Matilda_Tone

I am in a completely different field, but I will say this- when I was applying for my MA I was so sure that I would go to my school “A” over my school “B” if I got in. I ended up getting into both, and wasn’t sure if I even wanted to bother going to school “B’s” open day/wine and cheese event. I reluctantly decided to go anyway (because a free trip is a free trip!) and ended up liking it way more than I thought- in the end, I chose school B and had a great time there. It turned out to be a better fit then I thought. So I guess my point is- it might seem like a chore, but make yourself go anyway. You never know! Maybe the website or department contact you have had so far hasn't given you a true impression of the place.

Thanks all! It has been an insane and happy 48 hours! Modern Irish History. I’m thrilled to be working with Professor David Wilson who is one of the top people in the field right now (and one of the main reasons I was really hoping to go to UofT). And the fantastic library system should be a help! The best in Canada. And to the person who asked how they notified me- the Graduate Chair sent me an email to say that I was in, with funding, and that the official letter was on its way. Still smiling

Got into the University of Toronto- which was my top choice. Feels great!

I know it is not a top choice for most Americans, but has anyone applied to/heard from the University of Toronto yet? According to the results page, someone got accepted on Saturday (is that odd?). That’s my top choice, I’m going mental

bird brain

night owl

Work helps. And my flute. Am also trying to distract myself with friends and nights out...still going crazy, though.

Re-reading James Joyce's "Dubliners" ...which really isn't a good way to keep my mind off of pending Irish history degree apps.

police dog

All of the phone calls for my MA acceptances two years ago came in the later evening. I am guessing that some profs take the contact information home and make calls from there. The school I ended up going to called me at about 7:30pm...while my friends and I were at the beer store stocking up for a party. Needless to say, I felt very classy! (Thankfully, the professor did not hear the sound of clinking bottles and/or change her mind)

I work at a pre-school. I am lowest on the chain of command, it is not quite full time, and the pay is bad...but I love the kids and have a great time. This is my “year off” so I am glad to be having as much fun as possible at work. I’ll miss my kids if I do get into my PhD programme. Technically, I am also still employed at as a museum tour guide, which sounds fun and more relevant to my field (history)- but I haven’t done a shift in months, which is great because the boss is insane and doesn’t care about history (to her, the museum is there to make money by hosting events) and I spend most of my time there cleaning, doing dishes, serving food and moving chairs/tables.

I’m thinking... “Great LOR’s, good marks...but dear God, does she really think that the research proposal and writing sample are up to par? Ha!” And also: “Who wants to study old dead white guys nowadays!? That is SO last century! I hope she knows that she’ll never get a job...” (I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they decide to admit me anyway...based mostly on my recommendation letters. A girl can dream!)

My top school seems to send out their decisions around or on St.Patrick’s day...and, as an (aspiring) Irish historian, I am sure that my celebration will involve a pub, music, the wearing of green, and FAR too much alcohol. (On the flip side, if I don’t get in, I will do the exact same thing to drown out the pain. Hurrah!)

Mine is the name of the wife of an 18th century Irish radical/nationalist- Wolfe Tone. Why? Because he's a leading figure in the era I study, and it is what came to mind when I signed up. As for the picture- that is a painting by the English artist Thomas Gainsborough- one of my favourites because a) I love Gainsborough b ) I love the 18th century and c) in involves flutes (and as a flute player, I love this too)

I did my undergraduate degree at UofT, and (for undergrads, at least) you get a number grade, a letter grade (A, B, etc) and a GPA on ROSI. My M.A. school only gave numbers and letters (but I still convert things in my head based on the UofT GPA scale). In any event, point is, I thought As were normal too- but mostly because I figured that if I was getting them, everyone else must be too (and more impressive As, at that).

victory dance

I don't know about the OP, but I'm in Canada and I don't think the grading system is quite the same as the US. That may be the confusion. In Canada the grade itself (i.e. percentage) tends to matter more than the GPA. At most Canadian schools, anything above an 85% is a 4.0...but when schools look at your transcripts, there is a big difference between an 85% and a 98% (even though both are a “4”). In my case, I felt like my grades in the 85-88 range were probably average...and it often felt like my classmates must be doing better (and if I was applying for programmes with an 86, and they were applying with 90s, I’d be out of my league).

