hungrybear
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Posts posted by hungrybear
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11 hours ago, fortsibut said:
Congrats, you killed it! I'm taking mine November 8th and I'm pretty terrified. =) I've been putting in the time studying for it, but so many other elements of the application process leech time away from preparation, it seems. I'd be happy with anything above a low 160, and thrilled with a 165 or above!
Thanks!
You can break into the 160s easily if you have a wide vocabulary. I already had a wide vocabulary before I started studying, but the Magoosh flacshcard app really help me find the holes in my lexicon. I just went through the app and created my own list based on the words I didn't know.
I would say, since I'm guessing are applying to programs that require writing, to also do a couple mock essays. Going in blind for that section would have been terrible. We're used to writing with all the time in the world, but that section only gives you 30 minutes for each essay. I got a 5 on the analytical writing, and I think I could have done better had I practiced more for it.
Good luck!
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6 minutes ago, WhaleshipEssex said:
I'm not sure to what extent fluency will be required at various programs but I definitely have a working understanding of the language.
As fluent as you can get.
But more realistically, you should be able to watch news and understand what's going on. You should be able to read academic level articles with a dictionary. You should be able to talk about your research topics in French. And finally, being comfortable with writing wouldn't hurt.
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1 hour ago, WhaleshipEssex said:
Hi all!
Thought I'd introduce myself here since I've been lurking for the past few months. I graduated this past May with a BA in History and am currently in the process of applying to History MA programs for Fall of 2018. My undergrad career was less than stellar, finishing with a 2.8, but a diagnosis between my sophomore and junior years marked a turn around for me with my last 64 GPA coming in at 3.4. I'm hoping that by doing well in a MA program, I'll be able to downplay the effect my undergrad has on getting into a competitive PhD program in the future. As far as my research interests go, I'm looking to study turn of the century France, empire, and cultural history, so any and all shouts as far as programs to look into are more than welcome! Cheers.
Start working on French yesterday, if you haven't already.
If you're leaning towards empire, you will inevitably end up looking at one of France's colonies. Getting familiar with the language of whatever colony you decide to look at would be wise.
As far as programs, ASU has some good scholars for France and Empire. So does UT Austin.
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4 minutes ago, telkanuru said:
Well thank goodness you've been able to see you way past all this advice you asked for and can continue on the course you originally intended
>.>
I've definitely narrowed down my PhD choices because of advice here and elsewhere. I'm just doing a select few and putting effort into my master's apps. I think being accepted to a PhD program can possibly (please don't kill me) help with funding a master's.
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2 minutes ago, hats said:
The difficulty, then, is when does your Arabic need to be really good by? I don't doubt your estimate of how fast you'll reach that level. Instead, the difficulty I foresee is that if your Arabic becomes really good by comps, it's awfully challenging to catch up to someone who's been able to spend all of those summers doing research in Arabic. I don't want to tell you "go away and spend three more years learning Arabic before you'll be competitive for programs in this field." My suspicion is that "three" is not the correct number in that sentence. However, I do think your Arabic is going to knock you out of the running in at least a good chunk of any PhD programs to which you might apply this cycle. If you really want to go to a program this year so you're going to apply anyway, that is your prerogative.
And if it does that is fine. I'm applying to master's programs as well.
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22 minutes ago, hats said:
To respond to your most recent post, like, okay, I think we can be flexible about "excellent" word choice, if that's what's throwing you.
That's what this was all about until @Sigaba stepped in. I'm aware of the importance of proficieny in Arabic for my field. I think where we all fundamentally disagree is the time it will take me to get to that level. I think, coming in with a foundation, I can do it in time with courses during my first two years and summer intensive courses. But please all realize that is my opinion based on my language learning experiences.
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1 hour ago, Sigaba said:
In your ill considered OP, you've made it clear that you're shopping for the answers that you want to hear. Now, you've made it clear that you want to be an Arabist who does "not even need a high level of Arabic." You think that this approach is sustainable. Based upon the information you've provided in this thread, I disagree.
To echo and to build upon @telkanuru's questions:
- How is your plan to "not even need a high level of Arabic" going to work when you're competing for fellowships, grants prizes, and jobs against Arabists who, for what ever constellation of reasons, decided to master the language?
- What happens if crucial works in your field are in Arabic?
- How do you really know that the professors with whom you've picked cherries are going to be on your committees?
- What happens if professor is having a bad year and decides to take it out on you by administering your language proficiency test in Arabic?
If you learn the language as the professor in your OP recommends, you will never have to worry about it.
