cschields
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Posts posted by cschields
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I recommend French for Reading by Sandberg. It is pricey but it is a very good book. You need to dedicate A LOT of time to master reading proficiency in either French or German though - I hope you know this.
Thank you! 'Mastery' is not so much my goal at this point; basic familiarity will complement the languages I already know (and which are more central to my research interests), and this sounds like a great place to start. Thanks again!
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I'd like to brush up on some research languages this summer before beginning my doctoral studies. Has anyone effectively taught themselves how to read (at an elementary level or otherwise) French or German? What materials might you suggest? Again, my goal is reading comprehension and not conversational competency.
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My question is slightly different than the OP but no less a matter of etiquette that I'm sure many of us are confronting.
After receiving offers of admission from the DGS or Department Chair -- in other words, not personally from your POI -- is it advised to informally e-mail your POI to convey your excitement about working with them and that you anticipate accepting the offer? I should add, of course, that I will be accepting the offer from this school.
I'm hesitant to send an e-mail without pressing questions, or a note that does not solicit a response (they're busy people, after all), but I know that my POI lobbied for me and I'd like to make her aware of my intentions. Do I need to appear measured right now or can I infuse this oft cryptic dance with some informal enthusiasm?
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If the two years of funding coincide with the years you'll be doing course work, it's still not great, but it could be worse. For most programs, once you're done with your coursework your official tuition decreases considerably. Others might know more about this than I, but you have a maintenance fee that you pay every year and that's it. But it doesn't compare to full tuition.
From what was described to me, I do not have to use the second year of funding during my second year of course work, and was advised to utilize it while writing my dissertation. The details are still pending, but I wanted to get some early feedback. Thanks for this helpful information.
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I'm seeking counsel with current PhD candidates (or anyone with an opinion, really) on the potential promise or problems of a two-year funded offer. I know that accepting an offer rests on a myriad of equally important factors, including department fit, adviser relationship, et al. But let's try, if we can, to focus on just one of these elements: money.
I'm sort of jumping the gun here, because not all of the decisions have been handed down, but it's highly possible that the best offer I will receive is two years of full funding and stipend at a USNWR top-ten history PhD program (for whatever that's worth). Like most public universities at this time, the school I have been accepted to is beleaguered under the current economic crisis.
Going into debt is absolutely out of the question for me. I have applied for outside fellowships, though the likelihood of receiving any significant scholarships is slim given this year's high demand and qualified applicant pool. Of course, the possibility for renewed funding will be dependent upon my performance as well as the school's ability to provide it -- which, as I mentioned, looks unlikely given the state of things.
I suppose my question is: what good is a two-year funded offer? How much pressure would it add to an already demanding schedule to be appealing within and outside of your department for additional years of funding? I'd like to stress that I'm ecstatic that my application has come so far, but it seems prudent to carefully assess this offer before jumping in. Your help is greatly appreciated.
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That would be nice, although the message didn't say that the last time I called. I haven't been able to contact a real person to verify, though. I'm game for keeping hope alive, I guess.
Feel free to check again, but I called a minute ago to make sure I heard properly. The message says the applicants were notified for the 2010 competition. Regardless, I have yet to receive any confirmation that they even received my application, so it may not matter all that much in my case. I had some luck getting a non-automated response when I e-mailed a change of address notification. Maybe give that a shot?
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I haven't received all my W2 forms yet (grrr . . . ) and I have doubts that I'll get them today. As such, I called the Javits office to ask whether I could get an extension, but the recording that answered said that all the "principle applicants" (?) have been notified by phone already. It also said that those who were not chosen will get letters soon, and if you did not receive a call from the committee, you should assume that "your application was unsuccessful." Erm, all right. I'm guessing then that the FAFSA part is just a formality.
This bites.
I just called the number provided on the website to verify this information. The message says that all alternates and principle candidates for the "FY 2010" fellowship have been notified. So, this may be good news for those of us -- and I'm assuming that means you too, lechatgris -- who applied for the FY 2011.
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I received a call last week from my potential adviser saying my application had been viewed "quite favorably." She asked if I was still interested in the program and I explained, very nervously, that I am indeed still interested. She went on to say that five-year funding was unlikely given obvious limitations but could probably offer two years. The call was brief and concluded with the promise of an email in the next several weeks pending final decisions by field.
My initial excitement has descended into unbridled anxiety; was this some sort of preliminary interview? What answer are you supposed to give when asked if you're still interested in the program other than, "yes, absolutely!" And, while I'm inclined to view this call in a positive light, how confident can I really feel about my admission until a firm offer arrives in my mailbox?
I suppose I'm seeking some sort of statistic on how many people receive similar calls and wind up with a rejection or admit without funding.
