masters in medieval history 2015

[Annalistasaxo89]

I was wondering if I could get some perspective on going about the process of applying to masters programs for medieval history and any general advice that could help me along way. In regards to academics I have a 4.0 GPA, a number of prizes won for my seminar papers, selective scholarships awarded, experience working for a medieval history professor in the capacity of assisting his research and the editing of his book (to be published by Cambridge next year), and a very solid background in Latin (3yrs upon graduation) and a basis in German (2 yrs). All of these I believe gives me a solid chance. My primary area of focus is continental and English medieval history, especially in the central and high middle ages dealing with conflict, violence, and social order (what has been dubbed conflict studies in recent years). The schools I would be applying to are Chicago, Cornell, perhaps Princeton, Harvard, Berkeley, Kings College London, and St. Andrews. I was interested in Toronto but the lack of funding for non-Canadian citizens make it economically unfeasible, My one worry is the GRE. I have over a month to study and review, however, I am afraid that my quantitative score would significantly lower my overall score as well as my horrible skills in typing which make the essays daunting. Any advice or experiences of others who have gone through this process would be greatly appreciated. 

[ashiepoo72]

I don't study medieval history, but I'm pretty sure most of the schools you listed do not offer a terminal MA degree--as in, you'd have to apply to the PhD program in order to get an MA, and even with a 4.0 and several languages it's really difficult to do. A few of my friends who are Medievalists have five+ languages under their belt before applying to PhDs.

 

For the GRE--take lots of practice tests. I have read that for the essays longer ones tend to do better so you want to at least be able to write enough for 5-6 paragraphs. Plus practicing your typing will benefit you later on--history is a writing intensive subject. I would spend more time worrying about verbal than quant.

[dr. t]

Specific MAs in medieval studies may be taken at Western Michigan, Oxbridge, Fordham, UCLA, UToronto, UCLondon, and some others which I have forgotten. To my knowledge, Chicago, Cornell, Princeton, Harvard, and Berkeley do not offer MAs in medieval studies except en route to a PhD. 

 

You sound like a strong candidate for PhD work. Why are you looking at an MA?

[L13]

I can't think of any evidence to indicate that knowledge of "five+ languages" is prerequisite to admission to a PhD program in medieval history. French, Latin and German are the standard languages you'll need to know by the time you finish your coursework, and based on my conversations with people at graduate departments I think professors really, really like it if you already know these three when you apply. However, in my desperation I've looked at the CVs of some grad students at a number of institutions, including some very reputable ones, and some of those people seem to have begun their graduate studies with only Latin and French, or Latin and German. I suppose if you're doing Byzantine stuff, Greek will also be obligatory for you. Other languages, like Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, Russian, etc., can be useful depending on your research focus, but can also not be.

 

What I'm saying is that I don't think knowing Korean, or Spanish, is in itself an advantage, let alone a requirement, in grad school admissions in medieval history. Latin and German seems fine to me.

[ashiepoo72]

I did not say five or more languages was a prerequisite--nor would I, as I am only familiar with applying to grad school in Medieval Studies through friends who are going through the process--just that even with stellar credentials admissions is competitive (hence why my friends felt the need to learn what I view as a crazy number of languages, although they seem to think it's not atypical). And I certainly wasn't trying to say obviously unrelated languages were advantageous--if my comment appears to suggest this, please disregard it...the languages that are valuable are the ones that are relevant.

 

Anyway, the OP is more than likely aware of the competitiveness of grad school admissions, so I probably came off as a debbie downer unnecessarily (my apologies, OP). 

[L13]

No, you didn't imply that, don't worry! I just wanted to clarify my own impressions of the language training expectations in the application process.

 

Your comment was valuable and I was just building on it. Sorry if I seemed to be cutting you down.

[ashiepoo72]

You weren't at all! I was concerned that my comment came off all wrong, especially since I'm no expert on applying to Medieval history programs.

[Annalistasaxo89]

Specific MAs in medieval studies may be taken at Western Michigan, Oxbridge, Fordham, UCLA, UToronto, UCLondon, and some others which I have forgotten. To my knowledge, Chicago, Cornell, Princeton, Harvard, and Berkeley do not offer MAs in medieval studies except en route to a PhD. 

 

You sound like a strong candidate for PhD work. Why are you looking at an MA?

You are right on the other schools. I typed this in a rush. I would be applying to them for a Phd. However, I am more interested in a Masters because I have been consistently told how competitive the field is by numerous individuals. There is also the fact that I have not had the chance to discuss my prospects with all but a few professors, some who have more optimistic views then others, which has only been compounded by the fact that I know of no others peers going through this process or individuals who have recently done so; therefore, I am quite intimidated by the whole process and my prospects.

[ManicMedievalist]

You'll be fine getting into a program as long as you write a great personal statement and make them want to turn the next page. Be careful applying to programs in the UK. You can't work in the UK without a "sponsor." When you get back to the states with a degree from a school in the UK it can be harder to find a job. It is a lot harder to network with possible future employers from across the sea.

[HistoireDes]

I was interested in Toronto but the lack of funding for non-Canadian citizens make it economically unfeasible,

 

 

Do all Canadian programs have lack of funding for non-Canadian citizens?

Also does lack of funding mean no TAship?

[poliscar]

As far as I know a degree in the UK will be more expensive than a Canadian degree. British tuition fees have skyrocketed over the past few years.

[dr. t]

Do all Canadian programs have lack of funding for non-Canadian citizens?

Also does lack of funding mean no TAship?

 

I may be wrong about this, but I was under the impression all PhDs at Toronto were fully funded, regardless of nationality. However, Toronto does usually ask for an MA before they admit you to the PhD.

[sacklunch]

All Toronto PhD's in this area are funded, though I have heard they tend to prefer Canadians first because it's cheaper than taking on international students. 

[levoyous]

You should check out Robin Fleming at Boston College. There's a strong Medieval contingent there, and I hear she's great. Also, there is some paid work for MA students, teaching experience if you want it, etc.

[Annalistasaxo89]

Well I got accepted by Berkeley. One of the Prof sent me a personal email letting me know, the paper work should arrive in the coming weeks. A Prof from Chicago also sent and email notifying me that he would be lobbying for me to get accepted and was very interested in working with me (my writing sample fit in with his current research).