No undergrad publishing

[ToomuchLes]

Basically, I have never published as an undergrad. After attending a Phi Alpha Theta meeting, and listening to someone talk about how he's part of the McNair program, and he's currently writing a senior thesis, I sudden became even more discouraged on applying to grad school. Therefore, Im curious what you guys think about this topic. Will publishing as an undergrad improve your application significantly? Moreover, if I were to prologue my graduation in 2014, and apply for the McNair program as a fifth year, will that impress my POI? 

 

I would like to mention that I am NOT applying to Ivy Leagues. Heres a short list of the schools Im applying to : UC Santa Barbara, UCLA, University of Virginia, UC Irvine, Washington State. 

 

Oh, and by the way, I am applying as a History major.

[Guest |||]

Consider why this person was chosen to talk at the meeting

 

 

Publishing in undergrad is not the norm it is the exception

[lylecrocodile]

I agree with the above - publishing as an undergrad isn't the "norm." I don't think prolonging graduation is a good idea. If you have a strong GPA, good SOP, LOR, etc. then your application is in good shape. Though, instead of prolonging graduation, you could consider getting an MA in history before the PhD. This could provide more opportunities to publish and present at conferences. I'm just now completing my MA in history have presented at numerous conferences and have published twice. Also, search H-Net announcements for undergraduate journals that are publishing and submit your work to those!

[juilletmercredi]

Yes, publishing as an undergrad improves your application significantly, especially if you are publishing in a reputable professional journal (as opposed to an undergrad journal, which is still good).

But the vast majority of people have not published before applying to grad school.

And no, you should not prolong graduation and apply to the McNair program as a 5th year.  First of all, the McNair program usually takes people for 2 years, so you may be ineligible.  Second of all, there are other ways to get research experience - most successful grad students were not in undergraduate fellowships like McNair.  It helps, but it's not the only way.