narple

Seeking advice: I am really struggling to cut down my thesis to an appropriate writing sample length. It feels so choppy. Can I leave out an entire section? Or should I try to fit in a bit of each? I leave descriptions in brackets of what I cut, but it is just not pleasant to read. Any advice is appreciated.

I've written this in email form twice now and thought I would post it here as well. It caters towards undergrads considering the program directly out of school, so ignore bits that are irrelevant to [you] and forgive the familiar language. Just to give you some background, I was in the MAPSS program for 2016-2017: concentrating in history. I finished my thesis in August 2017 and am in the process of doing PhD apps for 2018-2019 while working. I will begin with the standard cautionary advice: graduate degrees are career choices. If you are not certain about your career path then you should not consider investing the time or money that an MA will demand of you until you do. If your thoughts change over the course of an MA (which is statistically likely), you might be putting yourself in a position to either not be able to pursue the path you end up wanting or setting yourself up for paying for grad school twice. Many come directly into the program from undergrad, and fewer waited a few years before returning to school. This may be personal bias, but I believe those who waited, performed better and came out of the program in a better position to achieve their career goals. This is ultimately the goal of an MA degree, to put yourself in the best possible for your future career, albeit for doing something you are passionate about. That being said, it doesn’t really matter if this is what you want to do and please disregard this advice. (I was given the same advice by many, I took some time but always knew I would return to grad school to pursue academic work, even when job prospects are not good). In general MA programs are shit. Not because you don’t learn anything, but because they are used by universities to fund their other programs. This is a fact and MAPSS is not different. It is also true that they are necessary prep programs for many jobs, in this sense they are more similar to an MBA, MPP, or JD program. Some will say you should never pay for graduate school. I agree that you shouldn’t unless you have reason to. If you need what the program offers then pay. It’s just a question of whether or not it is right for you. MAPSS offers a lot of things, and it is cheaper than many other programs, which is why I chose it. It is not a free ticket, it costs money and will require you to be next to anti-social for 9 months to do well. My impressions would be that the program is fast-paced, but manageable. The program is on a quarter system, so basically the two/three lazy weeks you are used to at the beginning of semesters don’t exist you just gotta be on it from the beginning. This is an adjustment but fairly easy particularly if you are intentional about choosing your courses (3 per quarter). As a history concentrator you will choose a seminar that will last two quarters (fall and winter). The seminar professor will also be your adviser for your thesis and your seminar paper is usually a first, very rough draft of half your thesis. So this is set up quite nicely cause it forces you to start work early. You will also have to take Perspectives (boring AF, but not difficult) and a Methods class--most likely Historical or Ethnographic Methods. This leaves you with 5 other courses that you can pick and choose from across all graduate level courses, professional schools included. The program is fairly generous with funding. I was initially offered 1/3 scholarship, but after writing a short 1 page summary of my continued work towards my goals, I was able to get 1/2 scholarship. Some get 2/3 and maybe one or two people get full. This is fairly rare for MA programs from what I know. In terms of staff of the program i.e. your preceptor/advisor, it varies about how committed they are. I don’t feel that I was disregarded, but I definitely had to initiate the relationship (send emails, go to office hours, etc). As one of a cohort of about 250 students, you need to make sure claim the attention you need. I think this is more a feature of graduate school and less the program. It also makes a huge difference about the amount of footwork you do: going to the library early, having research ideas, and knowing some of the historiography before you meet with people makes them more productive meetings, and will show advisers that you deserve their attention. It will also put you in a better position to graduate in June. (It isn’t necessary to graduate in June, most don’t, but it is a huge relief if you can finish in 9 months...I did not.) I will say the program is not for everyone. I think it really depends on what you want out of the degree. For me, I was transitioning from philosophy to wanting to pursue a history PhD. So it allowed me to get the necessary coursework I needed and also allowed me to work with leading professors in my field and more broadly in historical methodologies. Having these recommenders for a PhD program will significantly improve the competitiveness of my application to “top” PhD programs. Some needed a better institution name on their resume (shitty but unfortunately a reality for many career types). Others needed to gain specific coding languages, math, lab experience, or interview/qualitative research skills depending on their fields. Knowing what you might be needing ahead of time is to your benefit, as the program is short and you won’t want to waste one of your 8 courses on something not worth your time/money. I would look at possible job listings/PhD programs you might want to have and look at the skills they are asking for and then take courses/find volunteer and work opportunities during the MAPSS year to prepare you for them. Also look at the people who have the job you want and look at their CV/resume. It’s a one-year program which is good for the pocket book and a quick turn around, but not so good for forming relationships, both with others in your cohort and profs. It also means that by the time you are entering you already need to be planning for your next year, which isn’t the easiest task with a full course load and managing your thesis. Also people’s minds change as a result of their research, some decide they no longer want to do PhD others who never considered it apply the following year. If you are considering a PhD you will have a gap year between the end of MAPSS and the beginning of your school year. Those who began figuring out job applications and writing cover letters etc. in Feb/March were much more successful immediately after school. I was fortunate to find a part-time job that helped me work on applications but still gave me enough to live on and the benefits to take language courses at the University. To now, I have mostly talked about how it relates to extended graduate school careers, but many come to the program for a quick MA from a good school. They leave with excellent job offers (if they put in the right hours for job searches) and are better qualified to pursue what they want. I will say that these options favor those in the harder social sciences (Econ, Sociology, Poli Sci.). I would make sure the program/courses/professors (department websites) offer you want you need. Particularly professors, you need to be able to identify someone you could write a thesis with. UChicago people can be super pretentious and believe the brand name gives them a right to the privilege it affords. This is shitty and so are the people that think it, but it is true that it gives you a little extra that will help you in whatever your pursuits are. For me, I paid to have access to excellent professors and prep me for grad a PhD and my envisioned career path. Worst case, I was appropriately trained to enter an IR-peace/conflict think tank and find employment that way. I could have gone to a PhD program, but I would have had a not so good funding package which hurt to think about. I wouldn’t have been able to get in to recognized programs from my small liberal arts school. It isn’t that it's an inferior school to other big name institutions, it is just really small and I didn’t have the necessary experiences while there. So for me the program was worth it, but it wasn’t for some of my friends. Bottomline: you have to decide if the program is worth it for your goals. But if you are interested in an MA and the program offers what you want, it is definitely worth an application. Weigh your options, living expenses, cost of attendance with other programs and then decide. If you get a full ride else where go there, if not you could def do worse than MAPSS.

