Rbiem

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to read and reply to my post. I took the time to think it through and decided I'll delay my applications until next year. @telkanuru I do have a fairly specific idea for a potential PhD dissertation, and am aware of the crazy tuitions for MAs at UChicago and other schools. I will need at least partial funding (only looking at funded programs in general, which is why I'll mostly be applying for MAs in Europe). I know that taking a year off (especially straight out of undergrad) will only make me a better candidate and more confident in my choice to pursue a PhD. @astroid88 You're right. I'm sure the grade reports would have made it it by the Dec 15th deadlines but I would have had to email departments to make sure they take into consideration the late scores for Dec 1st deadlines - I heard they're pretty flexible with these things especially with international students (in my country, there's sometimes only one GRE opening per month or even less). Thank you for raising the issue of diversity statements. I wasn't aware of that possibility and will look into it. @OHSP Feels good to hear that I'm not alone in this. As I was reading through older posts, most people seemed to have their app materials ready as early as June and no later than August. I know I can still probably make it by these deadlines, but I realized a one-year hiatus would be of much benefit at the moment to strengthen my application and recuperate before embarking on a six-year academic journey. @Banzailizard Good point. I could use the extra .1 given that my GPA isn't that good, which I'm sure I'll have if I focus solely on my thesis and other papers/exams this following month. One last question: does anyone know students or has info about the MA in Historical Studies at the New School for Social Research or could direct me to a thread where it is mentioned? The website doesn't say much but they seem to have funding available for Masters since there's no History PhD. Ann Stoler is one of my favorite scholars and the program seems like an excellent fit overall. PS: I should mention that my degree in in International Studies/Gender with a focus on the MENA region, but I have taken all history courses available at my school (there's no history major). Thanks again and I wish you all the best in your academic careers !

Hello everyone! I am new to the forum but I've been reading history threads for a while; which have been very helpful but I would really appreciate more specific advice regarding my situation. I am an international student, hoping to graduate with a GPA of 3.5 (on a scale of 4) this December, GRE 160Q/158V/4.0AW - just got the official scores yesterday and planning to retake it later this month. I am fluent in Arabic, English and French with some basic Spanish and Hebrew. I haven't yet written my SoP, I do have a clear idea of what I want to say but I far am too stressed out to actually get writing. My WS is going to be part of my senior thesis, I have requested LoRs from two professors, and only been in correspondence with one PoI. I am currently taking 7 upper-level courses and application deadlines coincide with my thesis defense, exit test, and final exams/papers. I'm worried I'll end up messing everything up by trying to do it all at once. I am starting to think it would be a better idea to switch to funded MA programs (suggestions would be greatly appreciated- for now, MAPSS at UChicago sounds like a great fit) since I can apply after graduating in December, and would give me more time to work on a stronger PhD application next season. Part of the reason I started late is that, being an international student, I wasn't aware that I could apply for PhD programs as an undergrad and only started looking into it after a professor brought it to my attention mid-September. Thank you very much in advance.