Fall 2016 Applicants

[Ahtlatl]

Choosing between Rutgers and UCLA, planning on specializing in Mexican ethnohistory. As an MA student, I'm fairly certain of the specific topic I'll write my dissertation on. POI at Rutgers is the leading expert in that particular topic, BUT she has no placements at all, since she's new-ish to advising and none of her students have yet to enter the job market (she has 5 students right now, one of which is about a year away from finishing). POI at UCLA is not a specialist in that topic, but has a perfect placement record. Should I choose UCLA on that alone? POI at Rutgers is really respected in the field, btw, she's definitely not a nobody! But no placements... yet.

I also heard that you should do your PhD at a different school than where you did your MA, the reason being that you've already made all the connections and used all the resources you can use at the school where you did your MA, so it's time to move on to new lands. What do you all think of that?  

[Quickmick]

On 3/10/2016 at 10:46 AM, archersline said:

2 hours ago, Ahtlatl said:

I also heard that you should do your PhD at a different school than where you did your MA, the reason being that you've already made all the connections and used all the resources you can use at the school where you did your MA, so it's time to move on to new lands. What do you all think of that?  

 

It is not uncommon to pick up an MA incidentally on the way to PhD, which would be at the same school so in practice for job purposes I don't think it would raise eyebrows. If you think you have taken advantage of all there is to offer from you current community then it seems to make sense to look at it that way. Having lived a few places in the country I've found I enjoy a change in regional scenery every once in a while--but that is just me. On the flip side, having established relationships and familiarity with the processes has some advantages and you don't have to be the new person again and relearn the way things are done.

I have heard from faculty that when you eventually try to land a job you might be a bit more attractive to schools other than your PhD granting institution, as it promotes cross-pollination of ideas. That being said their familiarity with you might make you more attractive and I see,and know, plenty of people that work where they went--if they have a need and want you it won't blow up the deal.

LOL so I guess I am just saying it depends.

[TMP]

7 hours ago, Ahtlatl said:

Choosing between Rutgers and UCLA, planning on specializing in Mexican ethnohistory. As an MA student, I'm fairly certain of the specific topic I'll write my dissertation on. POI at Rutgers is the leading expert in that particular topic, BUT she has no placements at all, since she's new-ish to advising and none of her students have yet to enter the job market (she has 5 students right now, one of which is about a year away from finishing). POI at UCLA is not a specialist in that topic, but has a perfect placement record. Should I choose UCLA on that alone? POI at Rutgers is really respected in the field, btw, she's definitely not a nobody! But no placements... yet.

I also heard that you should do your PhD at a different school than where you did your MA, the reason being that you've already made all the connections and used all the resources you can use at the school where you did your MA, so it's time to move on to new lands. What do you all think of that?  

5 PhD students?  That is...a lot. Not to mention that she's likely on other committees.  I'd be a little wary at this point-- is she going to be able to give you the attention and time that you deserve?  Have you had a chance to speak with her other students?  How have they described her as an adviser?

Of course, it's worthwhile to change schools to broaden one's network.  But if one receives a MA within the same university but different department, that's also fine.  You're making new connections when you work with faculty and grad students in other fields within that discipline.

[Septerra]

For anyone still waiting on Illinois:

I spoke with my POI, who informed me that they only admitted 6 graduate students this year, after admitting 20 last year. I was told that I may be on a waitlist, but my POI is not sure about my status. I have also heard that the University of Illinois has had some really serious budget cuts and that they are laying off faculty and cutting funding opportunities.

It is really unfortunate, because on a better year I feel like I definitely would have been accepted. However, there are factors that I can't control and this is definitely one of them. However, I have three admits and am overall really happy with how this process has worked out. I feel like I found a great fit for me. Good luck all!

Edit: I realize now that I posted most of this info a few days ago. Haha, oh well. I suppose redundancy is not the worst sin.

Edited March 14, 2016 by Septerra

[archersline]

On March 11, 2016 at 4:55 AM, Ahtlatl said:

Choosing between Rutgers and UCLA, planning on specializing in Mexican ethnohistory. As an MA student, I'm fairly certain of the specific topic I'll write my dissertation on. POI at Rutgers is the leading expert in that particular topic, BUT she has no placements at all, since she's new-ish to advising and none of her students have yet to enter the job market (she has 5 students right now, one of which is about a year away from finishing). POI at UCLA is not a specialist in that topic, but has a perfect placement record. Should I choose UCLA on that alone? POI at Rutgers is really respected in the field, btw, she's definitely not a nobody! But no placements... yet.

