Chiqui74

Looks like I won't have to get that Master's after all. Just got accepted to Maryland's PhD program. Woohoo!

Joyce Chaplin from Harvard has a very interesting book on travel.  It's more about history of round the world travel than history through travel per se.  http://www.amazon.com/Round-About-Earth-Circumnavigation-Magellan-ebook/dp/B007EE4Y2K

Just not necessarily in the positive sense 

Just got waitlisted at Michigan.

Just got waitlisted at Michigan.

Just got waitlisted at Michigan.

This has nothing to do with history but my SO applied to 7 PhD programs in biology, and only got 1 interview (and acceptance): at Harvard. Random, yep!

"Kick rocks" is a very nice way to put it!

I would tell my husband to kick rocks if he expected me to leave my phd program for his career goals after 3 years in. He would be welcome to move ahead of me alone for the rest of my degree, but no way would I drop out and transfer. But we've been married ten years and four of those he was active duty and two of them I was so we're used to separations for work.

I agree with the first suggestion rising star made--take the offer, work with a PI your poi collaborated with while he worked for that university, have your poi serve as a cross university advisor/committee member, and do what you're interested in. If that isn't an option for whatever reason, then wait. What's the average time to degree for your wife's field/how much longer does she have?

I just want to say that all of you are awesome, that if this is something you really want to do, don't give up! I never would've gotten in anywhere without doing an MA first. I was a lackluster undergrad to say the least, and it took 4 years away from my BA to make a difference. I know that it's painful to take another year, but that extra time can provide clarity.

It ain't over til it's over, and the programs you're waiting on would be lucky to have you. If you end up having to do this again, I want to extend the offer of being an extra set of eyes to look over SOPs and writing samples. I was a writing tutor for several years, so I can do as little or as in-depth editing as you'd like. Mostly, having a bunch of people look over my material really, really helped me, so I want to pass on the positive support I received this application season to the very awesome people here.

I've said it once, and I'll say it again: I'm sincerely looking forward to having you all as colleagues.

Welcome to the board! We are so glad you decided to unlurk

I respond by thanking whoever sent me the acceptance, and pretty leaving it at that. If they mention recruitment weekend I say I'm interested. You don't really need to say anything about looking at other offers.

Don't worry Ivan, I'm sure that's a form email and doesn't reflect negatively on your chances. If your POI seemed positive, that's what I'd focus on. Fingers crossed for you!

I think one of the reasons it's so hard to accept family culture in academia is because when a higher education institution invests in you (financially, via stipend), it's fair to expect that your coursework be your first priority. I think most people are distracted by kids- you love them, want to put them first. How can you help it? It's not a bad thing to do that!! But it puts universities in a compromising situation and both sides lose.

My husband and I will probably start a family during grad school (as crazy as it sounds), and one program that isn't my #1 choice is sounding better and better because they have a paid maternity leave policy you can use twice in five years! I am sympathetic to mothers who take on grad school. More power to you!!

A simple comment. No topic is inherently ruled out by virtue of 'fashion' or 'fad'. It is, however, necessary to consider that if you wish to address a topic through a lens that was identified as problematic ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or more years ago, you had *better have an extraordinary reason why that old-fashioned lens is still relevant in the 21st century.* 
 
I write this as a medievalist who is studying what seems at first to be a *very* old-fashioned topic that is *very much* out of the historical mainstream on its face. With that said, I am incorporating the ideas, insights, historiography, and theoretical frameworks of the 21st century, which have not only interested my advisor, but also scholars on two continents. The trick, of course, is now to pull it off and convince an audience that is broader than my advisor and other specialists in my sub-field that my work is of contemporary interest and relevance. I am not owed this audience -- I have to earn it. I don't think that Vr4douche is 100% wrong in suggesting that some topics are 'faddish', but it is also fair to note that these 'fads' are very much a corrective of centuries of exclusive focus on a very narrow range of topics and individuals, and that correction is far from over. My topic does not involve race, gender, and ethnicity, but I believe strongly in the importance of those lenses of historical (and contemporary!) analysis. I am determined to convince my colleagues that my voice and my work are part of a broader conversation that *must include at its core* those frames of analysis, even if this particular project of mine does not place them there.
 
In short -- follow your muse, don't play the victim, and enjoy the process while you can.

Well my heart will be pounding for the rest of the day. Hoping I get something in the next 30 minutes before my three hour seminar starts. Good luck to all.

You have THREE acceptances!  When did this happen?? And you thought you weren't going to get in anywhere!  Congrats!

This thread is amazing.  I have nothing substantial to add beyond that. Also as a white, straight, middle-class man I'm baffled by this statement."I am concerned that white, straight, middle-class men have lost opportunity." Encouraging non white, straight, middle-class men to enter the academy is one the most important shifts in the last 20-30 years.  Diversity of viewpoints can only make the discipline stronger. There is opportunity enough to go around. 

20 ish students across all su fields. And yes, they have notified all acceptances, we are currently at Prospective Student Weekend.

Ashiepoo, I think we're all a little giddy for you! You keep things so positive around here. 
 
Another Canadian chipping in: snoods are your new best friends. Such a great invention. Before: no matter how many layers you had on, no matter how many times you loop your damn scarf around your neck, you still end up with snow down your front and/or neck. By the time you get to class, you're warm from booking it in a massive winter coat (necessary) but there's still a trail of ice water down your shirt. After: snow trying to sneak down your neck? No way it's getting through the snood. Down your front? I don't think so!
 
A lot of the winter boots will be going on sale around now so it'd be worth investing in a seriously sturdy pair. Realistically you'd only need them to get to class on a few of the very worst days, but if you're sledding and building snowmen and generally doing the awesome outdoorsy stuff kids love in that kind of climate, you'll need them. And waterproof gloves, which are also probably on sale by now.

Anyone wanna claim that University of Phoenix acceptance?  LOL

This has to be my favorite quote ever, haha.

I'm not scared, I'm super excited! But being from the Bay Area, the most mild temperature part of California, means my extent of cold-weather clothing is a 5 year old hoodie and tennis shoes. I know I'll have to add some stuff to my wardrobe, but honestly I'm so ready to move away from here and start a program. I'm giddy about it!

I know how you feel! My first thought after my initial euphoria at getting accepted was, "Oh no! Now I actually have to live up to everything I said I could do in my SOP!"

The Minnesota portal has changed from "Awaiting program decision" to "Decision made."  Now I have to wait one business day for the decision ($10 says it's "Rejected") appears.

I'm also waiting on Austin and Michigan. I was told that Michigan would notify by the "third week of February" and I spoke to an Austin Professor early last week who told me the decisions process was still ongoing. Here's hoping they notify by Friday, getting a bit restless now.