crater21

Yep, you're right, goldielocks! Good luck, everyone!

Thanks for the clarification. Yeah, that is too bad. I wish they would tell you the writing score earlier.

Oh, I see. Thanks for the explanation. So, does the entire test keep adapting to how you answer questions, or do the first few questions determine which group you'll be in?

Sorry, I know this is a really stupid question, but I just don't get this whole adaptive thing. Why can't they just have everyone write the same test? I'm sure there's some logic behind this that I'm not understanding, but it seems like you are being penalized for doing well.

Yep, that's my major concern too. I am really, really worried about not knowing until it is basically too late to take it again. At least with Verbal and Quant, they will still tell you a range based on the old scoring system, so you will have some idea. But, for AW, you won't know anything until November, which is pretty worrying.

So, aspiring historians, how is GRE prep coming along? I found out today that those of us who are writing the new GREs don't get our AW score until November (I knew that the other two scores were going to be delayed until November, but I didn't know that the AW would be delayed as well. And, with the other two, at least you get a range based on the old scoring system. But, with AW, you hear nothing until November). This has me slightly worried. Application deadlines are in December. What if I end up bombing the AW? I won't know until it is too late to write it again! The whole new GRE thing is making me really nervous. I don't want to be the guinea pig for the new system. What if percentiles are all skewed because it's the first time they are doing this? Somehow I feel this is going to screw me over. Why oh why did I not get myself organized enough to take the old one earlier in the summer!?!

Just to clarify: So, we have to wait until November to get the actual scores? What about the writing score? Will that come in November too? I am writing the GRE in September for the first time. My application deadlines are in December. I was hoping to have enough time to re-write it, in case I do really poorly the first time. But, I guess, I won't even know how I did until it will be too late.

My understanding is that you need to be proficient enough to be able to read primary source texts in your required foreign language. Most universities give you a translation exercise to test your proficiency. You can find some of these online, so this can give you a good idea of the level of proficiency required. I have heard some people say that, as a very general rule, if you can read and understand a good quality newspaper in your required foreign language, you are probably fine. As for your second question: I think it is smart to take languages into account when narrowing down your research focus. But, it shouldn't be the only factor. Some level of personal interest has to be prerequisite. You are basically going to be spending your entire professional life studying the particular area that you choose, so you want to be sure that something about it interests you.

I also see only one test in the free software.

Hey everyone, Just getting ready to take the GRE next month. Quick question about the writing: on the ETS website, there is a pool of topics. Is that just a suggested list, or will the actual topic be chosen from among those in the list? The website seemed to suggest the latter, but I wasn't sure.

Hi gradwoes, I'll be applying for South Asian history this fall for 2012 admissions, and Columbia is on my list. Do you have any advice/tips about making an application there? I'm interested in doing 18C history, so Prof. Dirks would be the obvious choice. I haven't been in touch with him yet, as I thought I should wait until term starts. Thank you very much!

I'm surprised someone hasn't mentioned NYU where Manu Goswami and Andrew Sartori (not to mention David Ludden) are doing some very interesting work. Also, what about UCLA (Vinay Lal and Sanjay Subrahmanyam)? Another over-looked place (esp. among American students) is the University of Toronto. They have more South Asianists than some of the bigger departments in the U.S Then, there are places with one or two big names: Vazira Zamindar at Brown (for Partition history) and Neeti Nair at U of Virginia.

Sorry, can't help you there goldielocks. I think I know which word you're talking about, but I can't seem to put my finger on it. As for GRE prep, I would definitely love to hear how people are studying, and which resources/books/courses they are using. I don't really have a structure either. I have a couple of Barron's books that I go through every day, but somehow I don't think this is the most efficient way of studying. I'm considering doing a Kaplan course, but haven't decided if this would be worthwhile.

Thanks, goldielocks! Good luck with your conference papers! It sounds like an amazing opportunity. Dimanche: I can totally relate! I had my first GRE panic yesterday, when I realized that I have a month to go before the test, and I am not prepared at all! On top of this, The revised GRE is making me nervous. I really don't want to be the guinea pig for them to work out all the kinks in the new test.

P.S. This link has a pretty good list of graduate programs in History of Science. http://depts.washington.edu/hssexec/hss_gradproglist.html

I know someone who was in a similar situation (wanted to switch to history, after having done physics). He ended up doing a second BA in England. In some English universities (Oxford and Cambridge, in particular), it is possible to do a second BA in two years. So, basically, after two years, he had an Honors BA from a very prestigious university, which made it easy to apply to some of the better PhD programs. I don't know if this might be an option for you, but if you're considering a second BA, it might be worth exploring this route. Although it is expensive to study overseas, the costs can balance out if you're getting the degree in only two years. Unfortunately, I don't know too much about MA programs that would accept non-History students. Maybe you can look at a Masters in History of Science or something like that. In that way, you could spin your science background as an asset, rather than a liability. Good luck!!

Hi everyone! I'm so glad to have found this website. It's nice to chat with others who are in the same situation. So, I too am applying for PhD programs in History for entry in Fall 2012. My field is South Asian History. I graduated with an MA in June, and am now working. So, it'll be interesting to prepare PhD apps while working full-time! GRE prep is underway. I'll write the test early September. I have contacted a few potential supervisors, but still need to contact more. Unfortunately, I haven't really made any significant progress on my personal statement or proposal. I thought I would focus on it once the GREs are out of the way. Anyway, good luck to everyone! It's a daunting process, and I'm sure this thread will come in very handy.