Fall 2013 Applicants?

[CageFree]

Everyone's timeline is different. Focus on yourself-- work at your own pace. Let your mind work on its own.

But I do urge you to just do some free writing on your SOP. Don't worry about grammar mistakes, whether or not the sentences make sense, etc. Just write down everything you ever want to say about your intellectual journey, questions you have, your influences, etc. Just write it all down. It doesn't matter if it comes to 6 pages.

And put it away, somewhere where you can't find easily. Make sure it's out of your sight (out of sight, out of mind).

I really second that advice. I did my first 'drafts' in August, thought I had a good draft in September, and then started working on my writing sample, plus had to dive into the rest of my "life." I didn't really pick up the SOP again until late October, once I had a better idea of what I wanted to do, especially from having talked to professors via email or on the phone, and I rewrote it completely. I think I had about 4-5 completely different drafts (meaning, not revisions, but rewritten entirely... different approach, style, etc.) before I finally settled on one "version" that was submitted, with modifications and further edits, to each school.

And I'll add that since the application season is about two months long, don't feel like you have to submit all of your apps at the same time. I am glad I staggered them... my last application round was the most successful in terms of admissions AND funding. My first two applications (Brown and Wisconsin) were embarrassing, comparatively speaking. Thing is, I don't think I could have done it differently. Once I submitted my last app, I told myself I would not look at it again because I knew I'd start picking it apart AGAIN and then I'd start freaking out over the mistakes that were still there.

I will also second the idea that everyone has different timing... what you're doing while you're working on apps (work, classes) definitely influences the choices you have to make.

[unforth]

"But I do urge you to just do some free writing on your SOP. Don't worry about grammar mistakes, whether or not the sentences make sense, etc. Just write down everything you ever want to say about your intellectual journey, questions you have, your influences, etc. Just write it all down. It doesn't matter if it comes to 6 pages.

"And put it away, somewhere where you can't find easily. Make sure it's out of your sight (out of sight, out of mind)."

This sounds like brilliant advice. I will do this imminently. Like today or tomorrow. Thank you.

(also: sorry, fancy quoting buttons don't work right on my iPad, it's annoying...)

[Gene Parmesan]

I showed my SOP to as many people as possible. I noticed some profs read for content while other read for structure, and their combined comments produced what I'd like to think of as a workable and efficient SOP. I've also heard one prof offer this advice, do three different quickwrites: one when you get out of class (if this applies to you), one after you've had a beer/wine/coffee, and one when you've just woken up, finished running, or anything that relaxes you.

I found it also really helps if you determine the tone of your SOP. I knew people who made their SOP really personal and weaved personal narrative with research interests. Personally, I included one sentence about personal struggle as an undergrad, but beyond that my SOP was 3 pages or so of research discussion (what I've studied, what I want to study, why I want to study it at that school).

Regarding the app process, I wish I would have started earlier. I began writing around October and felt like I was scrambling to finish in November after my 30th or so draft (no kidding). If you have the time and energy to jot down your ideas now, go for it. I wouldn't recommend aiming for a full draft until the fall. I noticed my interests changed a lot and I found new ways to articulate those interests as I read more and talked more w/ faculty. Also, I worked 2-3 jobs at a time during the fall semester w/ classes so I really didn't set aside enough time "brainstorm" ideas and such, so if you can anticipate a busy fall semester/workload then getting started as soon as possible helps.

If you can, start an excel sheet for your prospective programs. Write in deadlines, transcript requirements, gre requirements, POIs and their emails, and whatever else you can gather that will keep you from having 7 internet tabs open at once.

Edited April 30, 2012 by Gene Parmesan

[annieca]

Schedule for me. Not saying it's going to work for everyone. I'm just crazy and paranoid and moving halfway across the world for a study abroad at the end of September.

So:

Now-August

Ask for letter of recs (informally. I'll follow up with an email later in the process)

Revise the heck out of my Writing Sample.

Study for the GRE

SOPs

August-September

Take the GRE

SOPs

CV revisions

Email profs about LORs

End of September

Email POIs about programs (I would love to do this earlier but profs have a habit of not checking their email over the summer)

And then End of September-December

Apply!

