[UNC-CH]

I still haven't heard anything either way from them...I hope they hurry up...

[What to do? I've been rejected from all but two schools...]

In my own limited experience, I can tell you that the two acceptances I've received so far are from schools in which I had extensive contact with professors I wanted to work with (phone calls, emails, etc.). So, maybe you could hang on until the next cycle and in the mean time, try an establish some connections with possible advisors. Anyway, my two anecdotal cents.

Hang in there...it's not over yet!

Based on this, I should be in at OU...I have talked with two professors there extensively and my LOR writer/ thesis advisor got his PhD there and knows all of the admissions folks... ::fingers crossed::

[UPenn?]

Got rejected last week after most people had heard back already...

[OPM ratings]

I think you are right...Last year I applied to 40+ Gov't jobs and scored, on average, about 92 or 93. I only received 3 interview (no offers) and they were all for jobs that I scored near 96 or 97 for...You have to keep in mind that some people (veterans, peace corps people etc.) get 5 - 10 "bonus" points added to their scores, so it is possible that people will have scores over a 100, which means even if you get a 99 you might not even get an interview...

[What to do? I've been rejected from all but two schools...]

If you don't make it in anywhere this year maybe you can use the time between now and the next application cycle to research and create a new writing sample that's more solidly places in American Indian history. Perhaps in this new writing sample could show a link between your training in the history of medicine and your interest in American Indians (I don't know enough about either to really suggest any topics). If I were you I would definitely contact my old professors, especially those who wrote your letters of recommendation, and ask if they would be willing to mentor you (informally) for it. It might be especially profitable for you to strike up a relationship with professor who works in your target field for this.

If you live near a university perhaps you can take some non-degree classes in American Indian history to meet some professors and get new letters of recommendation from them. If you can't afford to actually take classes maybe they will let you sit in on them, do all the work and then write you a letter even if you don't actually get credit. This is what I did as I was several years removed from my undergrad days and have two bachelors degrees in fields totally unrelated to history. I haven't made it into a PhD program (though I'm still waiting to hear back from a bunch ) but I have been accepted to a competitive MA program at a well respected school; it's a strong step in the right direction even if it wasn't what I was really shooting for.

Without seeing your applications for this year that's about all I can suggest. But go ever them closely and try and improve everything you can think of, I think I literally did a hundred drafts of my statement of purpose before I got it to a point I thought was good enough to submit. Some departments are willing to tell you what kept you out if you contact them politely (not all though, and I'd wait a month or two to let this whole process finish).

And hey, maybe OU or UNC is putting the final touches on your acceptance with full funding! I wouldn't give up hope yet but even if things don't work out for you this year it's by no means the end of the road, there's tons of stuff you can do to make yourself a stronger candidate for next year.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply...I should mention I'm not totally without classes or experience in Native American history...I minored in it and completed a competitive fellowship (with a research paper) devoted to it...I did submit my thesis as I thought it was a better paper...oh well, I realize I am just bitching on here and need to stop...Anyway, good luck to everyone...If i don't get in, hopefully I will be able to find some sort of job with this darn history degree...I'm really tired of student loan companies harassing me for my meager waiters pay....

[What to do? I've been rejected from all but two schools...]

I have been rejected from all my schools except for OU and UNC-CH... I was pretty much banking on grad school to pull me out my perpetual unemployment etc.

Anyway, since this is my first post. I am 2 years out from undergrad looking to do, generally speaking, American Indian history. I think one of my biggest issues is that all of my undergrad work, including my honors thesis and degree title, was on the history of medicine. I figured being Amer. Ind. would help my chances with this...I guess not..

Thanks and Good luck to everyone!

edit: I should state that I am waiting to hear back from OU and UNC-CH...I am a resident of NC, I am hoping maybe that will aid me in some way...I know they have to have a certain percent of their undergrads from NC, but I don't know about their grad school...