Fall 2012 Applicant Chit Chat

[ReallyNiceGuy]

Congratulations, TMP!!!!!

[goldielocks]

I also have a feeling that this will be a big week around these boards.

[crazedandinfused]

I also have a feeling that this will be a big week around these boards.

Yeah, up until now it's been a torturous dribble of tidbits; hopefully tomorrow it will shift into absolute mayhem. I'm looking forward to it.....

Edited February 6, 2012 by crazedandinfused

[oseirus]

Well I am emotionally drained after that game ... nothing can top this feeling right now ... so I say bring it on schools ...

[genesisy]

Did any of you all apply to interdisciplinary PhD programs? And if so how are you ranking/comparing them to traditional History departments? For example, my interest are Amerasians, U.S. militarism, Asian American history, modern Korean History, Ethnic Studies, critical theory, critical mixed race studies, race, gender, transnationalism etc. I really like the idea of Cultural or Ethnic Studies and so far have been accepted to Irvine and Davis. I was accepted to Northwestern History as well. Really love the idea of working with my POI @ NU, as her book was really what first got me into the field of Asian American Studies. BUT their Asian American Studies program overall is very tiny compared to some of the California schools I have gotten into. I just don't even know (at this point) which would be better for me. I guess what I'm comparing is History versus interdisciplinary, small Asian American Studies program versus a large one with many relevant faculty members, ranking, and placement statistics. I think overall I would fit better in some of the Cultural Studies programs I got into - my research is more interdisciplinary and I feel that I will really thrive in an environment of Asian Americanists. But, at the same time, my POI @ NU and I share research interests, and it's an amazing program with a good history of placement post-PhD -- I would undoubtedly find my place there as well, although I'm not sure if I would grow as much. Any thoughts? :/

Sorry if this sounds silly, I'm still an undergraduate (graduating Spring 2012), so I don't have the experience of having been in a Masters program to gauge now what might be best for the next 5-7 years of my life (and then beyond that of course, the rest of my career).

Edited February 6, 2012 by genesisy

[Safferz]

Did any of you all apply to interdisciplinary PhD programs? And if so how are you ranking/comparing them to traditional History departments? For example, my interest are Amerasians, U.S. militarism, Asian American history, modern Korean History, Ethnic Studies, critical theory, critical mixed race studies, race, gender, transnationalism etc. I really like the idea of Cultural or Ethnic Studies and so far have been accepted to Irvine and Davis. I was accepted to Northwestern History as well. Really love the idea of working with my POI @ NU, as her book was really what first got me into the field of Asian American Studies. BUT their Asian American Studies program overall is very tiny compared to some of the California schools I have gotten into. I just don't even know (at this point) which would be better for me. I guess what I'm comparing is History versus interdisciplinary, small Asian American Studies program versus a large one with many relevant faculty members, ranking, and placement statistics. I think overall I would fit better in some of the Cultural Studies programs I got into - my research is more interdisciplinary and I feel that I will really thrive in an environment of Asian Americanists. But, at the same time, my POI @ NU and I share research interests, and it's an amazing program with a good history of placement post-PhD -- I would undoubtedly find my place there as well, although I'm not sure if I would grow as much. Any thoughts? :/

Sorry if this sounds silly, I'm still an undergraduate (graduating Spring 2012), so I don't have the experience of having been in a Masters program to gauge now what might be best for the next 5-7 years of my life (and then beyond that of course, the rest of my career).

I can't speak to Asian American studies, but I'm also interested in race, gender and critical theory and decided against applying to interdisciplinary programs. My thinking at the time was that many of the professors who teach in area studies and cultural studies programs are often trained in a 'traditional' discipline (with PhDs from History, Anthropology and Sociology programs), and that being in a history department does not prevent you from doing interdisciplinary work. But you also don't want to end up at a program with only one person there for you, and you're right to consider the intellectual environment of professors and fellow graduate students. So weigh your options carefully -- I know when I (hopefully!) have offers to consider, I'll be looking just as closely at the African Studies and Women & Gender Studies departments when deciding which history department to accept.

