kenningsa

Anyone have any information on Penn State? If you didn't get an interview is it pretty much over?

Of course.

I'm planning on applying to Kansas, UCSB, Temple, McGill, Duke (huge stretch, I know) and UT Arlington for Haitian History. Do you foresee any problems?

Thanks! Would a 3.93 overall GPA and a strong writing sample cancel out the lowish W score? Also, is it a problem that I haven't really contacted potential advisors?

Am I on track to apply? Or am I too late in the game? I have my SOP written, 3 recommenders lined up, GRE scores (160 V, 153 Q, and 4.5 W... not sure if they're too low), and a writing sample. I've picked out my list of schools as well. I am worried that I am cutting this too close to the deadline. Am I giving my recommenders enough time if I fill out the online apps within the next few days? Thanks

How long should the writing sample be, and is it okay if it is not completely related to your topic? For example, I plan on applying for French Colonial History (with the intent of focusing on Haiti). The paper I'm thinking of using for my writing sample is about 18 pages long and is about Vichy France. I like it, because the essay displays my ability to use documents written in French as a part of my research.

Thanks for the responses! Czesc, I was thinking that I'd apply to programs separately with one of those three interests. For example I could apply to Delaware for environmental hist only, and then mcgill for french colonial. Is this a good idea?

Hello all I have a strong gpa (3.92), lor's, and writing sample, but scored sort of average on the gre's with a 164 verbal, 155 quantitative, and a 5.0 on writing. Is this gre score something I should worry about? I'm looking at programs in environmental history, french colonial history (mostly haiti) and genocide studies at McGill, Delaware, WashU, Universite Laval, and Penn State (from where I graduated). I kinda of need to get funding to be able to attend.

I just took the test today, and received a 160 V & a 153 Q. Furthermore, I have a 3.92 GPA from Penn State, University Park and excellent letters of recommendation. Are the scores I received sufficient? Or will they seriously affect my chances?

Thank you all for your kind words and advice. It's good to know that I would be a suitable candidate. History is my passion and I really couldn't imagine being anything other than a historian.

I'd just like to know whether I have a realistic shot at getting in to decent program with funding. I will be a senior at Penn State University (University Park). I have a 3.6 overall GPA with a 3.9 in my major (which is History). I'm minoring in French. Unfortunately I will not have an honors degree. I have yet to take the GRE, but I got a 1330 on the SAT so I imagine I will fall somewhere around there. My current list of schools includes: McGill, Maryland, Temple, Maine, UC Davis, and maybe a couple schools in England. What do you think? I'm open to an MA or a PHD program. My areas of focus are French History (post 1789), and Environmental History. I've also done museum internships, and I help edit a scholarly Comparative Literature journal with a professor at the university.

That's quite a story. I'm glad that there's hope for anyone exceptional candidate no matter the institution.

Don Worster: Dust Bowl: the southern plains in the 1930s

Now these are suggestions that I like!

Does anyone know of any (preferably in the US)? I think U of Maine has one, but other than that I am unsure.

Love will find a way if it is true, of this I am certain.

@Sigaba: I meant no offense, but I do think you're putting a little too much weight on the institution. I admit that I am not an exceptional candidate from Penn State, but there are others who are and I believe that they would have a good shot at top tier programs. What you are saying however makes some sense, and I thank you for your advice. I was by in no way thinking that I had a shot at elite phd programs. I guess they are all elite, in a way, though. @cooperstreet: Yes that is the problem with law, and why I was gravitating towards graduate school. The MA would probably be the best way to go since my undergraduate record, while solid, is by no means exceptional. Plus I could see if a phd was really something I wanted to pursue. @ticklemepink: I think I will heed you advce and wait a year. Graduate school is a big commitment and nothing that I should rush into.

Yes, I mean I understand that graduate school takes a lot of work and resolve. It's certainly a big commitment, and the decision to go shouldn't be taken lightly but I think a few people have been a little over dramatic... I'm really just looking for advice as to whether or not i could get in so thank you very much .

Thank you

Well I could Imagine myself doing something else... being a lawyer being one of them. Thanks for your advice Thanks for your advice guys. I could imagine myself doing other things... Still would my GPA and not having an honors thesis make this goal impossible? I mean I do have a 20 page writing sample I wrote on The Boer War Concentration Camps for which I received an A.

Thanks for the advice, that is more or less what I thought. Maybe I'll just go to Law School lol.

I will have completed 6

No I did not :/

I am currently a senior at Penn State, University Park. My overall undergraduate GPA is a 3.6 (it's a little lower since I got a D my freshman year in a calc class), My GPA in History in a 3.85, and I scored a 1300 (700 V, 600 Q) on the GRE. I speak fluent French and hope to study French History. I have decent letters of rec, done an internship with a museum, and participated in research with a comparative lit professor (a little off but topic, I know). Is this a realistic goal for me?