I really appreciate you sharing this, datroy. Sorry to hear the bad news. I must say, this is terrifying- and something I am really worried about hearing from my top choice as well. Everywhere seems to have funding issues, and European/American history is far from trendy (sadly, it is also what I love). Anyone else wish we could go back a few decades to a time when the competition was lower, western history was marketable, and the economy didn’t suck?

Glad this thread exists! I felt the same way, Thales. I did my MA last year, came out with a 4.0, and figured that meant I was average-mediocre...which is not what one wants to be thinking as they prepare PhD applications (as I am right now). Some of these comments give me hope that my grades will seem semi-impressive. Fingers crossed! I think that part of my problem on this front is my lack of confidence and my shyness when it comes to academic discussions. Last year, when people from my programme would get together, they all seemed to be “talking the talk” (“I finished my paper four weeks early and had three profs read it over for me...” “Professor so-and-so is always impressed with my work...” “I’ve taken an entirely new approach to this topic and I can’t wait to submit it to this conference...” etc.) I tend to be pretty quiet when it comes to this sort of thing, and generally feel like most of what I have done is crap. So when a last-minute paper that I thought was terrible gets an 88%, I usually assume that the people who have it all figured out were getting 98%. The more logical side of my brain tells me that most people are probably more talk than substance...but I’m always full of doubt (especially now that it is application season). Perhaps some of you can relate?

I can’t speak for Political Science, but I know that for History (especially my field)- Trinity College Dublin and Queen’s Belfast are well regarded in Canada (TCD over QUB, though)- Galway too. I think it depends a bit on what you’re studying- if your degree involves anything on the Irish political situation then it would be a great idea to be over there- it would probably give you greater credibility. Keep in mind that the British tuition system has been undergoing a lot of change recently, and I am not sure how/when it will affect international students. Domestic students in England and Wales will soon see fee hikes- and I know Northern Ireland has decided to re-evaluate its fees as well. The next few years might see a spike in tuition for international students too. You’re right- it can sometimes be easier to get into a UK school as an international student- the sad truth is, they want your money. If you can afford it, and you think you can handle the programme, then go for it...but beware of debt and make sure that the school you chose is well regarded in your field (I’d suggest checking with some of your current professors). The bigger/more established universities are, of course, well-regarded in Canada (Oxbridge, Edinburgh, St.Andrew’s, York, UCL, LSE...)- but there are some smaller and newer ones with more dubious reputations.

I don't know if they have this in America- but in Canada/the UK, it seems that the cheapest transatlantic airline is Air Transat (sometimes called Thomas Cook for UK flights). Most of the year, you can get a flight for about $550-750. I fly it all the time- it's not as nice as BA or the expensive ones (slightly smaller seats, no personal TVs, etc)- but if you can put up with those small things, you'll get there for less. They also don't let you take as much luggage as some airlines, but that's okay for shorter trips.

I discovered this very simple recipe a few years ago and am now famous for it among my friends. If you want something less sweet, it also works well as a plain shortbread recipe (just don't add the icing and jam) Empire Biscuits (Cookies) Ingredients 2 cups butter, softened1 cup white sugar4 cups sifted all-purpose flour1 cup raspberry preserves24 maraschino cherries8 cups confectioners' sugar1/2 cup milk Direction Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Gradually stir in the flour until well blended. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into rounds using a cookie cutter. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Sandwich one teaspoon of jam between two cookies. Repeat with remaining cookies. In a medium bowl, gradually stir the milk into the confectioners' sugar until the icing is of a spreadable consistency. Spread on top of the sandwiched cookies. Top each cookie with half of a cherry while the icing is still wet. They should look like this: http://3.bp.blogspot...re+biscuits.jpg

I guess the simple answer is- professors are human too. And most regular people like to chat (especially about things they are interested in/knowledgeable about)...even when (or perhaps especially when) they have other things to do. Everyone procrastinates. There was a time when this surprised me as well- and I suppose it still does a bit. I have one particularly amazing professor that is always willing to take time out of his day to help me out, even though he has about a million things to do (I’m really not sure if or when he has time to sleep and eat). I don’t know how they do it all- seems like a daunting task to balance research, teaching, administrative duties, meetings, students AND a personal life. But, apparently, it IS possible. Maybe some of them are robots after all...

I am thankful for my flute- learning tunes is a great distraction, So is crappy British Television.

25. I did an extra year of undergrad and am taking a year off between the MA and (hopefully) PhD