Fall 2012 Applicant results

[CageFree]

Just chiming in to say that while stress is understandable, the tone and content of some of the posts here is rather unprofessional. Anonymity does not excuse such behavior.

[barricades]

Just chiming in to say that while stress is understandable, the tone and content of some of the posts here is rather unprofessional. Anonymity does not excuse such behavior.

Amen. And just to point out that considering the amount of information people post here (schools applying to, interests, undergrad institution, etc), it shouldn't be incredibly difficult to find out who is who.

[crazedandinfused]

Amen. And just to point out that considering the amount of information people post here (schools applying to, interests, undergrad institution, etc), it shouldn't be incredibly difficult to find out who is who.

I think/hope they learned their lesson. Fighting with people on Internet forums, or anywhere else for that matter, makes very little sense to begin with.

Edited January 16, 2012 by crazedandinfused

[oseirus]

To piggyback off what's being said, I think we also need realize that we all have different personalities but at the end of the day, we are all looking towards a common goal. Some of us are even going to be fellow students at the same school so it doesn't hurt for us to get to know each other a bit better.

[superfluousflo]

Yeah, it's totally easy to find out the actual identities of folks.

On another note, here is my contribution to this thread:

Undergrad Institution: Small LAC, improving reputation

Senior Thesis: Yes, not required.

Honors Program: Yes and I participated. It's been a while and I can't recall the specifics.

Major(s): History, English Literature

Minor(s):

GPA in Major: 4.0, 4.0

Overall GPA: 3.9 (science and German: what the hell?)

Position in Class: Top 5%

Type of Student: white, male, Southern Appalachian

MA Institution: Well regarded university in the UK

Thesis: Yes, with distinction

Major Field: World History, Modern South Asia focus

GPA: 4.0 (converted)

Position in Class: Near top, I guess.

GRE Scores (old version):

Q: 540

V: 720

W: 5

Research Experience: For BA paper, I conducted archival research at Library of Congress and National Library of India, Kolkata. For MA paper, I conducted research at the British Library, London. This summer, I spent a month in Delhi doing independent research at important archives and made some contacts along the way. In college, I also held a research assistant position on an anthology of German poetry.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 4 year full tuition scholarship to UG institution. Other smaller merit scholarships and honors for research.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Intern at the Smithsonian (3 months); Teacher Assistant at a primary school in Kolkata (3 months); Program Coordinator for Civic Engagement at a 4 year university (12 months). Volunteer at myriad local museums, preservation societies, and historical associations.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:

Applying to Where: See my signature. All history department applications.

Research Interests & Areas of Focus: mid-20^th century India and Indian diaspora

Languages: English (native), Hindi (intermediate), French (beginner)

Letters of Recommendation: 3 from postgraduate program: My MA paper supervisor, moderately well-known; 1 course lecturer, well-known in England, and supervised my first publication; 1 course lecturer who has his PhD from the US and is increasingly well-known, though young. 1 from undergraduate: not especially well-known but knows my work very well, supervised my UG thesis/2nd publication.

Statement of Purpose:

How specific was it? It was basically a 500 to 1000 word dissertation prospectus, per the advice of at least three POIs.

Did you tailor it to each program? No, but I made sure that each school had the faculty to support my project.

Did you identify professors you would like to work with? Yes and I contacted each of them. Received considerable support for my application but I take it with a grain of salt until I am admitted.

or point more broadly to the program’s areas of emphasis? I also did this by tying my interest with faculty outside my immediate field, specifying relevant research centers on campus, and mentioning pertinent library resources.

Writing Sample:

Is it excerpted from a longer work? Yes, my MA paper

Does it relate to the research interests described in your SOP? Yes, though last year's SOP was much more related to my MA paper; I decided to move away slightly from that topic.

Communication with POIs: As noted above, I contacted professors at each of my intended programs. All my correspondence was met positively but some POIs seemed more interested than others. In the past I did not apply to schools that did not respond to my correspondence. This year that wasn't an issue.

Lessons Learned from Application Process: From the application process there isn't much that I would do differently. A couple of POIs asked to read my SOP prior to submission but I sent it to an addition POI who did not ask for it: I would not do that again. As a re-applicant, I have learned about the importance of language training during other application cycles. I have worked on that over time. Positive contact with professors is not a rubber stamp: Although I've had great correspondence with POIs in the past, it wasn't enough to lift me over the bar. More lessons to come.

