historygeek

I don’t know if it’s the same with Econ, but in history, you have to choose schools with the best fit. Try to keep in mind as well that applying to 20+ programs is going to be pretty expensive.

Hold on... 30 PROGRAMS?

Got it. My work is in ethnic history, so I mentioned some ethnic archives in New York, and since I have interest in fashion, I mentioned fashion archives. Now I’m wondering if I shouldn’t have.

To those already accepted: would you recommend mentioning specific archives in your SOP?

Hi everyone. I'm applying to grad school for Fall 2019 because I love doing history research, want to do it at the graduate level, and want to do it as a career. I'm applying to six schools because of the fit, placement, housing, etc. I'm also applying for the 2019 Teach for America corps (I applied last year but was rejected) to teach social studies, because I've loved working as a tutor and helping out in classrooms in the public school district in my city. The thing is, I want to do both. Both of them excite me. Getting a PhD has been my dream since I became a history major, primarily because of the creation of history. But it also excites me and inspired to try to make a difference through education, as cliche as it sounds. I realize it's a thankless job, that it's hard, that TFA is somewhat ethically ambiguous... But I want to do both. I don't know. I just needed to get my thoughts out there, I think!

Yeah, I decided on 6 based on availability of housing, fit/response from POIs, and funding packages. I definitely wasn't being critical enough.

Yeah, I think that my current list is fine. They have strengths in my field, decent placement records, and faculty I think I would fit well with. I'm kind of upset that Loyola Chicago's placement record and reputation isn't better- they have a specific program in transnational urban history. Oh well. Thanks for the input, everyone!

Great! I'm almost done with my sample, then I'll put it on Google Docs and PM you.

This made me feel a bit better. I decided to go for the PhD-- it's my dream, and has been for years. I don't think I would be truly happy as just a teacher; the production of history is my main source of enjoyment. I am, however, completely prepared to not stay in academia and work in a museum, archives, etc.

I'm not sure what your field is, but in history, you can submit a published work. Often, they just request that you mention the publication.

I would love to do this! I was actually thinking of posting something like this myself.

A majority have been positive; I've tried to be careful in who I've reached out to. I'm only applying to schools where POI have given me enthusiastic and positive responses-- my POI at Harvard said she would strongly encourage that I apply, one at Columbia said she'd love to work with me if I get accepted, one at NYU said my interests fit "squarely" with hers and those in the department, etc.

That's reassuring to hear! I honestly have such imposter syndrome and self-doubt that I'm petrified that I'm not a strong applicant, I think. My GPA isn't great (3.45 overall, but a 3.82 in history), and my GRE scores were okay (160V, 5.5AW). I have 3 languages that are relevant, 2 internship experiences, 3 strong LORs, and an optional honors thesis in a relevant topic. My advisor says I have a first-rate application, but I struggle with confidence and optimism.

I'm not in your field, but here's a message that I sent a POI. I've redacted some info: I am a rising senior at Saint Louis University interested in pursuing a graduate degree at ABC. I am contacting you because of your work in [xyz]. My research interests lie in the presence of ethnically othered, second-generation immigrant women in public space in urban settings during the twentieth century. I am particularly interested in exploring this vis-a-vis sexual identity and activity, beauty and fashion, food desire, and participation in social movements. I would suggest that a multiplicity of identity- including ethnicity, religion, sexual identity, and gender identity -were key to how women participated in recreation, as well as how the broader American society reacted to them. While I realize that your area of expertise is in [xyz], I am nevertheless hopeful that you could ascertain if my interests match yours and those expressed by the faculty at ABC. I look forward to speaking with you further. I hope this was somewhat helpful!

If you want, I can take a look at your essays! I took the GRE already, and got a 5.5 on the AW portion.

In the history forum, people have mentioned having long phone calls with POI. None of the professors I've reached out to have offered a phone call- should I be worried? Or am I being over-dramatic?

I'm chugging along on my writing sample. My SOPs are in good shape, I think. I am a bit concerned that no POI has mentioned a phone call- is this normal? Should I be worried? I am interested in finding a couple more programs to apply to. If anyone has any suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated! My research interests are in the presence of Italian-, Greek-, and Russian-Jewish-American women in public space during the twentieth century. I am particularly interested in sexual identity and activity, food desire, fashion and beauty, and participation in social movements. I'm considering the MA program at Toronto and looking closely at Yale and Wisconsin, but I'm not sure.

Out of reactions for the day, but thank you for this. One of my biggest problems is self-doubt.

I am thinking of applying to a couple funded masters programs in history, in addition to (or perhaps instead of) the education program. I know that my undergraduate school has funded MAs, and through the search feature, I’ve found a great list of other funded programs.

Like I said, I'm prioritizing my top-choice programs. None of this plan is a guarantee: not the masters program, not TFA, not a PhD program. I personally don't see an issue with having a backup plan. I've talked with my advisor about this, and he had no qualms about it. My priority is research and writing history; teaching is secondary.

Oh, I know. This was something that someone brought up in my initial SOP reviews, actually. Honestly, while this may seem dishonest, I hadn't really planned to mention this plan to the academics at the schools to which I'm applying. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Since the programs I'm applying to are so competitive, I feel like it would be stupid not to have a backup plan.

Thank you all so much for your comments. I think that, at this point, I’m going to stay on the course of applying for my PhD, prioritizing the highly-ranked programs. I’m also applying for an MA in history education, as well as a position in TFA (and likely TFA-like) programs. I’m not sure if this is the best course of action, but I feel it’s a good option.

I want to be a professor because I have the passion for research, writing, and teaching. I also love the process of history and the thought of working on a project that I've designed and have a passion for. In the state of Missouri, which I ultimately want to return to, I could get my teaching license after getting my PhD. This makes me feel slightly better about the PhD process, honestly.

Thanks for the heads-up. I had down a search earlier and had only found threads from years ago, so I was curious to see if anything was different.

I was scrolling through Reddit last night and came across a post in the r/AskHistorians subreddit: Why You Shouldn’t Get a PhD in History. The thread was disheartening, to say the least. It prompted me to wonder if getting my PhD is going to end up being worth it. I love the process of history; I’m doing my thesis right now, and it’s been one of the most enjoyable experiences in my undergrad career. I would love to be in academia, to do research, to teach. I also have enjoyed my time as a tutor and shadowing teachers in the St. Louis Public School District and, though the work is tiring and the pay isn’t great, I can also envision myself as a social studies teacher. I guess what I’m wondering is, if I don’t get into a top program, should I even bother doing the PhD? I’m also applying to TFA-like programs and for a masters in history education. I’d love to know your thoughts.