nhhistorynut

Of course highly rated programs are great, but I think even just a good showing in a regular state uni might work, too, depending on GRE scores, SOP, LORs, GPA, etc. It'll save a lot of money, too. My MA is from a regular old state university. Remember fit, too, when looking into MA programs. Look for one with faculty who will offer a theme/focus that might translate well to your target PhD studies.

I didn't have a great undergrad GPA. I'm not sure what the cumulative was because I went to 3 different schools, but it wasn't great, maybe right around 3. I wound up opting to go for an MA first, which worked well for me.I have a 4.0 in that program and was accepted to a PhD program for this fall. I assume you mean to apply next year? If so, I say go ahead and apply to those two, but also apply to a couple MA safety programs just in case. Worst case scenario, you do the MA first and then go for the PhD. With a low undergrad GPA, your chances aren't great to get into a top program, but a good MA GPA could take care of that for you.

I am going to cautiously wade into this debate here... I agree with this. While bullying is of course an issue, especially online, I think at some point we need to realize as grad students and historians that we are going to run into "those people" for the rest of our careers and lives. "Those people" isn't meant to single out a certain person or type of person on here, but I just mean "those people" who rub us the wrong way. Maybe we think they're arrogant or elitist, or maybe we disagree with what they say. But that's just life, especially in academia. I saw something somewhere once that said "arguing with a historian is like wrestling a pig in mud; eventually, you'll realize they enjoy it." Of course people are going to debate and argue! That's kind of our thing. I even wrote about my love of arguing in my SOP and in my interview the DGS mentioned it with a chuckle. I feel for everyone who has been singled out. I agree that it has seemed that a few people have been ganged up on. And that sucks, but at the same time, suck it up, buttercup. Because I have a feeling it'll get a heck of a lot worse as time goes on. Anyways, that's just my two cents. Hopefully people can just move on and actually get back to being a constructive board for 2017 applicants. That's what this is here for.

This might seem a bit off topic after...whatever the hell has been going on over here debate wise the past couple weeks lol... BUT, I was looking in my school's blackboard and came across this: Note how it says "to The End of Time." Made me laugh...

Thanks I basically emailed the DGS as soon as I got the email to wholeheartedly accept (okay, I waited a day so as to now seem, you know, obsessed lol). Thankfully the decision was easy for me; I only applied to one school, my target school for a myriad of reasons, and managed to get one of only 3 spots offered next year. I will try to practice patience for now!

question: how long does it usually take between official letter and actual university paperwork? Basically, I have my official letter in hand (both via email and a hard copy), and I've had it for 2 weeks. However, the University's "portal" hasn't been updated. I was told by the DGS that the portal takes longer to update, but I am getting a bit antsy and just want to "accept" the offer, get my university email, and move on towards registration and meeting with people/planning schedules. And if I'm being honest, I also have this horrible nervous feeling that the offer can still be rescinded since the portal hasn't actually been updated. Any words of wisdom?

I am a somewhat nontraditional student in that I am almost 30 (this may), took like 8 years to get my BA with several years off between, am married, own a house, and have a kid (shes 5). I will say that I mentioned some of the hardships I've experienced in my SOP, mostly just unsupportive parents who thought I'd be better off as a dental hygienist. That said, when it came to explaining why I wanted to go to grad school, I couldn't explain it without mentioning my daughter, because she was the catalyst that pushed me to finish my BA. I don't know if it helped my app, but it didn't hurt, either. I didn't make a sob story about being a parent or anything, and actually didn't mention the other catalyst that made me decide to go for it (that is, my husband being diagnosed with acute leukemia and undergoing a stem cell transplant while I was pregnant with said child), but I did sort of "use" her to help explain my passion, drive, and devotion. I will also say that I spoke honestly about my lack of direction in my early twenties that led to poor grades and my eventual dropping out. I think honesty worked well for me. Who knows though, I guess. In the end I think it all depends on who's on the admissions committee and how they feel about things like kids and the trials and tribulations of life. I took a calculated risk by mentioning my bad undergrad grades and kid.

