History of Science 2024 Applicants

[nyalagyal]

History of Science

History of Science and Medicine

History and Philosophy of Science

HASTS

STS

[Pnjok]

Hiii from the other history applications thread 🙋‍♀️

 

[kfried]

hey! thanks for starting this! I applied to UPenn’s History and Sociology of Science program and HASTS at MIT!

[dgs29]

Ditto, thanks so much for starting this!  And, anxious question -- do y'all know if the HoS/M departments (Harvard, Princeton, Yale) tend to follow similar timelines as their respective history depts?  As in, should we be worried by all of the activity in the History thread, or are our processes separate?

[nyalagyal]

9 hours ago, dgs29 said:

Ditto, thanks so much for starting this!  And, anxious question -- do y'all know if the HoS/M departments (Harvard, Princeton, Yale) tend to follow similar timelines as their respective history depts?  As in, should we be worried by all of the activity in the History thread, or are our processes separate?

I have the same question but I’m very anxious because it seems Princeton HoS acceptances are out. In previous years the department sent out all history and HoS decision within a day of each other for the most part so buckle up lol. I think we may hear back from Yale next week and Harvard might be after that, but who knows.

[dgs29]

Oh gosh whoa, thanks for the info!  Fingers crossed for all!

 

[Pnjok]

3 hours ago, nyalagyal said:

I have the same question but I’m very anxious because it seems Princeton HoS acceptances are out. In previous years the department sent out all history and HoS decision within a day of each other for the most part so buckle up lol. I think we may hear back from Yale next week and Harvard might be after that, but who knows.

I saw the results for Yale history were out…maybe ours are soon. Soooo anxious 

[nyalagyal]

Just received a decision (R) from Yale HSHM. Email to check portal

[Pnjok]

 

10 minutes ago, nyalagyal said:

Just received a decision (R) from Yale HSHM. Email to check portal

Me too, rejected for their MA:( 

[nyalagyal]

Received a decision (R) from Princeton HoS. Email to check portal

[EnviHist1]

Hello everyone, I've been following Grad Cafe over this application season and have been grateful to find many insights and updates here. Thanks!  First time posting anything...

Background: BA only (not a history major); no MA; 8 years working in a field related to my historical interests; 2 publications in academic journals 

I am really keen on a history of science training, but I was rejected from the Hist of Sci PhD programs I applied to (Yale, MIT...and still waiting for Harvard, but that's unlikely..). I also applied to some history programs with secondary science fields and/or strong STS resources– unsurprisingly rejected from Stanford, Brown, and Berkeley. Oh well!! To be expected. 

However, I am grateful to have been accepted to two traditional history PhD programs (United States concentration with expressed interest in environmental and agricultural history). These programs may or may not be able to provide the STS or history of sci training I truly desire. (side-note: I've also been interviewed at a highly interdisciplinary social science program at Dartmouth, which is definitely *not* a history program, but it could help me achieve my goals). 

I am a creative and passionate individual who has not typically taken the traditional route. I am weary of the conventional US history programs and am trying to determine if I should try again with the history-of-sci-specific programs next year.  Or, maybe I can go forth with the volumes of US historiogprahy and somehow network my way into history of sci circles. 

I have less experience than many who have been working toward a history of science credentials.  How do we feel about taking the traditional history route??? What's your journey been like?  Has anyone taken time to improve their credentials to re-apply???  This is my first time applying to grad school after a 9-year gap! 

I hope everyone is fairing ok during a stressful/exciting/confusing/suspenseful time!  Cheers. 

[site_n_blindness272]

50 minutes ago, EnviHist1 said:

Hello everyone, I've been following Grad Cafe over this application season and have been grateful to find many insights and updates here. Thanks!  First time posting anything...

Background: BA only (not a history major); no MA; 8 years working in a field related to my historical interests; 2 publications in academic journals 

I am really keen on a history of science training, but I was rejected from the Hist of Sci PhD programs I applied to (Yale, MIT...and still waiting for Harvard, but that's unlikely..). I also applied to some history programs with secondary science fields and/or strong STS resources– unsurprisingly rejected from Stanford, Brown, and Berkeley. Oh well!! To be expected. 

However, I am grateful to have been accepted to two traditional history PhD programs (United States concentration with expressed interest in environmental and agricultural history). These programs may or may not be able to provide the STS or history of sci training I truly desire. (side-note: I've also been interviewed at a highly interdisciplinary social science program at Dartmouth, which is definitely *not* a history program, but it could help me achieve my goals). 

I am a creative and passionate individual who has not typically taken the traditional route. I am weary of the conventional US history programs and am trying to determine if I should try again with the history-of-sci-specific programs next year.  Or, maybe I can go forth with the volumes of US historiogprahy and somehow network my way into history of sci circles. 

I have less experience than many who have been working toward a history of science credentials.  How do we feel about taking the traditional history route??? What's your journey been like?  Has anyone taken time to improve their credentials to re-apply???  This is my first time applying to grad school after a 9-year gap! 

I hope everyone is fairing ok during a stressful/exciting/confusing/suspenseful time!  Cheers. 

Hey there! I have a BA and MA in History from a public university, and I was accepted to Harvard's HoS PhD program starting Fall 2024! If I can accomplish this then you most definitely have a chance to gain applicable HoS skills. 

For more background - I study disability history and completed an MA thesis on this topic in my traditional History MA program. My advisor with a traditional History PhD has moved into disability history within the last few years and was able to provide me with a plethora of feedback, guidance, and readings to do well in the topic. I also had a minor in Political Science on my BA degree, which I used in my application to express my ability to succeed in an interdisciplinary HoS environment.

Do the programs you were accepted into offer cross-course listings with other departments, or certificates in a topic related to your interests? If they are willing to offer this kind of flexibility (which many traditional History programs oft do to increase your skillset) then I don't see this being an issue! Graduate programs are a great place to network, research, and increase your theoretical background, so I think a program might be a better place to improve your credentials than on your own!

I am, of course, just an internet stranger  Do what feels best based on your path! I hope my two cents may help ease any anxieties though. 

[EnviHist1]

Hi  Thanks for your message!  First of all, congratulations!!! You should be very excited. It sounds like a well-deserved opportunity for your training and career.  Your topic sounds very important, and I am happy to hear that you felt supported in your previous traditional training. You are well prepared to make an impact in the field!!  ((Also... psst lucky you for getting an early memo about Harvard HoS.... the waiting game is ***crickets***))

These are very great points you bring up. I will certainly be asking a series of questions at the upcoming open houses for these History programs. I know that one program does encourage students to take up to 2 courses in outside departments. I made a good connection with that particular university's data science and earth science departments because I see myself on the fringes of some xdisciplinary methodologies. I hope to determine if the history faculty is encouraging or if they are more weary of my tendency to mix and meld my discipline. If only my program allowed a thematic concentration rather than a geographic concentration...!! 

Regardless, I am encouraged that any sort of advanced degree will expand my horizons. I just worry that 2 years of traditional US-concentration coursework will distance me from the more specific training that a HoS degree would provide. Perhaps that is why a Masters could have been handy!!! 

Anyway, I am so happy to hear from you, internet stranger. Cheering you on! 📚

 

 

[dgs29]

Hey, did anyone here apply to UCSD and check the box for Science Studies??  I applied via Soc and can't tell when/how we're supposed to hear anything.

[Pnjok]

Anyone still don’t hear from UPenn and university of Toronto? Check portal everyday but just “submitted.” 

Accepted to Oxford so just want the decisions to come so I can end my cycle Lol.