history_PhD

Definitely. Many of the items on my Christmas list are of books by potential advisors. I figure, even if I don't get in this year, I will be really well informed about my field next year.

Which professor, if you don't mind my asking?

Remember, it's finals week. Although applications are due in December, the professors are probably not going to start looking through them until January. I had this discussion with my professor today; students aren't the only ones with a tendency to procrastinate. . . .

I completely agree! I have had a few applications that say "not received" when in actuality it means "not processed" or, more accurately, "we have copious stacks of papers strewn across the desks and have not yet matched papers to their applications; check back later."

My professors indicated that thanks/gifts weren't necessary, but they appreciated them nonetheless. I don't think it every hurts to write a thank you note, especially if, heaven forbid, you have to go through this process again next year.

From the applications I've seen, I would say "no." If the application only lets you add one score, I would go with the most recent.

I had the same issue; it was about a week before my transcript went from "initiated" to "completed." I wouldn't sorry about it right now. They are probably still matching transcripts to applications. Check back in a few days and call then, if necessary.

I have to send in materials for one school tomorrow; then I have 1 application left!

Oh dear. People do tend to think they are very clever.

So, this is essentially a rant disguised in a discussion question. Who has been confronted with other people who ask annoying questions or make asinine comments? I have several, hence the post. First, when people ask where I apply, there are generally two responses: Wow, those are all great programs (to which I want to respond, DUH! Do you think I am going to apply to Podunk U?) The second response is generally, "What's your first choice?" to which I want to say, I like all of the schools; it is so competitive that being accepted anywhere is an honor. And, it's not like I have a say anyway, so what a pointless question! Another irritant has been the lecturing I have gotten from professors who only barely know me about the competitiveness of the market for humanities. I have done my research; I am well aware. Today I was caught in a 20 minute one-sided conversation about this with an economics professor.

From my perusing of these fora, I gather that there are a lot of students who are also finishing undergraduate degrees. Since this is the beginning of the end, I was wondering how everyone's final semesters will be. Are they essentially stress free? Are you taking fun classes or are you taking the classes you have been putting off for almost 4 years? How do you feel about it being the end of such a formative life experience? Or, has it been mostly miserable, unless you are in classes you want to pursue at the gradate level? For me, I am taking only 1 class that I am actually looking forward to. I have to take the others in order to finish my other major. It's going to be pretty busy, especially during February and March when I will not want to accomplish anything besides check the forums constantly. I am excited though; my undergraduate life has been a lot of fun, especially the semester that I just finished. I have really grown a lot as a student, and I finally know what I want to be when I grow up-- a question that was unanswerable a few years ago. Apparently I'm in a reflective mood and was hoping that others would join in. . . .

This is one area I wish I had been diligent in. I didn't contact potential advisors (ran out of time). Hopefully, it won't be problematic, but it is something to do next year, heaven forbid!

Wow, glad I didn't apply to Columbia then. It's a good thing you contacted him. Sounds like they might need some new professors in the 18th-19th centuries soon. Did you name him as your primary advisor in your personal statement?

I would suggest that you submit it on the Friday though, in case there are any issues with the application system. You would be able to contact someone in the department that way.

That's exciting! Are you nervous?

Foner does early American? I thought he specialized in 19th C.?

Person 1: Wow, look at that, a 730 verbal! Person 2: Yeah, but she also got a 590 the first time. Her writing score went down a whole point the second time she took the GRE. And, her quantitative score dropped 100 points. Maybe she cheated?! Too much hassle. Next!

I had quite the time with the UVA application. The U-Colorado one is a pain, in general, but that is because they want most of the stuff sent to them (including 2 copies of GRE scores!?!)

Gradstudent84, go with the mani/pedi! Perhaps consider doing something with your hair too-- highlights, hair cut, etc. I wish I had time to relax; I will be done with classes on Monday, but before then, I have to finish a final and a paper. I also have 2.5 applications to complete. I'm ready to watch some television and do some major working out! This has been too sedentary of a semester, which the fit (or lack thereof) of my clothing supports. . . . And then there is the Christmas shopping that still must be done; I still have some decorating to do to! Still stressing.

Shawshank Redemption Airplane Blues Brothers Kind of a diverse list, admittedly, but each movie is quite good in its own right. Shawshank is probably my favorite movie though; it's beautiful, inspiring, etc.

U Virginia UNC-Chapel Hill OSU Boston U U Michigan Yale U Colorado- Boulder (maybe) GPA- overall 3.93 Major GPA 4.0 GRE Verbal 590 and 730 Quant- 710 and 610 AWA 5.0 and 4.0

Does anyone have information about funding at Boulder? Their website is very ambiguous. It kind of sounds like students compete for funding each year in history.

I was wondering what everyone's preferred fields were: time period, geographic region, etc.? I'm interested in 19th C. American history, particularly during Civil War/ Reconstruction. I feel like this board should be more active; it appears that there are a lot of history applicants here, but they just don't post!

Also trying to finish my applications-- 3 to go. That's interesting about OSU; will the department still get the transcripts even though the department address changed? Nothing like more stress. . .