AmHist2010

I am entering a PhD program and will study 19th century American cultural history with a focus on the history of capitalism. I actually would be able to write on what I want at all three places, so that's a good thing. I would get excellent methodological training at each as well. The principal difference is that while my potential advisor (and other potential committee members) at the two higher-ranked schools do work in the general area of my interests, my potential advisor at the lower ranked school writes explicitly on my core interests and is continuing to work in that area.

I'm in need of advice to help me think clearly--and rationally--about my grad decision. I've been accepted at two top-twenty schools (both of which are top 10 in my subfield), but am becoming increasingly tempted by an offer at a school that is just outside of the top-50 (USNWR--I acknowledge these don't necessarily mean anything, but it's the best rough marker I can come up with). [Though to slightly different degrees, all are funded]. While the two top-twenty schools would be good fits and have much stronger reputations in my field, the top-50 school is throwing all of its resources at the exact sub-sub field (if I can use that term) that I want to be trained in. In the past 4/5 years they've been hiring faculty for this area alone, including a top scholar in the field and several all-star, multi-award wining junior faculty (recent FJT prizes, etc). Their pitch to me, which I honestly can't disagree with, is that their program is the best fit of almost in the country for what I want to do. And while the other schools have general colloquia, this school has three workshops dedicated to different aspects of this sub-sub field. In fact, the only reason I have for turning them down is general reputation--not that they have a bad one, but that they have no reputation at all. So, is it absurd to consider the top-50 program? Or is the prudent, market-oriented thing to do to accept something at the other schools?

It all depends what you're looking for in a town, I suppose. In many ways, Charlottesville is well deserving of the myriad high rankings and awards bestowed upon it each year. The downside to this, of course, is that a lot of boomers are fleeing Northern VA for C'ville, which leads to an expansion in the suburban/planned communities at its edges. But the nucleus of the town--UVA and the "Corner" (the downtown area right next to campus) and the Downtown Mall area--are wonderful stretches of great local food, cafes, bookstores, bars, and the like. Charlottesville, like many similar towns, has a nice blend of affluence and hippy culture to give it a rich intellectual culture and liberal vibe, yet enough Appalachian culture to give it a folkiness. It's also nestled into the Shenandoahs, so it's beautiful year round. And while Route 29 (the major highway from DC through C'ville) is lined with strip malls, it's quite easy to live in Charlottesville and never use 29--you can basically make your life exist near the University and Downtown areas. Generally, if you're into a more "suburban," box-store lifestyle, you can have that. But if you like all things local--especially your food--C'ville is an excellent place to live. The downsides probably depend on where you're coming from. I currently live in Cambridge, MA, so housing in C'ville is comparatively dirt cheap. The History stipend--compared to English--at UVA is measly, but I'd actually be making out better than I do at present because housing is that much cheaper. [if you live off-campus, it looks like www.brac.com is one of the better places to find housing. It is a bit better than Craigslist there because Craigslist is dominated by condo realtors in the area] Also, if you're used to living in a city and without a car--and if that's something you enjoy--that becomes more difficult in Charlottesville. It has a strong bus system, but if you bike, be prepared for mammoth hills throughout town. I suppose if your life could take place in a small area, you could do without a car, but unless you live very close to or on campus, you may need a car. It'd actually be a good town for a scooter. Let me know if I can provide other specifics.

I'm strongly leaning toward UVA as well. Down to it and one other place for history. If anyone has questions about C'ville, I'd be happy to help. Though I currently live in New England, my family lives in C'ville, so I know the town pretty well.

I am an Americanist (posted earlier that I received my funding package yesterday/Friday). I study early 19th century cultural--capitalism and religion. I'd actually be interested in chatting with other UVA admits, particularly Americanists. Can we convert this "Info on UNC, UVA" forum to a UVA forum? One of my reasons is that I'm actually deciding between the two schools, and would be interested in learning more about what attracts people to UVA and how people feel about the program and faculty in general. Incidentally, I'm from Charlottesville, so if anyone wants info on the town, I'm happy to provide.

Received my funding package from UVA today, so others should be hearing soon if they haven't already.

I wrote to the DGS and he said he hopes to be in a position to report on "potential financial aid" in "a day or two." Not really sure what to make of that. He also said that they would wait to send out a full intro to the program until the class is set. Given my correspondence with other programs, this is a bit frustrating.

Following the notices of others, I just checked the UVA website (just after midnight eastern time on the 19th) and discovered that I was accepted. I didn't receive an email from anyone. The notification on the website is a very generic note from the GSAS. So I second deuterides. I study early 19th century American cultural history--religion and capitalism.

It looks like UVA results are up. Check the website. I didn't receive an email from anyone, but checked the website and my decision was there.

I do antebellum cultural [not Civil War for those interested]. I received a call a couple weeks ago gauging my interest and asking more about my application. Then I received an email from the DGS yesterday with an admissions offer.

LifeIsGood-- I posted the admit for US History at UNC. I do c19.