oswic

This is particularly helpful, though I find value in all of the suggestions raised here.

I'm sure it was a meaningful (and rare) experience for your POI as well.

Thank you for all of the responses! I have a better idea of what to do: weigh what I want to do against what I need to do, along with what is feasible for me to do. Gradcafe has been so helpful during this process and I sincerely thank everyone who has contributed to this site.

It looks like people are making decisions. Congratulations all around to everyone preparing for school in the Fall! The university I'm most likely attending offers an intensive language course during the summer. I asked if I could enroll and was told that it wouldn't be a problem. I am anxious about studying two languages in addition to coursework. Having struggled with that in the past, I thought getting a head start during the summer seemed like a good plan, especially since the intensive language course at this school is tailored to each student's discipline. That is to say, I'll be reading historical documents in my language of study. My POI has since told me that there might be a paid internship (limited funds) at the journal on campus and wants to know if I'm interested. This could work out well - I could work at the journal during the day and take the language course in the evening. I had been wondering how I would pay for rent/expenses/food during the summer because my stipend won't activate until the Fall. There is a lot to consider. I had planned to spend the summer working on a book list I put together to prep for the first semester. It would be great to read without the pressure of coursework. Also, moving for school is going to take a lot of time and energy as my wife and I must relocate from one coast to another. We have to find her a job, a place to live, sell most of our stuff, and, you know - move! By moving early (in 2-3 months!!), would I be adding unnecessary stress to an already stressful situation? Will working at the journal and taking an intensive language class cut into my summer prep? Or is it the best kind of prep? Thanks so much!

On a related note: Has anyone read How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren and have opinions about the recommended tactics?

Hi Karen, My field is Middle Eastern History and I agree with the others about the MA route. I didn't study history in undergrad so I got an MA in Middle Eastern History and am beginning a PhD program in the Fall. You might also consider MA programs in Middle Eastern Studies as others suggested here. It is not uncommon for PhD students in Middle Eastern History to have backgrounds in other related fields, so MES is a viable option for an MA. I'm including a few programs below (in no particular order) that might be a helpful starting point. If you want to talk about this further, feel free to PM me. Best of luck! University of Texas, Austin - MA in Middle Eastern Studies Tel Aviv University - MA in Middle Eastern Studies, Overseas Students (check out the work of Eyal Zisser who works on Syria) Georgetown University - MA in Arab Studies University of Arizona - MA in Middle Eastern and North African Studies (look at Leila Hudson, also works on Syria) American University of Beirut - MA Program, Center for Arab and Middle Eastern Studies CUNY Graduate Center - MA in Middle Eastern Studies Harvard University - MA in Middle Eastern Studies NYU - MA in Middle Eastern Studies

Hi uhohlemonster, TAU has an excellent reputation as one of the top universities in modern Middle Eastern history. The faculty are very well regarded. Yes, there is political tension in some academic environments and among some scholars, but certainly not all. I'd be happy to talk to you more about this in a PM if you're interested.

She's sending me a list of students to contact - I didn't even have to ask! Have fun stateside, Safferz! It sounds like she is truly an advocate for her students. I'm super excited!

SHE IS AWESOME! Thanks for the advice and support! My best to all of you.

Thank you, TMP, oseirus, and goldie. All great advice. I also discovered that the AHA website has a list of recommended questions. I don't have any other offers at present and don't think it likely more will come. So as TMP said, they can't really sweeten the deal. But I want to be sure I'm clear on what I'm walking in to. I'm a little nervous about CUNY because of their funding situation, but my POI there is my top choice for an advisor of all the schools to which I applied. Also, I do appreciate the funding they are offering me and I don't want to sound ungrateful. I'm just not sure that I understand exactly how the funding works. But that should be clear after tonight. I will make sure to talk to other students as you suggested. Thanks so much!

No problem. The CUNY Graduate Center. Thanks!

Congrats!

I'm speaking with my POI at the school that admitted me tomorrow and I am quite nervous! We had a lengthy email correspondence in the Fall discussing research but we never spoke on the phone. They are still putting together the fellowship packages but she told me in her email to me what they are offering me at minimum. Tomorrow is my opportunity to ask her my questions. I'd love some advice on what to ask her. I was thinking I should ask about Summer funding, teaching opportunities, and pre-dissertation grants. Is there anything else you suggest I ask (or not ask) about? I'd love to ask how students live in NYC on the stipends, but I don't think it's appropriate . I am deeply grateful and honored to be admitted with funding. Now that I'm starting to calm down, I'm worrying about moving, finding housing, paying rent/bills, etc. I've admired her work for so long and don't want to make a fool of myself during our first conversation. I'll try to suppress feelings of impostor syndrome and star-struckness (like that word?). Any insight/experiences are welcome!

