chlobot

I just posted similar advice and so agree completely.

This may seem very basic, but I would highly recommend reading through a standard textbook for one's particular geographic area of interest just to become familiar with the big picture narrative. I think that one thing new grad students find shocking (I know I did) is that graduate professors do not teach a detailed narrative history of a particular subject (as you might find in and undergrad class). Generally, they will only introduce you to the most recent/relevant historiography and assume that you have a background that enables you to assess the literature in light of the larger narrative. Now, you can pick up much of what's going on from selected historiography, but it's much easier going in with a more complete understanding.

First off, congratulations on getting two great offers! It sounds to me like you felt OSU was the right choice from the beginning, but now you're having second thoughts because of a perceived prestige difference. While I do think that it's really important to work with a well-known mentor, for what it's worth, I also think that feeling comfortable where you'll be spending the next 5ish years of your life is important. Moreover, it would concern me a bit to commit to a program without having communicated with my potential mentor. I don't think his/her unresponsiveness bodes well. After all, working with a star in your field really only pays off if that person is interested in your academic development and is willing to go to bat for you when it comes to funding and, eventually, finding a job. Just my two cents...good luck with your decision!

Agreed. Read some trash while there's still time.

Just as an FYI, departmental structures differ from university to university. At Fordham, for example, there are associate professors as well as assistant professors. The two are not the same -- the former have permanent positions and are tenured, while the latter are not tenured.

I don't think that it will matter so much this early in the process. You'll probably want a little help choosing your courses, but it's not as if you're going to plunge into dissertation research right away. You may want to email professor X and ask whether working with professor Y would be a good idea in light of the fact that professor X will be unavailable. Professor X will almost certainly respond in the affirmative. That should eliminate any weirdness.

I completely agree that teaching experience is crucial when it's time to get a job, but most fellowship students TA at some point in their careers prior to putting themselves on the market. Fellowships usually just free students up for a few years, after which most students supplement their income by teaching. Graduate coursework is so much more demanding than undergraduate coursework that being freed from teaching in the first one or two years can make a big difference in a student's performance. Also, it gives the student time to pursue research interests and give conference papers, which in turn increases CV quality.

Your characterization of those who have financial aid packages but are waiting to see if more prestigious funding packages become available as seeking to "bleed" a school to the detriment of those waiting for funding misses the point. As StrangeLight said, many programs have different funding tiers. Some packages are more prestigious than others. It make perfect sense to wait for the best funding package possible. While one, because one already has funding, may not "need" additional funding economically speaking (and most of us understand that the price tags of various packages will not dramatically differ), certain fellowships are more valuable than others in non-monetary terms.

*fingers crossed*

I sure hope so....I have another fully funded offer and will need to accept or decline it by then.

I spoke to my potential advisor last week, and he told me that it could take a couple more weeks until financial aid packages are all sorted out. Apparently the financial aid is distributed on a rolling basis.

First of all, congrats on your achievement. You are in an enviable position. I totally agree with Sparky, and admit that I would feel differently about your dilemma if you had been accepted to Harvard's history M.A. program. I think it is reasonable to self-fund an M.A. from Harvard and then re-apply for the Ph.D. with an expectation of better admission results (although there is certainly risk involved in this approach). However, the fact that the M.A. is not a history M.A. makes the risk for you much greater. Definitely find out about this particular program's placement rate in history programs before you make your decision.

Agreed. Also keep in mind that, once you're in the program, you'll have a chance to get to know other professors better, and if their interests align with yours somewhat, they might be willing to work with you.

Oh well. I still think it's weird, though, that no one's posted anything.

Oh, good! I was going to try to call again but don't want to be a pest. I'd appreciate hearing what she says this time.