Yes to the CV. I think putting the name is okay as long as you qualify. Just say "under review" or "under consideration" ( I think I like the connotation of review better...)

I mentioned earlier that I just finished MAPSS, so if you would like more direct info pm me. In general, I would say it is an excellent option for someone trying to get more coursework under their belt. I don't know that I agree 100% with what was mentioned about it being a great feeder program. Also from my experience, the program never encourages you to apply to only Chicago, this is my first time hearing this. From my understanding last year was more of an exception in terms of the ratio of non-UChicago v. UChicago students accepted. They do usually make an offer to one or two MAPSS students, but sometimes no one will get an offer. Of course the potential to get an offer is higher if you perform well in the MAPSS program, establish solid relationships, and your project also fits the department. Some people apply directly to the MAPSS program, but I applied to the PhD program. If you take this route though, there is no guarantee that you will be considered for the MAPSS program (I don't think) and I don't think this has much bearing on your funding offer. At least form my observance (though cannot be backed with hard data). It is a short program, and really fast. You are in and out. Which can be nice, and allows you to work for a year after (provided you start looking for a job still in the program). I like to think of it as a bootcamp for people to get a taste of grad school. If you do have language reqs you are trying to work with it might be harder. You will not be able to study languages at the school while in the program, but they do offer a language school w/ funding (limited in levels they offer though). Lastly, I would also mention that UChicago has a lot of boutique MA programs (some one, some two years). Depending on how you refine your interests these could be good alternatives.

Official: First (Middle) Last. Casually: Middle Last I prefer to be called by my middle name, which is sometimes confusing for people, especially during employment and application processes. It is also frustrating because I find that people are unlikely to change what they call you if you fail to correct them. On legal forms, I always write out my full name including the optional middle name line. In direct communications (i.e. emails), I sign First (Middle) Last. Most people figure out I prefer my middle name, but if they don't I correct them in in person meetings. Pro Tip: During phone calls/meetings, always answer phone by hello, this is (Preferred Name) or begin conversation with "Hello, I'm (Preferred Name),.... If they can't figure out what I said but don't want to be rude and be like "what?", "what?" it's also on all my paper work/correspondence.

@VAZ Thanks for the rundown. I have targeted a handful of people, many on your list in fact, but I am also trying to be conscious of time periods and methodologies. I am looking through some of your suggestions I hadn't considered. @kyjin The job market at the end of the tunnel is indeed why I want to be in history. Most schools I am looking at are open to inter-department work, but how did you present your project to align with history despite (I assume) knowing that many of your committee members would be in EALC? Did you still have a solid POI anchor in your history dept? @AP I have considered trying to align myself with japanologists within the history department (which would be feasible for my focus and time period) and then working with the Koreanists in EALC too, but it is a much less appealing. I also am unsure how this would play out in the application process. Despite the frustrations of application season, I am rather looking forward to all the excitement.

