Need Advice: Ancient History Ph.D programs focus on relgions

[valaquenta]

Hi all,

I will be graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in December and am seriously considering Graduate School for History in Ancient Med. Studies... and I am in sore need of advice and feedback about the projected strength of my application and any possible schools to think of applying to!

My interests focus on society and religion in Late Antiquity, namely, social tension in terms of religious conflict... rise of Christianity v. paganism, influence of eastern religions, etc.

GPA: History 3.97, Religious Studies 4.0, Certificate in Ancient Med. Studies, 4.0, Cumulative should be around a 3.85ish with one re-take for a 100- level Geography class in which I received a D... complicated reasons. (I was in love... forgot about a test... whatever) But the re-take was an A. I have yet to take the GRE's, which remain an unknown quantity as of this point. I have taken 18 300+ level courses in History and Religious Studies and have created and ran a student organization affiliated with the RS program at UWM. In our first year, we've been able to bring in speakers from as far as Sweden. I will have 5 semesters of Greek, 4 semesters of Latin, including one semester in the ICCS: Sicily Classics study abroad program ran through Duke University. I could probably test into 3rd semester Italian as well.

HOWEVER, I spent 2 years previously at a different college. I was 18 and hated everything about the place, and thus have almost 1 year of nothing but F's. BUT, I will have spent 4.5 years at UW-Milwaukee, meaning I essentially started over. I have one professor that will be able to vouch for my character, and ask for me to be judged upon my performance at UWM alone. She is the most difficult teacher I have ever had and have taken 6 upper-level history courses with her. That's a minor! Every history class I have taken was with professors have have Ph.D's in history from Yale, Harvard, Michigan-Ann Arbor, UC-Berkeley and Chicago. One in particular is well-connected in Late Antiquity. I have always asked around to find the most difficult classes and have excelled in them. That experience at my previous college was also a blessing in disguise, I learned a lot about myself AND I was able to take 1.5 years of electives!

I understand that UW-Milwaukee may not be a well-recognized institution, but my experience with the Duke program has taught me that I have received a first-class education at a fraction of the cost. I was very successful in Milwaukee... all while working almost full-time to support myself while still being close to family. We can't all be rich kids... but I have no illusions that name recognition is important.

I am not exactly sure if I will be applying for Ancient History in Classics or History departments as of yet... maybe Divinity schools? Most schools that offer Ph.D's in this field seem... intimidating.

Thoughts? Comments? Concerns? I have talked extensively with my professors about the strength of my application... but it would be wonderful to hear any feedback from a student prospective. You're the ones receiving acceptance and (hopefully not!) any rejection letters.

I appreciate any feedback whatsoever, and best of luck to you all (even though I am sure most of you have heard back from your schools)