Advice for Future Applicants

[Riotbeard]

When it came down to picking the school you were going to go to, was it difficult? Where any of the potential adivsors at the other schools upset with your decision?

It was difficult at first (I seriously considered two funded offers and one waitlist), but my decision was much easier upon visiting the programs. I don't think any potential advisers were "upset", they know this is a possibility. And if so, they did not voice this. In the case of the only other school I seriously considered and met and go to know my PA really well, I wrote him a slightly longer e-mail when turning down the offer, explaining to some degree my choice but how much I had enjoyed meeting him, etc. In taking my name off the waitlist, I don't think I upset anybody...

[Safferz]

Great thread! But it's quite terrifying to know my application season is next, and only a few months away.

[Pleiades]

I'm glad we have this thread for the next group of applicants! Throughout the messy, stressful, hopeful, soul-consuming process of applying to graduate programs, I came across many helpful links and recently emailed them to a friend who will be applying soon. There are a lot of great threads on these forums too, so to make it easier for next season's applicants, I think it would be a good idea to link people to those as well.

The American Historical Society's newsletter, Perspectives, has an excellent general guide on applying to grad school: http://www.historian...809/9809PRO.CFM

Great tips on the basics of being a competitive applicant:http://www.historian...raduate-school/

How to decide what programs to apply to, what to ask people from the schools you're contacting (or on the visit weekends once you're accepted): http://www.historian...d/Questions.cfm

What not to do: http://girlscholar.b...r-graduate.html

General advice from a guy who's in a philosophy program (it's a different field so all the advice doesn't apply, but this was still helpful): http://www.mathewlu....rad_school.html

Tips on how to approach professors of interest at a program you're considering applying to to see if they're accepting students as an advisor, and to introduce yourself and your research interests (which, as everyone has stated in this thread, might not be effective, but it can be worth it depending on the POI): http://science-profe...ting-to-me.html

Advice on how to ask for LORs, and what kind of a "packet" you should prepare for each recommender when asking him/her to write you a letter: http://www.socialpsy...org/rectips.htm

Excellent threads on what you need for your Statement of Purpose (and much of this was echoed by my undergrad thesis director who is also on my university's graduate admissions committee):

This is a typical anti-getting-your-phd-in-history article: http://suburbdad.blo...g-cycle-of.html and this is a good response: http://crookedtimber...to-grad-school/

You're going to read so many articles and have a lot of people tell you that this grad school/career in academia thing is a bad idea. That you wont be able to do it, that you're not going to find a job, that if you put forth this effort in some other field you'd actually find success in life, etc. It scared me, it still scares me, and often left me feeling hopeless. However, we just have to hope that we'll be those exceptions. And know that you should never get in debt to get a Ph.D. It's just not worth it because it's doubtful that you'd be making enough soon after graduation to pay off that debt. So try your hardest to get a funded offer and go for it; this way, even if you end up only teaching at a community college (which may not be a bad thing) or never getting a tenured professorship, at least you're not in debt and you got to study what you love!

And once you're in, here's some advice to help you out: http://chronicle.com...-students/26326 (this is something that should be helpful for all of us who will be starting in the upcoming year).

There's this incredibly addictive web comic (now a variety of books!) called phdcomics (i.e. Piled Higher and Deeper). I read basically all of them in a month-long period, and this prepared me for what grad school will be like almost as much as all these articles. The main characters are STEM field grad students, so some of it isn't accurate for us. There are, however, two characters in the social sciences and the humanities. Here are some particularly good and/or relevant ones:

http://www.phdcomics...php?comicid=294

http://www.phdcomics...hp?comicid=1015 (lol, this is what the application cycle can be like...make sure you minimize these days of bad productivity by starting early!)

Finally, here's an awesome pamphlet someone on gradcafe made - it's a guide for families and friends of people who are applying to grad school. Hilarious and true.

Side one: http://i52.tinypic.com/28qtekp.jpg

Side two:http://i55.tinypic.com/so75m1.jpg

Best of luck to all.

[Henry Hudson]

I don't think contacting professors in advance will impact whether you are admitted at all. They are going to accept the preferred applicants whether they contact or not.

I would suggest that may vary depending on the school and their process.

One potential PhD supervisor and I hit it off so well, and had so many common interests and experiences, that even before my app was in she told me I was a shoe-in.