By the bye, it wasn't just her opinion She wrote "I and my colleagues have decided that each graduate student is a product of such effort that we have to place our bets on those who are best prepared for the rigors of doctoral work." (A serious question. Do you stop reading when you realize that you don't like the answer? In any case it is unfortunate that you've decided that that school isn't for you--it is clear that at least one professor there would give you what you need rather than what you want.)
Another question. Are you sure that historians at one institution never communicate with peers at other institutions and these conversations never (ever) lead to wide spread changes to professional standards and practices and raise the bar?
I was just responding to JKL's point about needing excellent Arabic to enter a PHD program that focuses on NA. It's not always necessary.
My comment about not needing a high level of Arabic was just to point out that there exist instances where it is not needed. Not that I don't plan on learning it. Or that I don't want to master it. And stop assuming I want to be an Arabist.
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21 minutes ago, telkanuru said:
What about those entering the top 5? The ones you're going to have to fight for jobs with on the other end?
The students I spoke to in those level programs that are focusing on my area (Morocco and Algeria) had around 2 years of Arabic (what I have) upon entering. Those studying the ME of MENA definitely had better Arabic. The discrepancy comes from the linguistic nature of NA. There are four (generally) possible languages people can use to study Morocco and Algeria: Spanish, French, Arabic, and the Berber language. I am fluent in Spanish and French. Depending what your focus is, you can get away with not knowing or being proficient in the other languages, as many successful historians in my area have done. Not that I am not seeking proficiency (I am).
Look, I'm not trying to argue that it's okay to have weak Arabic. I was just responding to JKL's assertion that one's Arabic has to be excellent to enter a PHD program. That is simply not true.
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1 hour ago, Sigaba said:
What was the standard for admission in previous cycles may not be the standard in subsequent cycles.
I am aware of this.
1 hour ago, Sigaba said:More generally, I think that discounting the guidance that one receives from a professor and holding on to views developed from the outside is not a best practice.
It's interesting how you are treating this one professor's advice as dogma. You do realize there are other professors in the field that are accepting graduate students? And that these professors may have differing opinions on language requirements? And that I may have spoken to these professors? And that my proposed research may not even need a high level of Arabic?
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1 hour ago, JKL said:
Your Arabic has to be excellent for a PhD program in North African history. Your French should also be spot-on. Moreover, if you're interested in early Islamic history, then your German also needs to be quite good. (Many secondary sources in early Islamic history are in German and have yet to be translated.) But yeah, I wouldn't consider a PhD in North African history with weak Arabic just like I wouldn't consider a PhD in East Asian history with weak Mandarin.
Your best bet is to go the MA route.
While I do agree that having excellent Arabic is good thing, it is not necessary. I had that mindset until I really started doing research, and I found that many students entering PhD programs who are studying the region I would like to study had little to no Arabic. Not saying every, just a good amount. And these are top 20 programs.
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PhD and Master's apps are asking if I have any publications. I have no research articles published. I do, however, have a published book review in an academic journal. I was an intern for this journal in undergrad, and, as part of the internship, I was allowed to publish a book review. Should I include it in the app?
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The standard at my college was size 12 font for any paper, unless otherwise specified. None of my applications specify font size, though it is obvious they want a reasonable size. I was wondering if it would be unreasonable to change the font size to 11? My WS is about 20 pages over the average limit, and changing the font size gets me to about 10 pages over the average limit.
Edit: Using Times New Roman.
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4 hours ago, JKL said:
But historical research asks a particular question and uses primary sources to make an argument.
I would like to add that this is not always true. You can use primary sources to answer larger questions. For example, I'm using primary sources in my writing sample to address the larger question of how can we "periodize" French urban planning in Algeria. It goes from the specific to the broad.
And we can't forget people like Foucault who use primary source research to answer very broad questions (much broader than my example) , like how is power exercised etc. etc.
Although, I was a history and philosophy major...
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38 minutes ago, OHSP said:
I know that others have already said this but: Definitely not! This professor has been extremely generous with their time--if I were in your position I'd be writing a "thank you, that's really helpful," etc type response. Also, I'm about to start a program with an advisor who didn't respond to my "I'm interested in coming here" email last year and so far she's been extraordinarily helpful/she's known for being a very supportive supervisor, so I wouldn't rule out schools based solely on the way that people respond/don't respond to your emails.
Duly noted. I have already responded saying thank you for the advice, etc. etc.
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Thank you for all the help everyone. I've decided to continue emailing other POIs as was I planning. For the ones that answer more favorably, I will consider sending in an app there. As for master's programs, I had a rudimentary list, but I will expand that now.
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Also, how should I respond to their email? Should I make suggestions? Or point out where other applicants have been successful despite entering with little or no Arabic?
