narple

So there is only really one MAPSS course across the board (perspectives). Then the methods courses are sometimes blocked for MAPSS students or all grad students in the discipline (ie phd students as well. All the other courses are graduate courses. Emailing profs is the best way to get the syllabi for most classes. I don't have the syllabus but we read selections from Ranke, Adam Smith, Elinor Ostrom, Marx, Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, Foucault, Weber, Levi-Strauss, Geertz. Then usually a more modern applied example of these theories. If you want the actual syllabus email Chad Cyrenne or Dan Borges.

Commuting to HP for Uchicago is doable from the north side, but not ideal. Plan on it taking about 40 minutes to get down to HP on a Weekday in morning traffic from Lincoln Park. Closer to an hour if your driving down from 90/94. And an hour-hour and a half if busing/metra. And similar back. If you can make sure your driving during non traffic hour times that time can be cut in half or a third. If you want something in between check out Pilsen. its still on the south side so you won't deal with traffic but has more of an "urban feel". West loop is kinda the dining area and nicer bars, if you can afford it.

There is definitely less motivation to go outside, but the city itself is comparatively active in the winter. I see people running along the lake all year long, even with strollers and wind guards/fleece shields covering the babies. People still go out to parties, clubs, public transit it solid (even from Evanston down to the city). Winter doesn’t stop people, but you are more likely to choose destinations specifically and less likely to go on a pub crawl. It really is up to you. The city is still there in the winter with all it has to offer (it’s just inside instead of on the patio or in the park, etc).

They have already sent out acceptances. Rejections go out early March.

I assume you will be applying for F19. If you can start it over the summer do that or build upon a current piece of work. It will be hard to start a research project from scratch in September and finish in December. You may need to go find or wait to access your primary sources. It’s possible, but I would want to have more cushion room for edits or unexpected conclusions. When schools say polished it means two things: polished in terms of grammar and writing style yes, but perhaps more importantly, polished in the sense that it is a well rounded piece of historical work. The biggest things are situating your primary sources at the center of your analysis and showcasing whatever languages you have/will need for your field.

Boystown is the “traditional” queer neighborhood, but would be a not so fun commute if you’re headed to UIC. That being said, I think anywhere within the city would be chill. Stereotypically, most nightlife is on the north side, it is also a much whiter, privileged, and gentrified part of the city. South side is more diverse, less nightlife, but not abesnt, and more affordable. If I were going to UIC, I wouldn’t want to go north of Ukrainian Village/Noble Square (commute south on the 90/94 is brutal) it’s doable if you have a reason to be north (ie family, partner, etc) but not ideal

If you want to go outside of the US you probably don’t need a GRE. Other than that I don’t know of any program that doesn’t require it. This being said it isn’t the most important component of an application. Languages are necessary if you are doing anything other than British and American history. Even with these fields most schools, especially top programs, will encourage/require you to take another European language.

So I grew up in StL. It is a neighborhood-based city, but great number of the metro area which is considered STL lives in the suburbs (50-60s white flight). This is changing to a certain extent, especially in the last 10-15 years, but it has also created a dialogue of safe and unsafe neighborhoods. This has been perpetuated both by the city population as a whole and institutions like SLU and WashU. So the result is that students tend to gravitate to the areas by campus that are considered "safe." This being said, there are definitely areas that I, as a young person, would not want to walk through alone at night. These areas frequently border some of the most fun parts of the city too. My point is to take all the discussions of "safe/unsafe" areas with a grain of salt and go see the areas for yourself. But to your point about more "cultural areas": Cherokee street is the sort of LatinX and Mexican area of the city (though its small) its also a street with a lot of bars and STL style chill (small dance bars). The Grove (mentioned above) is STL's open queer scene (i.e. lots of gay bars and undergrads). The Hill (italian food and groceries); Benton Park=hipster-dom (but with a little money); Lafayette and Soulard are the French quarters (and excellent BBQ). The Loop used to be edgy and was the new area before the Grove (which was before Cherokee), but has been bought up a lot by WashU. Grand/ Tower Grove are my personal favorites- yummy variety of food and on the affordable side. Botanical Gardens are also in the area and close to SLU. Mid-town is kinda industrial, but has lots of theaters small for standup and large for broadway. New hip restaurants etc. Central West End is sorta the affluent closer to the city area, best indie bookstore in the city (Left Bank Books) and lots of Med students. ON the opposite end of Forest park from WashU. Wash Ave is the downtown "Night Out Street". A lot of "business types chill around there. My descriptions are generalizations-and I am sure I skipped some good ones-but it gives you an idea of the layout.

NYU. They are stacked for French studies and special fellowship opportunities for those working on France. It’s a great program.

Commuters dilemma here: my partner and I are both planning to start PhDs this fall at Columbia and Rutgers. Obviously we would prefer living together with our pup and in Jersey for financial reasons. We could have a car (or not depending on what's easier most cost effective) but want a manageable commute for both of us as our first year will be a lot of on campus obligations, though no teaching in the first year. Is it possible? Suggestions?

Agree with latemeg. Would also say that depending on budget West Pilsen is a good in between (and cheaper that a lot of Pilsen). My sister lives in Bridgeport (just south of the river from Pilsen) not convenient for transit (but biking is a solid option). It's more affordable than a lot of areas and has a nice community feel.

I would guess that you wouldn't be paying more than $100 combined in winter, but it is really gonna depend on the space and insulation. But congrats on SLU! Mid-town and South City (Tower Grove / Grand area) are fun! Excellent city for PhD budget!

MAPSS will probably release results closer to the end of FEB or March. I don't think I got mine until March.

Congrats Stanford admit!! ?? If you don’t mind me asking what’s your specialization/who is your POI? Feel free to DM!

Just wanted to shout out. I did MAPSS (History)