[genesisy]

I can't speak to Asian American studies, but I'm also interested in race, gender and critical theory and decided against applying to interdisciplinary programs. My thinking at the time was that many of the professors who teach in area studies and cultural studies programs are often trained in a 'traditional' discipline (with PhDs from History, Anthropology and Sociology programs), and that being in a history department does not prevent you from doing interdisciplinary work. But you also don't want to end up at a program with only one person there for you, and you're right to consider the intellectual environment of professors and fellow graduate students. So weigh your options carefully -- I know when I (hopefully!) have offers to consider, I'll be looking just as closely at the African Studies and Women & Gender Studies departments when deciding which history department to accept.

Thanks Safferz, that was helpful. Best of luck, I'm sure you'll get an offer soon

Another thing I'm wondering whether or not makes a huge difference is cohort size? For example, Northwestern yields a class of about 15 and Irvine a class of 4. This makes Irvine seem like a much more intimate environment. Hmm, there are just so many variables to think about. I am also really drawn to the fact that California has no racial majorities on their campuses...You just can't find that kind of diversity in the Midwest! I've grown up in the Midwest my whole life, and could really use a change...hah

[A Finicky Bean]

Morning, all! I woke up at 3ish this morning to walk the puppy (potty training and all) and have not gone back to sleep. Wheee...should be an interesting day.

[oseirus]

Morning, all! I woke up at 3ish this morning to walk the puppy (potty training and all) and have not gone back to sleep. Wheee...should be an interesting day.

Well morning AFB! I have been up for a long time myself ... and I am going to crash but I can't make myself sleep ... no matter how many times I listen to the Lion King Soundtrack ... especially Scar (Jeremy Irons) singing Be Prepared ... I have chosen that as my anthem for today (don't ask ... I haven't slept in a few hours)

[A Finicky Bean]

Well morning AFB! I have been up for a long time myself ... and I am going to crash but I can't make myself sleep ... no matter how many times I listen to the Lion King Soundtrack ... especially Scar (Jeremy Irons) singing Be Prepared ... I have chosen that as my anthem for today (don't ask ... I haven't slept in a few hours)

I completely understand. I wanted to fall back asleep, but my mind was rearranging my living room (wtf, I know) so, at 5:30am, I just finished rearranging my living room according to my mental images. My downstairs neighbors probably hate me (I tried to be very quiet about it....) I'll just blame it on the admissions process.

[oseirus]

I completely understand. I wanted to fall back asleep, but my mind was rearranging my living room (wtf, I know) so, at 5:30am, I just finished rearranging my living room according to my mental images. My downstairs neighbors probably hate me (I tried to be very quiet about it....) I'll just blame it on the admissions process.

It is 0905, schools should be open by now. I am surprised our compatriots aren't flooding the message board today. Dang, the joy of having a real life?

[SapperDaddy]

Thanks Safferz, that was helpful. Best of luck, I'm sure you'll get an offer soon

Another thing I'm wondering whether or not makes a huge difference is cohort size? For example, Northwestern yields a class of about 15 and Irvine a class of 4. This makes Irvine seem like a much more intimate environment. Hmm, there are just so many variables to think about. I am also really drawn to the fact that California has no racial majorities on their campuses...You just can't find that kind of diversity in the Midwest! I've grown up in the Midwest my whole life, and could really use a change...hah

Cohort size is relative to how big a department is generally. How many professors are there as compared to grad students? Are you going to a school with 40 professors that lets in a cohort of 60 or more, or are you going to a place with a department of 15 professors who lets in 4 or 5 students?If you get into one of those big departments, there are professors who don't even know everyone else in their own department, much less any of the students.

[TMP]

I'm here! Back to a longggg day of this task.

Any Wisconsin admits planning to wait for details before telling their advisers? I am. It'll just make it more exciting!

Anyhooowww, genesisy, you are quite mature and thoughtful about the process- meaning that you realize that a MA would have helped you better understand what you want to get out of a PhD program. I agree with SD- cohort size can depend on the number of faculty members. But let give me you some thoughts: I applaud you.