Eek. That seems so close to now.

[unforth]

I have a happy, and wanted to share! I got my final GRE scores - my 165 in Verbal is 96th percentile, the 157 in math is 77th percentile. Nothing new there, really. My main excitement is on the essay - I'm so long out of school that I really wanted a 6 on the essays - and I got it! I know that many programs don't really care if you do badly, but I'm still hoping that doing well will give me a slight edge, or at least compensate for my undergrad GPA (which was a 3.28, 8 years ago...).

[theregalrenegade]

I have a happy, and wanted to share! I got my final GRE scores - my 165 in Verbal is 96th percentile, the 157 in math is 77th percentile. Nothing new there, really. My main excitement is on the essay - I'm so long out of school that I really wanted a 6 on the essays - and I got it! I know that many programs don't really care if you do badly, but I'm still hoping that doing well will give me a slight edge, or at least compensate for my undergrad GPA (which was a 3.28, 8 years ago...).

Great news! According to previous posts, this should really bump you up in the competition for scholarships.

[oseirus]

I have a happy, and wanted to share! I got my final GRE scores - my 165 in Verbal is 96th percentile, the 157 in math is 77th percentile. Nothing new there, really. My main excitement is on the essay - I'm so long out of school that I really wanted a 6 on the essays - and I got it! I know that many programs don't really care if you do badly, but I'm still hoping that doing well will give me a slight edge, or at least compensate for my undergrad GPA (which was a 3.28, 8 years ago...).

Well done! Take that all who said History majors can;t do math! Make sure you contact your high school algebra 2 teacher and tell her she can shove her PEMDAS elsewhere because you totally beatdown the GRE and will not take her nonsense anymore!

[hbeels]

I have a happy, and wanted to share! I got my final GRE scores - my 165 in Verbal is 96th percentile, the 157 in math is 77th percentile. Nothing new there, really. My main excitement is on the essay - I'm so long out of school that I really wanted a 6 on the essays - and I got it! I know that many programs don't really care if you do badly, but I'm still hoping that doing well will give me a slight edge, or at least compensate for my undergrad GPA (which was a 3.28, 8 years ago...).

Congrats, unforth! Nice work in the math section... I'm a little worried about my own scores in that, haha

[CageFree]

I have a happy, and wanted to share! I got my final GRE scores - my 165 in Verbal is 96th percentile, the 157 in math is 77th percentile. Nothing new there, really. My main excitement is on the essay - I'm so long out of school that I really wanted a 6 on the essays - and I got it! I know that many programs don't really care if you do badly, but I'm still hoping that doing well will give me a slight edge, or at least compensate for my undergrad GPA (which was a 3.28, 8 years ago...).

That's awesome! And don't sweat the GPA. Mine was worse. LOL.

[annieca]

Congrats!

[Abetheh]

Now that I have caught up with the entirety of the thread, time to make a first post!

I just finished my undergrad and am starting my MA at the same school in the fall. I am gunning for a spot in a PhD program for the year afterwards and it needs to be somewhere else, so I'm a little bit apprehensive about this whole process. I'm also quite nervous about the fact that many of the professors who I would like to work with are at the "prestigious" type of schools that everyday folks like myself rarely get into.

Since others above have shared their application schedule, I thought I would do the same.

1. Narrow down the programs that I'm interested in to about 10. This has already been accomplished in my first month of freedom from undergrad.

2. Refresh myself with some more background reading in my field and start working on the Statement of Interest. This one is all through the summer.

3. Take an introductory course in German at the Goethe Institute from mid May to early June.

4. Show up at my convocation on June 13th!!!!

5. Start studying for the GREs right afterwards.

6. Take GREs in mid July.

7. Finish working on Statements of Interest by the end of August.

8. Start school again and approach profs for letters, advice about different programs, and to show them my statement.

9. Finish applications for funding opportunities (SSHRC/OGS/Vanier Scholarships/Fulbright... The wonders of being Canadian) by mid October.

10. Send in applications for schools by their due dates.

Wish me luck, it's going to be a wild ride!

