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cokohlik, I see you're in the humanities. Graduate Study for the 21st Century: How to Build an Academic Career in the Humanities by Gregory Colon Semenza was recommended in the History thread and I have been finding it useful. He lays out what to expect as a PhD student in the humanities - everything from seminar papers and oral reports to submitting conference papers to publishing to developing a personal organization system. He empowers the grad student by explaining the culture of humanities graduate departments and mapping out an ideal route to tenure. Of course there is no perfect model and experiences are ultimately individualized, but knowing what to expect (as much as possible) helps to keep focused on larger goals, rather than getting caught up in the smaller details. I wish I'd had this book before I began my MA program. Good luck!

I hadn't. Thank you for posting it here.

Congratulations, oseirus!

Wishing you the best, TMP!

A couple current GC students told me the consortium is a positive aspect of the program and I know of one GC student taking language courses at a university in the consortium. NYU I think?

It certainly is! I sent you a PM if you're interested in continuing our conversation privately. If not, I understand and I'm sure our paths will cross at some point along the way. Best of luck to you!

MidEastApp, it looks like we have similar interests. I loved Ze'evi's Producing Desire and el-Rouayheb's Before Homosexuality in the Arab-Islamic World. Can't say I'm a fan of Massad's Desiring Arabs - I'd say to read him with a grain of salt. Omitting anything by Khalidi or Najmabadi, and Mitchell's Colonising Egypt were oversights on my part. I just started reading Samira Haj's Reconfiguing Islamic Tradition.

Thanks for the reminder. For may part, I am in transition. Most of the titles I listed in general Middle Eastern/ North African History I read as part of my MA coursework in Middle Eastern History, although some I read for my thesis. I read the books pertaining to gender for an Independent Study during my MA and for seminar papers and my MA thesis.

General Middle Eastern History Nazih Ayubi, Political Islam: Religion and Politics in the Arab World C. Ernest Dawn, From Ottomanism to Arabism: Essays on the Origins of Arab Nationalism David Fromkin, A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East Albert Hourani, A History of the Arab Peoples Albert Hourani, Arabic Thought in the Liberal Age Nikki Keddie, Modern Iran: Roots and Revolution Ira Lapidus, A History of Islamic Societies Bernard Lewis, The Emergence of Modern Turkey Edward Said, Orientalism Emmanuel Sivan, Radical Islam: Medieval Theology and Modern Politics P.J. Vatikiotis, A History of Modern Egypt: from Muhammed Ali to Mubarak (4th edition) Women and Gender in the Middle East/ North Africa Lila Abu-Lughod, Remaking Women: Feminism and Modernity in the Middle East Lila Abu-Lughod, Veiled Sentiments: Honor and Poetry in a Bedouin Society Leila Ahmed, Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate Nadje Al-Ali, Secularism, Gender and the State in the Middle East Qasim Amin, The Liberation of Women and The New Woman - then read the criticisms Margot Badran, Feminists, Islam, and Nation: Gender and the Making of Modern Egypt Beth Baron, The Women's Awakening in Egypt: Culture, Society and the Press Beth Baron, Egypt as a Woman: Nationalism, Gender, and Politics Nikki R. Keddie, Women in the Midde East: Past and Present Saba Mahmood, Politics of Piety: The Islamic Revival and the Feminist Subject Fatima Mernissi, The Veil and the Male Elite: A Feminist Interpretation Interpretation of Women's Rights in Islam (She's Moroccan. If you're interested in North Africa, read everything by her). Valentine Moghadam, Modernizing Women: Gender and Social Change in the Middle East Nawal El Saadawi, The Hidden Face of Eve Huda Shaarawi, Harem Years Guity Nashat and Judith Tucker, Women in the Middle East and North Africa I tend to be Egypt-centric but I have recommendations for readings on women and gender in Iran as well as issues pertaining to "Third World Women" and global feminism. Feel free to PM me if you want more but this should be good start! Happy reading!

American History R_Escobar (20th century, American Indian), crazedandinfused (antebellum, intellectual), hopin'-n-prayin' (southern, religious), stevemcn (transnational), Simple Twist of Fate (early American), zb642 (20th century, labor/working-class culture), BCEmory08 (19th-20th century Catholicism, labor), irvinchiva10 (20th century, immigration/immigration reform) European History Kelkel (Modern Germany, political), goldielocks (Britain), SapperDaddy (Eastern and Central Europe), kotov (Modern Romania, Holocaust, labor), RevolutionBlues (Modern Western Europe/France labor and leftist politics), theregalrenegade (18th/19th cent British Empire/environment), jrah822 (19th century Britain; emphasis on colonial relationship to India), grlu0701 (Intellectual & cultural history,fin de siecle Germany and Italy), naturalog (modern European [mostly German] intellectual and cultural/sexuality and gender/political radicalism), runaway (Eastern/Central, memorialization & visual culture); Sequi001 (Modern France, gender and sexuality, colonialism/imperialism) African History Oseirus (precolonial/early colonial West Africa), Singwaya18 (20th century East Africa), Safferz (20th century Horn/Northeast Africa), The People's Scholar (Spanish colonialim in Africa- i.e. middle/West Africa) Latin American History teachgrad (20th century, Southern Cone), BH-history, The People's Scholar (18th-19th century Colombia) East Asian History alleykat (Modern China), kyjin (Pre-Modern Japan) Near/Middle Eastern History uhohlemonster, oswic (modern Egypt, gender) Atlantic World sandyvanb Global/World History cooperstreet (Cold War) Jewish History uhohlemonster, hopin'-n-'prayin, kotov (Holocaust), naturalog (sometimes modern European/Holocaust), runaway (memorialization & visual culture) ticklemepink (20th c. Germany/U.S) Science/Technology shaxmaty1848 (Cold War) Social annieca (Cold War and Post-Cold War East and Central Europe)

