Fall 2012 applicants

[Bluebird]

I'm at the exact stage you're at, goldielocks. I just registered to take the 'new' GRE in September. I loathe the idea of taking it and I don't have lots of time to prepare for it.

Started two of my applications and contacted 3 more potential advisors, but need to focus more on my MA thesis so I can hand my draft in to my thesis chair by the end of August.

Care to share your nightmare?

I thought I'd revive this thread and see how everyone's coming along with the beginnings of the application process. What are you all doing this summer to prepare for application season?

I study Modern Britain. I'm working on my MA thesis, beginning PhD apps, brushing up languages, contacting potential advisors, etc.

The stress is already starting. I had my first PhD app nightmare two nights ago.

I imagine we'll all be hearing a lot from each other on here as fall looms closer...

[goldielocks]

Care to share your nightmare?

I had a dream the other night that one of my professors (who is writing for me) unexpectedly got called out of town, and I had no means of contacting him. And in my dream, the deadlines for my programs were all like 24 hours away, and I had worked really hard to perfect every detail of my applications, but somehow I just knew this one letter was going to mess things up. It was really bizarre.

Bluebird, I completely understand what you mean about the thesis. I'm trying to focus on that, but every time I do, I feel like I should be focusing on the GRE. And when I do that, I feel like I should be focusing on applications. And when I do THAT, I feel like I should be focusing on the thesis. AHHH.

I'm about 1/3 of the way through contacting potential profs. I have been doing about one per week. I know I'll feel better after the GRE is done, though I'm not feeling too hopeful about my scores. I'm really just not great with standardized tests. I know lots of people say this as a sort of cop out, but I'm really not good with them. When I took them before (about 2.5 years ago), I scored decently on the verbal, mediocre on the quantitative, and really high on the writing. I wish the whole bloody test could be one long essay, because then I'd feel more confident.

I feel like classes will be starting so soon. I go back at the end of August, how about you? Summer is flying by too quickly.

Edited July 15, 2011 by goldielocks

[TMP]

I study Turkish migration in Germany, especially the interaction between the state and so-called ethnic entrepreneurs in processes of group formation and claims-making. I worked on this topic in my previous study in one of those silly interdisciplinary European MA programs and that's certainly the source of my biggest application dilemmas. I've found a good number of MA and PhD programs I'm interested in, in the States, Canada, the Netherlands and Germany, but I'm having a tough time answering the "why history" question, especially when my MA thesis was more sociology or social theory than history, with my focus being on the very recent past, i.e. since 2006.

Let me guess, is the Turkish community in Berlin your major focus, or at least part of your thesis? They were my saviors when I lived in Berlin when I didn't want German food and needed people to practice my Deutsch with (as they spoke no/little English)!!!

[Cranston]

Let me guess, is the Turkish community in Berlin your major focus, or at least part of your thesis? They were my saviors when I lived in Berlin when I didn't want German food and needed people to practice my Deutsch with (as they spoke no/little English)!!!

I did do some work on Turkish communities in Berlin, esp. in Kreuzberg and Neukölln and had the exact same experience living in Berlin. Not only would Turks be more willing to speak German with me, most people in those areas were friendlier than the typical "Schnauze mit Herz" Berliners. And it's hard to resist the lure of döner and tea!

[TMP]

I did do some work on Turkish communities in Berlin, esp. in Kreuzberg and Neukölln and had the exact same experience living in Berlin. Not only would Turks be more willing to speak German with me, most people in those areas were friendlier than the typical "Schnauze mit Herz" Berliners. And it's hard to resist the lure of döner and tea!

Well, the dripping baklava and over-the-top awesome borekas did it for me. Personally I've found both groups fine to deal with. The Turkish were just more naturally hospitable.

[Zachary55]

Hi everyone,

As an avid reader and fall 2012 applicant for Ph.D. history programs, I thought that I would check in. In the fall I will be entering my senior year and am a history major and minoring in American studies.

My focus as an undergraduate will translate to my focus in graduate school—early American history with an emphasis on racial history, specifically the construction of racial categories in colonial America as well as the history of slavery. I’ve been working on a list of professors with my thesis advisor and my top schools are Yale, Harvard, Penn and Johns Hopkins, although I will be applying to other programs as well. I have a soft spot in my heart for Princeton but the department, from what I have been told, is lacking in my focus at this current moment so I will likely not be applying. Columbia is another school that I really like and has a host of professors who I thoroughly enjoy.

I have not taken my GRE yet although I have been using the summer months to study, as well as prepare for my senior thesis, which I will be using for my writing sample. Further, my recommendations are figured out which I am very thankful for—all three are fairly well known in the field, two have strong connections to Yale and the third has strong connections to Penn and Columbia which can not hurt.

Overall it is a very anxious yet exciting time. I will be elated to get into any top program on my list and ecstatic if I actually get into multiple programs and have a choice.