I also heard that you should do your PhD at a different school than where you did your MA, the reason being that you've already made all the connections and used all the resources you can use at the school where you did your MA, so it's time to move on to new lands. What do you all think of that?  

Are you talking about Cami Townsend by chance? If so, I've heard nothing but amazing things. If I accept Rutgers' offer I would likely be working with her too. 

[Danger_Zone]

27 minutes ago, Septerra said:

For anyone still waiting on Illinois:

I spoke with my POI, who informed me that they only admitted 6 graduate students this year, after admitting 20 last year. I was told that I may be on a waitlist, but my POI is not sure about my status. I have also heard that the University of Illinois has had some really serious budget cuts and that they are laying off faculty and cutting funding opportunities.

It is really unfortunate, because on a better year I feel like I definitely would have been accepted. However, there are factors that I can't control and this is definitely one of them. However, I have three admits and am overall really happy with how this process has worked out. I feel like I found a great fit for me. Good luck all!

Edit: I realize now that I posted most of this info a few days ago. Haha, oh well. I suppose redundancy is not the worst sin.

Thanks for letting us know! Illinois is the only school I need to hear back from (other than one wait list) so I can probably assume rejection at this point. I think it would have been a good fit for me but that sounds like a rough situation and it's unfortunate that they are having such difficulties.

Oh well... I got into U of Kentucky today so that was some nice news.

[stillalivetui]

2 hours ago, Septerra said:

I have also heard that the University of Illinois has had some really serious budget cuts and that they are laying off faculty and cutting funding opportunities

My former adviser at Indiana confirmed this, unfortunately. He added that even if were I gain admittance to Illinois, that it wouldn't be an ideal situation since there is so much uncertainty. 

[Septerra]

3 hours ago, Danger_Zone said:

Thanks for letting us know! Illinois is the only school I need to hear back from (other than one wait list) so I can probably assume rejection at this point. I think it would have been a good fit for me but that sounds like a rough situation and it's unfortunate that they are having such difficulties.

Oh well... I got into U of Kentucky today so that was some nice news.

Congrats! I got into UK as well, but plan on declining. The POI at UK would have been great, but I found an overall better fit elsewhere.

[Danger_Zone]

3 hours ago, Septerra said:

Congrats! I got into UK as well, but plan on declining. The POI at UK would have been great, but I found an overall better fit elsewhere.

Thanks! Congrats to you as well. That's how I feel as well.. A good research fit but I've found a better fit at another school. But if I can I'd like to try to take a trip to Kentucky and check it out.

[Ephemera]

Has anyone heard from Penn State, one way or another?

[SunshineLolipops]

6 hours ago, Ephemera said:

Has anyone heard from Penn State, one way or another?

I haven't heard anything (not even an interview), which is consistent with last cycle's late rejection.  Did you interview?

[wluhist16]

11 hours ago, Ephemera said:

Has anyone heard from Penn State, one way or another?

What field are you in? I'm Early Modern Global with a joint in Women's Studies and I interviewed in mid-February and got a call from my POI announcing my acceptance a week later. I visited last Monday and officially accepted my offer yesterday morning. =) just to give you a bit of a time line.

Good luck to you! I hope you hear soon. 

[archersline]

3 minutes ago, wluhist16 said:

What field are you in? I'm Early Modern Global with a joint in Women's Studies and I interviewed in mid-February and got a call from my POI announcing my acceptance a week later. I visited last Monday and officially accepted my offer yesterday morning. =) just to give you a bit of a time line.

Good luck to you! I hope you hear soon. 

Congrats to you! That is awesome! 

[Danger_Zone]

Can somebody give me some advice? I recently got accepted to a school and thanked them and let them know I was still considering it.. But once I thought it over I realized I'd most likely reject the offer afterall. I keep receiving really nice emails about how they really hope I accept and that they would love to have me visit, etc. I would visit just to check it out but it is a few hours out of the way and I'm not in the U.S. much longer.. Should I delay replying and let them know I'm rejecting the offer once I've made an official acceptance elsewhere? I really don't want to come off as rude.. But perhaps I came off as more enthusiastic about the offer than I had intended... 

