theregalrenegade

Thanks to you all for your suggestions. It really helps to hear from others who've been there and understand the system.

I'm an MA in my second semester and I've submitted my application for a GAship for the Fall 2011 term. A coaching position opened up in the Academic Success Center of my university. You're assigned a group of new undergrads to evaluate and then through appointments/contact throughout the semester help them with their studies. You're given training and it's only a semester gig. I understand that graduate assistantships are not guaranteed at my school, but as I'd like to be more involved in my own department, I'm wondering how I go about this. I'd prefer a GA/TAship in my department in order to work with and get to know the people in my programme. But if these assistantships are limited and not guaranteed, I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by not applying for outside positions that come along. Any suggestions?

Forgive me if this is obvious, since I'm just a first year MA. Are there programmes in which you can study abroad in the graduate level for a shorter, specific amount of time (6mo to 1yr), and then return to your original institution? I think I recall seeing a summer programme in the UK that went for 3mo (which I don't think is long enough) but at least you get to explore and expand your experience in the world.

18th century British studies, mostly Regency Era.. I'm interested in culture and language, possibly focusing on conversation and gender

I finally got accepted to the Masters program in History at UNLV! Anyone starting mid-year like me? TRR

I think I'd like to research this and find out... I'll let you know when I get some answers.

I'm taking two classes this fall. One is a colloquium on the French Revolution, the other a historiography course on US diplomacy. The professor for the colloquium suggested William Doyle's Oxford History of the French Revolution. Considering I know very little about the French Revolution I picked it up and am incredibly impressed with how thorough and detailed it is. For the historiography class, a former professor suggested Foucault for Beginners and Marx for Beginners. Both are short and concise and give great overviews of their theories.

1) Talk to everyone at the school you're applying to... professors, advisors, administrative assistants, program directors, current students, former students, etc. They all have something to say that can help. I wish I would have found a way to contact more of them during the application process. 2) Give yourself plenty of time. This ties in with number one for me. If I would have talked to the professors in my department before I began the application process, I would have known that applying for a PhD prior to receiving a Masters at my school was almost unheard of with someone who had been out of academia for almost 10 years! Also, I would have known that even if your application date for the Masters fall term is in July, if you wanted to be in consideration for a graduate assistantship you had to apply by February. 3) Use a kick ass writing sample. A sophomore paper with one source isn't going to cut it. Get a professor to read it and give you some insight. Polish. Polish. 4) Your SOP should be brilliant. 5) Have people who support you on your side. 6) Be organized, keep records, and try not to let it all overwhelm you. 7) Take breaks to read and post on the GradCafe forum.