Chianti

The terminal MAs I applied to all gave out full funding to the top students, which is the nature of funding--not everyone gets it. However, a few of my friends that did not get funding from the history department secured assistantships in other departments around the university, and they pay the same/have other networking perks. I'd search the websites/email the programs you have listed since as catsandscarves pointed out, IU Bloomington doesn't offer much funding. It is also fairly common for programs to post where their graduates went for their PhDs, and this would give you an idea of your odds for potentially getting into a top 20 school after. And yes, look for POIs and don't be afraid to email them!

Your questions could be better addressed if we knew your field(s) of interest. There are a good number of funded MA programs and this would help us narrow down the list for you.

I think my cohort has around 40 students (a rumor that might be a bit inflated), but I've seen maybe a dozen of the other full time students. It's kind of a mystery....

It's great that you're thinking about all of these possibilities right now! However, from your diverse interests, I think your senior year will really help you winnow down this list and figure out which degree you'd like to pursue. Additionally, you might want to consider joint MA/PhD programs when applying. (If you successfully complete the first year you will receive the MA in history and then move onto the PhD track.) The most important advice I was given when applying (and something other gradcafe users mention frequently) is to only go where there is funding--even for an MA! There are some obscure scholarships out there as well so searching now like you're already doing will really help. Good luck!

It takes a bit of searching, but they do exist. I was unsure if I wanted a PhD in history, so I applied to terminal MA programs, and was offered full-funding from several. However, I now wish I'd gone to the MA/PhD program I had also applied to.

You should strongly consider UVA and UNC given your research interests. They're reaches for sure, but fantastic programs!

It has begun! I was waiting for this thread. I've been compiling a google doc full of potential PhD programs when I need an escape from current coursework. It's proving to be more difficult than finding good fits for an MA program. Can't believe we'll be working on applications before too long.

Just thought of this and I can't stop giggling. Sums up my semester though.

You're confusing selective breeding with genetically modifying. Grafting banana trees is not the same as stripping/rebinding a banana plant's genes in a laboratory. I just TAed for a course on the globalization of food/agriculture and there are no benefits to GMOs. There is also conflicting research on how harmful/benign they are. What is certain is that they do not have the higher yields that companies such as Monsanto claim and they are continually requiring more pesticides/fertilizers because "super" weeds and bugs are becoming resistant. Definitely wish there had been a class like this when I was an undergrad---it was eye opening and mind boggling! We had the students read several articles by Raj Patel and Michael Pollan. If nothing else, I think all of us as consumers in this global food economy (sadly, food is little more than a commodity these days) need to read something like In Defense of Food by Pollan and watch a documentary or two such as Food Inc or Fed Up. Some articles from this class: Don't Ask How to Feed the Nine Billion -Mark Bitman http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/opinion/dont-ask-how-to-feed-the-9-billion.html?_r=0 The Next Breadbasket -National Geographic http://www.nationalgeographic.com/foodfeatures/land-grab/ Feeding the Nine Billiob -National Geographic http://www.nationalgeographic.com/foodfeatures/feeding-9-billion/ National Food Policy -Raj Patel & Michael Pollan http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how-a-national-food-policy-could-save-millions-of-american-lives/2014/11/07/89c55e16-637f-11e4-836c-83bc4f26eb67_story.html If you're interested in a video lecture: Edible Education -Michael Pollan Sorry for the dump, but I found this class to be fascinating and I had a feeling some of you might enjoy these readings!

It only shows how well you take the exam, not how strong of a writer you actually are. (That was my mantra while waiting for scores to come in.) Given that your field is mechanical engineering, the quant section is probably the most important for your application. That being said, as the other posters mentioned, still take it seriously and see how well you can do.

Have you considered having another person write the final letter and quickly getting it sent in? If this professor submits his letter late it still should not be a problem, and is a somewhat common occurrence from what I'm gathering (and in my own experience). I had a very similar problem but know that this is not your fault so try not to let it stress you out too much!

You won't be asked about the letter in your interview. I had one writer completely blank on sending in my letters (she was finishing a book), and submitted them after the deadline (which from what I've gathered involved flooding the departments with emails/faxes/phone calls haha) and it did not negatively impact my admissions to any programs. Having a backup writer is always a good idea.

It sounds like you have a good bit of experience and those are solid first scores! However, if you want scholarships you should strongly consider retaking the GRE one final time. Ideally, you will want both sections to be in the high 150s at the lowest (breaking into the 160s is ideal), and as close to a 6 on AW as possible (this is the least important section though so focus on the other two). Edit: Good luck!

Seconding eteshoe, grad programs will hound you for your final transcript. I was traveling when admissions decisions were going out and several department heads sent me polite but firm emails reminding me to have transcripts sent. Meanwhile, I was traipsing around Spain. Whoops.

I meant the Fairly Oddparents! Haha