lafayette

Urban environmental history is still an emerging field, but its top scholar is definitely William Cronon at Wisconsin. Also specifically urban enviro is Joel Tarr at Carnegie Mellon. I am not sure if he advises PhD students through the Grad Center at CUNY or not, but my former professor, Michael Rawson, is also in this field (You can shoot him an e-mail asking if he does take on PhD students; he'll respond-- he's exceptionally kind.)

Ah, I feel you! I don't think I am ever going to feel fully sure about my application materials -- like should have I picked a different paper, or cut it down in a different way (those 10 page limits are hard!), or taken a different approach to my SOP (less broad? more broad, so I don't seem too rigidly focused, ahh!) but ... we'll just have to see what happens. Submitted my first app last Saturday ... feel okay about it, somewhat, but do think my future applications will receive even more of my attention & editing & hopefully then a better shot. (But who knows, really!) Best of luck to everyone here as those mid-December deadlines approach!

I will be 28 when I (hopefully) begin my program (29 if I get shut out this year -- and honestly, my advancing age is worrying me a little in terms of reapplying, but I still know I wouldn't be the oldest by any means). But I also have friends in grad programs who have diverse cohorts when it comes to age. I also cannot imagine having gone into a PhD program right out of undergraduate. I have really advanced in terms of maturity and work ethic, as well as academically (I did a master's program). But yes, there are people on this board who can testify to all sorts of situations. I actually am worried about my middling undergrad career (luckily it wasn't in history -- but still, humanities). I was just unfocused, but never failed, so there's no excuses to be made, nor should be made. But it's lackluster. I am discussing how I got serious when I started studying history in my master's program, though, and hopefully it will be that record that will shine through.

Oh, I am with you! My SOP still even needs work! But I am not working this week so it'll be an intense application-a-thon (and moving-to-new-apartment-a-thon, ugh). I am very much not the type of person to submit early and as I mentioned earlier, I am probably still going to be doing edits after my first deadline on the 1st. I only have Berkeley that day, and then the next is on the 10th, and the others after that, so. Was considering Northwestern, also on the 1st, for a long time, but I had this thought, "If it's the only program I get into, will I want to go there?" And I wasn't so sure. Which is to say nothing of Northwestern! But wasn't sure if it was the perfect fit, and it's a big move for me too (though I'd go to UChicago in a heartbeat). I'll probably regret that when I'm, y'know, uniformly rejected from my schools come early spring. But the application fees do pile up and I don't want to waste anyone's time (or momentarily take anyone's spot, if I did get in). Plus, I really want to focus on Berkeley right now. Speaking of which, I need to finish up and polish that personal diversity statement too. So much to do! For all of those still in anxious working moments, I'm here with you And then soon we'll be done and be wringing our hands in anticipation of the wait, yikes.

Perhaps look into some History of Science and Technology programs? Such as HASTS at MIT.

I'm here! I am spending my whole Thanksgiving weekend working on my apps. Was going to travel, but this is more pressing! The Berkeley one looms so close :/ and I'm moving that same day! Still feel as if I could rewrite my SOP a million times and still want to edit it again. It definitely still is not anywhere near where I want it to be and I'll probably edit it again for my apps with later deadlines ... Starting to feel nervous, self-doubt, all of that, but overcoming that by just continuing to work on the apps, polishing and polishing.

Czesc, I would seriously not sweat that Q score. I have been lurking round these parts long enough to know that your q score counts for little in history programs & honestly that's not that awful of a score! Mine is, however (upper 140s! phew for a good verbal score) & I'm still applying to top tier institutions. Doesn't help I suppose but I doubt I'll be rejected on that factor alone.

All of the tips above are great. One more suggestion: talk to the archivists there. The archive likely contains more there than you can gather from catalogues (particularly those digitized). There might be lots of material that has not been processed yet or has not yet had a finding aid written for it. You should know, generally, what to ask for, as was mentioned above, because yes, the archivist might not know everything that is there when asked for too broad a range of materials. But, if you suggest topics or certain materials, they might help you make connections to other materials that you wouldn't have put together from just browsing catalogues. Archivists can be an awesome resource, and they might steer you in a direction you weren't expecting -- in a good way!