Hello all, I've seen a fair amount of discussion about digital organizing on TGC. Having only used Word and Excel to organize my materials and work, I am excited to embrace technology more fully. That said, I can't see much difference between Mendeley, Papers2, or Zotero except money and preferred browsers. I'd prefer to read comments from graduate students in history on this topic because I think we might use these programs differently from those in natural sciences, professional degree program, etc. So - Mendeley, Papers2, or Zotero? Also, I got a Mac and it comes with Open Office. Is there any reason to buy Word or is Open Office sufficient? Many thanks!

Thanks for posting this list. Looking forward to reading these!

Best of luck!

EmilyChopin, First, congratulations on your acceptance! You must be so proud and should enjoy this time. I wouldn't worry about your age and I don't think jealousy is going to be a significant issue. In fact, it may not be an issue at all. You may find that the older students will feel endeared toward you or even protective. I promise you that your peers will be worrying about their own impressions. It's like going to a gym for the first time and worrying that other people are judging you. You might worry that people don't like your clothes or are laughing at the way you workout - that you don't belong in the gym. But almost everyone else in the gym have similar fears. In actual fact, everyone is caught up in their own heads worrying about everyone else around them. Older students have similar concerns about going back to school and being judged. I went abroad for my MA and the average age in my cohort was 24. One of my closest friends was 46 years old at the beginning of our program. Some students thought she was a bit weird but most admired how she packed up her life (and her cats) and moved half-way around the world to take a risk and study what she loved. Her adjustment was a challenge but her performance, dedication to her studies, and respect for her peers earned mutual respect. The bottom line is, try to stay rooted in the present. When you're overwhelmed with doubt and find yourself imagining horrible scenarios and trying to plan in your head a thousand ways to prepare for those scenarios, try to remember to bring yourself back to the present - to what is really happening. Where are you at that given moment? How are you feeling? Where are you? The thoughts you're having are just thoughts and they're not true.Focus on what's true (e.g. I just ate a sandwich, I emailed my adviser a question, I'm feeling anxious about my paper, my neck is stiff, etc.) As someone who deals with chronic worrying, I empathize with your concerns. There might be one or two people in your cohort who judge you harshly, but I promise you that it's only because they have low self-esteem and their over-confidence mask their insecurities. Level headed peers will be able to see this clearly and as long as you are true to yourself, work hard, and treat everyone with respect, they will respect you. It is entirely possible to have close friendships with older classmates. The worry and fears are natural to anyone embarking on a new and challenging adventure, but they are magnified because of your age. In time, you will trust yourself more and care about what other people think a little less. Allow yourself to grow during this process. Once again, congratulations and have a wonderful time in grad school!

Desktop. I'm at work and have a BAD case of senioritis. Somehow senioritis is worse when you're not in school. But yes, you're right - people here will know my scores are flipped.

Yikes - I flipped my quant and verbal scores but I can't seem to edit my post. Anyone know why?

Congratulations, Hogs of War!

Chiqui74, I am not currently a grad student but I do have an MA in history so please take my comments with a grain of salt. I am not advocating you choose or not choose the thesis track, but I have some thoughts you might want to think about, if you haven't already. You don't know what will happen when you are a PhD student. If you are interested in a topic now, your MA might be the best opportunity to pursue those interests. Because you don't know what your future PhD adviser is like, you might save your research topic for a PhD dissertation only to discover that your adviser wants you to pursue the topic differently. If that is the case, you missed out on researching your topic altogether. But let's take your future adviser out of the picture for a moment. Researching a topic in depth - whether through a thesis or a report such as the one Sigaba described - will introduce you to ideas that you would not have otherwise considered because you did not have the knowledge prior. After completing the project, you may find that your interests have changed and that your research ideas for a future dissertation are more specific and nuanced, making you a stronger PhD candidate when the application season rolls around. At least, this was my experience. My advice, then, is to select the medium that will allow you to research the topic that interests you NOW with as much support as possible. This might help you choose between a report or thesis. It is wise to plan ahead but not to the detriment of your current interests. Best of luck!

