Matilda_Tone

I don’t have a waitlist story, but perhaps this counts as a last-minute miracle. It’s not official yet, but a few weeks ago my MA supervisor got me in touch with a good friend of his who was looking for a PhD student- I was planning to wait a year before applying anywhere, and I never dreamed I would get funding in the UK...but, long story short, things are looking good- she seems interested, and wants to bring me over to visit the department. I never thought things like this could happen so unofficially (this has really only happened because of personal connections), or so last-second...so perhaps anything is possible?

I took a course on early modern British science- can’t say it got me excited though. I’m old fashioned and am sticking with political history. Wish I did like the history of science though- such a booming field at the moment, it seems. Your job prospects will be much better than mine!

Thanks for posting this! It has, for the most part, been relevant and reassuring for me as well. I am leaning towards picking a school based on the potential supervisor (who is arguably the top in the sub-field) but I have been having some hesitation about the school’s reputation (it isn’t bad, but certainly not a top ten)- “who you work with is much more important than the school you come from” is exactly what I want to hear

(Did a search- pretty sure this is a new one). I know this one may be a bit of a long shot- but if there is anyone who has spent some time in Liverpool, England- or better yet, attended the University of Liverpool- I would love to hear your thoughts on the city. I have been to quite a few British cities but have never been to Liverpool. Now I am considering a generous last-second offer from them, but I am worried how much I’ll like the city itself (I don’t want it to be terrible if I plan to spend four years there). I have heard it is a bit...grimy, and my parents are concerned about safety (the crime rates used to be quite high- though I hear it is a safer city now). I am used to big cities, and Liverpool is a bit small by my standards- I wonder if it will have enough of a big city feel (a sense of life, frequent cultural events, lots of great neighbourhoods to walk around in/explore...) to keep me happy. Any insight is great!

I know that Queen's sent out first round acceptances a few weeks ago. Also- if you want to chat about Queen's at all, send me a PM. I went there.

I’m going on $17,000 in a small city, and finding it no trouble at all. Though I suppose not being in a major metropolitan area and getting really lucky with my accommodation has helped. I think it would be difficult if I had any dependents, but since it is just me things are fine- am even optimistic that I will have enough money left to pop over to Europe later this year.

Not sure if this is what you are looking for ( it is not a guide book)- but a very amusing book on academia in general is a novel called Small Worlds by David Lodge- it follows the adventures of a young academic fresh out of graduate school. Definitely a fun read.

I am sort of an Early Modernist...at least, that is what I said in my MA applications. Since starting the program, I have drifted into the later eighteenth century, but my thesis looks at perceptions of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in later periods. Depending on where you study, I do hear that there can be better prospects for early modernists- that is true of Irish history, at least. Far more people do modern Ireland than early modern Ireland. I'm Canadian, so have no insight into American programs.

It would have been great to finish up an Irish history PhD sometime around 1968- we’d have had jobs as soon as the Trouble broke out. But alas. Now everyone loves Ireland. In answer to your question- I’m focusing mostly on the Civil War period (though I do find the earlier topics interesting as well). The original plan was to look at presentations of the 1641 rising (this stemmed from my desire to read Matthew Carey's book on it)- but I am in the process of deciding if I should expand that into the later Civil War/Cromwellian period. I’ll die happy if I somehow get to mention Wolfe Tone’s admiration for Cromwell. I love heretical ideas like that (another reason I’ll never have a job).

Ha! Very true, Sparky- if only I had a real TARDIS. Love the Doctor Who quote, by the way. (We should start a new thread- historians who love Doctor Who I bet there are many)

BlueandBuff- fascinating topic! I love anything connected to 1798. I am still figuring out what direction I want to go in for the PhD- but this year I am developing something on the late 18th century and historical memory (either the writing of radical histories in the aftermath of 1798, or a comparison between revolutionary and constitutional nationalist presentations of the seventeenth century). In short, very un-trendy “old dead white men” topics that will never get me hired. But I figure you can’t fight against what you like. Irish history was a great career choice in the 1960s, if only we had time machines. (P.S. Do you happen to be Canadian? if so, would love to talk about programs over PM, if you are up for it.)

I SHOULD make exercise my outlit- that would be more healthy- but for me it is my flute. If I am not working, I like to learn new tunes - and I go out once a week and play (and drink) with other people (it does not totally get my mind off of school- as I study Irish history and than take "time off" by playing Irish music...but I still love it).

Jacib- No worries, I didn't think you were saying it was impossible. Sorry if my response came off the wrong way. Great insights here. Feeling better

As someone else has noted, people do generally know what history is- which does avoid some of the sorts of comments others seem to get. On a more general level, I am sure we all get: Person: What do you do? Me: I’m a graduate student right now. Person: Wait...so you LIKE school!? My favourite more specific comment has been from my dear Mom, who isn’t terribly academic or interested in my area of study (Irish History). Mom: How is your essay going? Me: Alright. I think that I have decided to focus on Ulster this time. Mom: Who is Ulster? (Ulster= Northern Ireland, generally) I nearly died laughing, which I suppose was a bit mean of me...but I couldn’t help but be amused. The other thing one has to put up with in Irish history is EVERYONE in North America wanting to assert their Irishness. I often have conversations like: Person: What do you study? Me: Irish history. Person: Cool! My great-great-great-uncle’s cousin was Irish. And I have this awesome Celtic knotwork tattoo!