I'm enjoying this conversation about ranking and schools. To throw in my two cents on a few topics... I see how the right person makes a difference, but I personally think it goes beyond the person. It's the right letter that really stands out. A name is nice, but what if that big name doesn't say what needs to be said? For my letters, I got three professors who, yes, have published books, but are not famous by any means. However, they know me well, one is the dept. chair and DGS at my MA school (and also my thesis advisor), and they wrote some amazing letters. At my interview a few weeks ago, the DGS at my PhD institution actually felt compelled to talk about how fantastic those letters were. Did he know who these professors were? No, but he appreciated what they had to say. Again, agreed here. I can say for myself, I did not go to one of those great schools. I paid for school myself (and by "paid" I mean "took out loans"), and certainly did not have the ability to go to Yale or Harvard or UCLA, etc. However, when it comes to... It's important not to gloss over the very-real issue in higher ed of imposter syndrome. I think it especially common for women, and especially in male-dominated fields like history. Being a woman, I have often felt like I wasn't good enough and wasn't worthy of places like the top 20 (and, I didnt apply to them, and will instead go to a mid-ranked school that happens to have a pretty big-named faculty member who will serve as my advisor). It didn't matter how many A's I got or how many professors in my MA program called my work "superb" or how many research grants I was awarded, I was still pretty sure I wasn't very good at what I did. I've got a pretty good confidence boost now, though, after getting into my choice school, but there's still that sense that I'm just not good enough. I'd say this feeling is pretty universal. I see on these boards all the time that people "aren't surprised" by their rejections from top tier schools. Likewise, people are "shocked" when they get into those programs. So, all this is to point out that there certainly are differences between applicants, but sometimes really great historians don't feel worthy and therefore don't even bother applying. Anyways, that's just my two cents here. For those of us not going to the top schools, I think we'll have to work twice as hard to get published, to network at conferences, and to prove ourselves. At the end of the day, when applying for jobs, it helps to have friends in high places.

This was my first time seeing this site, and I have to say, it has a lot of great data. It is sort of surprising, almost, when you sort by outcomes and see what schools have better records of placement. I was surprised to see Tufts at the top, and Harvard actually a little ways down on the list. I actually feel pretty good about the school I applied/was accepted to, as about 60% have placements set up at graduation, and another 10% are in negotiations. Of those, about 75% of the jobs are in education as either post docs or teachers. With the job market as it is, a 50% chance of finding work at a college or university right after graduating sounds pretty good to me...

I think giving 6 months (maybe even a year) to claim those four free reports would be ideal. It really doesn't make sense to say "now or never" with the free option when the test costs so much. I know for me, I took the test last March, WAY before deciding where to apply. I wanted to take it early enough that I could restudy and retake it if I wasn't happy with my results.

I never even considered the GRE and transcript fees. The cost to apply easily gets over a thousand, then, when you factor all that in when applying to 6 or more schools. I wish the GRE score cost was just included in the $250 we paid to take the damn test in the first place...

The cost is one of the things that surprised me on these boards. I was shocked so many people were able to pay the fees for 8, 9, 10, or more applications. That's hundreds of dollars just to apply, which is insane. I applied to only one PhD program this season, and only begrudgingly handed over the $65 fee. Luckily I got in, so I don't have to do it again, but my plan was to start saving now if I didn't get in, because I'd need a few hundred bucks to throw around next near!

Thank you!

Hi everyone, After suffering through 4 days of radio silence after my interview, I got an email this morning that I have been accepted to the one and only school I applied to this season! I thought it was a long shot since my MA wont confer until December, but they were okay with that and have decided to admit me! Offer comes with 4 years of guaranteed funding!!

Thanks everyone for the advice. The interview ended up being via skype because of the blizzard, but I still wore my interview outfit, which helped with the confidence. I think it went really well. He said they are admitting 3 funded PhD students next year and that I am considered a strong candidate at the top of their list, which is why he wanted to talk. We talked about all sorts of stuff and he was extremely friendly. The whole thing lasted about 45 minutes. Overall I think it went well. He said he will email me their decision by Friday at the latest. Wish me luck!