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That worries me, I have a tracking confirmation as well, but I still have not received any email confirming receipt of my materials and it is nearly an entire week after you posted your email confirmation. Have other people received confirmation as well by this point - Nove 4? I emailed the Javits office but I am doubtful they will be able to reply given the volume of applicants.
I still haven't received a confirmation from them...I'm curious if anyone else is in a similar position?
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Did it, strongly recommend it.
Like Medieval I took the approach of two professionals discussing a business matter with personal ramifications. So, they had some stake in it, too. Now, that may or may not be actually true but it put me in a good mental space for the conversation. Only the most sadistic academics like sweaty-palmed, terrified applicants. A little confidence can go a long way.
As can good questions. I think the quality of your questions -- do they go beyond basics found on the website? are they insightful? do you have a commend of the language of the discipline? -- can leave the biggest positive impression. So few people ask anything intelligent in these things...or, so I've been told. LOL
All of the people I talked with before applying made reference to that during the app cycle and even now people in my program talk about those conversations. So, it matters.
Thank you for this advice; I've done my best to move beyond what has been written on the website and to carefully read this professor's scholarship. I'm still grappling with matters of propriety, however. Is it insightful and not insultingly forthright to ask a potential advisor what he seeks in an advisee? Because, to me, this would have major implications for us both and could, again, save us each a lot of time. In lieu of the contact information of any of his graduate students (also not listed on the website), is it appropriate to get his take on the interaction between faculty and students and the cohort as a whole? These are things I am genuinely curious about and which weigh heavily on my decision to apply to a particular program, but I have been told that they are not always best directed at faculty, and it would be a shame if these sorts of genuine inquiries put me out of the running.
As far as confidence goes, I trust in my ability to conduct good scholarship, but I am positively terrified about this meeting tomorrow...I just have no idea what to expect and probably won't know until the conversation is underway.
Thanks again for all of your help!
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These are all great pieces of advice -- thank you. Sometimes you get so wrapped up in the goal, ie., 'getting in,' that you forget part of this process is supposed to be enjoyable and informative, not merely a means to an end.
I'm sure my anxiety will be pretty overwhelming (and, regrettably, already is) prior to the meeting, so I suppose I'm asking what I can expect when I go in there. Yes, conversations follow their own logic, but I'd feel much more at ease with some concrete speaking points. I have been preparing some thoughtful questions while allowing room for the natural ease of good conversation -- that said, what are some things that have been asked of you during these meetings? Anything that you wished you had given more thought or attention to?
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I'm curious if any brave and weathered PhD applicants (or current candidates) have advice for someone heading into a face-to-face meeting with a faculty member who I have my sights set on as a potential advisor.
While I can speak articulately enough about my own research interests, and will certainly familiarize myself with those of the faculty member, I am trying to formulate some appropriate questions. These discussions, I've been warned, can be highly nuanced and I don't want to ostracize myself by asking ill-informed or inappropriate questions.
More succinctly, where is it appropriate to ask direct and forthright questions, and where is it wise to tread lightly?
I appreciate any help you can contribute!
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Well, I just heard from the Netherlands. I was named an alternate. I live in California...
I guess it's one of those slow, icy, painful deaths rather than a quick one.
I was named an alternate to the Netherlands, too. I got really excited when I saw a large manila envelope, and my heart sank when I felt the weight of just one sheet of paper. So the wait continues...
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For the Netherlands people, I just got an email from Linda Pietersen on receiving the NAF Fulbright grant. It sounds like they sent them out already, although I hadn't received anything but this email.
Good luck to everyone else!
Wow! Congratulations!
Your good news, however, scared the living crap out of me! Took me a minute to remember NAF grants aren't the only type of full research grants. I am trying to regain my breath and control the shaking of my hands. Unless all of you got emails saying this same thing, and then I guess I should resume my shortage of breath and continue with shaky hands.
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Did anyone else hear from the Netherlands today?
Still no word. I live in Baltimore, MD.
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FYI, no Netherlands letter in today's mail.
No way. You're kidding. Maybe your mailman was attacked on his way over.
My god, I thought Rachel said letters going to New York would arrive today. This is a real bummer.
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I am in New York and no news came today from the Netherlands. I called Rachel Haskins and explained my situation about handing in a valedictorian essay. I could hear her turning pages about 10-15 (I wish I counted!) and she asked the name of my project and confirmed my address. She told me that my letter should arrive tomorrow but did not give me an answer. I'm so frustrated- This wait is horrible. I cannot concentrate on anything!
Would it be even remotely possible for a letter, sent from New York, to reach someone in New York and someone in Baltimore at the same time?