Spent today reading “Peaceable Kingdom Lost” by Kevin Kenny- not a bad read for anyone in Irish and/or American history (mostly about the impact of Ulster- Presbyterian violence on politics in pre-Revolutionary Pennsylvania). Not a very complex thesis, but I was happy to read a nice straightforward book for a break. The last fun book I read was Craig Ferguson’s “American on Purpose”- I am an unashamedly huge fan of his, and recommend the book.

I also love what I do (history). I sometimes wish I had managed to take some English courses in Undergrad though- that is one avenue my schedule never allowed me to explore, and I do love using novels and poetry as historical sources. Perhaps it would have changed things a bit.

A YES from me as well. Never fear, you are not alone. I think I’m doing fine, technically, but I don’t often feel like I am. The course in my area of speciality went well, but the others don’t stimulate me in the way I hoped they would, and it makes me question my decision to pursue this discipline a bit (if I say I love history, than shouldn’t I love studying almost any aspect of it? Apparently not...) My grad department takes a different approach to the subject than my undergrad department, and that is still something I struggle with. I have spoken to Professors about my concerns, and have been told I am not lagging behind, but I feel like the people who did their undergrads here have the right pre-requites while I am left wishing that I had the knowledge of philosophy/political science that seems to be necessary in some of my classes. I also don’t feel ready/qualified to publish or present at conferences- both terrify me at the moment, and I know I need to get across this self-confidence hurdle. Oh well, here’s to hoping for the best and not doing as badly as we fear!

Jacib and MemphisMomma- thanks for that insight, it helps. We have been on a first name basis for a few years, so it would be odd to go back to being formal, but I suppose it would be best to make an effort in an academic context. There does seem to be a divide in this respect between humanities and sciences- friends of mine in science have many stories of distant, and often mildly terrifying, professors. In humanities (I am in history) it seems much more relaxed...though I am not sure if drinking with your advisor once a week is quite normal. I am pretty certain that he will still criticize my work fairly (though I suppose there will always be a grain of doubt)- one thing that worries me is the double shame (on both a personal and professional level) that I will feel if I do badly (or heaven forbid, drop out). Suppose it comes with the territory. I would, frankly, prefer to work with someone else at the university, and thus attend a good institution in a city I love without having doubts about my social time, but it would be silly to pass up the chance to work with an expert in my field. I feel like it would be smart and proper of me to turn down invitations to things from my former, and possibly future, professor- but another part of me doesn’t want to miss out on the fun. I do think I am fretting a bit too much, and perhaps shouldn’t worry until I am certain that I really will be attending.

(I apologize of this is in the wrong section or has been addressed elsewhere- I did a search but didn’t find anything). I have been thinking about this lately, and am wondering if anyone has had the same experience/has any thoughts. The basic question is: is it a bad idea to be friends with your graduate supervisor and to hang out outside of an academic setting? I bring it up because, after finishing my MA, I am considering returning to my undergraduate institution to do my PhD, and the person who works on my area of interest there (and who I would thus want as my supervisor) is a professor I have kept in touch with, see fairly often, and now consider a friend. (And before anyone asks, when I say friend I mean JUST, and only ever, a friend- nothing inappropriate). In some ways, I suppose this is a good thing- as I am completely comfortable with the person and know that I enjoy their company. On the other hand, I worry that it is a bit odd, and I have recently wondered if I should pull away socially if I am seriously considering having this person as my supervisor (though that may be a bit tricky, considering the number of mutual friends we have). Or perhaps I am just overanalysing things, and this is more common than I assumed. I never thought it would be an issue, or that I would return to the university, because I intended to pursue a different topic. But now that things have changed and I might end up applying to work with him I am not sure what approach is best. Thoughts?

Changes

Alcoholic

No debt for me. I would have had about $30,000 if I had accepted an offer at my dream UK school, but I decided to play it safe and stay in Canada where I could get full funding. Not as exciting, but practical, I suppose, when one is doing a pretty non-practical degree.

I don’t see it as a terrible sin. I suppose asking for extras/lying about your need for said extras is dishonest (though there are far more serious forms of academic dishonesty). I ended up being able to see both of mine, and I like to think that this doesn’t make me a bad person. A scholarship I requested letters for was discontinued, so I ended up with extras unintentionally. I tried to give one back, to a professor I know well and who I told about the scholarship change, but he insisted that I keep and read it. My other professor had gone off on sabbatical by then, and I opened his out of pure curiosity. I don’t think he would have minded anyway. I think curiosity, rather than worry, is the main reason for opening them. I was not worried that they had said anything bad- but it is always interesting to know what people respect think about your work.

In answer to the original question, I also think yes. The undergrad professor who knew me best went to the school I applied/got into. I know he was in touch with a few people, and I am sure it helped at least a bit. The school cited my LOR’s as one of the reasons why my application stood out.

I am no expert and can only offer limited advice- but for what it’s worth... Here in Canada, the standard process is BA to MA to PhD (direct entry is rare) and I know people with BAs and MAs in Canada who have been accepted to the United States for a History PhD...which seems to indicate that getting an MA abroad does not block one from getting into American PhD programmes. I applied to UK schools for my MA as well, and the one big thing I was told was that it is not worth going into debt for. International fees and living expenses will be high and the sort of funding you get should be a major factor in the decision.