Thanks, everyone! There isn't any indication on the website. Sorry, uhohlemonster. I wish I had more information for you. Hang in there!

I was accepted to The Graduate Center, CUNY! I am so excited! The POI there was my top choice!

My sentiments exactly, although it's hard to be patient and much easier to succumb to heartache. It's still on the early side for admissions decisions, I suppose. Thanks for the responses about language training. I decided to apply to Middlebury's 8-week program and look into Pimsleur CDs. Best of luck to everyone!

Thanks for your responses. I'm not knocking community college, but I did that when I came home from my MA to supplement my language training. The language training in my MA program was limited to reading and translation - there was no conversational component. Community college was great until I got sick. Also, the local community colleges don't offer higher level classes in my language. I'll reconsider though and look at schools in neighboring counties. Would it hurt to apply to Middlebury and then not attend if I don't get enough financial assistance?

Congratulations to all the admitted applicants! I know it's still early in the admissions process but I'm thinking about what to do if I don't get accepted this time around. I've been rejected by UT Austin and UIUC (my top choices). I'm pinning my hopes on UC Davis and The CUNY Grad Center but I'm not holding my breath for the others. So I'm trying to think about how I could strengthen my application for next year if it comes down to that. The Middlebury Language School Summer program looks perfect. If by some miracle I am accepted with funding somewhere, the additional language training will elevate me to advanced proficiency sooner. If I don't get accepted, I might be able to write a new research paper with my heightened language skills and turn it into a better writing sample. Here are the problems: 1). There are limited Middlebury financial awards and admissions is offered on a rolling basis. The longer I wait, the lower my chances are of getting a scholarship. 2). Even if I do get a scholarship, it won't cover the entire fee. Since I'm not affiliated with a university (I've been out of my MA program for 3 years and wasn't able to apply for PhD programs until now because of an illness) opportunities for scholarships are limited. 3). I would have to quit my job. Although I hate my job, it does offer some financial stability and in this economic climate, not having work to return to is frightening. I have lots of bills to pay and I'm married and in my thirties so I can't just pick up and move abroad to research as much as I'd like to. 4). Even with increased language skills, how would I conduct archival research while working full-time? Applying outside of academe and working in a non-related field was very difficult. I really don't want to go through that again but I will if I have to because this is all I want to do. Just looking for advice/opinions. Thanks so much.

I called yesterday for clarification and was told that the essay and letters of recommendation have to be included with the application. So Dec. 15 is the deadline for both.

Is anyone applying for a FLAS scholarship as part of their Penn application or any other application? Penn finally posted the FLAS application instructions and it requires a one-page, single-spaced essay and three LORs. I hadn't anticipated this but I think it is a good idea to apply, though I hate to ask my recommenders to write another letter by the Dec. 15 deadline. They have been so supportive and helpful and this doesn't give them much time. Has anyone here applied for a FLAS scholarship? Do you think it would be best to apply for the summer program first and perhaps the year-long program later? Is there anything about the essay you think I should include (besides my language traininig and why language study is important for my research)? Thanks so much. This stretch is particularly intesnse.

I'm applying to PhD programs in Middle Eastern History. I'm also applying to one history program with a thematic major field and one Middle Eastern Studies program. I'm interested in the social and cultural history of modern Egypt, comparative gender, comparative colonialisms, identity, Arab women's movements, and the history and historiography of sexuality and violence. You?

That is a good idea. I can do that. Thanks.

Thanks for your response, Sigaba, and for your recommendations. I would love nothing more than to walk into my adviser's office, or any of my former professors' offices, and have a face to face conversation. I got my MA overseas so my academic community is halfway across the world from where I am. When they respond to my queries quickly there is a 24 hour turnaround, but usually there is at least a week delay. I wish I could call them by phone or Skype but with a 10 hour time difference, it's difficult to coordinate. In person conversations are great because I can ask all of my questions without feeling bothersome, whereas with email, I feel like a nuisance if I ask more than two or three questions. This is why I was grateful to find this forum. Not only is there helpful advice, but I can feel a little less isolated.

Sigaba, would you recommend similar headers and footers for SOPs? Also, if the writing sample is an excerpt of a thesis, is it best to use the thesis title, indicate that the sample is an excerpt, and include the chapter title as a subtitle? Or would it be better to use the chapter title as the writing sample's title? Thanks.

I know what you mean, lexi87. I'm having similar second thougts about my school list but in the opposite direction. I so desperately want to get in that I started worrying I'm not applying to enough schools. I decided on 9 several weeks ago and am sticking with it (despite my second thoughts) for the very reasons you mentioned. I have 3 perfect fits, 4 good fits, and 2 decent fits. My "perfect fits" are more competative but adding more schools beyond the 9 would be reaching. Ulitmately, I think we will be less desirable candidates when there are fewer points of intersection. But I understand the axiety... it can be consuming...