TransnationalHistory

As my post above goes in to detail about, you should not turn down JHU just based on what you think crime might be like in Baltimore. For your first year, I'd play it safe and find a place in Charles Village. It's right next to campus, very safe, and would be a good way to start to know the city. Hamden is also near campus, and a bit cheaper. There are also more "rough" spots, but nothing you couldn't feel out for yourself...maybe a place to live your 2nd year when you get a better feel for the area. Same goes for Waverly---though any part of Waverly that is closer to campus is perfectly fine. They also have a really nice farmers market in the Spring-Fall. You are right, there are a lot of Asian grocery stores near Hopkins---also a really nice South-Asian grocery near the farmer's market.

Right, you grew up in the "Baltimore area." Lemme guess, Towson? Your post betrays your suburban-bubble. Seriously, what slums next to campus? Hamden? Charles Village? Give me a break. Development happened in Charles Village not because it was a slum, but because developers realized they could make a killing buying out rowhouses near campus (owned by middle class people) in a Starbucks, Borders, Condos, etc. Damn right the city is upset---they were beautiful buildings, well maintained, and what replaced them is gross, soulless architecture. Also, I know it's a harsh thing say, and I don't say it lightly, but those grad students who told your girlfriend "not to make eye contact" with "anyone in the streets" (now that's a nice euphemism to remember) are racists. As someone who has spent countless hours driving Baltimore streets (and get this, even parking in bad areas, and not just on how you define them!) I can say that that warning is a lie. Are there drug addicts in Baltimore? Yes. Is there crime? Yes. Are there homeless people? Yes. But chances are, if you're white, and not involved in dealing/buying hard drugs, the worst thing that is going to happen to you is you will misinterpret a black person on the street as giving you the evil eye. Which says more about you than the city itself. Sure, there are places in the city I wouldn't ideally walk alone at night, but unless you're an idiot about it Baltimore is safe. Especially the areas around JHU.

There is already a Baltimore thread on this board. Just search for it, it will pop up.

Actually it's Friday, I guess they stagger them a bit. But yeah, I'm looking forward to it.

Yes, just want to affirm that writing the SOP early is key. Not only to get it right, but also I found that writing my first SOP before I even knew all the programs I was going to apply to really helped me figure out which program, and which type of program, was right for me. Especially if you've been away from academia for awhile, writing the SOP will refresh/direct your focus. Also, this is a bit of advice a professor who has served on admission boards told me: the most important paragraph of the SOP is the first paragraph. Reading over applications is tiresome work, and tired minds need something that grabs them right away. Maybe you'll get lucky and be the first application read that day, but you can't count on it. He advised me to lead with the aspect of my background that was the most unique, even if not directly related to academic research. Like he said, almost everyone applying to top-programs writes a senior thesis. Figure out what you have that not everyone does (language, work experience, etc.) and then go into your specific academic interests. Another brief note: Talking to a faculty member at Michigan, I was specifically told was considered to be the strong and weak parts of my application. They basically told me that I got in because they liked my writing sample/SOP, but that I was comparatively weak to other applicants because I've never traveled to my region of focus. I was sorta surprised by this (just since I assume most people in college or 20 somethings paying off college loans can't afford to travel much--I know I couldn't), but I understand their point. So if you are anyone besides an Americanist, try to travel if you can this summer. Not only will it perhaps give you a chance to work on a language, but it will show that much more dedication.

Space-Cat is right, check out joint JD/History PhD programs. I noticed these at I think every school I applied to, or at least most. And funding is available for history, and I'm pretty sure if enrolled in a PhD program you can postpone pay of student loans, so at least you don't have to worry about that debt right away.

Yeah, but the point is that this isn't just a random guy with a blog, nor is he bitter about academia--he admits it actually worked out great for him (I mean, hard to argue with tenure-track at Swarthmore) @Strange Light: That's a really interesting anecdote. I also know of someone who dropped out after a year of dissertation research, and now is very happy as a chef. He has no regrets about going to grad school--he feels he got a lot out of his time there and he's still an avid reader, it's just the end result wasn't for him. But I don't have the perspective of people in his department, so that's interesting to see at least in your example.

Yeah, I found that part really odd. I can't think of anything less carefree or more all-consuming than med school. Anyway, good to hear you a had a more positive experience. I know it's just one person's opinion, but given that they are writing from the perspective of someone who's made it (at least, in terms of tenure track at Swarthmore) as opposed to a bitter drop-out, it certainly made me pause.

Just read this: http://weblogs.swart...demia/features/ I am expecting graduate school to be different than my expectations, but this article really makes the whole process sound awful and extremely limiting/constricting, more than I want to believe. I know a few graduate students in the humanities, granted only in their 1st or 2nd years, and while they are busy with work they don't strike me as completely goal driven in the narrow-minded way this article suggests. They still have lives outside academia, and find time for occasional outside projects. For those with experience, what do you think? Also, I am wondering if his whole argument that grad school forces you to pick only one narrow topic is more applicable to the more traditional top schools, like Yale/Princeton/Harvard. I'm under the impression that there are a lot of graduate schools that do encourage interdisciplinary exploration.

I wouldn't give up. The open house for accepted history students is not till the 20th, so I doubt most people will be giving them an answer until the end of March at the soonest. When I got wait listed at NYU, I asked a professor I know who works there how it worked there. He said that basically in order to take people off the wait list the department has to under-yield. So for example if they offered spots to 20 people hoping to get 10, then less than 10 people would have to accept their offer of admission. If that happens, then who they decide to take off of the list depends on which field under-yielded the most. So if no Europeanists decided to come, then that's who they'd take from the wait list first. Can't say for sure, but I imagine it's a similar situation at most schools. Anyway, I'd give them until late March, and then maybe email a professor within your field, and ask them if they can tell you anything about how many people have already accepted their admission offer overall/for your field, and what they think your chances might be. They might not be able to tell you anything exact, but can't hurt to ask.

