hbeels

Just finished Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay... if you haven't read it--get on it! Beautifully written, its about two Jewish cousins at the vanguard of comic book illustration in 1940s New York. And if you need a little more cajoling, it won the Pulitzer a few years ago.

I get that a lot, actually. I don't really ming being a "career student" though. In fact, I really think it's great. I love reading, learning, arguing, and hanging out with other people who don't just put up with my history-dorkiness, but will engage in lively conversation about it. By continuing school, I'm not avoiding the "real world," I'm just involved in a different kind--preparing for a different kind of life. Does she regret not finishing her degree? Is she stuck in a kind of "life rut" she can't get out of? Obviously, I don't know anything about her or her educational history, but I have generally found that when a person make comments like this, it is likely in response to his/her own issues (whether s/he is cognizant of that or not) rather than a critique of your plans and decisions. What I personally find most difficult about these situations is not offending them. People tend to regard some graduate students/PhDs (and I find this most prevalent if continuining in the humanities...) as stuck-up and elitist.

I agree with non humilis mulier... if you're worried about it, keep addressing them by their titles/last names. When you have the chance in person, just ask them outright. Not only will you know, but it will start you off well keeping everything clear and in the open.

I know there are a few faculty members at the University of Louisville who specialize in modern Germany... I'm pretty sure there are one or two at Northern Colorado as well, but I think their program might be more broad than what you're looking for. Hope this helps!

"Ugh, I hate history... there's so much memorization!" (says the biochemistry major) "Was Kennedy's assasination a conspiracy?!" (Um.) "Won't it be hard to have a family?" (...what?! Who said anything about having a family?) "Study history? For six years? Alls I need is my Bible!" (<--- not even a joke)

Good point, STOF... but honestly, even then, you're applying to attend graduate school. They're looking for good writing skills, analytical and critical thinking, articulation, correct grammar/vocabulary/citation, and a familiarity with historical writing (and even the last one can be up for grabs). I also agree with Sigaba's recommendations for your piece. Personally, I think that showing an awareness of the historiography of your topic and explicitly applying it in your work is a more sophisticated level of writing than just going through a bunch of primary sources and churning out relevant information.

It's always worth trying, especially if you get along well and you know you have a god reccomendation from them. While, as Sigaba pointed out, it's not their job per se, it appears as if this professor wants to your succeed. If you're worried about it, tell him that--"I know I've asked you for reccomendations before, and I was wondering if you'd be willing to write just one more as I apply to X, Y, and Z next fall."

Me too! Excellent idea...

I've heard this from professors in numerous fields. While it certainly can be enough just to be interested in the same field, a little extra "I read such-and-such and article/book and found it _______" can go a long way. All the same, I'd say keep your email short and to the point. You're just trying to get information out of them at this point, and they're probably not really looking to start a corresspondance with students they won't see for another year and a half.

yeah, I that's what I'm planning on doing as of now... thanks for the advice, everyone!

Thanks annieca--I'm coming to realize that I'm a little more wary of going straight into a PhD program... I'd really like to teach and research, but I don't want to become just another attrition statistic. I have a lot more confidence going into a masters program as it gives me the option of leaving with just a masters or changing institutions for my doctorate.

I'm already thinking about it, for sure! Finishing up my undergrad right now and taking a year off--but (hopefully) enrolling Fall 2013. Right now I'm trying to decide if I want to dive right into a PhD program, or if I want to start somewhere smaller that just has an MA program. Any insights or suggestions?

I'm in my senior year of my undergraduate, and I'm looking to apply to graduate school for Fall 2013. I'm attending a 4-year public university that doesn't really have a reputation in the field--it's a pretty small department, rarely sends students to grad school, and some of the professors aren't very involved in the field. I'm graduating with a 3.7(ish), am a pretty decent writer, and have a couple good reccomendations in my back pocket--but considering the tendency to recruit from larger, more well-known schools, is it really even worth it for me to put the time and fees into applying to the more prestigious schools? Also, coming from a small department, I'm more accustomed to a small-school feel, congenial colleagues, and not a high sense of competition. Any thoughts?