[theregalrenegade]

Now that I have caught up with the entirety of the thread, time to make a first post!

I just finished my undergrad and am starting my MA at the same school in the fall. I am gunning for a spot in a PhD program for the year afterwards and it needs to be somewhere else, so I'm a little bit apprehensive about this whole process. I'm also quite nervous about the fact that many of the professors who I would like to work with are at the "prestigious" type of schools that everyday folks like myself rarely get into.

Wish me luck, it's going to be a wild ride!

Welcome! Glad to have another ambitious hopeful in our 2013 group!

[unforth]

Yay, another 2013 applicant. Welcome!

[Gene Parmesan]

Nothing wrong with an MA. It was the best route for me :-)

+1

[oseirus]

+1

are we bringing google plus here now?

[theregalrenegade]

OK, so this is big news for me. I received a GAship starting the Fall semester! I've been paying for my MA with loans, so I'm ecstatic. I know many of you are old hats at the joys of TAing/GAing... but I was passed over so often I was beginning to get a complex. And even though it was given to me because someone else declined it, I'm confident that it meant I was just next on the list..and not LAST on the list. In other news...my semester is finally OVER! Now to start prepping for those apps.Why do I always feel guilty if I'm not DOING something scholastic? Any of you feel that way?

[Abetheh]

.Why do I always feel guilty if I'm not DOING something scholastic? Any of you feel that way?

All the time.

I'm done all my classes and just booked my convocation but I've already started doing background reading for my MA thesis, which I will not start writing until after winter break next year.

Congrats on the GAship!

[unforth]

Yay! Congrats on the GAship, that rocks! Being in second is a win, It'll be really valuable experience, too!

I feel guilty when I read anything that isn't history, and I've been out of school for years...it happens.

[oseirus]

OK, so this is big news for me. I received a GAship starting the Fall semester! I've been paying for my MA with loans, so I'm ecstatic. I know many of you are old hats at the joys of TAing/GAing... but I was passed over so often I was beginning to get a complex. And even though it was given to me because someone else declined it, I'm confident that it meant I was just next on the list..and not LAST on the list. In other news...my semester is finally OVER! Now to start prepping for those apps.Why do I always feel guilty if I'm not DOING something scholastic? Any of you feel that way?

1. YAY congrats

2. Who cares how you got it? You got it ad thats all that matters to me

3. Drinks on you ... road trip to Vegas ... YAY!!!

4. No need to feel guilty about not being scholastic, you can just think of it as 'reflecting on time'

5. Seriously, road trip people ... Vegas is calling us!

[annieca]

Congrats! I'm sure that you're happy to be able to not worry about money as much. And so, with the less worrying I agree with oseirus - you need to go to Vegas!

I hit a bit of a snaffu yesterday in thinking about my future. Which of course means a long conversation with my undergrad advisor and asking you all a million questions. One of which is... Can you apply for two different History programs within the same college? I am considering doing an MA/PhD at one university in addition to applying for their MA/MLIS. But, I have a feeling if I did that I would be pegged a flip flopper and someone who doesn't know what they want to do.

Which, ironically enough, is the case.

Congrats again theregalrenegade!

[theregalrenegade]

Hey thanks everyone!

The news made my day and all your comments are icing on the cake!

Seriously, oseirus and all the other lovely people here on the gradcafe boards, I formally extend an open invitation to anyone who'd like to get away for a few days in LV. My boyfriend and I may not live close to the Strip (everyone assumes that if you live in Vegas you reside IN a casino or ON the Strip) but we have a guest room and clean sheets. Just give me a heads up to make sure I'll be here!

As I'm making my plans in England for the summer, I've come to realize how important it is for grad students to stick together and help one another out, especially when travelling!

Now back to doing something academic.

[KendraSevilla]

Hi everyone!

I have been lurking at Grad Cafe for a while now, and about a year ago only made a single post in the Languages forum asking about Spanish literature programs. I have another year left is my BA, which is in Spanish, not History, and want to apply for MA programs in Canada. However the past few years I have taken a real liking to history, and I feel like my interests are more suited to a history program rather than a literature program. I have found two programs, York U and Trent U, with historians that research contemporary Spanish history. I sent them both out an email saying that I am doing a BA in Spanish and am interested in studying Spanish history further, and I got positive responses encouraging me to apply to their programs. I want to apply for fall 2013.