[Sigaba]

Not everyone in a program is going to get along with everyone else. Sometimes, you'll know you're doing things right because certain people don't like you.

Moreover, sooner or later, almost everyone--including professors--has at least one meltdown. (Hopefully, you'll do it in seminar rather than when writing an essay or taking your qualifying exams.)

The key for many of you will be knowing when to cut others slack just as they're cutting you slack.

Equally important are doing your best to have a thick skin and keeping a sense of humor (especially about yourself) at all times.

My $0.02.

[oseirus]

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo .... what was this thread about again?

[goldielocks]

Moreover, sooner or later, almost everyone--including professors--has at least one meltdown. (Hopefully, you'll do it in seminar rather than when writing an essay or taking your qualifying exams.)

Chime. The best advice my advisor gave me: schedule your breakdown.

[kotov]

I'm already in a program, but I'm bored and felt like doing this. Besides, my pathetic resume will make most of you feel better, since even I got in somewhere.

Undergrad Institution: Auburn

Senior Thesis: Soviet famine of 1932-33 in the US media

Honors Program: Yes.

Major(s): History (mainly focused on Russia/USSR)

Minor(s): English (mainly focused on linguistics)

GPA in Major: 3.93

Overall GPA: 3.5

Position in Class: I have no idea

Type of Student: White male, US south, no sort of special status

GRE Scores (old version):

Q: 650

V: 700

W: 5.5

Research Experience: I have a lot of experience working with archives of Ukrainian-American newspapers (an oddity that I don't plan to use much), as well as with documents from the Romanian State and Military Archives, some of which I obtained copies of in the US (all in Romanian, obviously).

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: I was a National Merit scholar, PAT, etc.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: I'm a TA now, but when I applied, nada.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I did graduate in three years, though I doubt that mattered at all.

Applying to Where: I applied to Indiana, Clark, South Carolina, Central Michigan, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Ohio (MA), North Texas (MA). Got into all but the first three. Ended up at CMU, obviously.

Research Interests & Areas of Focus: Modern Romania and Ukraine, particularly the Holocaust and the Holodomor. My dissertation will probably be a comparative study of German and Romanian labor camps along the Bug River in Transnistria during WWII.

Languages: English, Romanian (intermediate), German (intermediate), Ukrainian (basic reading knowledge)

Letters of Recommendation: One from my undergrad adviser, one from a professor I took a couple of courses on WWII with, and one from my linguistics professor

Statement of Purpose:

How specific was it? It explained the area I wanted to work in and why there was a need for it, but I didn't have the specific project in mine.

Did you tailor it to each program? Not well enough, no.

Did you identify professors you would like to work with? For the most part. Should have contacted more of them, and earlier

or point more broadly to the program’s areas of emphasis? This is more what I did, especially at the schools that were strong in my field or had a program tailored to it.

Writing Sample:

Is it excerpted from a longer work? No. It was a term paper I wrote that I presented at a conference.

Communication with POIs: Uh. I didn't do a great job of it. Got on great with my adviser here though, so I guess it worked out.

Lessons Learned from Application Process: Would have probably started earlier, looked for more specifics in professors, talked to them earlier on, been more specific in my SOP, and maybe have even shot a little higher as far as where I applied (fewer safety schools/MA programs, a few more reaches)

Edited January 18, 2012 by kotov

[telemaque]

I'm already in a program, but I'm bored and felt like doing this. Besides, my pathetic resume will make most of you feel better, since even I got in somewhere.

Undergrad Institution: Auburn

Senior Thesis: Soviet famine of 1932-33 in the US media

Honors Program: Yes.

Major(s): History (mainly focused on Russia/USSR)

Minor(s): English (mainly focused on linguistics)

GPA in Major: 3.93

Overall GPA: 3.5

Position in Class: I have no idea

Type of Student: White male, US south, no sort of special status

GRE Scores (old version):

Q: 650

V: 700

W: 5.5

Research Experience: I have a lot of experience working with archives of Ukrainian-American newspapers (an oddity that I don't plan to use much), as well as with documents from the Romanian State and Military Archives, some of which I obtained copies of in the US (all in Romanian, obviously).

