goldielocks

Thanks for the tip, taybaxter!

Thanks TMP. Yes, as noted in the original post, summer camp is one idea I'm looking at. I've spent my entire academic career working to put myself through school (no parental help, no cosigner for undergraduate loans), so I've spent enough summers (and falls, and springs for that matter) "doing something different" (read: slinging drinks, waiting tables, etc.). I'm just trying to find any opportunity that meets the following criteria: 1. It pays decently 2. It will keep my mind occupied so I'm not just thinking about moving/fall the whole summer 3. It won't make me want to jump off of a bridge 4. Bonus points if it is related to History, or at least pedagogy. I'm glad to hear you liked your summer camp experience. And I do appreciate the suggestion about taking a break from academia. I'm sure we would all benefit from that, in some capacity.

I just got my final scores for the new GRE and UGHGHGHGHGHGHGGH! I am disappointed, to say the least. My AW score went down from when I took the old exam (two years ago), my quantitative stayed mediocre, and my verbal went up and remains the only remarkable one of my scores. Going to the gym to burn off some rage. It's out of my hands at this point.

Hey everyone, Just a quick question. I'm trying to scope out opportunities for next summer, when I'll be done with my MA and (hopefully) transitioning into a PhD program in the fall. Does anyone have any suggestions/experiences about field-related work for grad students over the summer months? I am willing to (temporarily) relocate and/or travel. Grading exams? I think the AP exams are primarily for faculty. Any summer camps, college prep or otherwise? Anything? Thanks very much, as always.

Thanks Safferz and Sigaba. I'll look into those options. Sigaba-- a few of my programs require scans of transcripts, rather than having them sent in my the registrar at each university. It is a pain. My MA institution already has etranscripts available. My BA institution does not. This tiny little component has turned into a big PITA. I'll figure it out today.

Congrats on the progress, Safferz! Does anyone have any tips for scanning transcripts into readable but small-file-size PDFs? My undergrad institution (for whatever reason) doesn't offer e-transcripts, and I've been fiddling around/reading instructions online all night. Nothing is working quite right. I've tried reducing the PDF size during save (too blurry), reducing the image size before converting to PDF, converting to grayscale, etc.

Well I think that the paper sounds interesting, but as I am an interdisciplinary theatre historian/cultural historian, I have to caution that I'm not sure you'll find much that's new in this approach. I don't know what you can add to this metaphorical analysis that hasn't already been covered. Miller's work has been explored pretty extensively. For example, I just searched "Crucible" AND "Miller" and JSTOR returned over 150 pages of results. Have you started looking at the historiography on this? I'm not trying to discourage you, only to suggest that you think more carefully about what your contribution to original knowledge would be, if you were to pursue this project. I think it's a bit more commonly studied that you realize (but of course I don't want to speak for you), since many professors and even high school teachers teach The Crucible and its dominant themes. And to answer your queries about the nature of the project: cultural historians do this all the time. (I'm doing it right now!) So you can certainly pursue that sort of project without worrying that it's not "serious" enough for "straight history" (as one of my friends referred to it). And interdisciplinary projects are perfectly fine to submit as writing samples. Best of luck.

Maeisenb - yes, I've started that filling-in-the-form-business, myself. But I am trying to figure out how to scan my transcript so that you can still read it, bu so that it is under 5 MB. (I'm not the most tech-savvy historian, ok?) C&C - Is this helpful? Saw it tonight and thought maybe someone else might have an answer for you here: http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,83257.0.html Sandy - Deep breaths. Do you use a decent task manager? I recently started using Things for Mac and I really can't say enough good things about it. I like ranking my tasks by priority. Maybe this would help you, since you're juggling so much? Or, as I always suggest to you, vodka. Vodka is also a great answer.

Yeah, you're probably right, C&C. I don't think it'll be a big deal at all. So where's everyone else today? What'd you actually get done this weekend? Are we all working too hard playing catch-up today to be lurking around the boards?

