Applications 2019

[oikos]

4 hours ago, centinel said:

I am currently gearing up for my second year of an M.A. program, and I'm planning on applying to PhD programs in the fall. My primary interests are in early American political and constitutional history (I gravitate mostly toward the Revolution and the early republic, although I also have secondary interests in colonial America and the British empire). 

I applied to a couple of top-tier PhD programs right out of undergrad, but I didn't really have a clear research agenda and I consequently failed to identify programs and advisors whose strengths closely matched my interests. My research interests and understanding of the field have become significantly clearer in the last couple of years, so hopefully this round of applying to doctoral programs will go more smoothly.

I fared reasonably well on the GRE a couple of years ago (although not quite as well as I would have liked). I think my scores should be satisfactory enough to adcoms, so I'm primarily focusing on writing a solid M.A. thesis.

So far, my list of prospective schools/ advisors is:

UCLA (Yirush)

Ohio State (Brooke)

Boston University (McConville)

Maryland (Brewer)

Notre Dame (Griffin)

New Hampshire (Gould)

Indiana (Knott/Irvin)

South Carolina (Holton)

Missouri (Pasley)

Any fellow Early Americanists out there?

You might consider Stanford (Rakove, Gienapp)?

[WhaleshipEssex]

@centinel Let me know if you have any questions about New Hampshire.

[psstein]

14 hours ago, centinel said:

I am currently gearing up for my second year of an M.A. program, and I'm planning on applying to PhD programs in the fall. My primary interests are in early American political and constitutional history (I gravitate mostly toward the Revolution and the early republic, although I also have secondary interests in colonial America and the British empire). 

I applied to a couple of top-tier PhD programs right out of undergrad, but I didn't really have a clear research agenda and I consequently failed to identify programs and advisors whose strengths closely matched my interests. My research interests and understanding of the field have become significantly clearer in the last couple of years, so hopefully this round of applying to doctoral programs will go more smoothly.

I fared reasonably well on the GRE a couple of years ago (although not quite as well as I would have liked). I think my scores should be satisfactory enough to adcoms, so I'm primarily focusing on writing a solid M.A. thesis.

So far, my list of prospective schools/ advisors is:

UCLA (Yirush)

Ohio State (Brooke)

Boston University (McConville)

Maryland (Brewer)

Notre Dame (Griffin)

New Hampshire (Gould)

Indiana (Knott/Irvin)

South Carolina (Holton)

Missouri (Pasley)

Any fellow Early Americanists out there?

Do yourself a favor and knock SC and Missouri off the list immediately. The objective, as many have stated, is not to get into grad school. It is to get a job after grad school.

You might want to consider Berkeley and Hopkins, as both have very strong Early America programs. If William and Mary's placement were better, it would be a fine choice, but alas...

[psstein]

With 95% certainty, I can say I'm reapplying this coming year for history of 19th c. American medicine, which Wisconsin doesn't have a specialist in.

Programs:

Yale HoS (Warner)

Harvard HoS (Brandt, Hammonds)

Penn HSS (Barnes, Aronowitz is 20th c. but works in similar area)

Princeton? (Wailoo)

 

[Strider_2931]

Hello fellow historians, I am currently about to begin a terminally funded MA program. Or, I guess the correct phrase is a terminal MA program that is funded. 

Over the past year and a half, I could not have arrived to where I am without the help of the good folks who do such a great service on here sharing their viewpoints. I have my tuition and fee remission and (generous?) stipend for the next two years, including summer, which is what I sought from the beginning. I am here to pay it forward, particular for those, like me, who are considering going the MA route toward a Top 10 doctoral program. Let us get this party started!

If you're new here, my advice would be to soak in as much as you can. With my background and goals, I found that most of my questions had been answered before 2013. That being said, those who have eclectic, arcane, or esoteric interests, may have to search a little deeper and post a little more. And the field and job market we are interested in changes every day which may cause confusions in need of clarification. Also, I will say it is very interesting to follow the conversations up to the present and I am humbled to now feel confident enough in adding my voice to the fray. These are (no doubt) future major players in the field of history - academic or public - and it's encouraging and exciting to see personalities and viewpoints shaped and evolving with each post. Never know what you'll learn!

[Balleu]

Is anyone else running into the challenge of the ages/career stages of potential supervisors? Maybe this is just a function of being in a less populous field with fewer people in any given department to choose from, but I'm definitely running into otherwise promising options where there's a host of new assistant professors and a handful of close-to-retirement full professors, with no one in between. I've taken to emailing and introducing myself regardless, with a line about "If you won't be directly advising graduate students, are there particular colleagues of yours you would suggest I contact?"

Any words of wisdom from those already attending?

[centinel]

@oikos Stanford is definitely on my radar. Working with either Rakove or Gienapp would be excellent. My biggest concern is that admission to Stanford is so incredibly competitive that I wouldn't stand much chance at all of getting in. I may look into applying there, though; the process is competitive enough everywhere, anyhow.

