Historiker

It's not really the prestige that makes me prefer the 1-5 programs over the 15-20 programs, just the relatively superior placement records and better fit with the POIs there.

Is there any scenario in which any of you would turn down a funded PhD offer from a rank 15-20 program with decent fit for a partially funded or unfunded MA offer from a rank 1-5 program with perfect fit, with the ultimate goal of getting into a rank 1-5 PhD program rather than a rank 15-20 PhD program? Edit: I should probably add, I mean the rankings from that Science Advances paper that @telkanuru has posted a few times, not U.S. News or anything like that.

Anyone have any advice for what to ask DGS and POIs after acceptance? I already know about funding, structure of the program, and whatnot. Would it be a red flag to them if I don’t have any questions?

Hey everybody! I received an informal acceptance from a DGS today, telling me they recommended me to the GS, that they hope I consider their program, and that visiting details will follow. How would you recommend responding? Paging @urbanhistorynerd since you mentioned corresponding with a POI after an informal acceptance. Thank you everybody for the help and best of luck!