Thanks for the above advice. I've spent the summer thus far in review mode. I think its time to start working in hanja as well. My focus is on colonial/modern history, so most programs will probably require Japanese as well, which is why I feel the pressure to have a solid grasp of Korean before entering a program. @Eleanor1985 I wouldn't sweat it too much. Like others have said, there are lots of useful tools to help with this mediation, and based on travel experience, most people can figure out how to communicate. I'd also be surprised if it doesn't seem easier than it is once you are there. I remember arriving in France at 19 and I was about to miss my train. According to school performance my french was just so-so, but I went up to one of the info desk people, and in my panic it all just poured out of me. I was so surprised. I think it just takes a reason to use the language as a tool of communication rather than a tool or research. Best of Luck. Archive work is so exciting, there is always the possibility of finding something truly special!

Hi all, This is my second time through the process. I am finishing up my thesis (due Friday..YIKES) at UChicago's version of the History MA (MAPSS)--if anyone has questions feel free to pm me. Broadly, my current research focuses on World War II France and Korea. I find the comparison between these countries interesting and worth pursuing, but not really an easy pitch to give to POIs and schools who usually focus on one region or the other. I do find Koreanists slightly more interested in this type of comparative work though. Which brings me to my question... I am curious about people's opinions on History vs. EALC (or similar regional programs). I am completely sure that I want to do History, but am having trouble finding POIs in Korean History. I find many more in the EALC programs, but I would rather be affiliated with History to do more on the French side. Suggestions? Possible POI's I am overlooking?

I am planning on applying to PhD programs Fall 2018. I am proficient in one of my languages, but am still at an intermediary level in my new (probably dominant) language-Korean. My professors tell me that I am ready to apply, but I still find it very intimidating. I have conversational fluency, but I know I am not capable of doing intense research (lots of documents) in the primary language. I have a year to work to beef up my research language skills and I am comitted to a job in the US for the year. Any suggestions that will allow me to keep my full time 9-5 and not break the pocketbook?

Decided on UChicago MAPSS over Columbia/LSE World MA after I received an increased funding offer.

Thanks for all the advice. I have just come from living abroad and have foundational language skills. If anything I am trying to attain a higher level competency for research. I also have experience in research, but the majority of it is based on philosophical texts and modern European history. The feedback I have recieved is that I need more background in the academic aspects of Korean history, hence the MA programs. It ultimately comes down to how frugal I want to spend these years. I appreciate all the help @bibliomancer could I pm you about the program?

First time posting...and I need some advice. I applied this season to a handful of PhD's and MA programs. I got rejected from the PhD programs, which I semi-anticipated as I am changing fields from philosophy to history and don't have all the language background I should. That being said I do have some offers and I am trying to weigh the options. UH Manoa MA with next to no funding. UChicago MAPSS with some funding. NYU World History MA non-funded. I am still waiting to hear back from Columbia/LSEs' World/Int'l History MA. I am curious about UChicago, but I don't really understand what my degree would be should I complete the program. I have done some research and plan on visiting. I've heard really good things and not so good things about the program. I like the idea of a one year program with a "gap year" for a fellowship or language training purposes. It appears I could create my course of study which would be a benefit as I am a little wide spread in focus area. (I am interested in international comparative history with an emphasis on philosophy and socializing cultural norms.) This being said I don't really know how it appears to PHD admissions committees when I reapply. UH Manoa would focus on Korean history (my weaker geographic area of interest) over two years and would allow me to bolster my language skills and balance out my interest areas. I could also (hopefully) get funding for the second year as well as in-state tuition. However, there is no one I particularly want to work with. Though their resources for East Asian studies are no joke. Lastly NYU World MA could be cool, but I am not super stoked about it. I've heard some not so good things about the department and the lack of support for MA students there. It would allow me a more balance approach to studies like Chicago, but not thrilled about the attitudes I hear from others. In terms of finances, I am going to take an almost equal hit across the board (NYU being slightly more costly in terms of daily expenses). The two years in Hawaii would (hoping that the second year's funding would improve) probably be similar to one year in Chicago (which is another con the whole MA cash cow thing frustrates me). I am lucky in that I was able to graduate with next to no undergrad debt. While I am not excited about the prospect of creating buckets full of debt, I do really want to improve my chances at a solid PhD program (with funding) and from what I have discovered through this season I need more background in history and in my non-european area of interest. Any thoughts, advice?