But yes, at a large, more competitive U that would be less likely to be the case, and more as Riotbeard describes.

In my field, having a working relation with someone geared to my specific topic was more important than going to a big-name school, though. The might not be the sam choice for everyone.

[oryantin]

Hey, this is my first post to gradcafe. I am going to be applying for 2012 fall, and just started looking at my possibilities.

All suggestions above were very helpful. Thanks! I am interested in history of Islamic sufism, particularly in the Ottoman empire. I have some good works on this area. A serious problem I think I will ecounter is that even though there exists some historians working Islam religion/law etc. I met only a few (one emeritus) whose interests coinciding with those of mine. Considering the fact that I focus on the the relations of local Sufi tekkes with the governmental institutions, I thought it may be a good idea to search for some urban historians as well. The question: do they tend to accept those studying the same thing with at least one faculty member? or should I apply to the schools including one or two Ottomanists regardless of on what part they work? or should I seek for somehow similarity?

Thanks

Orient

Edited March 21, 2011 by orient

[modern]

Hey, this is my first post to gradcafe. I am going to be applying for 2012 fall, and just started looking at my possibilities.

All suggestions above were very helpful. Thanks! I am interested in history of Islamic sufism, particularly in the Ottoman empire. I have some good works on this area. A serious problem I think I will ecounter is that even though there exists some historians working Islam religion/law etc. I met only a few (one emeritus) whose interests coinciding with those of mine. Considering the fact that I focus on the the relations of local Sufi tekkes with the governmental institutions, I thought it may be a good idea to search for some urban historians as well. The question: do they tend to accept those studying the same thing with at least one faculty member? or should I apply to the schools including one or two Ottomanists regardless of on what part they work? or should I seek for somehow similarity?

Thanks

Orient

Your chances definitely increase if your interests match the faculty's past or -and even better- current research. However, it is far from impossible to get in without the exact fit; I just got into some great programs and in none of them the faculty I mentioned in my statement and contacted before works in my country. Of course they were interested about the project, but for different reasons (ie, one because it's urban history, another because it's transnationalish, etc.).

So by all means look for fit, but in broad terms.

[history_PhD]

When you take the GRE and choose which schools to send scores to, make sure you specify (A) the correct department (generally just the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences) and ( the schools with the earliest deadlines. These schools will get your scores much earlier than other schools that you choose on the GRE website.

Also for the scores, some schools want you to send them to both the Graduate School and the History Department, so make sure that you follow the directions very carefully.

[chichi]

It is finally over. I applied to seven schools in 2010 and got no admission. Quite frustrated. All rejection mails mention that I'm not competitive enough. I don't figure out what it means "not competitive". This term is so vague to me. I got good GRE and TOEFL scores, have three not bad recommendation letters,and a strong SOP. Is there anyone here who can kindly tell me what does "competitive" mean?

[siue16171617]

It is finally over. I applied to seven schools in 2010 and got no admission. Quite frustrated. All rejection mails mention that I'm not competitive enough. I don't figure out what it means "not competitive". This term is so vague to me. I got good GRE and TOEFL scores, have three not bad recommendation letters,and a strong SOP. Is there anyone here who can kindly tell me what does "competitive" mean?

I have no idea. But with History PhD programs, your letter-writers really have to know someone on the admissions committee. It is more who you know, not what you know, in my opinion. You can have the most dominant application of all time, but if your writers don't know professor X, then I don't think they will look at you. Even if they do know professor X, he or she has to be on the committee, AND it has to be his or her "turn" to get a graduate student. Anybody who thinks the process is democratic...they just don't know what they're talking about.

[barricades]

While this may sometimes be the case, I definitely don't think it's the rule. From visiting schools, talking to other admits, , to my advisers, and even my own experience, while having your letter writer know someone in the faculty might help a little, it is definitely, definitely not a requirement. That's not to say it's democratic. There is a lot of internal politics. But the nepotism doesn't seem to run deep in graduate admissions.

I have no idea. But with History PhD programs, your letter-writers really have to know someone on the admissions committee. It is more who you know, not what you know, in my opinion. You can have the most dominant application of all time, but if your writers don't know professor X, then I don't think they will look at you. Even if they do know professor X, he or she has to be on the committee, AND it has to be his or her "turn" to get a graduate student. Anybody who thinks the process is democratic...they just don't know what they're talking about.

