emhafe Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 Hello! I meant to start this a while back but forgot my password, and then forgot which email address I used to log in... However, I have been lurking in these forums for quite a while. It appears that most of you are applying to straight history graduate programs. My question is: where are the public historians?! I would really like to hear about your experiences. Thanks and God bless! ncmissy 1
KBHistorian Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 Well hello there my fellow public historian! I'm finishing up my undergrad this semester and just waiting to hear back from all the schools I applied to. Which feels like forever!!
emhafe Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 At least we both heard back positively from NCSU! I feel much better knowing I have one down but can't wait to hear from the others. So, what area of public history do you prefer?
emhafe Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 When I received the acceptance email, I asked when we could expect to hear and they said they hoped to finalize funding decisions by last Friday. I haven't heard anything--so I hope they're still deciding! I'm finishing up my undergrad as well. I prefer museums or historic sites to work at (I really like to be able to touch the artifacts, haha). Concerning research, I'm pretty interested in American Catholic history and early American history, as well as Medieval history.
ncmissy Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 (edited) I'm still waiting to hear back from NCSU. Public history with a concentration in archives/records management. I haven't heard a peep, my application was admittedly not the most competitive, and no one has posted anything on the results page since last week so I'm expecting the worst. I live 20 minutes from campus (it's where I went for undergrad) so if they were sending me something via snail mail, I should have gotten it by now. Just tell me, please! Edited February 12, 2015 by ncmissy
KBHistorian Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 Hi there ncmissy! Maybe they're sending out the decisions in wavesa depending upon the concentration. Don't lose hope Have you applied anywhere else?
ncmissy Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 I'm really hoping they're sending out in waves by concentration! There are quite a few so I guess that could explain the delay. I didn't apply anywhere else this cycle. My plan is/was to do the dual degree program with State and SILS over at UNC. If I don't get into State, I'm not sure if I'm going to apply to UNC this year. I know that's not the right attitude but it's how I feel right now.
emhafe Posted February 12, 2015 Author Posted February 12, 2015 Well, there is still time! And of course, who knows how many people will accept offers? I applied to the Museum Studies concentration, and it sounds like you applied to archival, so maybe there's a hold up with UNC too. Since you're local, I was only there once to visit, and it was a GORGEOUS area.
KBHistorian Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 Since we all have different concentrations, I'm gonna bet that's why you haven't heard. But how cool would it be if we all went there for our MA?! We would already somewhat know people making it seem less foreboding.
KBHistorian Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 When I received the acceptance email, I asked when we could expect to hear and they said they hoped to finalize funding decisions by last Friday. I haven't heard anything--so I hope they're still deciding! I'm finishing up my undergrad as well. I prefer museums or historic sites to work at (I really like to be able to touch the artifacts, haha). Concerning research, I'm pretty interested in American Catholic history and early American history, as well as Medieval history. I hope so too! I sent in all my transcripts too just in case they needed it. So now I'm obsessively refreshing my email for a whole new reason. Oh very nice! Maybe we'll have classes together if we both attend
emhafe Posted February 12, 2015 Author Posted February 12, 2015 It's actually pretty broad--there's a lot going on there! NCSU is tied for my top choice. I'm waiting to hear from the other programs and funding befor thinking too much about one. I don't want to get my heart set on a school and go somewhere else.
ncmissy Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 I emailed the director earlier to ask when I could expect a decision. She told me I was not admitted. That's what I suspected but having confirmation still stings.
KBHistorian Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 I emailed the director earlier to ask when I could expect a decision. She told me I was not admitted. That's what I suspected but having confirmation still stings. Oh I'm so sorry!
ncmissy Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 Oh I'm so sorry! Did you apply elsewhere? I didn't. I wanted to stay in Raleigh and State happens to be one of the best for public history so it seemed like it'd work out. Now I have to decide if I want to submit my application to UNC. If I didn't get into State, I don't think I'll get into UNC. Back to the drawing board, I guess.
