Riotbeard

It was a more competitive field this year. Way more people applied. That being said I have been offered a fellowship at two school (waiver plus generous stipend, and TAships at 2 schools, waiver and decent public school stipends...). I didn't funding anywhere last year, but I had a much stronger app. this year... Some places at least are having event worse situations this year, I am not sure about overall trends though...

UNC also has the largest archive of Southern history stuff in the U.S. UNC has too many tangible qualities to tank, because the funding is slightly lower... 14k plus health ain't bad...

If you have met or corresponded with your advisor at the program you are declining you should right them a personal e-mail (they are in your field, you may need their help some day). It is always good to maintian ties in your field. They don't expect everyone to come, but if you can keep up a correspondent, it's always helpful.

My advisor is gone for the first year, so we are keeping up via e-mail, and he is hooking me up with a "local" advisor. I wouldn't worry too much. I bet if your advisor is gone the first year, s/he expects you to pick a local stand in.

Laura Edwards at Duke is a pretty big deal for reconstruction studies (I am not sure if she does Civil War too). Duke has actually done some really cool stuff to structure of their program too, so you should take a look.

<br /><br /><br /> Stephen Hahn's first book, The Roots of Southern Populism is on the development of populism in Georgia from say 1840-1900 (I have not read it for a while). Hahn is generally thought of pretty well, but that first book gets a lot of flak in the Southern history community for pretty massive conclusions on little data(depending on who you talk to, and I tend to agree). Stephanie McCurry (SP maybe?) is a badass. Her first book, Masters of Small Worlds is about class and gender in the low country antebellum era. Particularly about how Male domination of the family gave yeomans a similar psychological disposition to power as planter (the Southern history community loves this book in general, considered pathbreaking). That being said they are more known for Southern than Civil War to my knowledge, but they are top scholars in the field.

Nobody else?

<br /><br /><br /> War Eagle! I grew up alabama, and Auburn is the side I chose in Alabama's internal civil war (I have never attended either school though...). My interests are just the projects I still like from undergrad; I could do a total 180 for my dissertation

Hey everybody, I was going to try and jump start this thread, now that the season is almost over... I will first start by admitting I am going to be an apprentice Southern historian (the first step is admitting you have a problem). I work in the antebellum era my regional interest is lowcountry South Carolina, but more broadly I am interested in race production and the impact racial science on Southern culture and economy in the Atlantic World, and the role of poor relief and public benevolence movements in the South. I have not committed yet, but I think I am going to be at Tulane next year to start my Ma/PhD. Where do you peeps expect to be? What are your more specific interests? southern historians unite! Also... UGA is great, their faculty is super nice and stephen Berry, in particular, is a badass.

It's a balancing act. You probably don't want to go to East Montana State (made up, at least I assume it is...) even if they have the best guy in your subfield, but you also don't want to go to the brand name with no one doing your specialty. For example my subfield is Southern, but I will probably apply for general U.S. Jobs, so your program's overall reputation may matter more than that of your subfield (espiacially if the committee is general Americanists), but you also don't want an interview where they ask you why you went to school with nobody in your subfield. You also want your letter writers to have a good professional knowlegde of your work (which means subfield). I would say the key is to go to the best school you can get into with a good concentration in your subfield and an advisor who really wants you there (but maybe not the absolute best in your subfield) instead of the biggest name on the front of the building. Your letters and relationship with your advisor are essential. Your school name can only get your foot in the door (if that). If your letters say, "I hardly know this jackass" (or essentially vague positives) than your pedigree isn't worth anything and you won't get an interview. You also need to go where there is a mentor who will help you develop the best professional portfolio possible (the advisor is huge but not the exclusive consideration).

I don't think you need a license for a scooter! I have a lot of friends in Charleston who get around on scooters! I went there for undergrad, and it is a great town. There is also a decent amount of bohemian culture if you look for it. I went a year there without a car (but all my classes were on main campus) You also don't have to bike the JI connector, there is a much smaller bridge to west ashley, but you would have to add about 2 or three mile to your ride... You could also get a boat, haha (I actually had a friend who lived in a sail boat...)!