Did Rachel mention which day they sent the letters? There was a question as to whether it would be Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning.
Well, Snowy Owl, best wishes to you if you do in fact hear today!
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Anyone get a letter for the Netherlands yet?
Nope...I was hoping it would come today. Mail should arrive in a couple of hours.
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I just checked my email and saw "U.S. Fulbright Program" in my inbox. My heart skipped a beat and I nervously clicked on the message. Turns out to be an advertisement for next year's program. I think they should have a law against doing things like that.
Ah, how I feel your pain.
After much speculation about envelope size, etc., you can imagine my delight when I saw a large manila envelope sticking awkwardly out of my mail slot. Delight, yes, but also anxiety; months and months of nerves compounded into one sweeping crescendo...all of this was going to be over! My hands were shaking too much to even open the envelope. I fumble into the elevator, still pawing desperately at the tape, tearing, prying.
And, finally, the letter emerges.
The first word: "Congratulations!"
The next words...blah, blah, something, blah about graduation at my college.
I'm still recovering from this false alarm. I can't believe, after months...nay, YEARS of not receiving a large manila envelope, one happened to arrive today. The one week I happen to be expecting, that's right, a large manila envelope. And it's not the large manila envelope I want.
I can at least say that, even if I don't get the Fulbright, I knew how excited I would have been to receive it.
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All you Netherlands people...I just burdened Rachel with another call, letters will be mailed this afternoon or tomorrow AM!
Holy living crap. Tranquilizers, anyone?
So we're looking at a Saturday/Monday arrival date for people on the East Coast. My heart is going to explode.
Thanks so much for getting this information.
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I was really curious about that post grad issue as well. I'm graduating law school in a few weeks, and if this Netherlands Fulbright doesn't work out, I'm gonna have to scramble for employment. My impression is that each country would make its own choice as to types of applicants it wishes to attract.
I've also heard that prior time spent in the country can occasionally hurt chances. I spent three months in the Netherlands with the UN, its related to my proposal, but it may be a curse. I guess I'll find out soon enough.
I did a lot of research on this topic as a former high school exchange student to the Netherlands and current grant applicant to the same country. They stipulate that for it to be an issue, it would have to be an extensive amount of time, such as a year or more. Also, if you travelled there over five years ago or you learned a language that you otherwise would have had little opportunity to study, it is not a factor in their decision.
While I did spend a year in NL, it was over five years ago and I did learn Dutch...because my proposal includes extensive archival research, I'm hoping that they view my experience as an advantage. Speaking of proposals, mine involves archival research in Amsterdam and Den Haag regarding sexual/racial/national rhetoric during the late colonial period. My affiliates are at UvA. I hope this all ends well for us, and that it ends very, very soon (the waiting part, that is).
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I am still waiting on the Netherlands. An administrator on my campus is a former Fulbrighter- twice. She served on the US selection committee as well as Italy's. She has said that many more graduate students apply than new graduate. This means that the US sends more post graduate finalists than new graduate but the selecting country must select an equal number of post grad vs. new grad.
Has anyone else heard this?
I am also (still, anxiously) waiting on the Netherlands. It's interesting that you mention this because I was wondering how this factored into their decision making process. I felt that as a new graduate I would be at a disadvantage because they may question my ability to conduct graduate level research. As a post grad, this question is already answered in some ways.
I've spent lots of time speculating and must at the end of the day resign myself to the fact that it is completely and utterly out of my hands. If I don't get the grant, I'll be disappointed that I can't blame it on the my new graduate disadvantage theory. I hope that what you say is true as it brings a bit of hope during this last leg...
Snowy Owl, please let us know as soon as you hear about your status. You have it on good authority that our letters are being sent this week, right?
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yoooooo anyone have any word on the netherlands? shit is killing me. some girl who got it last year said she got an email before she got anything in the mail......
I haven't heard anything official, however I emailed Rachel Holskin who replied with the following information:
"While the Netherlands Commission has made their decision, we have yet to receive Foreign Scholarship Board clearance for the candidates. Once this arrives, we will issue notification letters; however, it
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I promised myself I would abstain from discussion boards, knowing that my anxiety would only heighten given my (our) powerlessness over the decision from this point forward...but I can no longer contain myself! Perhaps I should have caved in earlier as I'm now learning many of the answers to the questions I've been asking myself all along. So thanks for sharing your experiences.
Any applicants to the Netherlands on here--moreover, any NL applicants who have learned their fate?
Good luck to everyone, and congratulations to those who have already received their good news!
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I was contacted about my acceptance nearly a month ago and have still yet to receive word on funding. Was this letter attached to the formal e-mail?