KBHistorian Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 I didn't. I wanted to stay in Raleigh and State happens to be one of the best for public history so it seemed like it'd work out. Now I have to decide if I want to submit my application to UNC. If I didn't get into State, I don't think I'll get into UNC. Back to the drawing board, I guess. No matter it will work out in the end! Thankfully you're in a great area that appears to have a lot of opportunities in the field. I want to wish you the best of luck!!!!!
emhafe Posted February 12, 2015 Author Posted February 12, 2015 KBhistorian's right, there is also a lot of opportunity in that Raleigh area, history-wise. I would focus on just keep getting experience in the field.
aliceunderskies Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 I'm so sorry to hear about that, NCmissy. One of the things I've been really curious about the dual degree IS/Public History program is whether one or the other prioritizes applicants who are already admitted or attending the other institution. To be sure, I've only hinted at the question, but nobody has given me an answer. I got into NCSU and USC. I'm leaning towards NCSU--they gave me by far the better funding offer--but I have my heart set on the dual degree, so admission (and funding!) from NCU is a huge concern for me as I make the decision. I really love both programs--they were easily my top two, so I'm pretty happy--but I feel that NCSU and Raleigh in general has by far better support for learning about digitization, so that's my inclination. KBHistorian, are you going to visit during the Graduate Conference? Maybe I'll see you there!
KBHistorian Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 I'm so sorry to hear about that, NCmissy. One of the things I've been really curious about the dual degree IS/Public History program is whether one or the other prioritizes applicants who are already admitted or attending the other institution. To be sure, I've only hinted at the question, but nobody has given me an answer. I got into NCSU and USC. I'm leaning towards NCSU--they gave me by far the better funding offer--but I have my heart set on the dual degree, so admission (and funding!) from NCU is a huge concern for me as I make the decision. I really love both programs--they were easily my top two, so I'm pretty happy--but I feel that NCSU and Raleigh in general has by far better support for learning about digitization, so that's my inclination. KBHistorian, are you going to visit during the Graduate Conference? Maybe I'll see you there! Oh congrats into getting into both! From what I've seen Raleigh looks like the place to be for those in Public History. So you already know your funding for NCSU? If so I'm super jealous--I've been hoping to find out soon. I don't know if I will be, I am planning to go up during my Spring Break to get a feel for the town and the university. But I might since it would be a good time for networking with (potentially) my new classmates!
emhafe Posted February 13, 2015 Author Posted February 13, 2015 Aliceunderskies, are you doing the phd in public history or MA at NCSU? Just curious!
aliceunderskies Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Aliceunderskies, are you doing the phd in public history or MA at NCSU? Just curious! Sorry, should have specified in my original post. At this point I will be doing an MA and especially hoping for the MA/MLIS combination. I'm undecided on whether I'll need a PhD to get the jobs that I want. I'm pretty sure I don't want to teach, and I'm wary of becoming overqualified for some of the jobs I'm interested in. I'm really looking forward to the guidance that a Public History faculty can offer me on the "to PhD or not to PhD" question! Do any of you have any thoughts or experience on the best degree level for working in public history rather than academia?
KBHistorian Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Sorry, should have specified in my original post. At this point I will be doing an MA and especially hoping for the MA/MLIS combination. I'm undecided on whether I'll need a PhD to get the jobs that I want. I'm pretty sure I don't want to teach, and I'm wary of becoming overqualified for some of the jobs I'm interested in. I'm really looking forward to the guidance that a Public History faculty can offer me on the "to PhD or not to PhD" question! Do any of you have any thoughts or experience on the best degree level for working in public history rather than academia? I agree I'm very interested to see what their views are on "to PhD or not to PhD". From what I've seen a MA is incredibly helpful to have jobs that aren't completely entry level and are at times required for jobs. Also, depending on colleges you can teach with just a MA, which I know you don't want but it is a fall back. A PhD is more desirable if you want to be the one running the museum, archive, or sector of NPS. However, they will at times allow experince to make up for a lack of a PhD. The biggest draw is that with a PhD you can teach upper level history courses at colleges and be called Dr. This is just my observation from talking with my advisor, coworkers, and perusing job openings.
emhafe Posted February 13, 2015 Author Posted February 13, 2015 It also really depends on the institution. When I spoke with a professor at American, she really discouraged getting a PhD specifically to work in the field unless your hope is to eventually teach or be at a research based museum (like the Smithsonian). Personally, I've always wanted to get a PhD but have no definite point in life where I want it (as in, immediately after MA or somewhere down the road). Even then, I think a lot of public historians either get one in history or American Studies. (Also, KB, sorry about the GWU rejection.)
KBHistorian Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 I agree with emmd94. It's about career goals. I know someone who got their MA in public history but is getting a PhD in history. I want a PhD, but unless I get amazing funding I doubt it'll be right after my MA. And thanks, emmd94! I actually felt relieved to not be accepted so my decision is that much easier!
emhafe Posted February 13, 2015 Author Posted February 13, 2015 Just received an acceptance from WVU!
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