1) My MA is an interdisciplinary one. I ended up being my own cohort with a few students a year ahead or behind me. I relied more on the PhD students (actually in literature, not history!) for support and they were just simply amazing. They believed in me and my work. Still, I would've appreciated more support from the history folks. So your peers will just depend on how receptive other PhD students are to you and you being in a non-traditional discipline.

2) You may want to check out job placement rates for the Ethnic Studies programs. I've seen them around (thanks, Work), they do get placed somewhere. You need to sell your work and prove yourself that you are a historian. Your POI need to train you as a historian. I know of one tenured at OSU who did her Ethnic Studies PhD at Davis and another at Wisconsin from Irvine who I would plan to work with if I go to Wisconsin.

3) Congratulations on getting into NU straight out of undergrad. That is a real achievement. You do need to be cautious if the POI is basically the only person you can work with, then you need to re-think. But, first, ask your NU POI about your application- were there any other faculty members who read it with interest? You may be surprised. Your POI must've shared your application with others that may have helped you get in- certainly there was enough departmental support.

yay to another week of comedy and drama from oseirus!

[Hopin'-n-Prayin']

I'm here! Back to a longggg day of this task.

Any Wisconsin admits planning to wait for details before telling their advisers? I am. It'll just make it more exciting!

Not me...I'm too stoked (even though UW-M is near the bottom of my list of where I would go if I had to choose between all of my schools)...

my Dept. doesn't send its MAs to big time programs too often, so I think sharing this will give all of my professors and advisors a nice vicarious sense of accomplishment (is that jut my super-sized ego and need for validation hiding behind a veil of altruism???)

[cooperstreet]

diplodocus-

Where else are you applying to? Anyone else out there doing US foreign relations or the Cold War?

[TMP]

Uh oh... here comes the kisses of death from Duke...Hang on there, guys!

[iamincontrolhere-haig]

diplodocus-

Where else are you applying to? Anyone else out there doing US foreign relations or the Cold War?

I am. In so many words, I want to study the intersections of domestic politics and foreign affairs. We have Princeton, Chicago, Vanderbilt, and GWU in common. I'm almost positive Princeton will send out its acceptances this week--fingers crossed!

[cooperstreet]

Thanks,

Haig, do you have a regional focus?

[diplodocus]

I am. In so many words, I want to study the intersections of domestic politics and foreign affairs. We have Princeton, Chicago, Vanderbilt, and GWU in common. I'm almost positive Princeton will send out its acceptances this week--fingers crossed!

Hey Cooperstreet and haig,

Looks like we have Columbia and Vandy in common. I'm interested in the U.S. role in French decolonization in North and West Africa.

Good luck to both of you with Princeton! That would be a nice school to get into.

[cooperstreet]

Thanks! Hope to see you at SHAFR soon.

And Haig, what makes you so sure that Princeton will make decisisions this week? I hope you are right!

Hey Cooperstreet and haig,

Looks like we have Columbia and Vandy in common. I'm interested in the U.S. role in French decolonization in North and West Africa.

Good luck to both of you with Princeton! That would be a nice school to get into.

Edited February 6, 2012 by cooperstreet

[iamincontrolhere-haig]

Thanks,

Haig, do you have a regional focus?

My focus is definitely more temporal and thematic than regional. I guess I'm a bit behind the historiographical times in that I want to work primarily--but not exclusively--with American sources. Think *Choosing War*, *Taken Hostage*, etc.

[crazedandinfused]

Uh oh... here comes the kisses of death from Duke...Hang on there, guys!

Jeez. It's the Monday Morning Massacre...........Sorry guys!

[bachr1989]

I am hoping to at least hear from LSU (MA) this week. Pleaseeee.

I've received absolutely no news yet.

[TMP]

Jeez. It's the Monday Morning Massacre...........Sorry guys!

Yale will be worse.

[crazedandinfused]

Yale will be worse.

Ugh. That is gonna be ugly. That's why I want just one acceptance beforehand