Also, before I forget to ask, for those who have been through the process before and those knowledgeable about admissions, how do paper presentations look? That is, I have presented and discussed in panel discussions two papers at symposiums (one with a colonial, racial focus and the other in queer theory) and was hoping if anyone could help me with how these will be viewed by the schools I will be applying to. Obviously my presentations and panel discussions will not hurt me but will they do anything to help improve my application? I know that this may seem obvious but anything to calm my mind would be greatly appreciated.

Take care and I look forward to hearing from other applicants and posting in the future.

[qbtacoma]

Also, before I forget to ask, for those who have been through the process before and those knowledgeable about admissions, how do paper presentations look? That is, I have presented and discussed in panel discussions two papers at symposiums (one with a colonial, racial focus and the other in queer theory) and was hoping if anyone could help me with how these will be viewed by the schools I will be applying to. Obviously my presentations and panel discussions will not hurt me but will they do anything to help improve my application? I know that this may seem obvious but anything to calm my mind would be greatly appreciated.

As you say, it is only a good thing! The extent to which it will help you depends on the conference in question. Obviously a conference which primarily features undergraduate work is still good, but the best kind of conference to present at is one with in which full professors make up the majority of presenters. Even if it is a small conference (for a small subfield or a regional conference, perhaps) your work was recognized as good enough to stand next to the work of professionals. Obviously bigger is better in that your work has more exposure, but there's nothing at all wrong with making one's first presentations at a regional conference. Congrats, and good luck to you and everyone applying this fall!

[goldielocks]

The heat is so bad where I am right now. All day I've been thinking about getting in somewhere cool, even cold.

I can't believe it's almost August. Those applications will be due before you know it.

When is everyone's earliest deadline?

[goldielocks]

Also, I was thinking about creating a thread just for chatting about the upcoming application season. I notice that on many threads, we get a lot of posters who want to ask about their chances, where they should apply, etc. I don't have a problem with this sort of thing (after all, that's what these boards are for), but I think it might be nice to have a thread that doesn't get hijacked that way. Like, a place where we talk specifically about our progress in the application process. Does this make sense? What do you all think?

[sandyvanb]

Also, I was thinking about creating a thread just for chatting about the upcoming application season. I notice that on many threads, we get a lot of posters who want to ask about their chances, where they should apply, etc. I don't have a problem with this sort of thing (after all, that's what these boards are for), but I think it might be nice to have a thread that doesn't get hijacked that way. Like, a place where we talk specifically about our progress in the application process. Does this make sense? What do you all think?

I think that this is a great idea. I think that my earliest deadline is December 1, but I want to have all of my applications in before Thanksgiving.

[Bluebird]

Bluebird, I completely understand what you mean about the thesis. I'm trying to focus on that, but every time I do, I feel like I should be focusing on the GRE. And when I do that, I feel like I should be focusing on applications. And when I do THAT, I feel like I should be focusing on the thesis. AHHH.

I'm about 1/3 of the way through contacting potential profs. I have been doing about one per week. I know I'll feel better after the GRE is done, though I'm not feeling too hopeful about my scores. I'm really just not great with standardized tests. I know lots of people say this as a sort of cop out, but I'm really not good with them. When I took them before (about 2.5 years ago), I scored decently on the verbal, mediocre on the quantitative, and really high on the writing. I wish the whole bloody test could be one long essay, because then I'd feel more confident.

I feel like classes will be starting so soon. I go back at the end of August, how about you? Summer is flying by too quickly.

Hi goldilocks,

You've described my summer exactly! When I work on my thesis, I worry about the GRE and when I study for the GRE, I worry about completing apps, All the while I feel guilty about not getting more work done on my thesis . . . and round and round I go!

YOu're not alone in your feeling about the GRE experience. Standardized tests are the worst. If you only took it 2.5 years ago, I believe you can still use the same score. Or do you prefer a more recent score?

I got 2 GRE books at the Borders liquidation sale and may join a campus GRE study group. Wouldn't it be great if we could choose our own personal method in the GRE? Just an essay only or just the reading comprehension, etc.

My semester starts the 3rd week of August. I no longer have to take courses because I'm basically done ~ I only need to write my thesis but my advisor is offering an informal palaeography class (no credit) on Saturdays so I'll join that.

So have you had much luck getting a response from potential advisors over the summer? I decided to hold off until mid-August, thinking many profs wouldn't be reading their uni email accounts over summer. But I look at their profiles every week!

[Bluebird]

Also, I was thinking about creating a thread just for chatting about the upcoming application season. I notice that on many threads, we get a lot of posters who want to ask about their chances, where they should apply, etc. I don't have a problem with this sort of thing (after all, that's what these boards are for), but I think it might be nice to have a thread that doesn't get hijacked that way. Like, a place where we talk specifically about our progress in the application process. Does this make sense? What do you all think?

