Hoping someone can offer a little help or direction

[Abigail]

I don't know if this is the appropriate place to put this or if anyone can help. I know so many of you are still waiting - our wait is over unfortunately, though not in a good way (see 'It doesn't makes sense' thread). We're still waiting for spring break to get over to find out what happened, but over the weekend my husband (Morgan) and I have done a lotof thinking. Basically what to do and where to go from here. I asked if he would consider getting a second masters and if he did what would he want to study. That got him thinking...

He has an MS in Anthropology (Archaeology), but during his UG and G studies took several classes in history, historiography, celtic world and european history (not enough for a minor though). Anyhow his archaeology focus has always been on Ritual/Religious behavior, Gender and Status. He has been looking at his work through a mortuary context but is now thinking of looking at his dead people from a mytholiterary stand point - using the history or literature department as a source. The challenge we're running into is how to alter his SOP so that it can be incorporated into the history department and not just anthro.

He's looking at Western Michigan (along with 3 others in Michigan - not U of M...just the smaller schools). All of them have rolling admissions (a couple have deadlines of this July/August for fall 2010) so he wouldn't have to wait an entire year.

I know this is a lot to ask, but would any of you have any suggestions on how best to approach this? Wester Mich has a multi-discipline approach to their history department (including archaeology) which is why it interested him so much. All of you have so much of your own stuff going on, but I would appreciate any help you can offer.

I have all of you still waiting in my thoughts - sending out the best energy I can so you get your dreams schools or the best place for you.

[mudlark]

I would slow down and not think about new applications for now for a number of reasons:

- looking at the other thread, it's clear that you guys are in a lot of turmoil and are probably not thinking super clearly at the moment

- a second master's degree (especially in the humanities or social sciences!) has next to no value in terms of employment or academia, and risks making him look like a dilletante

- the focus seems to be on keeping him in school at any cost, rather than intentionally building a specific career

- if he holds our for a year, he'll be able to apply to schools based on fit, funding, and prestige rather than on deadline date

Finally, and with respect, I wonder why he isn't on here figuring this stuff out for himself.

[Abigail]

I would slow down and not think about new applications for now for a number of reasons:

- looking at the other thread, it's clear that you guys are in a lot of turmoil and are probably not thinking super clearly at the moment

- a second master's degree (especially in the humanities or social sciences!) has next to no value in terms of employment or academia, and risks making him look like a dilletante

- the focus seems to be on keeping him in school at any cost, rather than intentionally building a specific career

- if he holds our for a year, he'll be able to apply to schools based on fit, funding, and prestige rather than on deadline date

Finally, and with respect, I wonder why he isn't on here figuring this stuff out for himself.

This was my idea not his...

I asked because he's looking at changing his focus and not applying to archaeology programs - let's call it serious burnout. He's not some 20-something with years to keep applying. So with respect forgive my response...

I'm sorry I asked.

Edited to add: I should have made myself clearer - he's not looking to just get another masters. He's looking to get a Ph.D in History but we both figured he would need to start at the master's level then move into the Ph.D.

Edited March 8, 2010 by Abigail

[JerryLandis]

Well, in response to the original question, I guess I would just be honest about things. If he's applying for an MA and not a PhD, it's okay for his previous experience not to be directly in line with his proposed area of study. Having a background in archaeology can probably help him out, as long as he specifies that he's interested in learning how to take a more textual approach in his studies. I guess I would discuss the positives of having a degree in archaeology, but also explain to the admissions committee why having a more traditionally textual and "history" based educational experience would be beneficial and useful for his future studies. I've been told by several historians who work primarily with primary texts that archaeology is very useful to bring into a wider understanding of an historical issue or period, but that people with backgrounds in archaeology can be too hasty in explaining broad historical changes with physical evidence because often there are alternative, less obvious, or unseen ways of interpreting the same evidence. So I would keep that in mind in whatever he writes in his application.

As far as your plans are concerned, I guess it wouldn't hurt to apply, just to give him something to do in the coming year or two especially if he is unable to find work due to the current economic climate. But I don't exactly see how getting another MA would really help him out unless he is actually planning on switching fields in future PhD applications. Granted, I am no expert on this (if I were perhaps I'd have been given offers!), but it seems like it would be more beneficial for someone in his situation to seek employment while waiting to apply again. Perhaps he could even teach at the high school or community college level, and thereby gain teaching experience which he could list as an asset on his CV.

[shaydlip]

This was my idea not his...

I asked because he's looking at changing his focus and not applying to archaeology programs - let's call it serious burnout. He's not some 20-something with years to keep applying. So with respect forgive my response...

I'm sorry I asked.

Abigail, don't be sorry you asked. The first poster was just wondering why you were doing this for him- sometimes we have people here who are trying to push their child/sibling/SO into different programs. Mudlark did not mean offense.

So you are saying that he doesn't have years left to apply, that means there's a time crunch. It would be better to apply to PhD programs next fall, directly, rather than getting another masters along the way. Oftentimes in PhD programs you have to redo the coursework you have done for the masters, so I would suggest applying to PhD programs in the Fall of 2010. Also see my post on your other thread.

[Abigail]

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm sorry I didn't make it clear that a Ph.D is what he's going for - just thought with the change of direction he would need to start at the Master's level.

In reply to your suggestion on the other thread - you are absolutely right. He's not going in balls to the wall. Far from it. he's hoping to get a LOR from this professor.

Fingers crossed...