Also think about the diversity of the program. I am in a similar situation with you, and I think I am leaning toward the more renowned program, because they have a more diverse faculty. At program A, I could have a dissertation committee with four people in my narrow subfield; however, at program b my advisor is renowned in my subfeild, but I would also work closely with other profs. that would help internationalize my research with African Diaspora, Atlantic history, gender etc. You don't neccessarily need four committee members in your subfeild, and a more diverse education may make you and your dissertation more marketable as a grad. That being said, go where you feel the most comfortable and don't listen to the rankings (really, really don't listen to elitist grad cafe members, there are people on this site who will be applying to Yale every year for the next 50 years in the hopes their application will be finally "good enough").

New School is badass, and fordham is not ranked that well to worry about paying extra money! Somebody at one of the programs I am considering, got a fully funded offer at the PhD program after an MA at the New School with the same degree you are considering! This school is ranked much higher than Fordham (This School is ranked 50-60, Fordham is ranked around 100). I do not usually put much stock in the rankings, but you seem to be asking whether your money would be worth this "strategic" choice, and I don't think it will be. Good luck, I think the theoretical and more liberal education (that the new school provides) may be more beneficial than a "traditional" program. Best of luck, thats my 2 cents.

Charleston, SC is a very easy city without a car. The transit system is rough, but you can seriously bike accross the city in 30 minutes. No bike lanes (except on the highway to the beach). You can bike to the subburbs and the beach with a little courage and the strength to bike the bridges. You don't even need a bike for downtown (it is nice though). Plenty of bikers and drivers are mostly used to it. There is also a bike co-op for repairs...

<br /><br /><br /> I am considering an offer for Tulane PhD, but had questions about the political climate of the city. Are there many oppurtunities for leftist activism/ interaction with community? Is there much political activity in the city and around campus? What is the general political climate, center-left/ center-right? Also, how expansive and discoverable is the counter-culture scene? As a PhD student, I know I won't have much time to organize, so it would be great to be somewhere where I can attend... Also any other info on the city would be great. It definately has a "Fun" reputation.

I just got an e-mail from Maryland saying I could get my letter from the ASF form, but I don't see it anywhere on status page. Any tips?

If you really like the Amer studies program, I would say go for it. 1. while there are less amer. studies jobs there are also a lot less amer. studies PhD programs, thus PhDs to compete against. Go where the fit is best, but don't go somewhere you can't afford to go either. And you do have to live at the location for at least five years, and miserable students don't do well!

I have withdrawn my name from a couple programs, but I am yet to decide between the last two. Last Year I was rejected/waitlisted and no funding came, and I will say that while it sucks waiting, you cannot expect people with choices to make rash decisions! The two programs I am considering have very diferent strengths, and one is not clearly better! The next five-seven years of my life will be defined by this, and it seems very possible that I will not make a decision for weeks (and having people increase your offer tells you about your position in the accepted pool in that program and how you will be treated in it!).

<br /><br /><br /> I had a great time, and I think it's a very strong up and coming program with amazing faculty, and I will pm you with more personal info on my visit/situation, and what I know about funding (they have given out packages... but not many people had committed at the open house, so some may open up eventually).

<br /><br /><br /> If it doesn't work out this year, don't worry. I did not get in anywhere last year, but have had a lot more luck this year (and it has been even tougher this year. One school I applied to the past two year fifty more applicants and accepted less people). After taking the kaplan course my GRE went up 140 pts. to where both sections were in the 90 %+ range. Another year can be gift to shore up any rough edges. I also won an essay contest in the meantime, so send stuff out. If you have a history of medicine essay, the W. Curtis Worthington Prize at the Waring Historical Library is a good one (Google the library), it pays 1500$ and comes with a publication. Last year I had nowhere, this year I have been offered 3 assist.s at PhD programs. It sucks now, but it will feel awesome when you have a bidding war over you, because you had all the time in the world to make the best application. Good luck though with Temple ( I got a Grad fellowship last week and assistantship this weekend), people are still sending out acceptances!

I have been offered a funded spot at Tulane's PhD program. Wondering if anybody else had heard from them? I am also considering South Carolina (have also been offered funding), and I am waiting to hear from WashU, Georgia, and Maryland! I work on antebellum Southern politics, racial science, etc... If anybody else has been accepted and considering going, it would be cool to see what people are into.