barricades

I was on a UChicago waitlist in 2011. They called me on April 15 to offer me a spot. So chances are there, but it might be very last minute. I'd recommend getting in touch with the POI to see where you might be.

I don't think NYU flies in people from out of the country. Also, you're competing with different people in the IFS. My year they only made an offer to one History and one Literature track, if I'm not mistaken. I think that's usually the case. If you look in their department page I don't think there's as ingle year with more than 2 history representatives.

Joint programs seem to come in a little after than history admissions.

They will let you know if you're placed on a waitlist. And these things can come through at the last minute. Last year I got a call from mi POI at Chicago on April 15, in the afternoon, saying that a fully-funded spot had opened up. While the school was definitely one of, if not, my top choice, I had already settled on another of them. Usually, if you get in touch, your POI will keep you informed. But there's not much they can do besides speculate until someone drops out...

I would second this. However, I think your comment on not trying to increase the $ amount is a little radical. It might be the case that it is impossible for places facing budget cuts (such as UC and Wisconsin schools), but there are plenty of places where the department has money available to attract top recruits. I wouldn't say you can just ask for more money, but if you have a better funded offer, you can let that (tactfully) be known. Once you start meeting with advisers, they will ask about other places you are considering and all that. Both times that conversation came up with me, the people in question made a point in saying that money shouldn't be the reason to reject their offer, and that they'd be willing to match other offers. This is all really continent on the department, since some places offer equal funding to all applicants (the ideal situation, imho), but be aware. Sure, everyone is committed to the study of history, and money is far from our primary drive. But it's also a reality. I honestly can't imagine living on a small fellowship in an expensive part of the country. And I've heard plenty of horror stories from people who've gone through it. I can say I don't think I would, and I don't think that's a bad thing. I don't think the parallels between the life and ethics of grad school and Grub Street are something to be admired. Everyone here is incredibly smart, and that has a value which no one should be embarrassed in arguing for.

Withdrawing your candidacies from schools is fine. However, I wouldn't recommend doing it before going to visiting student days and all that. Often that's what will make or break your decision, especially if you're torn between two competitive offers. Also, if you are between two competitive programs and there's a stipend difference, that is often the moment to bring it up. Actually, when I went through this last year, the professors themselves brought it up, saying that they knew that such and such school offered this much, and that they'd be willing to top it off. So yeah. I'd just say don't make any abrupt decisions. You never know how your person to person interaction with these people (including your potential cohort) is going to be like, nor what they will throw in the pot.

This. And a lot of humanities/social sciences types do very well in the math section, which tends to be pretty elementary. Now, I don't know how much has changed in the verbal section, since the "computer : apricot cake" section is what tended to throw people off. At least the impression I got.

I'm assuming it's an university-wide fellowship or something similar? From my experience, if that's the case, you are probably very close to being accepted. I'm hesitant in saying this because I don't want anyone to get their hopes up (after all, you're only officially in once you get the official letter). But, realistically, departments tend to nominate their most competitive applicants to these fellowships.

I'd recommend you to read Novick's That Noble Dream, if you haven't. It's a very thorough analysis of the idea of objectivity within the american historical tradition.

Amen. And just to point out that considering the amount of information people post here (schools applying to, interests, undergrad institution, etc), it shouldn't be incredibly difficult to find out who is who.

In general? I'm not sure. In USC's case I know they have the Provost Fellowship, which you are nominated for by your department and compete for with admitted students from all the university. It's a pretty sweet deal though.

My guess is that he's been nominated to some internal fellowship. USC has been very aggressive in their recruitment.

USC also gave their notices early last year. Congrats!

Seriously. Your analyses never fail to amuse me...

I got a call on April 15, at approximately 3 pm, from what was probably my top-choice school (it's hard to say which one was, honestly) offering a funded spot. I had already said yes to another of my top choices, and decided to decline, since I would have to think about it and, if decided to accept, call the other school and rescind my acceptance all in two hours. It was incredibly frustrating, and every once in a while I still think about it. But I don't regret my choice at all. They were all great schools, and I'm sure I would've been happy and well trained in any of them.