Completely agree! Working is not necessarily ideal (depends on the job -- but all jobs have their ups and downs, something to consider for your 'career' as a grad student too) but it does help you learn schedules, work with a diverse set of people, do things you REALLY don't feeling like doing but must, be humble and continue on even without praise or an encouraging 'A', and become disciplined when it comes to all manner of tasks. I, however, am personally looking forward to being a student again. I really do think my work in other fields has only enforced my knowledge of how badly I want to get that PhD in history, and how hard I'd work for it, even through the low points. That said, I don't think someone who goes straight from undergrad to grad is lacking, but it never hurts to pursue a whole range of experience.

My plan B is to keep on working. I do have those irksome student loans after all, and I do have to eat -- and well, there are other professions, and sometimes the only way to get into those is just working and working. I do intend to apply again next year if I get shut out this round (which is TOTALLY possible & if it does, it is OK, totally ok). I might go into an archival MLIS program, as ill-advised as that is for most these days, as I have some experience in archives and have some tech skills that might get me one of the few jobs opening up in that field. But I'll really consider that at a later point. I think it makes everyone feel good to have some inkling of a plan B, but do know that most undergraduates don't have an exact plan for their life post-graduation, and even if they do, it might never come to fruition. When I graduated undergrad I had one plan: get a job. (And of course it was not the sexy museum job that I would have liked but many were competing for). At the very least, work experience can help you discover what you DON'T want to do, or even open up some new and unexpected pathways to explore if the whole PhD application thing goes sour. What I am getting at is, while it's not always the easiest to get a good job these days, don't sicken yourself with worry! You are going to find something and you have time still to figure out the long term goals. School is not always and need not be the path to one's future career, as most of my friends have realized as they slowly figure out their professional careers. PS: this was directed to the undergrad who initially posted this. I know how it is to have a Master's degree and feel even MORE unemployable. But keep on keepin' on!

Here's a recent thread from here on the same subject:

You should definitely check out Robert Self at Brown and Matthew Lassiter at University of Michigan, both of whom are in the Sugrue 'new urban history' school. Michigan is a department that also has some great faculty working in women's history, too ... If you intend to look into Latino communities as a big part of your research in the future, you'll probably need Spanish. You should definitely get started in one of those beginning classes you were looking into. At the least, it will show you're serious about learning. And even as an Americanist, it never hurts to know a language!

Ahh! apologies to Professor Plum for voting down your apt reply, above. A stray click on my screen, and then -- that unintended red negative. Is there really no way with this silly up/down feature to undo one's vote? Argh, well, I hope someone neutralizes it, as Prof Plum is right on.

