British student looking for PhD in the United States - confused by the whole thing.

[DickNixon]

Hey guys! Sorry if this is in the wrong forum or is an annoying, frequently asked question. 

I am looking to apply for a History PhD in America. My field has always been American History - Antebellum South Carolina and Virginia in particular, with a keen interest in the Mexican Drug War - so I have been told to apply in the states because, to quote my supervisor, '...all funding leads to the States'. I have begun the process. I've got a GRE booked for later this month, I've contacted the University of South Carolina to introduce myself and I intend to do the same with others.

The problem is I'm not sure how up to scratch my applications would be given the worldwide standard of applicants. So, I've got my Masters from a history department ranked in the top 15 worldwide after they gave me a scholarship. I'll probably end up with a merit. My BA was from a considerably poorer university and isn't all that impressive. I previously worked in the archive department of a big museum in the area where I took part in research among the other general archiv-ey things. Currently I'm delaying a PhD offer I had in the UK to live in Spain, teach, and improve my Spanish as I read that a second language is a big plus for history applicants. I'm not sure how true this is but a second language can't hurt, I guess. 

So, is it worth my time? Or am I better of sticking to the UK institutions? Do you have any advice on the application process? Just how important is the GRE to my chances?

Thanks!

[zipykido]

It certainly doesn't hurt to apply to US schools, especially if that's where the funding will be. I'm not particularly familiar with the competitiveness of the history programs in general but you can always check the stats on those. Where you got your BA from doesn't really matter since you have a masters. The monetary cost is trivial in most cases since a lot of schools will fly you over to interview or conduct phone interviews. Just remember that you should really seek funded programs or else you'll be racking up a ton of debt. The only real fees are for taking the GREs and application fees. GREs are important in that they serve as a minimum requirement but some candidates have a great body of previous work that trumps the GREs to the point where they become a triviality. Just make sure you highlight your previous experience and link to any publications or presentations that your work has led to. 

[TMP]

Yes, there is funding here.  There's also another major difference- time to degree.   Are you willing to spend the first 2 years in coursework, a year preparing for exams, and then the rest of the time (3-4) years working on your dissertation?  If not, stick to the UK.

Stay focused on your writing sample and statement of purpose.  Use these documents to show off your writing skills and understanding of historiography in southern history and suggest a research project you'd like to consider.

[ashiepoo72]

I second everything that's been said, and want to highlight what TMP said about the writing sample and statement of purpose. My biggest piece of advice to any applicant is to make those pristine. Scrutinize every word.

Research languages are very important. Not necessarily deal-breaker important depending on your field, but can definitely set you apart. Programs would love for you to not need 1-2 years of language training during the PhD that could very well slow your progress to degree.

You should definitely apply to at least a few more schools. Think about the reasons you want the PhD and apply to programs that'll make those attainable down the line. And definitely apply to places that'll fund you. As an international, paying out of pocket would be obscenely expensive.

Good luck!

[mvlchicago]

Another thing to think about: do you see yourself wanting to teach in the States upon completion of the PhD? I know if you're from a name-brand UK school (Cambridge, Oxford, St. Andrews, LSE), you've got a decentish shot at tenure track jobs in the US, but I also know that search committees can be hesitant to take a UK PhD due to the structure of the dissertation (aka fewer seminars and classes.) I'm mentioning this because if you want to leave your options open, it will likely be easier to apply and be admitted to PhD programs in the States from your current profile, rather than continuing your PhD in the UK and trying to make the jump later. Not impossible, but definitely easier the earlier you do it. 

Edited October 13, 2015 by mvlchicago

[ashiepoo72]

mvlchicago is right. When my MA department had a job search, the chair told me many U.S. departments view the U.S. PhD as more rigorous because it emphasizes breadth of knowledge a la coursework and comps. It's meant to make us literal experts--to have "comprehensive" knowledge of our fields. If you teach in the U.S., you are almost guaranteed to have to cover beyond your dissertation in survey and other courses. Since many of us hoping to get U.S. jobs are bound to get those jobs at institutions that emphasize teaching over research, if we get jobs at all, that's a consideration. Unless you go to a "name brand" UK institution like mvl said, your chance of getting a job in the U.S. will be lower than with an American PhD. I don't know how an American PhD translates for jobs overseas, though.

[serenade]

I second others in encouraging you to look into pursuing a PhD in the States! There is a British student in my department who came to the U.S. for many of the same reasons that have been discussed on this board (funding, more academic rigor, better job prospects for teaching in the U.S. etc). 

One caution, however, (and no offense to any USC people on here), but I would aim much higher than the University of South Carolina. If you're looking for programs strong in the history of the antebellum South, I would check out other schools in the South (University of Virginia, Vanderbilt, maybe University of Georgia) to see if any of the programs might be good research fits) but I also wouldn't limit myself to only schools in the South. You may be surprised that programs in other regions of the U.S. have people working on your area, though I have no clue since it's outside of my field.

All that to say, good luck! The GRE is important (verbal > math), but it's only one part of your application and you sound like you have solid footing on some of the other parts (i.e. archival work) Like others have said, focus on your writing sample and SOP. Again, good luck! 

[Gambaosaka1]

I'm a British citizen studying Asian history at UNC-CH and there is another British PhD student in my cohort (1st year) studying US history. I also got into a couple of other programs and so did he, so I wouldn't stress too much about being British and being competitive. A strong personal statement/writing sample and an interesting project that is a good fit is what you and any other student applying needs. If you browse through this and other threads you'll see plenty of other British students who applied and got into good schools.

I never applied to UK programs for PhD level as I think the US system is better preparation for the reasons mentioned above. Plus, for most of the top schools the funding is guaranteed with acceptance unlike the convoluted funding system in the UK!

I would certainly consider applying to UNC too. Your field isn't my area so I think I am not the best person to speak to you but if you contact professors you'd like to work with, they tend to be quite good at replying to prospective students in my experience and of those who I've spoken to since coming. Unlike some programs, I think making contact with professors here encouraged (maybe not the same for all academics but seems to be the case from students I speak to).

Edited October 27, 2015 by Gambaosaka1