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I guess I should've been a bit more clear. What should I do moving forward? I can't go abroad another year, as I just got back from being abroad. I don't want to torture my S.O. And I. It's not just distance, we have bills and things we rely on each other for.
I was applying to master's program in M.E.N.A area studies anyways, so should I focus only on those?
In the meantime, I'm going to message other POIs and see what they have to say. That could just be this particular professor's desires for their grad students.
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I was e-mailing a POI and she asked about my languages. Arabic is my weakest language, and I made this clear in the e-mail."This all sounds marvelous, but I am concerned about your entry into a PHD program without sufficient Arabic. It is very difficult to achieve the level of competence you need to use Arabic sources in the course of doing the PhD . It is far better to learn Arabic before starting doctoral work. We are looking for PhD candidates who have 1) adequate literacy in Arabic to do research and 2) already have an idea about a theme for their doctoral thesis . While the MA agree is not essential— you may be able to get to this level on your own— it certainly helps. And we do not have an MA program.What you may think about is a year or two in Morocco (or elsewhere in NA) studying Arabic and learning about the culture and history at first hand. There are several good programs, I like the one in Fez , but there are others as well. Peace Corps is another good option, you will learn darija and can get a tutor to study fusha, while experiencing total immersion in the Moroccan life. I understand it is not difficult to get a job teaching English to survive, it will also put you in contact with your cohort.This may sound like more than you had bargained for, but the competition at the PHD level for jobs is now so intense that unless you are thinking of something like the foreign service, CIA or other government agencies or business, you will find yourself running hard or out of the running altogether when it comes to finding an academic job.I know that these are tough words, but I am giving you an accurate picture of what to expect — at least at [[my school---edited out name for anonymity]]. I and my colleagues have decided that each graduate student is a product of such effort that we have to place our bets on those who are best prepared for the rigors of doctoral work. You seem to have all the makings, but as far as the Arabic is concerned, I would say that you might be thinking about how to go those few extra yards."Should I not even apply there? Should I only be looking at master's then? I'm going to contact other professors at school's I was thinking about working under (this is the first POI I've contacted) to get a better sense, as this is my first inquiry with a potential POI.What I find weird is there are students in programs who hadn't even taken Arabic (I have) and are studying the area I want to study (North Africa) in doctoral programs.
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NYU's Institue for French Studies has a Joint PhD Program in French Studies and History. However, NYU's I.F.S. offers a master's (not joint) in French studies with significant funding. I ideally would get into the PhD program, but if I apply to both programs, would that affect any decision making?
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All the schools I am applying to have seen a drop.
I think this trend is a result of the economy getting better. There are more opportunities for recent graduates who would have otherwise turned to graduate school for opportunities. As the economy is still getting better, I can only imagine that the trend will continue.
- AfricanusCrowther and VAZ
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30 minutes ago, nhhistorynut said:
FWIW, my quant score was 145, so...
That's interesting and somewhat relieving.
I have a hunch that a lot of these universities inflate their scores. Obviously I will still try to do my best, but it would be more helpful is schools were more honest and transparent about score records. Some schools are, but the vast majority aren't.
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7 minutes ago, Sigaba said:
Notwithstanding your concerns about sending a red flag, please don't let the GRE distract you from other elements of your applications, especially your SOP and your relationships with POIs writing LORs.
GRE is only a small portion of my daily activities, so it is not getting in the way of editing my WS and SOP.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by the last bit. I understand POIs to mean the person I am interested in working under at a given university. LORs come from professors I have worked with. Thus, I don't see how POIs are writing LORs.
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47 minutes ago, Banzailizard said:
I am curious as to why you mention improving your math score specifically. From reading a number of other threads around here it matters much less for history, except occasionally for funding at some schools. You might be better served focusing on the rest of your application (writing sample, SOP) unless you expect to completely fail.
My history with test these types of standardized tests is that I score highly on verbal and very low on the quantitative (like 40-50 percentile). The average lowest quantitative score I've seen that PhD programs will accept (at least the ones I am applying to) is 148. I'm testing around that score right now, and I'm pretty sure I can score that on test day, but I'm not completely confident in that assertion.
The people around here saying that quantitative matters much less seem to score in the 152 and above, so of course they can say it didn't matter in their app. They hit the mark where the quantitive was just looked over. I think where I am scoring in quantitative is enough to send a red flag to schools that care about these types of scores.
GRE Date
in History
Posted · Edited by miami421
Just Magoosh, couple of Manhattan books, and the free PTs given by ETS.
I also read a lot of aldaily.com, which has GRE-like articles.