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: I was a National Merit scholar, PAT, etc.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: I'm a TA now, but when I applied, nada.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:

Applying to Where: I applied to Indiana, Clark, South Carolina, Central Michigan, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Ohio (MA), North Texas (MA). Got into all but the first three. Ended up at CMU, obviously.

Research Interests & Areas of Focus: Modern Romania and Ukraine, particularly the Holocaust and the Holodomor. My dissertation will probably be a comparative study of German and Romanian labor camps along the Bug River in Transnistria during WWII.

Languages: English, Romanian (intermediate), German (intermediate), Ukrainian (basic reading knowledge)

Letters of Recommendation: One from my undergrad adviser, one from a professor I took a couple of courses on WWII with, and one from my linguistics professor

Statement of Purpose:

How specific was it? It explained the area I wanted to work in and why there was a need for it, but I didn't have the specific project in mine.

Did you tailor it to each program? Not well enough, no.

Did you identify professors you would like to work with? For the most part. Should have contacted more of them, and earlier

or point more broadly to the program’s areas of emphasis? This is more what I did, especially at the schools that were strong in my field or had a program tailored to it.

Writing Sample:

Is it excerpted from a longer work? No. It was a term paper I wrote that I presented at a conference.

Communication with POIs: Uh. I didn't do a great job of it. Got on great with my adviser here though, so I guess it worked out.

Lessons Learned from Application Process: Would have probably started earlier, looked for more specifics in professors, talked to them earlier on, been more specific in my SOP, and maybe have even shot a little higher as far as where I applied (fewer safety schools/MA programs, a few more reaches)

It's so cool you've studied Romanian!! As a native speaker of another Romance language, I've always thought it would be an awesome language to learn...I think it's really interesting linguistically. Are you continuing to take courses now that you're in a PhD program (and has that been okay in terms of finding the time)?

[kotov]

It's so cool you've studied Romanian!! As a native speaker of another Romance language, I've always thought it would be an awesome language to learn...I think it's really interesting linguistically. Are you continuing to take courses now that you're in a PhD program (and has that been okay in terms of finding the time)?

I'm not doing anything with it right now (no time/money, and we don't offer the courses). I'm going to study some over the summer at Indiana, and then I'll probably try to do some work overseas in subsequent summers. It's a neat language, though a lot more difficult than the other Romance languages, since it still retains some of the nuances of Latin grammar the Western languages dropped, as well as lots of words it picked up from the other sub and super-stratum groups in the area (Slavs, Turks, Hungarians, Germans, Dacians). I'm going to keep working at it when I can, since that's where I plan to end up doing most of my research. I'm working on publishing my first paper based mainly off Romanian-language sources now, so that's exciting.

[RevolutionBlues]

I figured it was about time I contributed my fair share to this thread since I've been following it so much.

Undergrad Institution: A small, regional state school with about 6000 students, primarily first generation and nontraditional. Strong science and fine arts programs, but not noted for history.

Major(s): History

Minor(s): Economics

GPA in Major: 3.97

Overall GPA: 3.85 (3.98 in last half)

Position in Class: No ranking, but within the top 5-10 percent

Type of Student: Straight, white, middle-class male OEF veteran

GRE Scores (revised/old version):

V: 630 (91%)

Q: 710 (72%)

W: 5.0 (87%)

Languages: French-reading proficient and decent verbal communication skills; Spanish-reading proficient but limited verbal skills

Research Experience: Conducted a yearlong honors thesis researching pre-WWI socialist economic theory

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Still only recipient of University Honors and Honors in History, merit award, PAT, PKP, ODK

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 1 year as an AmeriCorps working in university administration to bridge the gap between town and gown by getting students more involved in local governmental and anti-poverty efforts, including designing service based learning opportunities for some professors

Special Bonus Points: Maybe as a veteran who also has experience working with labor organizations, nonprofits, political groups, and municipal government?

Research Interests: European labor and leftist movements from 1870-1940.

Applying to Where: Modern European programs at U of Washington, Portland State, U of Oregon, UC Berkeley, U of Southern California, U of Wisconsin, Indiana U, U of Maryland, and Emory.