[borderlands]

What makes an applicant competitive? I believe there are a couple things that answer this question beyond your letter of rec. writer knowing so and so and he/ she is a great friend of mine. Even if your professor knows another professor in the admission committee it does not guarantee you admission in any way.

Curriculum Vitae is one of ways to measure "competitiveness" for graduate school and professorships. Particularly, for inquiries of previous research, presentations, conferences and publications. Anyone of these, while applying to graduate school, can give you a leg-up from other applicants.

Quality of the research sample. Can the applicant write well? Engage with historiographical arguments and make a significant contribution to the field while using primary sources from archives.

Straw of luck. Admissions committee is looking for so many in such and such field or possibly no one in that field for various reasons; including retiring faculty, tenure denial to a professor in that area, more admits from a field accepted than expected last year. Also, funding, the most hard hit right now are state schools.

As one can see multiple things go into selecting an applicant rather than simply someone in the admissions committee knowing someone, however, it is not unusual because the history profession is indeed a small world. None of my letter of recommendation writers knew anyone at U of Chicago where I was admitted although they had certainly heard of them and know their research.

The real question should be: what can I do to make my application stronger for the next admission's cycle. Others in this forum have made plentiful of suggestions to this concern.

[kungfuzi]

I have no idea. But with History PhD programs, your letter-writers really have to know someone on the admissions committee. It is more who you know, not what you know, in my opinion. You can have the most dominant application of all time, but if your writers don't know professor X, then I don't think they will look at you. Even if they do know professor X, he or she has to be on the committee, AND it has to be his or her "turn" to get a graduate student. Anybody who thinks the process is democratic...they just don't know what they're talking about.

This isn't accurate, seeing as none of my letter writers knew anyone on the Columbia admissions committee; as I stated in an earlier post, none of them even work in my PhD field. It certainly helps if your letter writers have contacts in the graduate programs you're applying to, but it isn't necessary to get admitted.

[Safferz]

When is the best time to begin contacting potential advisors?

[TMP]

When is the best time to begin contacting potential advisors?

late September-October when admissions season is just beginning.

[Henry Hudson]

It is finally over. I applied to seven schools in 2010 and got no admission. Quite frustrated. All rejection mails mention that I'm not competitive enough. I don't figure out what it means "not competitive". This term is so vague to me. I got good GRE and TOEFL scores, have three not bad recommendation letters,and a strong SOP. Is there anyone here who can kindly tell me what does "competitive" mean?

I don't disagree with the others, but to me, it seems like getting published (even reviews) and presenting at conferences would be ways to beef up your app.

I would also make inquiries with those who did get in at your top-choice school, and your POI there as well, and keep a continuing dialogue as well.

[Riotbeard]

late September-October when admissions season is just beginning.

Agreed. Do not e-mail in the Spring, because they will be snowed under reading peoples applications, helping their current grad student apply for grants, applying for their own grants, and doing all the other works involved. They might respond, but it is likely they will be very busy. It is not a bad idea to e-mail current students with similar interests (most departments have a current grad students page with contact info). I know I would respond, etc.

[KM3]

I think it's a good idea to contact faculty at programs you are interested in with the advice noted above. In my case, I had contact with by email with people at all institutions to which I applied and phone interviews with faculty at two of the programs. Those two are the ones that accepted me. I was able to gauge the "fit" factor with several of the people I talked with and, in one case, the POI was extremely helpful during my application process with suggestions and queries on my behalf.

It's hard to gauge the importance of any one factor in the application process because it is such a chancy endeavor. In my case, I found contact with faculty to be extremely helpful.

[_wanderlust]

I just want to thank all of you who have posted this advice. It means a lot and it's incredibly helpful.

[modern]

One thing I'd like to add is that it is extremely important to do extensive research about the departments that you might want to apply to. Check every department webpage, see who works on your field at every place. See their faculty profiles, if possible their CV, read what they have written, what they are doing now, what reviews say about their work. It is not enough to go with your favourite scholars and authors. I have actually discovered many outstanding historians in this process and not onlythe other way around.

I started with a huge lists of possible places (about 20+), then narrowed it to some twelve, and finally to six (in part by contacting people and seeing if they were actually interested).