Makes sense to me. I quite enjoy having this support and sharing the experience.

[goldielocks]

YOu're not alone in your feeling about the GRE experience. Standardized tests are the worst. If you only took it 2.5 years ago, I believe you can still use the same score. Or do you prefer a more recent score?

So have you had much luck getting a response from potential advisors over the summer? I decided to hold off until mid-August, thinking many profs wouldn't be reading their uni email accounts over summer. But I look at their profiles every week!

Yes, I'll be glad when the GRE is over. I decided to take the revised version, so that I could have more time to study. I'm sad that this means I won't have my scores until November, though. I do have a decent earlier score, but it's just okay, so I'm hoping to get a higher score this time. To be honest, I didn't study at all when I took it before. Not even a little. I didn't even know the format, really. I just walked in and took it. I was just an irresponsible undergrad who decided to apply to grad school. Now, entering the last year of my MA, I feel much more prepared, and I'm actually studying this time. So hopefully, this will mean a higher score.

I have had great luck in contacting potential advisors. However, I've only been contacting my top choices. I'm saving the rest until later this year.

[Safferz]

I'm retaking the GRE so I'll be writing the revised version at the end of August. I believe we'll have our scores at the end of the test though, it's just that the score reports (with percentile rank) won't be released until November.

[goldielocks]

Safferz, good point. In all of my worrying, I hadn't thought of this!

[Bluebird]

I also took the GRE several years ago and I also didn't study for it! I don't know why I thought I could just do it on my own without preparing. This time I really want to do my best so I need to be much more prepared. Unfortunately I can't afford one of those expensive GRE courses (and who has time?). I am sitting for the test on 30 September. 2 months to go!

Does anyone have December deadlines? I have one on 1 Dec, but most are in Jan/Feb.

[CageFree]

Does anyone have December deadlines? I have one on 1 Dec, but most are in Jan/Feb.

I have one Dec. deadline so far.. most are in Jan, thankfully.

[sandyvanb]

Most of mine are December 1. I'm starting the process in October and finishing up before Thanksgiving so I can enjoy my holidays and focus on the end of the semester.

[Sigaba]

As for the LOR, I am having a hard time choosing my recommenders and I would appreciate to have your insights on this point. Here are my options:

1.There is a professor in Women's history from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse that I got to know well during my study abroad program two years ago, but I am afraid that even though we have stayed in touch, her letter would not be as helpful as one from a professor I recently worked with. But, on the other side, she knows the American educational system and its expectations better than my French professors who sometimes think that writing a two paragraph-LOR will do the work.

2. There is my thesis advisor who could potentially write me one. I worked with him this year while completing a Master's degree in Women's and Gender studies at the University of Paris VIII, France. I guess he gave me a really good grade for my research project and offered me a part time job for next year for the history journal that he is the chair of.

3. I am also thinking of a professor in Women's and Gender History that I really admired. I attended two of her classes, was in the top two students of the class (she told me so), and was frequently meeting with her outside of class to talk about my different educational and career plans for the coming year (I guess we do not have advisors in France, so you just meet with your professors and seek advice from them). She accepted to be my thesis advisor if I decide to do my PhD in France.

4. And finally, there is a History professor from Yale that I have been in touch with for the last two months. We met twice in Paris over the last month and he gave me a research project to work on that he will help to get published in his journal if it turns conclusive. I would love to have a letter of recommendation from him. The only thing is that the deadline for this paper is in January, so I am afraid that by the time I need the LOR, he won't have read much of my work yet.

What do you think?

Thanks for your insight, I guess we will be in touch and sharing our fears over the coming months. Good luck to you all!

I've heard professors say that they can easily tell when a letter of recommendation has been written by an academic who really did not know the student.

I suggest that you rank the four by who knows you and your work the best and go with those at the top of the list. If you have the time and the tact, you can work on the relationships with those at the bottom of the list.

[A Finicky Bean]

Hello all,

I have posted a small introduction elsewhere, but I wanted to come in and introduce myself here as well. I am a Modern Europeanist- finishing up my last year of MA work. I will be applying to Doctoral programs this application season. I just took the GRE yesterday and am glad to get that over with! As time goes one, I'll share more details but right now I am not sure what to share (it is the newbie in me) so I'll just wave and let my presence be known! I am excited to go through this process with all of you and to share our experiences! Good luck!

[crazedandinfused]

Now I'm starting to get nervous about my LORs.... Since my masters is in a field unrelated to history I will hopefully only have a letter from one historian (the others being from a political scientist and an economist). The history prof I hope to get a letter from is very well known in his field, and is the department chair, but I only got a B+ in his course. I got As on all the papers but I didn't really talk much in seminar. I know he thinks well of me. He told me so and it was on his recommendation that I got admitted to another graduate seminar which I'll be taking this fall.

