Wullbluomen Posted April 11, 2015 Posted April 11, 2015 The 15th is upon us! ...and I'm having a lot of trouble with this decision, so I would greatly appreciate any input you guys can give. I was accepted to both Georgetown and UC Santa Barbara, was offered very similar funding packages (tuition waver, medical insurance, ~$25000 stipend), and was given a very warm welcome at both schools when I visited. Both of my potential advisors were excited and knowledgable about my planned research topics. But I'm getting a lot of family pressure to stay on the East Coast, and I'm finding it hard to work up enthusiasm about either program. (For the record, I'm clinically depressed, and I don't want my depression to make this decision for me.) Unless there are Russian and Japanese historians representing in this thread, I think it would be best to leave the nitty-gritty of my research to my current advisor and just ask: what are your honest impressions of the history programs at these universities? I honestly don't know if I should take program rankings/reputation into account, because I intend to work in either the Foreign Service or the U.N. after completing my doctoral research.
Gambaosaka1 Posted April 11, 2015 Posted April 11, 2015 The 15th is upon us! ...and I'm having a lot of trouble with this decision, so I would greatly appreciate any input you guys can give. I was accepted to both Georgetown and UC Santa Barbara, was offered very similar funding packages (tuition waver, medical insurance, ~$25000 stipend), and was given a very warm welcome at both schools when I visited. Both of my potential advisors were excited and knowledgable about my planned research topics. But I'm getting a lot of family pressure to stay on the East Coast, and I'm finding it hard to work up enthusiasm about either program. (For the record, I'm clinically depressed, and I don't want my depression to make this decision for me.) Unless there are Russian and Japanese historians representing in this thread, I think it would be best to leave the nitty-gritty of my research to my current advisor and just ask: what are your honest impressions of the history programs at these universities? I honestly don't know if I should take program rankings/reputation into account, because I intend to work in either the Foreign Service or the U.N. after completing my doctoral research. My impression is that for Foreign Service/UN, Georgetown is a place that seems to train people for it. Working as a journalist it seemed like Georgetown was a factory for people getting into policy making/advising for governmental and international organizations. Who is the academic you would work with at UCSB. I got into their EALC program and one of the reasons I applied was because of Sabine Fruhstuck whose work is fantastic (I am sure you as, if not more, familiar with her work than me). Jordan Sand is the only one I know at Georgetown re Japan. Not sure about Russian studies at all though...either way, two great choices. Would be curious to hear where you end up.
Wullbluomen Posted April 11, 2015 Posted April 11, 2015 (edited) My impression is that for Foreign Service/UN, Georgetown is a place that seems to train people for it. Working as a journalist it seemed like Georgetown was a factory for people getting into policy making/advising for governmental and international organizations. Who is the academic you would work with at UCSB. I got into their EALC program and one of the reasons I applied was because of Sabine Fruhstuck whose work is fantastic (I am sure you as, if not more, familiar with her work than me). Jordan Sand is the only one I know at Georgetown re Japan. Not sure about Russian studies at all though...either way, two great choices. Would be curious to hear where you end up. I would be working with ann-elise lewallen at UCSB, with additional assistance from James Brooks and Tsuyoshi Hasegawa in the History department. In fact, I applied to their History program, but was transferred to EALCS due to Professor Hasegawa's upcoming retirement. At Georgetown, I (along with one other student, if they choose to enter the program) would be one of Jordan Sand's first advisees. The university recently received a grant from the Japanese government to add a new faculty member, and Professor Sand is gunning for a Tokugawa specialist, but nothing's set in stone yet. Georgetown has a solid Russian presence along with a department-wide focus on transnational history, which was why I applied in the first place. While the History department focuses on preparing its PhD students for academic work, I would definitely be able to take advantage of Georgetown's connections to governmental organizations in DC. All of us visiting students were given a list of recent job placements for graduates, and several got work in the Department of Defense and the State Department, both as Foreign Service officers and as historians. Edited April 11, 2015 by Wullbluomen
HistoryMystery Posted April 11, 2015 Posted April 11, 2015 I just completed all of the documentation for UC Davis, so it's officially official. I have an email address and everything That e-mail creation process was a trip. It took me 3 tries to get one that hadn't already been taken
TMP Posted April 11, 2015 Posted April 11, 2015 The 15th is upon us! ...and I'm having a lot of trouble with this decision, so I would greatly appreciate any input you guys can give. I was accepted to both Georgetown and UC Santa Barbara, was offered very similar funding packages (tuition waver, medical insurance, ~$25000 stipend), and was given a very warm welcome at both schools when I visited. Both of my potential advisors were excited and knowledgable about my planned research topics. But I'm getting a lot of family pressure to stay on the East Coast, and I'm finding it hard to work up enthusiasm about either program. (For the record, I'm clinically depressed, and I don't want my depression to make this decision for me.) Unless there are Russian and Japanese historians representing in this thread, I think it would be best to leave the nitty-gritty of my research to my current advisor and just ask: what are your honest impressions of the history programs at these universities? I honestly don't know if I should take program rankings/reputation into account, because I intend to work in either the Foreign Service or the U.N. after completing my doctoral research. I was in a similar position. Though I did not really know it at the time, I was already down with mild depression. Yes I was very excited for a few weeks but after a while, I just couldn't get into "embrace it all!" mode. I had a lot of trouble allowing myself to just be happy and feel the joy of being "wanted." It's frustrating. What I did at the end was just have a heart-to-heart conversation with my former adviser who knew better than I did. It worked out and I'm still thankful that she directed me to the appropriate path for me.