American History R_Escobar (20th century, American Indian), crazedandinfused (antebellum, intellectual), hopin'-n-prayin' (southern, religious), stevemcn (transnational), Simple Twist of Fate (early American), zb642 (20th century, labor/working-class culture), BCEmory08 (19th-20th century Catholicism, labor), irvinchiva10 (20th century, immigration/immigration reform) natsteel (early American political culture and intellectual history) unforth (19th century US political and military history, US Civil War) hbeels (colonial, early national, 19th century, transappalachain west, historical memory of these eras/areas) thedig13 (20th century U.S., culture and protest, African-American) Weepsie (North American Mapping, Exploration and Trade, Anti-Communism/Socialism in Interwar period, bit of a mixed bag) lafayette (19th c. [with a dash of 20th], urban, intellectual) European HistoryKelkel (Modern Germany, political), goldielocks (Britain), SapperDaddy (Eastern and Central Europe), kotov (Modern Romania, Holocaust, labor), RevolutionBlues (Modern Western Europe/France labor and leftist politics), theregalrenegade (18th/19th cent British Empire/environment), jrah822 (19th century Britain; emphasis on colonial relationship to India), grlu0701 (Intellectual & cultural history,fin de siecle Germany and Italy), naturalog (modern European [mostly German] intellectual and cultural/sexuality and gender/political radicalism), runaway (Eastern/Central, memorialization & visual culture), Sequi001 (Modern France, gender and sexuality, colonialism/imperialism) Abetheh (19th/early 20th century Germany and France, religious politics vs secularization) NeutralKate (Modern Russia, modern European economic history) Crackerjacktiming (Modern Germany, gender and sexuality) African HistoryOseirus (precolonial/early colonial West Africa), Singwaya18 (20th century East Africa), Safferz (20th century Horn/Northeast Africa), The People's Scholar (Spanish colonialim in Africa- i.e. middle/West Africa) Jogatoronto (Psychiatry in early colonial West Africa) ronwill06(Social and political radical movements) Latin American HistoryCageFree (20th century, Southern Cone), BH-history, The People's Scholar (18th-19th century Colombia) StrangeLight (20th century Central America) East Asian Historyalleykat (Modern China) kyjin (Pre-Modern Japan) aec09g (Modern Japan) Near/Middle Eastern Historyuhohlemonster, (modern Israel, Iran, Palestine) oswic (modern Egypt, gender) Atlantic Worldsandyvanb crazedandinfused Global/World History cooperstreet (Cold War) melissarose8585 Jewish History [*]uhohlemonster, (modern Israel) [*]hopin'-n-'prayin, [*]kotov (Holocaust), [*]naturalog (sometimes modern European/Holocaust), [*]runaway (memorialization & visual culture), [*]ticklemepink (20th c. Germany/U.S) Science/Technology/Environment [*]shaxmaty1848 (Cold War) [*]StrangeLight (environmental history, ecological distribution conflicts) Social [*]annieca (Cold War and Post-Cold War East and Central Europe) Classical and Medieval [*]Hogs of War (Monastic Studies and Conflicts in Authority) Cultural [*]StrangeLight (gender, race, ethnicity, and religion) [*]hbeels (race/ethnicity, religious, masculinity/feminimity, print/literature) [*]crazedandinfused (race, nationalism, performance, rhetoric) [*]alleykat (religion, race/ethnicity, cultural relativism) Canadian History [*]truthfinder (New France, religious)

annieca -- You should look around you and see what those with employment are up to. You're on the lowest rung, and while I absolutely agree with everyone that you should ask for more opportunities, you're still just the intern. If it truly seems like no one around you is doing anything interesting, maybe it's time to reconsider (but... maybe even not; you might enjoy a position in another sort of institution, so give that a try too). Your education -- the one you want to get -- is going to afford you many more opportunities, though, so perhaps ask to shadow or help out someone who might have pursued similarly and now is working in your dream job? I have also worked in archives and always at the lowest positions, as I haven't got a MLIS. I have enjoyed it (because of the materials I'm working with) but it is very monotonous. The work was extremely repetitive, but I found comfort in that since I spent my evenings as a Master's student (in history) and that work -- researching, writing, original thinking-- was very different. That said, I think most archival positions, save for those that are really high up or are purely for research, deal in some part with this monotonous work of cataloguing, etc., so if you really hate it, can't stand it, then sure, this career track might not be for you. But every job has its downsides, and my guess is that you'll soon discover some upsides, as well. Give it a little more time, if you can

Also an Americanist here, so great choices above (esp. Soul by Soul -- yes.) One should probably have some Foner and Gordon Wood, so A Short History of Reconstruction (or the not short version) and The Radicalism of the American Revolution. My Cronon recommendation is Nature's Metropolis. And finally, my personal favorite -- and the history I have found the most inspiring -- Laurel Thatcher Ulrich's A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary.

