Jibrananand

Hi, I have to write a book review for one of my applications which is 1000 words. I had one prepared but I was considering changing the book and re-writing it. Any clue on what works better? if the book should be a) recent and / not often commented on c) directly in one's field( for example could I review a work on historical anthropology) and directly in one's sub field( along with temporal and spatial parameters)? Thanks in advance for all your comments.

Hi all, Sorry to bother you guys but I had a couple of questions regarding transcripts and education information. I am an international student and I am currently enrolled in an MPhil program in my home country. I have completed my coursework and I am about to finish my thesis but covid has adversely impacted my department and my supervisor told me that the process before I get my official transcript could be a very long time- perhaps even July(since there are two interviews, external grading and a viva). Where would you suggest I include this degree in my educational qualifications? I have a transcript for my coursework but not for my thesis. If I include it in my main academic qualifications, would departments/ office ask me to submit official transcripts by May in case I get an offer? Or could I withdraw from my current course without it impacting a possible offer? But if I only include it in the fall semester grades section, that would leave a relatively large gap in my educational history(last two years). Thanks in advance for all your help.

Thanks for this and to all the others for their help. I will definitely try and do that. I'm applying to the South Asian sub field. What about you?

Hi, another quick question about sop word limits. I've managed to cut down my sop for other schools to within the word limit. But with Harvard there seems to be some contradictory information. GSAS recommends 1000 words but the FAQ on the History Department's website says 3-5 pages. Does that mean I am allowed a bit of extra room assuming Times New Roman and 1.5 spacing? I do understand and value a concise proposal, but I was wondering if the recommended word count indicated the preference for a longer form SOP? Something like 1300 words or so? Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone applying.

Hi, I've got a question mainly about LORs. So, one of the few good things about covid was that I managed to participate in a graduate seminar at one of the schools I am planning to apply for a PHD programme. One of the professors who taught the seminar who also gave me extended feedback on the paper I submitted, has agreed to write an LOR for me. However, I was also considering applying to the school where he would be on the adcomm(though in quite a different sub-field. I am a south asianist, he is an Americanist) and I wasn't sure of the protocol about asking him to write an LOR for this school. He has shown interest in my work but I wasn't sure of what the boundaries are. I do have 3 referees in hand in case he feels like it might be over-stepping.