Just curious here... How many schools did most people apply to this round? I applied to only one this year. That might sound silly, but because I havent completed my MA yet and my writing sample was from a seminar and not part of my thesis, I felt like it was a long shot. My plan if I don't get in is to reapply to this school next year, and then another 4 or 5. But even 5 or 6 apps is starting to seem like a short list. Is it better to apply all over and see what happens?

Well gosh @Sigaba that was a fantastic pep talk. Now I just need to play Eye of the Tiger while jogging in place and reading that to myself while staring into a mirror on Monday before the interview. I kid, but seriously. Thanks. I am a longtime sufferer of imposter syndrome, so reminders are sometimes necessary. Also... I had not considered that before. A quick google search shows him as a sweater vest and cardigan kind of guy. I'm thinking not-too-dressy-but-still-nice will be best. Plus I like sweaters. Will do!

Thanks for the advice! I looked at the weather for Monday for the university and it says "blizzard" lol. So I might be wearing snow boots!

Thanks, and good tip about pinterest. I did not have one but have been scoping it out for a few minutes now and there are lots of ideas. I think it's going to be a delicate balance of being myself and showing my abilities to be a professional. The Prof. I am meeting with has already been very casual and cracked jokes in emails, so we'll see how it goes.

I have an interview Monday with the director of graduate studies. I've read through all the threads, gone through google, searched reddit, etc. I have a pretty general idea of what kind of questions I will be asked, how to answer them, and things like that. But what has not been clear is how to dress, particularly for women. I've heard conflicting advice on this. Some places say a pant suit, some say a dress or skirt with a blouse, some say nice slacks and a sweater. Everyone seems to suggest heels. So here is my dilemma. I am a very tall woman, already 5'10. I have never in my life, not once, worn heels. And to make it worse, I wear a ladies 12 shoe, so it's a HUGE challenge finding nice shoes. So needless to say, heels are out. Any suggestions from people who've already had their interviews? Any opinions about pant suits vs slacks/sweater? Thanks in advance!

So I had a phone call with my POI last week, but I just got this email from the graduate director: "Dear ------, We're still sorting out our PhD applications, and the grad committee was hoping that I might be able to meet with you or skype with you in the near future. Your research trip was quite exciting compared to most of our grad school experiences. I hope that's your last encounter with bribe-seeking policemen! Yours, -----" From my investigative research on this forum, UNH doesn't generally request interviews with the grad director. Is this a good thing?! This is my top choice because I kind of fangirl over my POI because I am obsessed with his books, so I kinda feel like I might puke lol.

Lol thanks. This is the actual pic:

well if you don't get in this round, check UNH out next year! Worcester isn't super far from Durham, and UNH has really strong colonial history faculty. It's a small program, only 2-3 people get admitted each year, but It has some really successful people there. My POI is Jason Sokol (US civil rights/African American history) and when we talked on the phone last week he said it's nice having it be so small because everyone knows everyone and the faculty make themselves available.

Can I ask what your specialty is/will be? You guys could all move to the Boston area for the time being and reapply all around next year. Brown is only an hour away, there are about 1.45 billion history PhD programs in Mass (I kid, but there are a LOT), and then there's UNH in NH where I hope to go, again only an hour from Boston. So you could get settled and then just commute to wherever once you get in. Just a thought Don't lose hope!

My adviser told me that if I am rejected this year, it just means I am not the right student for the program this year. It means my SOP and writing sample didn't show them the student they want this year. That doesn't mean I won't be a different student next year. I am going to ignore the "I'm 36" comment because it seems irrelevant. All I know is that next year, you might have a better idea of how to write the SOP Brown wants, or you might tweak that writing sample. Maybe develop a better relationship with your POI at Brown. Maybe retake the GREs. You have you MA, right? (I think you said you did...) If you don't get in this year, why not do what my plan B is if I don't get in this round? Apply to some community colleges. Maybe teach online for a year. Then give it another go. Don't think of your age as something negative. I have a cousin who didn't have her first kid til she was 39. I know that's different, but still. I mean, I was even thinking that if I didn't get in this year or next year, maybe I'd wait about 5 years (and work at a community college or online) until my daughter is old enough to stay home alone (yay no childcare costs!) and reapply. And that would put me right around 36. So long story short, if you want it, keep going for it.