[TMP]

51 minutes ago, Danger_Zone said:

Can somebody give me some advice? I recently got accepted to a school and thanked them and let them know I was still considering it.. But once I thought it over I realized I'd most likely reject the offer afterall. I keep receiving really nice emails about how they really hope I accept and that they would love to have me visit, etc. I would visit just to check it out but it is a few hours out of the way and I'm not in the U.S. much longer.. Should I delay replying and let them know I'm rejecting the offer once I've made an official acceptance elsewhere? I really don't want to come off as rude.. But perhaps I came off as more enthusiastic about the offer than I had intended... 

Don't worry about it.   You told them that you were considering it-- that means "I have other offers" and they know that they will have to encourage you to go to their program over whatever other offers you have.  It's part of the ritual.  If you know you will definitely turn the offer down, then formally turn it down and write back to those faculty members thanking them for their warm welcome and that unfortunately you have accept an offer elsewhere.  End of the story.  No burned bridges.

[Rohail Salman]

Hey guys,

 

This is my first time posting here. I applied to only four programs in the US for history this year. I got rejected from two, am still waiting on the MAGIC Program at Georgetown and have been told about being placed on a waitlist in GWU. In addition, I've gotten into LSE for an MSc in Global History with some handsome financing. 

 

I just wanted to know if anyone here has gotten accepted into GWU and whether they've accepted that offer and in what stream?

 

Cheers

[Kleio_77]

@Danger_Zone Where did you do your undergraduate degree? I am currently doing my MA at Guelph. 

[Danger_Zone]

50 minutes ago, Kleio_77 said:

@Danger_Zone Where did you do your undergraduate degree? I am currently doing my MA at Guelph. 

I did my undergrad at Guelph! The history department is wonderful, I hope you are enjoying it! May I ask what your research area is?

[Septerra]

I can't believe Illinois still hasn't informed me about my status...the DGS has not replied to my e-mail, and I wish I could go ahead an eliminate them from my purview.

[Kleio_77]

@Danger_Zone My area is modern German history and my advisor is McDougall. I have never experienced so much positivity in any city or school I've ever been too. I love Guelph.  

[Danger_Zone]

5 hours ago, TMP said:

Don't worry about it.   You told them that you were considering it-- that means "I have other offers" and they know that they will have to encourage you to go to their program over whatever other offers you have.  It's part of the ritual.  If you know you will definitely turn the offer down, then formally turn it down and write back to those faculty members thanking them for their warm welcome and that unfortunately you have accept an offer elsewhere.  End of the story.  No burned bridges.

Yeah that makes sense, thanks. I just didn't know if it would be viewed badly to sound excited about the opportunity but turn it down fairly soon after. But I guess you can't accept everywhere!

[Danger_Zone]

1 hour ago, Kleio_77 said:

@Danger_Zone My area is modern German history and my advisor is McDougall. I have never experienced so much positivity in any city or school I've ever been too. I love Guelph.  

Awesome! I'd never had him as a professor but I've heard he's great. Guelph is definitely a very friendly place, it's what drew me there when I was visiting schools for undergrad.

[Ephemera]

12 hours ago, wluhist16 said:

What field are you in? I'm Early Modern Global with a joint in Women's Studies and I interviewed in mid-February and got a call from my POI announcing my acceptance a week later. I visited last Monday and officially accepted my offer yesterday morning. =) just to give you a bit of a time line.

Good luck to you! I hope you hear soon. 

 

17 hours ago, SunshineLolipops said:

I haven't heard anything (not even an interview), which is consistent with last cycle's late rejection.  Did you interview?

I haven't heard a peep--didn't have an interview. I'm assuming I didn't get in, but was just looking for confirmation. I'm weighing a couple of other programs where I've been accepted, so I'm just looking to complete the process. I'm doing 19th/20th c. US.

[wluhist16]

14 hours ago, Septerra said:

I can't believe Illinois still hasn't informed me about my status...the DGS has not replied to my e-mail, and I wish I could go ahead an eliminate them from my purview.

I'm right there with you.. at this point it's just a little bit rude. 

[archersline]

19 minutes ago, wluhist16 said:

I'm right there with you.. at this point it's just a little bit rude. 

In that boat as well with another school. I understand that a DGS is busy this time of year, but it is unprofessional to ignore emails.