@psstein I am well aware of the dire state of the academic job market. I suspect Mizzou and SC would be places I would enjoy studying, but I understand what you're alluding to. I would definitely be looking at Hopkins if Jack Greene were still teaching. Morgan and Marshall work on topics/themes related to my interests, so I may still apply there, Greene's retirement notwithstanding. I'll definitely look into Berkeley's faculty. I was considering William and Mary, but their placement record is indeed surprisingly discouraging, given the outstanding quality of their faculty/program.

[TMP]

16 hours ago, Balleu said:

Is anyone else running into the challenge of the ages/career stages of potential supervisors? Maybe this is just a function of being in a less populous field with fewer people in any given department to choose from, but I'm definitely running into otherwise promising options where there's a host of new assistant professors and a handful of close-to-retirement full professors, with no one in between. I've taken to emailing and introducing myself regardless, with a line about "If you won't be directly advising graduate students, are there particular colleagues of yours you would suggest I contact?"

Any words of wisdom from those already attending?

I ran into that issue years ago when I was looking at PhD programs.  I resolved by making sure that there were other faculty whom I would be open to being my adviser,.  For reitring professors, the individual(s) can serve as on-campus support.  As for assistant professors, there are two reasons for looking.  1)  usually it is a bureaucratic requirement to have a tenured professor serve as a co-adviser. until the assistant professor earns tenure and 2) Assistant professors usually seeking opportunities as there are often more opportunities for assistant-professor hiring than tenured professor so there is a possibility that the assistant professor will leave (and definitely do not count on following them; it just doesn't work that way).

Your approach asking for suggestions is a good one-- they should be able to tick off a few names.  You should also be looking at those professors' former students (which you can find through ProQuest Dissertation database).  Are you also looking in African/African American Studies departments as well?

[historygeek]

Would anyone be interested in doing a SOP swap or something? I'm having trouble finding people to look over my SOPs!

[Balleu]

I'm certainly open to an SOP swap. What's your timeline? 

[TsarandProphet]

16 hours ago, historygeek said:

Would anyone be interested in doing a SOP swap or something? I'm having trouble finding people to look over my SOPs!

 

12 hours ago, Balleu said:

I'm certainly open to an SOP swap. What's your timeline? 

I'd also be happy to swap. Mine is ready.

[historygeek]

12 hours ago, Balleu said:

I'm certainly open to an SOP swap. What's your timeline? 

I'm writing all of mine right now (I have drafts of 2 of my PhD statements done). The first round of applications is due December 1, but I would love to get everything in before Thanksgiving if I can.

[urbanhistorynerd]

3 hours ago, TsarandProphet said:

 

I'd also be happy to swap. Mine is ready.

I'm currently still drafting mine, but I'd love to read yours. It'll give me a good sense of what it should look like.

Also, here is a very useful sample of the SOP

http://ls.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/statement_of_purpose.pdf

[Balleu]

How would folks feel about swapping SOP drafts on July 15th or so? For those of you who are done or close to it, what's your writing process been like?

I know that the SOP needs to be customized to each school. So far I've been approaching it as a 2:1 ratio: first two-thirds of each SOP is more universal and describes my research background and the evolution of my interests; the final third specifically talks about my fit for that program. Is it a mistake to treat that first two thirds as a more "generic" portion that will go into each SOP?

[historygeek]

1 minute ago, Balleu said:

How would folks feel about swapping SOP drafts on July 15th or so? For those of you who are done or close to it, what's your writing process been like?

I know that the SOP needs to be customized to each school. So far I've been approaching it as a 2:1 ratio: first two-thirds of each SOP is more universal and describes my research background and the evolution of my interests; the final third specifically talks about my fit for that program. Is it a mistake to treat that first two thirds as a more "generic" portion that will go into each SOP?

A swap on July 15th would be great! 

That's the ratio that I've been doing. I start with my research interests, then background, then answering any school-specific questions and talking about fit. 

[TMP]

My advice to all of you anxious to get the SOP done, be open to change come September.  As you continue to read works and research your projects, you may find that your interests/questions may change. If you have it done now already, put it away and don't look at it again until September.  And your professors are the best individuals to comment on your SOPs as well as graduate students who have successfully entered in in the PhD programs.

Also, use the time to think about what you'd like to do if graduate school turns out to be not an option for you and get yourself prepared for those opportunities, may it be Peace Corps or a 9-5 job or whatever.

[Balleu]

Good feedback, thank you for that. I'm still in the early stages of SOPs and I definitely agree that things will change as I continue reading and continue getting feedback from potential advisers I'm corresponding with. I am in touch with some current PhD students as part of that research process. I feel super awkward about asking busy strangers to read my work and spend their time on feedback, but I'll just have to get over it. 

I'm 30 and have a decent-ish professional life, which in some ways makes this process easier. I haven't pinned all my hopes on grad school, but I will spend the rest of my life wondering "what if" if I don't try for it. I'm definitely trying to set my goals high and my expectations low.

