Moka Pot

I feel for you as I myself got a BA in something completely unrelated. I just got admitted to a History PhD program this cycle after getting a terminal MA.
Have you had any chance to get to know any professors in history? I think I was able to get into an MA program because I took a history course during my final year of undergrad where I was able to produce a reasonable research paper (I also got a LoR from the professor) and build a case for myself. I also did not do an MA in history but a closely related interdisciplinary MA where I was advised by a professor in the history department. I figured it's best for me to get into an interdisciplinary program with good reputation utilizing my other strong features to cover up my lack of focus on history and build my history-related experience from there. I got to work with history professors during my MA and was able to get LoRs from them.
It would be great if there are any instructors who can guide you through writing a research paper in history during the summer institute. You'll need to have a strong writing sample to apply anyway.
My opinion on unfunded/ partially funded MA programs is a bit different from others in this forum. I went into a program with no funding promised, but I knew the program had multiple big funding opportunities and ended up spending much less than I expected. (I am also an international student, so it's extremely hard to get a funded MA offer) Overall, I got what I wanted out of the program: got a degree from a top-tier school and strong LoRs alongside strong research experience, which helped me get into a fully-funded doctoral program. But it was only worth it because I had a clear goal going into the program. I agree with @AfricanusCrowther on how you should know what academic history is about before you start your MA program. I am not encouraging you to take on a debt, but I just wanted to share my experience.
 
 

I feel for you as I myself got a BA in something completely unrelated. I just got admitted to a History PhD program this cycle after getting a terminal MA.
Have you had any chance to get to know any professors in history? I think I was able to get into an MA program because I took a history course during my final year of undergrad where I was able to produce a reasonable research paper (I also got a LoR from the professor) and build a case for myself. I also did not do an MA in history but a closely related interdisciplinary MA where I was advised by a professor in the history department. I figured it's best for me to get into an interdisciplinary program with good reputation utilizing my other strong features to cover up my lack of focus on history and build my history-related experience from there. I got to work with history professors during my MA and was able to get LoRs from them.
It would be great if there are any instructors who can guide you through writing a research paper in history during the summer institute. You'll need to have a strong writing sample to apply anyway.
My opinion on unfunded/ partially funded MA programs is a bit different from others in this forum. I went into a program with no funding promised, but I knew the program had multiple big funding opportunities and ended up spending much less than I expected. (I am also an international student, so it's extremely hard to get a funded MA offer) Overall, I got what I wanted out of the program: got a degree from a top-tier school and strong LoRs alongside strong research experience, which helped me get into a fully-funded doctoral program. But it was only worth it because I had a clear goal going into the program. I agree with @AfricanusCrowther on how you should know what academic history is about before you start your MA program. I am not encouraging you to take on a debt, but I just wanted to share my experience.
 
 

Hey there, I imagine that you must be very disappointed right now. My suggestions are 1. Take some deep breathes. 2. Disconnect from social media/your phone/the internet for a while. 3. Do something that is fun for you. 4. Reach out to someone you have a good relationship with to talk about your feelings. If you like, I've shared my story below, I don't know if will be helpful or relatable, but I want you to know that it will be okay, and it gets better.
I was in your position six years ago. I stalked this board every day, waiting with breathless anticipation. I applied to I think 9 schools, maybe 10. I knew pure numerical odds were low but I believed that I had a good shot. One by one the rejections came in. I was crushed. I knew rationally not to take it personally but I still did. I felt I had everything; the GPA, the honors, the GRE, the LORs, even a national history award, how could I not get in anywhere? What was wrong with me?
Instead of going to grad school I got a minimum wage retail job and started to work. When you work retail nobody gives a rip how educated you are. It was humbling. I applied for a second round. Missed again. 0-2. I then got a teaching job and started doing that. Like retail customers, kids don't care one whit about your past accomplishments. Again, it was humbling. It was hard.  I did more growing up in one of year teaching than any other year of my life so far. I applied to a third round. This time, I got into an MA program with full funding, and so I went.
Ultimately, I am thankful I didn't get in the first time. When I think about why I wanted to go to grad school then, yes it was because I was passionate about the field, but it was also about my fear and ego. I believed I was exceptionally smart, and smart people got PhDs, so that's what I needed to do. I was also afraid of starting a "real job" and living in the "real world." And graduate school ways another way to delay that for half a decade or more. When I went back to school, even though it had only been 2 1/2 years since finishing undergrad, I felt like I had much more perspective on why I was there to do what I was doing. Having spent just a little time in the "real world" was helpful. And yes, grad school was in its own way humbling, and I grew up some more.
Round four doesn't look to be going so good for me. I have only one school left to hear from, and I'm not optimistic, but this is just how things are. I'm not taking it personally anymore. Who knows, maybe the PhD will never happen? Being professionally trained as a historian is a good thing but you don't have to have a PhD to do good history, though it is harder. There's a gentleman where I live, he worked a whole career at DNR and when he retired, he went to community college and took a few history classes because he was interested in Native history. He started doing his own historical research and eventually published a book on Native American history. He doesn't even hold a BA in history, yet his work has been utilized and cited by academics in the field. I'm so proud of him. He'll never have a PhD, yet in his golden years he is out there making meaningful contributions to the historical profession.