C&C, does this help at all? I know you said you already scoured the internet, but just in case: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/118586 Or this? http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Formatting/FootnoteOnDiffPage.htm

Noooooo. Don't remind me! I am still editing my SOP, and slowly but surely inching closer to a final draft... but I could use an extra month before deadlines hit. BLAH.

C&C - What word processing system are you using? Word? Open Office? Scrivener? This might help us to offer more helpful suggestions.

Re: adding the summary — can't you footnote it? That way you can have a bit more room to explain other findings, or what is not explored in the scope of your sample. Crater, I know that some of the programs I'm looking at mention that you can submit a smaller piece of a larger project, but ask you to identify it — maybe via a brief abstract? I'm not sure.

Sandy, I'm hanging in there. Thanks for asking. Yes, my advisor told me last year to schedule my breakdown, as well. I selected the week after the semester ends — when all of my applications are submitted and my coursework is finished for the semester. So I just need to make it to December 8. Whew... Time for the regular ol' goldielocks-asks-you-what-you're-working-on-this-weekend-shtick. So what are you working on this weekend? I'm guessing everyone's starting to step up their productivity with deadlines looming closer and closer. I'll go first: I'm focusing on the SOP and getting ready for my final conference of the semester this coming week. Who's next?

tmp, wise words. very thoughtful advice.

Reaching new heights of anxiety in 5...4...3...2...

C'mon, I know Sandy and I weren't the only ones working this weekend.

Sandy, are you a list maker? I'm an obsessive list maker — something about checking off things satisfies my neurotic need to be productive all the time. It seems like you're juggling things well!

Alright, people. Checking in on what you've all gotten done this weekend. Deadlines are approaching faster and faster, it seems. How's it going? Conference paper #1 delivered. Went great. Met with a potential professor in that city while I was there, and it was fantastic. Now polishing conference paper #2 for the week after next, and revising the SOP, as usual. Managed to register all of my recommenders on all of the app websites. Slowly gaining steam. How about you? PS: Sandy, still sending good vibes to you and your teaching load!

I honestly have nothing to add that hasn't been said. Just wanted to second the instincts that NO, you shouldn't spend a lot of money on pre-app visits. It will not compensate for the other parts of the application, and it's really more for you than for the school — so you can see the program/area yourself. Also, chime on the language prep. Best of luck.

Wise words, as usual, Sigaba. What did everyone end up actually accomplishing this weekend, by the way? I only finished half of what I wanted (Isn't that always how it goes?). But I did manage: two papers for courses, two course books read, cataloged several dozen scans for the thesis, worked on the SOP, basked in the fact that the GRE is done, worked on a conference paper for November, exercised diligently, did my laundry, and slept. The last three are probably the most important.

Good points, iaich-h. I struggled with choosing a book, because the one that influenced me the most was actually written by the prof I'm applying to work with. And I did not want to attempt that. So I sort of lied and chose something else.

Safferz, congrats on finishing the SOP draft. I keep scratching mine and starting over. It's frustrating. I also have to do the book review... Yale? Hopefully we will all have a productive weekend, and we can check back in to boast about everything we accomplished. Happy Saturday!

FWIW, I agree with Sigaba and Sandy. I have some health problems, which I try to keep very separate from school. But I've found that having that initial conversation with my professors, just politely and briefly at the beginning of the semester, works wonders for my anxiety level. I'm not wondering what will happen if I am too sick to come to class, and it gives me one less thing to worry about. And in the few times I've had to ask for special favors (an extension, an absence, whatever), I've always been glad I spoke to them in advance. Plus everyone I've shared it with has been very understanding and cool about it. Hope this helps.

Sandy, so sorry to hear about the poor performances on the exam. Is this a survey course? I think you mentioned before, but I can't remember. You've got a lot on your plate, it seems. Just think how nice the teaching experience will look on those applications. Oh, and alcohol... That usually does the trick for me.