Thanks sigaba. My top choices right now are those with more or less everything you mentioned in your first paragraph: institutional prestige, a top tier faculty roster WITH key faculty members I'd like to work with, and an excellent TT track record. But as czesc says, these also probably happen to be the programs statistically the most difficult to get into. But you're right, I should reconsider perhaps that which is a "safety" for me: if I find key faculty with which to work, I should consider it. It is hard to not be haunted a little with thoughts about TT placement, however. I do know that it does not rest entirely on the department: but with me, and my dissertation, and perhaps with an advisor willing to fight for me. But nonetheless. I want to be the best-trained historian I can be, but hey, is it too much to dream that that can't also offer a stable career? I am an Americanist so in some regards finding fit might be easier for me than others, as most departments do have more faculty in U.S. fields. I will contact POIs at some point, however, to see if I can get any feedback about my specific project ... What are the aspects that I should be looking for to determine a department's culture? Size of cohort, etc.?

joga ... here's links to two threads that might be of help: There've been others too. It seems everyone does it a bit differently, but having lurked around these parts last app. season, I am going to take the advice of contacting POIs, despite how awkward the process may feel. One, it seems that you want to know if that person is going to be on leave or not during the selection process / your first year, which can save you from a potential rejection based on that alone. Plus, it seems common enough, so your POI probably won't be surprised. And although it's more casual (which can be a good thing), I doubt you'll say anything 'harmful' if you think it through before you hit send

Right now I have a definite list of 5, with 2 others as maybes (fit might be there, maybe not). The problem is that my choices are all very top programs and I'm struggling with the conflicting advice to pick personal "safeties" vs. don't apply anywhere where, if it's the only one you get into, you wouldn't particularly want to go. I am considering doing one round with all my top picks (I am confident I'll succeed somewhere, but it really seems with this you process you never know) .... & then if I get uniformly rejected, open up the playing field the following year. Might be ridiculous because it's expensive and I AM approaching the end of my twenties, sigh.

All flows into Manhattan! But really -- those trains are working to get as many people in and out of Manhattan on any given workday ... I am headed from Brooklyn to a library at NYU right now and it will probably take me oh 20 minutes? I live in a 'hood that has cheaper prices because it's off the G train -- the one line that doesn't go into Manhattan -- but really, transfers are near and not that hard, so it's still not bad. Columbia is a totally different story, but you can live cheaply in Harlem and Washington Heights if you want to be nearby. My old roommate did the ol' Columbia trek and it drove him a little crazy, but for him it was just lots of reading time, which he always needed more of anyway. And wherever you start from, it's always just $2.25 ...

I am finishing up my Master's program. I feel over the past two years I've mastered the monograph skim, much in the way kotov helpfully lists out. I am also all about the book review. I usually will first read the introduction and then do a search for book reviews in j-stor or similar databases, read those and then determine what the meatiest parts/chapters in the book are. It also helps cement the author's argument in my mind before parsing through the evidence. For whatever reason, I have yet to figure out how to do a good skim of longer articles. I feel as if I do more reading during a week when a bunch of different scholarly articles are assigned. Anyone have any tips in that area?

I had no idea I had so many fellow history folks in OC! I recommend Lisa McGirr's Suburban Warriors: Origins of the New American Right to all of you.

Well, y'all have argued it out, but just want to state that I have very willingly lived in the East for almost a decade now. But in New York City, which is in a league all its own. (As for Boston, no comment! ). So I am available if anyone wants tips on living in this fine city on a student's budget OR if they want to be discouraged from taking an offer from UCI and having to live in one of the most sterile places in the U.S. -- southern Orange County -- PM, PM! (Though if you must, I can still pass on some Vietnamese dining recommendations -- I do miss that.) And pudewen, get yourself to the Berkshires!

I am also originally from the Irvine area! That said -- I love (and probably prefer) the East Coast. And hey, the dreariness forces you to stay inside and read! Though it also tends to make me less willing to journey out to the library ...

Oh, agreed! I will be applying to Berkeley but am also nervous about their long-term funding situation. I am not applying to UCLA (or any UC for that matter) primarily for that reason.