA. The programs that I have checked, especially at the Cal State system have a cut-off at 3.0. What should I do to gain acceptance into a program. I am, of course, not looking for any Ivy League school. I just want an opportunity to redefine myself academically at any MA program. --Leo

Hello, I have more of a academic background in the history of U.S. foreign policy towards the Middle East, but I have been living in Egypt for a few years and have become increasingly more interested in the Islamic sciences and Islamic studies in general. I am taking a classical Arabic course right now, while also teaching social studies at an American high school in Alexandria. I am guessing I will have to get a Master's degree in religious studies in order to gain acceptance into a PhD program. I was looking at University of Chicago's Master's program. Can anyone give me any insight into this program, and whether gaining acceptance into this program is realistic for someone with the following stats: 1) 3.89 GPA (UCSB: History) 2) 4 years of humanities teaching experience in Egypt 3) Intermediate to advanced classical Arabic skills 4) GRE: 90 percentile verbal, 4.5 analytical, 40 percentile quantitative. (I don't know what the scores are from 2012) * Note: I am aware that application decisions are far more holistic than just the statistics that I provided, but I would like to know your general thoughts --Leo

It would be interesting to know if as a high school teacher whether you would be able to publish during the summer. Does anybody know any PhD who teachers high school who has published as a teacher?

I really need to read Wested's book. He came to visit UCSB when I was an undergrad. He gave a nice discussion about his newer book "Restless Empire." He seemed to know his stuff. I am going to focus on U.S. relations towards the Middle East. I am currently living in Egypt which offers me a chance to get a good basis in Arabic. I hope to have enough Arabic to research by the time I apply for graduate school. I then want to study Farsi. Arabic is the tough one. It takes about 5-6 years to really be able read archival work. Farsi is much easier I hear. After Farsi, I might learn hebrew or maybe Turkish. I am not sure if its in the cards, but it would be nice to reference Israeli sources because I want to write an international history of the Lebanese Civil War. Since this conflict involved Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Israel, I figured I might as well learn the languages of the combatants. Moreover, I told myself that if I was going commit to graduate school, I needed to knock out some of the critical languages in order to justify this endeavor. I figure with at least two, maybe three mastered, I might be employable somewhere if the academic pipe dream doesn't work out.

Great advice! I just made your comment a PDF so that I can store it away for future reference.

Oh, also, I was never good at taking notes in class or from textbooks. How does one retain as much information from their readings? I hear that graduate students have to write précis. But I am not exactly sure how to go about doing that. Can anyone give some advice?

I so wish I was in graduate school so that I can stay focused on one book. Contributing to my lack of focus is my busy schedule. I teach both middle and high school social studies during the day, take a 2.5 hour Arabic course four days a week at night, and share about 40 percent of the parenting duties with my wife. In the last two years, I have completed the following books: : ( 1) The Embers of War (Fredrik Logevall) *Probably 3/4 finished if I was being honest. 2) The Great Arab Conquests (Hugh Kennedy) " " 3) A History of Iraq (Charles Tripp)* This one was a page turner because I was reading it when the Islamic State exploded and massacred its way through Iraq and Syria. Provided excellent context for recent events. 4) *There are about ten other books I started to read and put down because of distractions. I am currently reading the following: 1) The Israel-Palestine Conflict (James Gelvin) 2) The Global Offensive (Paul Thomas Chamberlain) 3) From Colony to Superpower (George Herring) I need to read the following for preparation for graduate school, which will probably be in 2-3 years. ( I think if I clear out some time, I can knock out five of these suckers in a year.) Melvin Leffler, A Preponderance of Power: National Security, The Truman Administration, and the Cold War (1992) Melvyn P. Leffler, "The Cold War: What Do "We Now Know?" American Historical Review (1999): 501 John Gaddis, We Now Know: Rethinking Cold War History (1997) Walter LaFeber, America, Russia, and the Cold War (1992). Michael Hogan, Cross of Iron: Harry S. Truman and the Origins of the National Security State (2001) Michael Hogan, The American Ascendancy: How the United States Gained and Wielded Global Dominance (2007) Odd Arne Westad, The Global Cold War: Third World Interventions and the Making of Our Times (2005) Zachary Karabell, Architects of Intervention: The United States, The Third World, and the Cold War, 1946-1962 (1999) Douglas Little, American Orientalism: The United States and the Middle East Since 1945 (2002) Salim Yaqub, Containing Arab Nationalism: The Eisenhower Doctrine and the Middle East (2004) John Dower, Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II (1999) Arnold Isaacs, Without Honor: Defeat in Vietnam and Cambodia (1999) Frederik Logevall, Choosing War: The Lost Chance for Peace and the Escalation of War in Vietnam (1999) Jussi Hanhimäki, Flawed Architect: Henry Kissinger and American Foreign Policy (2004) John Ehrman, The Rise of Neoconservatism: Intellectuals and Foreign Affairs, 1945-1994 (1995) William A. Williams, The Tragedy of American Diplomacy (1959) Tom Engelhardt, The End of Victory Culture (1995) Elizabeth Borgwardt, A New Deal for the World: America’s Vision for Human Rights (2005) David Engerman, Know Your Enemy, The Rise and Fall of America’s Soviet Experts (2009) Carl Bon Tempo, Americans at the Gate: The United States and Refugees during the Cold War((2008)