[Valorship98]

On 6/20/2018 at 2:47 PM, Strider_2931 said:

That being said, those who have eclectic, arcane, or esoteric interests, may have to search a little deeper and post a little more.

When you're trying to go to a PhD in modern and contemporary Chinese art history. There are like 10 specialists that tenured in the country.

[Balleu]

To those of you who are already attending:

How much weight did you put on early stage positive responses from POIs? I have a few schools so far where faculty have been very encouraging, but I have no frame of reference for how encouraged I should actually feel.

[TMP]

2 hours ago, Balleu said:

To those of you who are already attending:

How much weight did you put on early stage positive responses from POIs? I have a few schools so far where faculty have been very encouraging, but I have no frame of reference for how encouraged I should actually feel.

Took it all with a grain of salt but embraced the positive feeling.  Until you have a formal letter of acceptance, don't believe anyone but do roll with whatever the POIs say.

[OHSP]

7 hours ago, Balleu said:

To those of you who are already attending:

How much weight did you put on early stage positive responses from POIs? I have a few schools so far where faculty have been very encouraging, but I have no frame of reference for how encouraged I should actually feel.

I had positive responses from most POIs but one was particularly positive--she sent me a long email explaining why she thought that she would be a great advisor even though she had officially stopped taking students etc, and I did get into that school (UPenn), but when I visited I couldn't really see a place for myself in the context of the program as a whole, even though I am certain she would have made a good advisor. Which is all to say... super-positive feedback from a POI isn't a bad sign and I strongly encourage reaching out before you apply, but even if you manage to get into a school partly because of your relationship with a POI, that might not make the school the best fit for you. 

[OHSP]

On 6/25/2018 at 8:55 PM, Balleu said:

Is anyone else running into the challenge of the ages/career stages of potential supervisors? Maybe this is just a function of being in a less populous field with fewer people in any given department to choose from, but I'm definitely running into otherwise promising options where there's a host of new assistant professors and a handful of close-to-retirement full professors, with no one in between. I've taken to emailing and introducing myself regardless, with a line about "If you won't be directly advising graduate students, are there particular colleagues of yours you would suggest I contact?"

Any words of wisdom from those already attending?

I should have combined my responses to your questions but oh well... my main advisor is an assistant prof, she's great and her approach to scholarship is very much like mine/I'm super, super glad that she's around. She's also extremely busy and going up for tenure soon, which requires me to be pretty understanding when she can't meet/I don't always have the same access to her as friends have to their tenured full professor advisors. BUT, while all of that was initially kind of scary it's forced me to develop a close relationship with other professors early on, and to fill my committee with people whose work I really respect and who, because they're tenured, have more time and experience. Ie I don't think it's a problem to have an assistant prof as your main advisor so long as you can also imagine working with faculty who are tenured--and being willing to work with assistant profs can be necessary/important in emerging fields. 

[L13]

On 7/2/2018 at 8:38 AM, Balleu said:

To those of you who are already attending:

How much weight did you put on early stage positive responses from POIs? I have a few schools so far where faculty have been very encouraging, but I have no frame of reference for how encouraged I should actually feel.

I never contacted my advisor prior to applying to the program I'm in. I also got encouraging emails from my POIs at two programs that rejected me.

I wouldn't put too much stock in it.

[ashiepoo72]

On 7/1/2018 at 10:38 PM, Balleu said:

To those of you who are already attending:

How much weight did you put on early stage positive responses from POIs? I have a few schools so far where faculty have been very encouraging, but I have no frame of reference for how encouraged I should actually feel.

I was more focused on if I received negative responses. I nixed several universities from my list because POIs told me they weren't accepting students for whatever reason (retirement, had too many students already, pessimism about their students' job prospects, etc). I nixed a POI (not the university itself) because I got a really bad vibe from them--and I don't care what anyone says, I listen to my gut about these things. I added a program I was hesitant about to my final list because of an enthusiastic response from a POI. I was rejected, but I do not regret applying, as I'm sure I'll see that person at conferences down the line.

i think early conversations with POIs are a great way, perhaps the best way, to craft and cull your list of potential programs. You'll by default be more informed about how your work and experience "fit" each program and can marshal the evidence you gathered through contacting POIs in your SOP, making you a more appealing applicant. There are added bennies to doing this work; I cannot tell you how many times profs I spoke to suggested other POIs at their university and beyond, research directions I should explore, secondary literature I should read, resources I should look into, etc etc. So look at these interactions as helping you decide where to apply and as networking opportunities that can potentially inform your work, rather than as a gauge for whether you'll be accepted or not.

[AfricanusCrowther]

I think both L13 and ashiepoo72 are right. I wouldn't assume you will be accepted because you received a positive response from a POI (some of them may find it difficult not to sound enthusiastic out of politeness). But contacting such people can still yield all sorts of useful information.