historydork

I agree with student35. I'm finishing up my master's now at a large public university without a PhD program. Since there aren't many history grad students, getting full funding for both years was quite easy. Also, look into funding opportunities outside of the department. My first year I worked for the campus tutoring center as a graduate assistant (I taught supplemental history classes for high-risk freshman). It included tuition, health insurance, and a better stipend than the one I'm getting from my PhD program!

I realized I should probably elaborate a little more relative to the original post on this thread (I'm new to gradcafe, so I apologize). I applied to two higher ranked programs in addition to OSU. I knew Ohio was my top choice, but felt that I should at least try applying to some "better" programs. Strangely enough, I was grateful to have not been accepted to either of these other programs because I knew Ohio was the best fit for me. First off, the standard of living in Columbus, relative to the kind of apartment I can afford to live in while there, is much higher than in most other places. I've been through living in a closet masquerading as an apartment and feel I've kind of outgrown that point in my life. Additionally, the professors at OSU who I'll be working with are incredibly well-renowned. The obscurity of my field really limited my options for programs and the talent at OSU is impressive. I'm also fortunate enough to have worked with my future adviser when he worked at the school I attended for undergrad, and I know that he's friendly, enthusiastic, and down to earth. I met with the professor I would have worked with at one of the other schools and, though we had very similar research interests, I knew that personality-wise he was not someone I wanted to work with. So for me, when filling out the applications I really put my energy towards the program I thought would make me that happiest, not the one that carried the most "prestige."

I'm headed to Ohio. Going into the Middle East/Islamic field though my focus in on Mongol/Mughal history.

I got into Ohio. Technically for Middle East though my focus is Central Asia/India.