So my questions are:

Any advice on how I can secure a stronger letter? I'm taking this upcoming seminar in order to "hone my skills" as it were. (I've always been an introvert)

Also, can I ask the prof who I will have this fall for a letter? I wouldn't rely on it because it'd be rather far fetched, but letters from historians would always be better. Is it beyond the bounds of propriety to ask on such short notice and acquaintance?

[Bluebird]

Now I'm starting to get nervous about my LORs.... Since my masters is in a field unrelated to history I will hopefully only have a letter from one historian (the others being from a political scientist and an economist). The history prof I hope to get a letter from is very well known in his field, and is the department chair, but I only got a B+ in his course. I got As on all the papers but I didn't really talk much in seminar. I know he thinks well of me. He told me so and it was on his recommendation that I got admitted to another graduate seminar which I'll be taking this fall.

So my questions are:

Any advice on how I can secure a stronger letter? I'm taking this upcoming seminar in order to "hone my skills" as it were. (I've always been an introvert)

Also, can I ask the prof who I will have this fall for a letter? I wouldn't rely on it because it'd be rather far fetched, but letters from historians would always be better. Is it beyond the bounds of propriety to ask on such short notice and acquaintance?

Hi crazedandinfused,

Two of my letter writers asked for my CV and for info reading my involvement on campus. So if you have received any academic awards (not only for $$ but for service) or if you worked or volunteered on campus or if you were actively involved in any student government or student associations, if you were involved in department activities or symposia, you might think about making a list of those activities and including it in your LOR request. This type of info could help the professor portray a more well-rounded picture of you, your abilities and your enthusiasm.

If you have a letter from at least on Historian I think that will help your applications. It sounds like the professor you mentioned, the one who thinks well of you, will write a positive letter. My undergrad and first Master's weren't in History so one of my letter writers is a Linguist (and she's the Dean now). I feel her letter will carry a lot of weight because I've known her the longest and she is very familiar with my character and activities. I don't feel too nervous about this.

The weakest place in my applications is conferences. I've attended numerous conferences but have only presented once. *sigh*

[pudewen]

Hi crazedandinfused,

Two of my letter writers asked for my CV and for info reading my involvement on campus. So if you have received any academic awards (not only for $$ but for service) or if you worked or volunteered on campus or if you were actively involved in any student government or student associations, if you were involved in department activities or symposia, you might think about making a list of those activities and including it in your LOR request. This type of info could help the professor portray a more well-rounded picture of you, your abilities and your enthusiasm.

If you have a letter from at least on Historian I think that will help your applications. It sounds like the professor you mentioned, the one who thinks well of you, will write a positive letter. My undergrad and first Master's weren't in History so one of my letter writers is a Linguist (and she's the Dean now). I feel her letter will carry a lot of weight because I've known her the longest and she is very familiar with my character and activities. I don't feel too nervous about this.

The weakest place in my applications is conferences. I've attended numerous conferences but have only presented once. *sigh*

Not presenting at conferences won't hurt you. At the orientation for my PhD program last week, one of the faculty even told us that he actively thinks we shouldn't be presenting yet, because giving a presentation that isn't absolutely stellar at a conference will just mean that people won't show up to your later ones (you know, the ones at which you're presenting research from your dissertation which you're hoping will help build your reputation and get you a job).

Edited August 29, 2011 by pudewen

[Bluebird]

Not presenting at conferences won't hurt you. At the orientation for my PhD program last week, one of the faculty even told us that he actively thinks we shouldn't be presenting yet, because giving a presentation that isn't absolutely stellar at a conference will just mean that people won't show up to your later ones (you know, the ones at which you're presenting research from your dissertation which you're hoping will help build your reputation and get you a job).

That's so encouraging to hear! Thanks for sharing that piece of info. I think most M.A. advisors in my department strongly encourage us to present because they are convinced it will look better on our applications. I felt rather insecure when I presented but at least I got lots of comments/interest. I just don't feel the need to "get out there" just yet.

Did the faculty member who made that comment indicate when he thought was the best time to start presenting?

[oryantin]

Hey everyone,

I have not been checking here regularly since the last month. Currently, I am trying to memorize as many words as possible for GRE exam. I did not think this process will be that challenging, to be honest. I am still not done with polishing my paper and writing a good SOP.

By the way, I started contacting Professors and received some encouraging replies along with two uninterested ones. Can I request you to comment on one of these?

"Dear X: Thank you for your note. A committee reviews all applications for the graduate program. I urge you to also contact Dr. Y, who is the specialist in Ottoman history in the Department. All best wishes,

Dr. Z."

The school where the owner of this reply works at was one of my top-schools. I think e-mailing to POI's is a good way of narrowing the schools down. And sometimes being straightforward hurts

Edited August 30, 2011 by orient