Edited March 30, 2011 by modern

[lacma]

Thanks a lot for the wonderful advices - especially in regards to the personal statement component. I am an international undergraduate student currently studying at an U.S. college, and am planning to apply for either Fall 2012 or 2013 admissions. How much importance would the admission committee place on the GPA of an applicant coming fresh out of undergraduate level? Will 3.7-3.8 do it, or do they want applicants with higher grades? My writing wasn't that good when I first came to the U.S. - I ended up getting a few A- s in history courses during the first two years.

[modern]

A GPA of 3.7 or 3.8 is good enough to get into any program .

[natsteel]

My .02...

It's not necessary that your professors know personally a potential POI. And while it is not a requirement that you make contact with POIs in September, it doesn't hurt. I got into one top program and that was the one program for which I had actually had a meeting with my POI. So, while it may not be necessary, it can't hurt (unless you do something really stupid) and CAN help.

On the GPA, modern is right. Anything from a 3.7 or so and higher is basically looked at as being the same. Your major GPA will matter far more than your overall GPA. If you have a 3.0 in your major, that would be a problem for a lot of places.

As for chichi, you wonder why you were not competitive enough but admit that your letters of recommendation were "not bad." Consider that many applicants have letters stating, "This is the best student I've seen in 20 years, blah blah..." Picking the right letter writers and developing relationships with them a year or two ahead of your application season is crucial. Also, you didn't even mention your writing sample. A top quality writing sample derived from primary sources is absolutely essential to get into any good program, and even more so at the top programs. Your letters and your writing sample are what really speak the most toward your potential. Then the SOP. GPA and GRE are often the least important as long as they are not unusually low.

However, all of the prospective applicants for 2012 should keep in mind that this is a highly subjective process in the first place and is further affected greatly by factors both beyond our control and beyond our knowledge, i.e., inter-departmental politics. Just because you have a 4.0 and perfect GRE scores, it doesn't guarantee you anything. Fit with POIs is CRUCIAL. If you don't have a good fit with the faculty, you have no chance, no matter what your numbers or how good your application is overall.

I believe I had a really strong application (including a publication, already took 2 graduate classes, a lot of research experience both on my own and as a paid RA, and LORs from 3 VERY highly esteemed historians in my field, all of with whom I had developed VERY strong relationships) and still ended up getting into only 2 schools, my top choice and my "safety," because those were where I had the best fit. Fit really has to be your primary factor in deciding to which schools you're going to apply.

And while it may not be that helpful with applying, I highly recommend Gregory Colon Semenza's book, "Graduate Study For the Twenty-First Century."

[Wolverine85]

Thanks for the tips. I am wondering how universities view undergrad GPAs. My undergrad GPA was rather low however my GPA for my masters is high and I belong to a honors society for grad school. So my question is how much does the undergrad GPA matter in terms of applying to PhD?

[a piece of bread]

Thanks for the tips. I am wondering how universities view undergrad GPAs. My undergrad GPA was rather low however my GPA for my masters is high and I belong to a honors society for grad school. So my question is how much does the undergrad GPA matter in terms of applying to PhD?

I just say "don't lose your hope!". I got a below 3 undergraduate GPA that seems to be terrible for any schools. I would not say it does not matter at all. I had a 4 GPA in my MA program and have been admitted into 4 schools including Princeton that I headed to. Undoubtedly, without doing an MA, it seems really difficult to get in. But you have something else now, an MA degree. Undergrad GPA is only one part (even not the most important one) of your application and you don't have to be punished with this during your life You can explain the reasons for a low GPA in your SOP. Given you have a high MA GPA, strong letters, strong SOP etc, I don't think it will hurt much.

[Batavi]

I just say "don't lose your hope!". I got a below 3 undergraduate GPA that seems to be terrible for any schools. I would not say it does not matter at all. I had a 4 GPA in my MA program and have been admitted into 4 schools including Princeton that I headed to. Undoubtedly, without doing an MA, it seems really difficult to get in. But you have something else now, an MA degree. Undergrad GPA is only one part (even not the most important one) of your application and you don't have to be punished with this during your life You can explain the reasons for a low GPA in your SOP. Given you have a high MA GPA, strong letters, strong SOP etc, I don't think it will hurt much.

I'd think it may actually help you as well - it shows that you've taken your time during the MA not only to better prepare yourself for a PhD but also shows real growth in maturity in terms of numbers, rather than only qualitative (writing sample).