Letters of Recommendation: One prolific and well regarded economist, two historians who are somewhat important in their very limited subfields, though probably not know more generally. All very positive, though.

Statement of Purpose: I used my statement of purpose to explain how I became dedicated to history, what exactly I want to study, how my academic and extracurricular experience has prepared me for this path, and why the particular program would be a good fit in terms of its organization and faculty.

Writing Sample: The first couple of chapters from my senior thesis, beefed up to have a stronger claim and non-English language sources.

Communication with POIs: Emailed every professor I was interested in working with after reading at least one book and several articles by them. About half wrote back extensive responses and opened dialogue, including one meeting, with a few even offering to read over my SOP. Of the other half, a few were encouraging but terse, a few very discouraging, and a few didn't respond at all.

Lessons Learned from Application Process: I think the biggest thing I've learned, this being my third time applying, is to take the time to figure out exactly what it is you want to study, why it is important, what is being done in that area and who is doing it, and how you want to contribute. Explain it to as many people as you can make sit still until you have whittled it down to a concise and crystal clear explanation. And then cross your fingers.

[oseirus]

I figured it was about time I contributed my fair share to this thread since I've been following it so much.

Type of Student: Straight, white, middle-class male OEF veteran

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 1 year as an AmeriCorps working in university administration to bridge the gap between town and gown by getting students more involved in local governmental and anti-poverty efforts, including designing service based learning opportunities for some professors

Special Bonus Points: Maybe as a veteran who also has experience working with labor organizations, nonprofits, political groups, and municipal government?

Statement of Purpose: I used my statement of purpose to explain how I became dedicated to history, what exactly I want to study, how my academic and extracurricular experience has prepared me for this path, and why the particular program would be a good fit in terms of its organization and faculty.

How were you able to emphasis your military/Americorps background into your SOP? Or did you choose to focus mostly on your academic background?

[dukelover50]

Oh What the hell, I'll do this too:

Undergrad Institution: Ivy League University

Major(s): History

Minor(s): N/A

GPA in Major: 3.5

Overall GPA: 3.6

Position in Class: Average

Masters Institution: State School, but with funding even though terminal masters

Major(s): History

Minor(s): N/A

GPA in Major: 3.88

Overall GPA: 3.88

Position in Department: Above average

Type of Student: Hispanic/Irish Male, first generation college

GRE Scores (revised/old version):

Q: 147 (40%) - totally bombed but I'm going into History so not worried

V: 163 (93%)

W: 5.5 (96%)

Research Experience: Research intern at SW holocaust museum (USA) for a year, undergraduate research project about europe, currently thesis with primary & secondary sources.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: undergraduate scholarship, MA scholarship, MA TA fellowship, 2nd place in conference on history presentation.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: TA as MA student, guest lecturer at community college, museum intern, tour guide/librarian at SW holocaust museum.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: first person in family to go to college, volunteering with local community organization

Languages: Fluent in German and Spanish

Special Bonus Points: hispanic background, first in family to go to college, rare subfield

Applying to Where: Harvard, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, SUNY Buffalo, Emory, Carnegie Mellon, U Arizona, Marquette, BC, U Chicago

Edited January 22, 2012 by dukelover50

[oseirus]

wow this thread went very silent

[SapperDaddy]

How were you able to emphasis your military/Americorps background into your SOP? Or did you choose to focus mostly on your academic background?

With mine I mentioned my background a bit in my SOP. I honestly don't like talking a lot about it, for various reasons. I find many academics are skeptical of military people for starters. I also don't like to answer a lot of questions of what I did an why. As some have figured out here, I did some crazy stuff back in my time I was in and too many people have watched way too many movies. Anyway, as some of my language background came from my military experience, I included that in my application material as it was pertinent to what I would like to study. I think it's a very personal choice though and would depend on what you actually did in the military. Breaching doors and demining operations, for example, do not really relate to history, but going to DLI for language training does. If you were applying for like a military history field, then yes, for sure include it and talk about anything you did.

[oseirus]

With mine I mentioned my background a bit in my SOP. I honestly don't like talking a lot about it, for various reasons. I find many academics are skeptical of military people for starters. I also don't like to answer a lot of questions of what I did an why. As some have figured out here, I did some crazy stuff back in my time I was in and too many people have watched way too many movies. Anyway, as some of my language background came from my military experience, I included that in my application material as it was pertinent to what I would like to study. I think it's a very personal choice though and would depend on what you actually did in the military. Breaching doors and demining operations, for example, do not really relate to history, but going to DLI for language training does. If you were applying for like a military history field, then yes, for sure include it and talk about anything you did.