Undergrad Institution: Small, public liberal arts state university Senior Thesis: Combination of my double major and minor in the form of documentary theatre Honors Program: As far as I know, there wasn’t one. I didn't study history in undergrad. Major(s): Theatre and Women's Studies Minor(s): Anthropology GPA in Major: 3.86 Overall GPA: 3.65 Position in Class: I don't know. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List every semester; graduated with honors; 3 awards for my senior project. Graduate Institution: Large research university overseas Thesis: Analysis and challenge of local and global feminist debates pertaining to binary constructions of women's activism in my country of study. Major(s): Middle Eastern History GPA: 94%/100%. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Graduated Magna Cum Laude GRE Scores (revised version): Q: 158 (79%) V: 143 (22%) W: 4.5 (72%) Research Experience: MA thesis Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 6 years in the non-profit sector in fields unrelated to my studies. Applying to Where: 8 PhD programs in history (6 in Middle Eastern History, 2 in transnational history); 1 PhD program in Near Eastern Studies Research Interests & Areas of Focus: Social & cultural history of the Arab ME, women's movements; colonialism Languages: 2 1/2 years of two foreign languages during my MA. Letters of Recommendation: Letters from my MA thesis adviser, BA adviser (maintained correspondence during the decade after graduating), and a senior lecturer from my MA program. Statement of Purpose: I began with an anecdote from the conclusion of my MA thesis to demonstrate the relevance and continuity of my research interests. The second part of my SOP explained the academic path which led to my present research interests and decision to pursue history. Rather than list an academic biography, I explained the process through which I developed particular skills and interests related to historical themes and methodologies and how I came to my proposed dissertation research. The third section of my SOP was tailored to each school, explaining how and why a university, department, and faculty fit my research and career interests. Writing Sample: I combined two sections of my MA thesis with new material to create a sample that could stand on its own. Communication with POIs: I wrote POIs at every university to which I applied. Each responded except one but sustained conversations only developed with three of them. One POI asked for further details about my academic background, language skills, and more about my research topic. This same POI asked me to send my entire MA thesis so it could be circulated to the admissions committee and I’m sure that contributed to my offer. Lessons Learned from Application Process: We are our own worst enemies. I was very concerned about my GRE scores (and rightly so - they were not competitive enough and kept me out of at least one department, I was told). I let standardized test anxiety color my experience overall by thinking that it reflected my intelligence and potential. I also observed my tendency to compare myself to other students. Everyone comes to academe in their own way and the application process allowed me to find my confidence as someone who came to history from an eclectic academic and professional background. Another lesson learned is how helpful POIs are in offering both admissions and research guidance potential students. It is never a good idea to adjust one’s interests to fit a POI or department, but if we remain open to new ideas and suggestions from POIs, we can see our proposed projects in new and exciting ways. I was struck by how helpful and kind almost everyone was. Some were eager to advise which indicated to me what I could expect as a student in their departments. Results: 1 acceptance, 8 rejections. I think that if I wanted to reapply in the next application cycle I would have improved results from polishing my writing sample even more and studying harder for the GRE. I would also communicate with POIs in other fields of history who could play supporting roles in my research because they share thematic and methodological interests. But I am delighted that I don't have to reapply because the school that admitted me is truly the right fit. It only takes one, as they say, and this is the right one for me.

I would be eager to read such a thread.

My goodness. I need to work on my stamina.

Thank you. I will write them.

That's pretty fantastic.

Jeenys, First of all, don't worry about wine or coffee or food or anything else your adviser may or may not order. You certainly won't be expected to partake. I do undertand the concern, as one who must abstain to most foods and beverages due to allergies. This has been a recent adjustment for me and the social anxiety is very real. But truly, anyone sitting at the table with you won't be thinking about what's on your plate or in your cup nearly as much as you are. Secondly, sweat is sweat. We all sweat; some more than others. Have you ever sat in a class with a sweaty lecturer? Sometimes they even spit. The previous posters are right - profs understand that new students are nervous. It's natural to sweat. In my opinion, breathing exercises only work if there's a theory or philisophy behind them that goes beyond the desired outcome of reducing physical symptoms associated with anxiety. My recommendation for anxiety is mindfulness meditation. It is a practice that takes time and committment but yields countless rewards. Not only does it increase concentration, clarity, and memory, it has been scientifically proven to reduce anxiety, depression, and pain. There are classes in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction all over the country. Just google MBSR and see if it sounds like something of interest to you. It might be a good thing to do during the summer before beginning a program. Everyone has something that works for them, though. This is what is working for me so I thought I'd share. I offer you my heart-felt congratulations on your admission.

There are a few POIs with whom I had (brief) email exchanges during the application process. My lengthiest exchange took place with the POI from the program that admitted me. I'd like to keep in touch with the others and am wondering about protocol. I realize that faculty are contacted by numerous prospective students and I'm sure that they don't expect to hear from every student who contacted them early in the application season. Still, I feel strange having discussed research interests and their program and then not following up to tell them my status. Is it a good idea to send a brief email thanking them (again) for taking the time to correspond with me, telling them where I am going in the Fall, and that I hope to continue our dialogue sometime in the future? Hopefully our paths will cross at conferences or other similar opportunities. Is seems like an easy yes, but for some reason I am hesitant. Thanks!