Just a note on LA: I have a handful of friends who live there and love it, and they are not the sort of people you typically think of when you think of LA. I once had the impression it was a place I'd never want to be, but they've changed my mind. It's a big diverse city, and I bet if you end up there you'd be able to find the parts that work for you.

That might be true for sciences, but not at all for humanities. There is massive grade inflation in undergrad in America, and at top schools it's not that hard to get an A/A- in the humanities. The only B's I got were in languages/science, and while that's in part because I worked hard, there were definitely some classes Freshman year where in my opinion I didn't deserve the A.

For those who've recently attended open houses for accepted students, what were they like? I've got two coming up, and I know I'm curious about how they work, and I'm guessing other people are too. When you respond, please include your general field (science, humanities, etc.)

Forgot to mention this. I didn't either, except for one program where I wasn't which field was the best fit (African vs. Atlantic). Obviously I can't say if it hurt me for the schools that rejected me, but it didn't prevent me getting into two schools. I didn't stress about contacting professors based on a friend who is a current graduate student--they didn't contact any professors and got into Columbia, Princeton and Yale. I do think it makes sense to contact a professor to see if they are taking anyone in your field/ to make sure they are not planning on retiring/leaving, etc. But if you're just aiming for brownie points, I don't think it works that way. As for the whole safety school issue, I wasn't saying people should not be reasonable in their expectations or apply to only top-ten schools. But it seems some people apply to schools they don't really want to attend. I think people should ask themselves before they apply whether they rather settle for a school they are not very excited about, or wait another year. Lastly, current grad students are great resources. They are also busy, but are often better/more candid resources for information, including on how well the program prepares you for being a TA, etc.

I'm guessing you can't defer? I'd explain your situation to the school and see what they say. Maybe they'd be willing to either up your stipend or let you defer. Worst they can say is no. Next year the applicant pool could be different, and the number of students they are able to take, and for which fields, could change. So their is no guarantee that if you apply next year they'd be able to take you, even if they don't hold a grudge for you turning them down.

I figure this could be nice for people who are gearing up to apply somewhere next year. I know I felt like I went into the whole process blind, and would definitely have done some things differently even though it worked out alright in the end. The rankings can be a good general guide, but take them with a big grain of salt. Especially the rankings by field. Instead look up the historians you like/have influenced your own research and writing. I wish I had explored a bit more--if I had I would have applied to WUSTL and Rutgers, but I didn't find out about those programs until it was too late. Don't bother applying to a school ifs there is only one or two people that deal with your field, even if they are amazing. Or if one of those people would be your dream advisor, pick one school like that. But in general, unless there is a cohesive program within your field there probably won't be room for you. Don't worry about the money aspect of it when deciding where to apply. I didn't apply to UCLA even though I liked the faculty because I figured the UC schools are strapped for cash, but I know some people on these boards got in with stipends. Sure, some people also got nothing, but when the whole process is a such a crap shoot if a program feels like a good fit it's worth trying for. Don't bother applying to any school that you don't want to go to. This wasn't really a problem for me, but I've noticed a lot of people on these boards agonizing over the fact they only got into their last choice school. Some people may disagree, and I guess it depends on how desperate you are to start graduate school, but I think it only makes sense to apply to schools you are 100% excited about, even if that means applying to only schools that are a crap shoot to get into. As these boards show, some people who get rejected everywhere their first go get completely different results the next year. So aim big, even at the risk of having to apply more than one year.

If you are certain that's where you are headed, then I wouldn't feel compelled to visit. You can arrange phone interviews with any professor you'd want to work with, and email current grad students if you have some questions to ask before taking the plunge. Visiting is only really key if you are trying to make a choice. Nobody is going to judge you for not going...you'll certainly have plenty of time to meet/talk with your department in next 5-7 years.

Honestly, all these places will probably pretty much the same...mid-size cities with nothing all that special about them (no offense, that's how most mid-size cities are). Biggest difference will be the weather. I'd pick the school that's the best fit academically, and not worry about the location.

Bumping this since it seems more relevant at this stage...

You might want to try posting this question on the forums on Chronicle's website. They have a whole section about leaving academia....most people on this forum are trying to get in, so you're less likely to get advice from anyone who's been in your position.

Thanks for the food recommendations! I've been looking at houses in Ypsi, and it does seem like there are some good deals out there. Something to think about.

What's your field specifically? Ancient? Colonial? Modern? A particular country or the region in general? Do you already have language skills, or will you need to acquire them at school? Anyway, I have a secondary interest in colonial/post-colonial India/Sri Lanka, in that it relates to my field somewhat, and I know Michigan recently hired someone who specializes in that. Otherwise, I'd just email current students at each school who are in your field, and see what they say.

Finally, last decision reached. A rejection, but at this point I could sorta care less. I'm more glad the wait is over.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to really look until August...I'm going to try to see places when I have an open house in March, but if that doesn't work I don't know when I'll be able to get back. Any rooms fall through/open up in August ever? What about in Ypsi? I don't mind the idea of living there is it's going to be less hassle.

Yeah, the problem for me is the languages I want to learn are not covered by my school's FLAS or the CLS. If anyone knows a fund for people wanting to learn Afrikaans, Swahili, German and/or French (intermediate-advanced) I'd love to know. I don't know German at all but would like to, but it seems difficult to get support to learn any common language. I already know French alright, but would love to become more advanced. And finding scholarships for Sub-Saharan African languages is for some reason really difficult. So any advice on that would be great!