Europe to US (changing fields)?

[charlesludlam]

Hi everybody! This is my first post!

I was chugging along with applications to PhD programs for the fall of next year, intending to focus on 20th Century Poland/history of memory following the Second World War when I realized that I am much more interested in pursuing topics in modern US/urban history. My undergrad thesis was on post-WWI France and the majority of my coursework was on Europe. In other words, I have zero background in US history. Is it totally crazy to apply with a proposal to work with American historians? Or, do I simply have to make the case that I can cut it working with primary source documents and can come up with an interesting research proposal? 

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated! 

 

[stillalivetui]

I'd recommend you check out Indiana University's MA in United States history (MAUS) program if you have zero background. Their program is really strong and aims to prepare you for further study at IU or elsewhere. The bulk of my coursework during my undergraduate years were in U.S. history, but I found that the MAUS program really grounded me more heavily in the historiography and solidified my research interests. I now feel more prepared as I apply to doctorate programs this winter.

[TMP]

You're running really short on time for this cycle if that's what you're aiming to do if you claim to have zero to little understanding of American historiography as well as trends in urban history.  Since when did you change your interest and why? What's the connection between your previous background to this sudden interest in urban history?  To American history?  You might want to go through back issues of Journal of Urban History to give you a sense of what's happening in the field.

You'll have to be able to answer that question as you write your research statement.  Don't worry about your writing sample- your writing sample is a demonstration of your potential as a scholar, to be able to research, use primary sources, and write history.

[mvlchicago]

Europe –––> America is usually easier than America –––> Europe due to the language question. Languages will also provide at least a slight edge (usually) on other American candidates assuming you can read secondary research. 

I agree though with the sentiments expressed above; you obviously have some interest in the field or you wouldn't be making the jump, but you also need to clarify why and how precisely this jump was made through citations and books. Was there a book or faculty person that deeply inspired you to change your field? That might be the best way to frame the narrative rather than saying "lol America."

Urban history could also serve as a useful transition, as there has been a lot of work done on the city in Europe and cosmopolitan values as a function of hegemonies on that continent and the process of shaping other ones. If you start digging through the books and journals with which you're familiar, I'm certain you could create a narrative about your deep interest in urban history that ends with your discussion about urban history in America.

TL;DR not crazy, just put some thought into your project and talk to your faculty references about the shift to get their perspectives. 

[mvlchicago]

Another thought: (and you reallyyyyy should talk to your advisors/people writing your letters before you pull this move) people's projects in grad school and professional interests shift all the time. At least two faculty from whom I took courses in undergrad started their PhDs with the intent to study something quite different than what they ended up studying. That is to say, it might be creating a lot of unnecessary work on yourself to do the shift right this second. Instead you might still portray yourself as interested in 20th century Poland with the intent to be "transnational," and from there move into America during your first few years of coursework. I'm saying talk to your faculty before you do this because I'm unsure of how this'll be perceived in your future grad program, but it's something that does happen. 

[ellebe]

Ideally, you'd be able to show how studying a different area gives you a unique perspective on what you'd like to study now. The difficulty, as others have suggested, is backing that up with comfortable awareness of the historiography. 

Do you have anything in mind in terms of your research project? Is there anything you could (and would want to) bring in from your previous experience? This would seem the easiest way to bridge the gap. For example, something to do with Polish communities in post-war America. I'm a bit urban history dense, but there might be some thread between settlement patterns and memory/experiences of war. Or are you looking to get away from your previous interests altogether? 

I would imagine that the more you can show how your previous work has led to your current interests, the better. (I'm trying to do something similar, for what it's worth.) It's hard with American history because it's such a competitive field, but it could also be what makes you stand out. Good luck!