kdavid

I'm set on history, but I'm trying to consider good MA programs I could apply (as back-ups) to while also applying to PhD programs. This way, if I don't end up getting into any PhD program, I could do the MA and then apply to PhDs later. (I'm just really self-conscious about not getting accepted at all. I want to have options just in case.) Would an MA in regional studies (i.e. Chinese/China studies) hurt me in this regard?

Good points to consider. What are some of the key texts which introduce transnationalism as a methodology?

Details for the program can be found here. I'll be applying to MA and PhD programs this upcoming cycle. At present, I'm trying to find MA programs which would be good back-ups in case no one accepts me for the PhD. So far, I've found UM's MA and UoC's MAPSS. UM's is clearly focused on China, which is a plus. Does anyone have any experience with this program? If so, could you please share? Lastly, any suggestions on other MA programs similar to the aforementioned two? (I'm focusing on 20th century intellectual Chinese history, specifically the Republican period, 1912-49.) Thanks!

Which topics, theories, and themes are "hot" in history today? What are the buzz words, and what is everyone reading about across various regional interests and fields?

Could anyone suggest some books which examine these topics in relation to modern Chinese history from the time of the Opium Wars through the Republican era? English or Chinese is fine. I'm interested in learning more about the theory behind these concepts, and how they relate to history. In addition, I'm also interested in learning about the treaty ports (1842-1943), so any books which examine those cities and/or foreign/Chinese life would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks!

@Brent Link seems to be broken....

Thanks for your reply, Brent!

I understand from reading here that functions are covered on the GRE. My question is which of the following topics are covered: Evaluating functions Domain and range Function inverses Relationships and valid functions Graphing functions Direct and inverse variation In other words, will knowing the simple f(x), etc. suffice, or do I need to know how to evaluate and graph inverses, etc., as well? Thanks!

I've heard that the SAT math section is more difficult than the GRE's. Is this true? I ask because the Khan Academy has a section on SAT math, but not one for the GRE. I was hoping to use this to help me prepare for the GRE. I haven't been in a math class in almost a decade, and A LOT of what I learned in high school and university has been lost. Before I started working through the Khan Academy units I was struggling even with basic algebra. I have many, many prep books, but their approach/presentation hasn't been as successful as the Khan Academy's, so I'd like to stick with this. I'm curious as to how "deep" into the Khan Academy's rabbit hole I need to dive in order to do well on the quantitative section. An overview of topics covered can be found here. Thoughts?

I've heard that the SAT math section is more difficult than the GRE's. Is this true? I ask because the Khan Academy has a section on SAT math, but not one for the GRE. I was hoping to use this to help me prepare for the GRE. Thoughts?

Thanks to everyone for your responses thus far. I possess a native-level of modern Chinese; speaking, reading, and (computer-assisted) writing--i.e. I can write essays and papers fine with a computer, but struggle writing characters by hand. I'm confident I'd have no problem translating academic texts. I have a working knowledge of classical Chinese--i.e. I can read texts with a bit of effort and a dictionary. I'm learning Japanese now as I know it will be necessary sooner or later. I'm currently only focusing on reading as I know that's key for research. I have no misapprehensions about how prior knowledge of Chinese translates to success in modern Japanese. I'm very aware they're too completely different languages. My intention in raising the original question was to see whether or not I also need to be focusing on speaking, listening, and writing. While I'd love to be a true polyglot, I understand that my time is very limited, and setting unrealistic expectations will only cause other areas of my current projects to suffer. I'd love to develop oral fluency in Japanese at a later point, when I have the time. Thanks again for all your help!

How so? I'll be applying to MA and PhD programs for Chinese history. I've been living in China for close to seven years, and have completed an MA (in Chinese history) in Chinese at a mainland university. I've been told my language background should give me an advantage.... Have I been given bad information?

I'll be applying for PhD admissions this fall. I'm already proficient in modern Chinese, and have a working knowledge of classical Chinese. In order to make myself more competitive, I've also started learning Japanese, which I'll need to learn sooner or later anyway. My question: Is literacy enough not only for admissions, but also for graduation? I ask because I can learn twice as fast if I only have to worry about reading, and not also speaking, listening, and writing.

Thank you very much for that suggestion. Essentially what I'd like to know is: If I were a student studying at an American university sometime between 1900-1940, what types of ideas would I have been exposed to? What were university campuses like at that time? etc.

A follow-up: I've read up briefly on the authors listed above. Most of them would have been active toward the end of the period I'm researching. I'm searching more along the lines of contemporaries of John Dewey. If it helps to narrow the search a bit, I'm interested in the main trends between 1911-1925ish.

To provide some context, I'm studying a group of foreign students who studied abroad in America in the early 20th century. I'm trying to get a feel for the intellectual climate at the time, what the major trends were, etc., so that I can better assess what the students may have been exposed to and how it may have affected their thought. I see quite a lot with her name on it. Where would you recommend I begin? Thanks again!

Could anyone recommend some books/historians who have written on the topics of American intellectual trends and/or college/university life between ~1900 - 1940? Thanks!

If you're invited to an interview and do not attend, are you essentially out of the running for a position? I ask because I'll be doing all of my applying (this year!) from China. With an MA program, full-time job, and a family, traveling back and forth from China to the US is both logistically and economically unfeasible. Of course, if visiting a school was the only thing holding me back from a guaranteed position in one of my top-choices I could make it happen.

Can the rest of us be privy to the PM? I'm also interested in policy making positions, state department, etc., and would like to hear about anyone's experience.

I'll be applying to graduate schools this time next year (i.e. fall 2013). I'll be in China through spring 2014, and as such will need to take the GRE here. Has anyone taken the GRE in China? If so, what was your experience? For example, have you also taken it in the US or another western country? If so, did you notice any major differences in how the exam was proctored? For those who have taken it in China, do you have any suggestions? I'm a bit worried about doing it here as the Chinese, in general, are poorly organized. I called the GRE office at the local university here in Harbin and the woman who answered did not know what the GRE was until I translated it for her. (I speak fluent Mandarin.) I asked some, what I thought were, rather simple questions, such as what the test dates for 2013 were, when they'd be scheduled, etc. The women knew nothing and was angry that I was asking so many questions. (FYI: I know test dates are on the website. However, the ETS website does explicitly state not all dates are available at all testing centers. I was trying to find out what was already scheduled as I work on the weekends and need to request time off weeks in advance.) Any insight is much appreciated. I'll be sure to share my experience once I've completed the test!

Thanks, TMP. I'll be managing all of this from China, where the internet situation is finicky. I can only imagine tracking the progress of a dozen or so applications will be challenging enough. As such, I'd prefer to have some sort of built-in contingencies. Would it be bad form to include in my PhD SOP that should my application be viewed as not quite ready for the PhD that I be considered for the MA?

Thanks very much for your replies. I guess I'll just have to wait until I get accepted and go from there. Thanks again!

Okay, but doesn't this mean I'll have two different SOPs? One for the PhD and one for the MA? Also, wouldn't the same people be reading both of these? Any tips on how to word the different approaches?

Thanks again for all of your replies. Would it count against me to apply for both an MA and PhD at the same school?

While these schools are listed as the best (by that specific source), I'd like to hear the experiences of others out there. I'm specifically interested in the history of Sino-American relations, intellectual, social and culture history during the Republic period, and Americans in treaty ports. I'll be traveling with my family (me, my wife, and 3-year-old son, and maybe a fourth!). Clearly, funded works best as I'd like to devote as much time to studies and research as possible. Thanks in advance for your time and insights!