Im trying to complete a History minor, so that I at least have a little bit of a foundation. My marks have been all over the place though; A in Spanish Medieval History (that I took in Spain, which was a 3rd year course taught in Spanish, but it transferred over as an Intro course sadly), C in an Intro to European History, A- in a 3rd year Canadian History course, and a B in a 3rd year American History course. I now have a better idea on how to go about history courses, so I'm hoping I'll get more A's in the next four I have to complete.

My current overall GPA is 3.27 and I realize that its not competitive, but I'm hoping it will perk up during the next academic year. I'm not super confident being an applicant for History MA programs, because its pretty competitive, but my marks are good for my Spanish courses and I have studied abroad in Spain so I'm hoping that gives me more of an edge when it comes to focusing on Spanish history in these programs.

Has anyone else here "changed fields", or is thinking of doing so if you are like me and wanting to apply, from undergrad to graduate programs?

[unforth]

This weekend is the conference for the Society of Military Historians. As part of my getting back in to my field, I decided to attend even though as a non-student non-scholar I feel kinda outta place. Anyway, I just took the opportunity to introduce myself to One of the major professors in my field who is at one of the universities I want to attend and solicit her advice. Quite aside from the fact that I feel that I comported myself badly (aargh I'm too impatient ) I'm just feeling totally overwhelmed. The kind of person she describes as being a good candidate sounds like a fricken super human to me. Like, demonstrate deep knowledge of your own field! Oh, and demonstrate some amount of awesomeness in some other fields! And describe now awesome you are! And know what you want to study! And remember it all has to fit in one to three double spaced pages! Kinda panicky. also...feeling like I may end up pushed in to focusing on some areas that I'm actually not that interested in pursuing academically just to sweeten my application. All in all...not feeling good.

[Sigaba]

This weekend is the conference for the Society of Military Historians. As part of my getting back in to my field, I decided to attend even though as a non-student non-scholar I feel kinda outta place. Anyway, I just took the opportunity to introduce myself to One of the major professors in my field who is at one of the universities I want to attend and solicit her advice. Quite aside from the fact that I feel that I comported myself badly (aargh I'm too impatient ) I'm just feeling totally overwhelmed. The kind of person she describes as being a good candidate sounds like a fricken super human to me. Like, demonstrate deep knowledge of your own field! Oh, and demonstrate some amount of awesomeness in some other fields! And describe now awesome you are! And know what you want to study! And remember it all has to fit in one to three double spaced pages! Kinda panicky. also...feeling like I may end up pushed in to focusing on some areas that I'm actually not that interested in pursuing academically just to sweeten my application. All in all...not feeling good.

Are you talking about Carol Reardon?

MOO, I think that rather than allow yourself to be pushed into an area or areas that don't appeal to you or spending time worrying about how you compare to an imaginary strong applicant, you would be better served by developing a SOP that includes a dynamic affirmative argument for the historiographical relevance of your interests and brushing up your writing sample.

Keep in mind that while military historians are going through an extended phase that sees us on the outside looking in, our central areas of focus provide competitive advantages in relation to many other fields of history. If you bring these advantages to bear in your SOP and your writing sample, I am confident that you will acquit yourself well in the coming application season.

My $0.02.

[unforth]

Thank you. Yes, I was not-so-subtly talking about Carol Reardon. I'm actually feeling a lot better again - forced myself to overcome the low and go to the Grad Student meet and great tonight. I'm very glad I did - got to meet another of the professors I'd love to work with (Joe Glatthaar) and a number of other folks and had the ego-gratifying experience of having some grads at my top choice school trying to convince me to go there, and me like, don't worry, no convincing needed, I really, want to.

I don't know that I realized you were in military history (if you've previously said so, please forgive my memory!) - are you at the conference? What's your area of study?

Edited May 11, 2012 by unforth