betwixt&between

Hello everyone! This will be my third, and probably final, application season. I've already been accepted to a PhD Education program, but it's geared toward working professionals so my assistantship only covers tuition w/an extremely meager stipend. Also, I find that I still am more truly interested in the discipline of history and continually find myself questioning whether my current program was the right choice. My focus is 20th century African American history, civil rights, the Black Panther Party, with a keen interest in the historical intersection of black athletes and civil rights. I was wait-listed at UCONN, and ultimately did not receive a funding offer for Fall 2017. I plan on re-applying at UCONN, also looking at Yale, which offers a joint PhD in AfAm Studies/History, and perhaps Brown, once I have the opportunity to more fully research their faculty. Because I have a family, I am restricted to southern New England, and will probably be looking more into schools in the Boston area.

Are you attending UNM? If so, congrats and hooray! That's where I received my BA from, they have an excellent history department!

I have been waitlisted at my top choice, and invited to the Welcome Weekend. I responded to let the DGA know I was still interested, and would be attending the Welcome Weekend. Do you think it would be considered out of sorts to ask what the waitlist looks like, or what the department waitlist procedures are? Or should I just suck it up and hope they address it during the Welcome Weekend?

I have a quick question, if someone doesn't mind offering an opinion. I received an email indicating that I have been named as an alternate admission and invited the Welcome Weekend at my top choice school. I responded with an email in which I thanked them, let them know they are my top choice, and accepted the offer to attend the Welcome Weekend, as I feel it is important to make a more personal impression with the faculty and current students. Here's my question: Would it be overkill/impolite to email the DGA again to inquire about their wait list procedures? I would appreciate any advice on this topic. PS. Is there a thread around here that offers advice on Welcome Weekend attire?

Congratulations!

My focus is social inequality and marginalization in the US, utilizing race and class. I was looking to work with Jeffrey Ogbar, or Melanie Newport. Will you be attending the Prosective Students weekend?

I'm in the same boat with UCONN, friend. Their letter was really kind, though. What's your sub-field/POI? The other program I applied to is a PhD in education, and I got an invitation to interview with them yesterday, so at least I have that cushion.

I've applied to to two different PhD programs this year, due to familial constraint. I'm currently waiting to hear from UCONN's History program (the results page suggests it could be this week!), but I have also applied to a joint PhD in Education held between URI and RIC. I have a few years of academic advising under my belt, which I really enjoyed. Knowing that I haven't applied to a Big 10 school for history, I'm trying to be pragmatic in regards to future employment. Honestly, as long as I have an opportunity to continue working with students, I'll be pretty happy.

This is a great list, thank you! I was actually stumbled into spatial theory doing research for a paper. My first introduction was through Soja, Lefebvre, and Thirdspace which is so interesting as an applied theory!!! I've just ILL'd Key Thinkers, but I suspect that I may break down and purchase it eventually. I'm really excited to start looking at the other authors!

My MA thesis focuses on the shift in charity to civic poor relief in England during the Tudor period, and also includes much about marginalization. Like you, I'm hoping to branch out, but I would like to focus on 19/20th century US with an emphasis on race/identity and space/place. Ultimately seeking to have a long-term comparative history of poverty/marginalization.

Would you be willing to recommend some titles in the Spatial History field? I have recently come across this topic, and am interested in learning more about it.

Happy December 1st everyone! Just submitted my first of two applications last night. The second isn't due until Jan 31st, so I have a bit of breathing room. Good luck, I'm sure this thread will be picking up as the month progresses!

Awesome, thank you!

The department I am applying to asks for applicant's personal statements to discuss, among other things, "What kind of scholarly approach you envision taking." Perhaps this is an indication that I'm not ready for a PhD program, but what exactly does this question mean? Advance appreciation for anyone willing to help me parse this particular question.

Hello everyone! Was hoping for assistance parsing the potential interest in responses I received from POI's I have emailed, with a description of what my scholarly interests are, as well as inquiring whether they would be accepting students. First response seems tepid " Thank you for your interest in the PhD program in XXX. I will be on leave next academic year but I'm accepting students nonetheless. Perhaps if you have specific questions I can try to answer them, but on the whole our website is quite comprehensive. As you can imagine I receive a lot of inquiries and can not meet or talk to everyone! I urge you to apply!" Second response seems more enthusiastic. "Your scholarly interest sounds like a good fit for what we offer in the Department of History at XXX. While I clearly overlap with your interests, there are others in the department who have scholarly interests in related fields. I am currently accepting graduate students, and would be more than willing to answer any questions you may have about our program. Do not hesitate to let me know how I may be able to help." The second POI was clearly more engaging and interested, and I will definitely pursue that option, but the first response seems almost entirely disinterested, but then includes the phrase "I urge you to apply!" Does anyone think it is worth pursuing the first option, or move on? Many thanks to anyone who attempts to mitigate my anxiety!

Holla! Looking to shift my current MA focus of early modern England (poor relief/social welfare) to late 19/20th US, focusing on urban, social welfare, social stratification, and race and ethnicity. Currently considering about eight programs, and will probably begin reaching out to POI's in September. Also considering a PhD in Education, as I've been doing graduate work as an advisor for first generation college students. A concentration of inequality in education would allow me to continue to focus more practically on my historical interests. As another mentioned above, if you have any suggestions on programs or POI's, definitely let me know!

Everything you offered is incredibly helpful, thank you for your response!

That's great advice, thanks you. And thank you for potential titles!

Hey all, I've really enjoyed scrolling through this thread, and would like to ask for book recommendations. I'm planning on shifting my period concentration, moving from early modern England to 19th/20th century US. I plan on continuing to focus on my research interests of poor relief administration, and marginalization. Can anyone recommend any titles that touch on those topics, as well as industrialization, immigration, nativism, or social movements? I'd like to cultivate a reading list to keep me fresh for the next application season.

While I wasn't accepted to a program this season, I've decided to continue remaining in the academic frame of mind for next year by cultivating a reading. Additionally, I'm planning on a project that focuses on immigrant churches in my city.

Not sure if it’s okay to post this here, but I have a concern that I would love for some advice on. I'll repost elsewhere if there is a better/ more preferred location. It is regarding an interest in slightly shifting my MA concentration when I get into a PhD program. I am currently finishing my MA, with a concentration on early modern England. My thesis focuses on the transition of poor relief administration from medieval to post-Reform era. Took a course on sports and race in the 20th century last semester, and really became interested in the inequalities of race/class in the US. Moving forward, I'm primarily interested in studying the history poverty and inequality more broadly/comparatively since our welfare system is strongly Anglo-influenced. Any recommendations on how to broach this in SOP, or initial outreach to POI? Or even how to find programs that might offer strengths in both areas?

Thank you, mvlchicago. I appreciate your words. I will definitely be applying to more PhD programs next year, and will keep your offer in mind. On the bright side, my grad advisor recommended I speak with the department chair to throw my name in the hat for potential adjuncting positons for next fall, as he feels I would be good at it. So, that was a bright spot

Received my rejection letter from Brown last Friday, 2/12. It was the only program I applied to, due to mobility constraints this year. Thankfully, I learned an enormous amount of helpful tips for next application season, when I have the ability to expand my radius. Congratulations to all admits everywhere, and for my fellow 'rejects,' we are now forearmed for next year.

My kingdom for a notification

Same! Hopefully next week will bring news. If not, at least I have an archival trip to occupy myself with.