Broadly speaking, my specialization is Greater Syria in the Middle Ages (particularly during the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt). I focus mainly on cultural/social/intellectual issues.
More narrowly, I am working on a thesis about intellectual relationships in Syria during this time, and how different processes of education fostered relationships that transcended class, race, and sometimes even gender.
No, I wasn't. I think that may be because I applied for one of their joint programs; I believe that was the case for another of NYU's acceptances as well.
This happened today (!): I was sitting in class listening to a lecture on martyrdom in Islam. My phone buzzed. When I saw that it was from NYU Graduate Admissions, my heart stopped, and then I opened it and saw "We are pleased to offer you" and I just started grinning like a fool. My eyes even teared up.
My professor either thought I was really emotionally invested in her lecture or crazy.
I got my first acceptance today! I was listening to a lecture on the martyrdom of Hussein when I got the email from NYU saying that I was accepted to their joint ME/Islamic studies and history Ph.D. program. And I got funding!! I sat there grinning like fool for the last hour of class...I told my professor after so she didn't think I was possessed or irreverent or something. So happy!!
Pennsylvania has been sending out emails, linking people to their website for their admissions decision. Rejection #2 for me. I knew they were only accepting one Middle Eastern history student, but two rejections in two days kind of hurts.
Yeah, I just got my first letter - a rejection - this morning. It hurt more because of the "Oh-no-what-if-ALL-the-schools-reject-me!" feeling than anything, I think. One of my professors actually told me that this school may not be the best for me, so I'm going to hang on to that and try not to feel too depressed.