eqv Posted April 12, 2015 Posted April 12, 2015 I have been admitted to Oxford's Medieval Studies MSt and Medieval History MSt programmes, but now I have to choose between the two! Does anyone have any advice or extra information on distinctions between the two programmes and/or their scholarly reputations beyond what is found on the course websites? Brief overview: Medieval history: 11 months, DPhil track/first step Medieval studies: 9 months, interdisciplinary, language focus I'm torn because although I would like to ultimately get my doctorate, I had an English professor as my thesis advisor and in a graduate Chaucer class last term and loved the experience. Essentially, I'm not sure if it is worth the risk of diverging from history, or missing out on the approach of other disciplines....Help!
dr. t Posted April 12, 2015 Posted April 12, 2015 I'd say go with the one which lets you fill in the weak spots of your app best. It sounds like that's probably the history degree?
eqv Posted April 12, 2015 Posted April 12, 2015 Probably! I definitely need to bolster my languages (I have Latin, Middle English and one semester of French and German that I'd like to continue with) for my DPhil or PhD. It also seems like it would be the more practical choice since I'm a undergrad history major, and I wouldn't want to spend time playing catch up in other fields instead of broadening and refining my existing knowledge.
Gambaosaka1 Posted April 12, 2015 Posted April 12, 2015 I would be working with ann-elise lewallen at UCSB, with additional assistance from James Brooks and Tsuyoshi Hasegawa in the History department. In fact, I applied to their History program, but was transferred to EALCS due to Professor Hasegawa's upcoming retirement. At Georgetown, I (along with one other student, if they choose to enter the program) would be one of Jordan Sand's first advisees. The university recently received a grant from the Japanese government to add a new faculty member, and Professor Sand is gunning for a Tokugawa specialist, but nothing's set in stone yet. Georgetown has a solid Russian presence along with a department-wide focus on transnational history, which was why I applied in the first place. While the History department focuses on preparing its PhD students for academic work, I would definitely be able to take advantage of Georgetown's connections to governmental organizations in DC. All of us visiting students were given a list of recent job placements for graduates, and several got work in the Department of Defense and the State Department, both as Foreign Service officers and as historians. Anne-Lewise Lewallen was also meant to be one of my advisors (alongside Fabio Rambelli). All three were incredibly friendly and welcoming. I think the environment in UCSB would be fantastic to work in.
Abetheh Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 Accepted at York University in Toronto a month and a half ago. And now that the strike is over, I've accepted the offer! Feels great to be in a program after two cycles of nothing. Gambaosaka1 1
tingdeh Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 Accepted at York University in Toronto a month and a half ago. And now that the strike is over, I've accepted the offer! Feels great to be in a program after two cycles of nothing. Congrats! I've heard nothing but great things from their humanities departments, and this is coming from a UofT snob! Have wonderful time. Abetheh 1
Wullbluomen Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 I was in a similar position. Though I did not really know it at the time, I was already down with mild depression. Yes I was very excited for a few weeks but after a while, I just couldn't get into "embrace it all!" mode. I had a lot of trouble allowing myself to just be happy and feel the joy of being "wanted." It's frustrating. What I did at the end was just have a heart-to-heart conversation with my former adviser who knew better than I did. It worked out and I'm still thankful that she directed me to the appropriate path for me. Based on your experience, I went and gave my own former advisor a phone call earlier today, and she helped me make the final decision. I just submitted my enrollment acceptance to the Georgetown portal -- my hands were shaking, I was so nervous! Thanks to you and Gambaosaka for your help. hanlin 1
IvanBezdomnii Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 Based on your experience, I went and gave my own former advisor a phone call earlier today, and she helped me make the final decision. I just submitted my enrollment acceptance to the Georgetown portal -- my hands were shaking, I was so nervous! Thanks to you and Gambaosaka for your help. Funny enough I just received an unexpected acceptance to Georgetown PhD program in history to work with Dr. Michael David-Fox on Russian/Soviet history. I now have an unexpected and ridiculously difficult decision to make between Georgetown with only about three days to mull things over. What sub-field are you in? And (I haven't read the whole thread back, so sorry if you have to repeat yourself), what made the difference in your decision and what impressed you about Georgetown?
