Your application switched to a new department?

[uhohlemonster]

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone has had the experience (this year or in the past) of applications switching from the History department you originally applied to a different department in the same school. I got an email from a top university that they reviewed my application and think I'd be better suited for an ethnic studies department because the two people I requested to work with were a part of it (however, one is also the History department chair). Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else yet this cycle. Or, if it happened to you in the past, what happened in the end?

Thanks!

[Sparky]

Hm. A previous cycle, and my *app* didn't get switched, but when I contacted one of my POIs he suggested I apply to a particular interdisciplinary program at his school instead of to the straight-up history dept. (It is a program highly respected in academia). I listened. End result: here I am!And more importantly, I love it.

[goldielocks]

I had something similar, but not quite so drastic happen. I got an email from a POI at one of my top choices. They think I'd be a good candidate for an interdisciplinary program, which would mean more funding, which would (hopefully) mean a better shot at getting admitted. After talking it over with the POI, I agreed that it would be an excellent fit. Let's just hope it pans out in an offer. And I hope yours ends in an offer, too!

[Origin=Goal]

This same thing happened to me at one of my top schools-- an email from the secretary telling me the DGS wanted my application moved to a different program (which, incidentally, houses all of my potential advisers) and requesting my permission to do so. I said of course!

I'm taking this as a good sign, reasoning that if ours apps where not of interest this would not be necessary or done at all (i.e. better than the trash bin). Good luck to all of us in this spot (could really use some now!)

[uhohlemonster]

Thanks guys! Glad to know that I'm not alone. The hunch my profs from my old undergrad institution have is that the ethnic studies department there is very well-funded and that the History department probably thought, as long as my two potential advisors are there anyway, I may as well be put in an applicant pool that is inevitably smaller with more funding... Interesting politics. Shows how it all boils down to numbers. Good luck to all!

[TMP]

And $$$$$$$$$$$

[uhohlemonster]

I second the $$$$$$$$

[uhohlemonster]

So in the end, it didn't switch departments (this is UCLA, btw.) It switched sub-fields. Totally confusing. Anyway got an email from a POI in the subfield it got switched to that it is a good fit for me and that he's there if I have any questions. Promising? We'll see.

[Tigalily]

My app got switched to a different department just recently. I originally applied to IU History with a Middle East concentration but they temporarily suspended this sub-field for 2012. I was able get it switched to the Central Eurasian Studies Department at the very last minute. I'm pretty happy about it because it would be a better fit for me anyway.

Good luck to everyone!