When were you at Monterey if I may ask? And totally get your point about door breachs. I wouldn't think your military background would be that much of a distraction if you have the overall makeup of a good student. Why do you say there seems to be a stigma with military folks, if I may ask?

[Loimographia]

Why do you say there seems to be a stigma with military folks, if I may ask?

I think the presence of a serious pervasive stigma could be debated (I'll leave that to others), and I've certainly by and large seen respect for military folks in these forums, but I have seen it from one of my professors (anecdotal evidence disclaimer, obviously). My knowledge of the matter is limited, but I kind of wonder if it doesn't go back to how the Vietnam War allowed people to avoid the draft by enrolling in undergraduate or graduate studies. As a result, academics may have felt that those in the military at the time secretly (and, well, sometimes not so secretly) resented those who went into academia as cowards and/or unpatriotic. They, in turn, may have resented this resentment, and compensated by overjustifying themselves by building a subtle dislike of the military. It's easy to say "oh but that was then, this is now!" except many of the most eminent professors of today were in graduate school during the Vietnam War. So, if there really is a stigma, it's probably these older professors who give a bad rap to academia for this sort of thing

[SapperDaddy]

When were you at Monterey if I may ask? And totally get your point about door breachs. I wouldn't think your military background would be that much of a distraction if you have the overall makeup of a good student. Why do you say there seems to be a stigma with military folks, if I may ask?

I think a lot of the stigma comes from the baby boomer crowd that now makes up so much of the administration of most departments. They are the Vietnam era people, most of who were smart enough to get an exemption from the draft (not that I blame them, in Vietnam, I would have done the same thing). It's sort of the same reason why there are so few military historians and so few places that even offer a military history subfield. I was at Monterey in 1999 (I'm an old dude).

In my case, I don't like sharing the details of my military experience with people who haven't ever served themselves because they have little concept of anything I'm talking about. I also don't like to share what I did with a bunch of REMFs either, but if you were combat arms, you know about the pogues in the rear who kept their weapons wrapped in plastic bags in their HMMWVs so they didn't have to clean them after the FTX , and had hot chow and showers every day they were in the field.

[TMP]

A good point there about military and languages. I had no idea that the reason why my Japanese lit professor (who's white) wanted to study Japanese was because of his time in East Asia during the war. He had been stationed somewhere around east Asia (I forgot where exactly). It was the first time he and his budidies had been to that part of the world and were simply fascinated by the cultures and languages. They all came back to the US realizing that they wanted to go into East Asian Studies and they did.

[SapperDaddy]

A good point there about military and languages. I had no idea that the reason why my Japanese lit professor (who's white) wanted to study Japanese was because of his time in East Asia during the war. He had been stationed somewhere around east Asia (I forgot where exactly). It was the first time he and his budidies had been to that part of the world and were simply fascinated by the cultures and languages. They all came back to the US realizing that they wanted to go into East Asian Studies and they did.

For my language, my military training was the only formal training I've received, so I had little other choice but to include it.

[RevolutionBlues]

I agree with SapperDaddy that it is difficult for somebody who hasn't experienced war to be able to fully sympathize with its participants. I chose to briefly include my military service, partially because I accept the saying that the best training for a historian is a trip around the world so they can better empathize with historical actors, and partially because it was my military experience that shaped my interest in and within the field of history as Ticklemepink said. I also worried that some academics may harbor anti-military sentiments, or rather make assumptions about the type of people who serve, and so balanced it out by also briefly mentioning involvement in social justice activity that would more directly aid my understanding within my particular interests.

[oseirus]

I wonder where the modern day American Liddell-Hart is going to come from then if these people have that approach?

[SapperDaddy]

I wonder where the modern day American Liddell-Hart is going to come from then if these people have that approach?

British schools seem to be a lot more practical about military history.

[oseirus]

British schools seem to be a lot more practical about military history.

Well if this African history PhD gig doesn't pan out, my other passion is military history so we'll see