Wullbluomen Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 Funny enough I just received an unexpected acceptance to Georgetown PhD program in history to work with Dr. Michael David-Fox on Russian/Soviet history. I now have an unexpected and ridiculously difficult decision to make between Georgetown with only about three days to mull things over. What sub-field are you in? And (I haven't read the whole thread back, so sorry if you have to repeat yourself), what made the difference in your decision and what impressed you about Georgetown? Congratulations! And I'm glad you have even a little bit more time to think about your decision, rather than being forced to choose by 11:59 p.m. on the 15th. I study Russo-Japanese relations dating from the late 19th century to the end of the Asia-Pacific War, with a focus on the Sea of Okhotsk region. Georgetown and UCSB both offered very compelling offers (the funding packages were similar, the faculty were supportive and enthusiastic), but I was tipped toward Georgetown because the university has sent more history graduates on to careers in the State Dept. It also has much stronger support for Russian/Soviet history, which I would have missed at UCSB. Please let me know if you have any specific questions about the university -- I have a slew of informational materials that I received during my campus visit, and I'm sure I have answers for you! IvanBezdomnii and Gambaosaka1 2
hanlin Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 Congratulations Wullbluomen! (Of course we've met on prospective students day). If IvanBezdomnii would like any additional information or perspective on the program just send me a pm. IvanBezdomnii 1
dr. t Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 Yale University Renaissance Studies - History, PhD (F15) Accepted via E-mail on 12 Apr 2015 A 15 Apr 2015 report spam Was initially rejected on March 11, but was informed on March 23 that the rejection I received was an error and so I was placed on the waiting list. I was finally informed of my acceptance to the program on April 12. Man, that was a roller coaster start to finish.
Chiqui74 Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 Seems to happen often. Tulane History, PhD (S15) Accepted via E-mail on 11 Apr 2015 A 14 Apr 2015 Waitlisted in late February and rejected in early March, but informed that the rejection was a mistake in early April and that I was indeed offered admission. Had to decline as I had already accepted another offer elsewhere, but for anyone on the waitlist hopefully this is good news.
TMP Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 Based on your experience, I went and gave my own former advisor a phone call earlier today, and she helped me make the final decision. I just submitted my enrollment acceptance to the Georgetown portal -- my hands were shaking, I was so nervous! Thanks to you and Gambaosaka for your help. No problem- happy to offer my own experiences. Congrats again and feel free to PM me Gambaosaka1 1
jayray11 Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 Congrats to all these last minute acceptances - must be a great feeling to suddenly have new options!
mlopiano93 Posted April 15, 2015 Posted April 15, 2015 Yale University Renaissance Studies - History, PhD (F15) Accepted via E-mail on 12 Apr 2015 A 15 Apr 2015 report spam Was initially rejected on March 11, but was informed on March 23 that the rejection I received was an error and so I was placed on the waiting list. I was finally informed of my acceptance to the program on April 12. Man, that was a roller coaster start to finish. It sure was! Another couple of days and my alternatives would have forced my hand. I'll have to see if I can find out exactly what was going on up there once I finish up my undergrad. CT is my home state, so I am excited to be back home and to work at Yale. dr. t 1
Gambaosaka1 Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Based on your experience, I went and gave my own former advisor a phone call earlier today, and she helped me make the final decision. I just submitted my enrollment acceptance to the Georgetown portal -- my hands were shaking, I was so nervous! Thanks to you and Gambaosaka for your help. Congrats! I just realized both of us could have been in the same cohort at EALCS. I felt terrible saying no to them as that department was probably the most friendly/responsive one I contacted. Sent all three (Fruhstuch, AL Lewallen and Rambelli) an email to say I had decided to take another offer. Your topic sounds great! Would be curious to read up on it more once I get my Japanese down finally. How's your Russian/Japanese?
anthrohis7092 Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 I am heading to Michigan State University in the fall. After a while debating among options, I have decided to go with program that I think is the best fit. My current history department just recently hired a MSU PhD so that's also a good excuse for me to think I made the right decision. Nothing feels better than finally being able to move on from this phase and be productive in other endeavors!
IvanBezdomnii Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Well, it was a tough decision, but I decided to go with Georgetown over Toronto. So I guess I will be seeing some of you in the fall. Look forward to meeting Wullbluomen and others in person soon! dr. t, HistoryMystery, Gambaosaka1 and 1 other 4
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