Public Historians?

[mindatwork]

Anyone else applying for public history? Where are you waiting to hear from? 

[archersline]

Although I am not applying for a public history program, several of my colleagues currently are. I know they are still waiting to hear from Illinois, Syracuse, George Mason, and UNC-Chapel Hill. What about you? 

[sadielove]

I have applied to some Public History, History, and Museum Studies programs. I haven't heard back from everyone yet.  One of the programs I got into has offered me full funding + a stipend. It's not necessarily as prestigious as some other programs, but I'm wondering if it might be a better choice because taking debt for a MA in Public History doesn't sound like a very good idea. Any suggestions?

[sixgunguerilla]

I would consider taking the debt on only if I knew with all my heart it was what I wanted to invest my life doing and had no other avenues/options to do it. But I would take it than because debt is not the worst thing in the world if it empowers you to set off on doing something you love. But since you have an offer with full funding and stipend, it would be much harder to justify the debt route. And as you noted you haven't heard from everyone yet so you don't have all the information you need to make your most informed decision, but I expect that the longer you wait for more decisions, the less attractive the debt option would look. And prestige is only going to matter in terms of a small handful of schools. I know plenty of graduates from #10-#25 schools have similar success rates to people in schools ranked #26-#125

[emhafe]

@sadielove

I'm in my first year at a Public History MA program. I got into 6 of the 7 schools I applied to and received full funding and a stipend from the one I now attend. Paying for any MA without funding is a heavy responsibility to take on and that would be my option at some of the other schools, ones considered to have better programs. It sounds like we were in a similar situation. I felt comfortable attending the fully funded one because success in public history is based on individual experience more than the school (although each school provides different opportunities and connections) and I knew I could volunteer, intern, and seek opportunities on my own to boost my resume if concerned by the school's reputation.

[reremoop]

On 2/23/2016 at 9:08 PM, sadielove said:

I have applied to some Public History, History, and Museum Studies programs. I haven't heard back from everyone yet.  One of the programs I got into has offered me full funding + a stipend. It's not necessarily as prestigious as some other programs, but I'm wondering if it might be a better choice because taking debt for a MA in Public History doesn't sound like a very good idea. Any suggestions?

I am in the exact same boat as you. I applied to 6 MA programs in public history (and related fields - history, museum studies, etc). I have been accepted to all but Brown's Public Humanities program and I am waiting to hear back. While I am dazzled by Brown's reputation I do not think I would go because of the high cost.

I received a great financial package from one of the lesser ranked programs (full funding + generous stipend to TA). I was also accepted at some slightly better ranked state programs with partial funding and small stipends and also a well recognized state program with no funding information at this point. I am highly leaning towards the program with full funding-- but I worry slightly about prospects for applying for PhD programs if I go down that route in the future.

If the school you are wondering about happens to be in the Northeast US, PM me-- I'd be curious to see if we are talking about the same program!

[mindatwork]

I applied to seven MA Public History/Museum Studies, and have been accepted to four so far - George Mason, American, and UMass being my favorite contenders. I'm really only waiting to hear from Brown before I start making decisions, but I'm really stuck as to where I want to go. I'm excited about the prospects of all the programs, but funding seems to be about the same across the board. 

[reremoop]

13 hours ago, mindatwork said:

I applied to seven MA Public History/Museum Studies, and have been accepted to four so far - George Mason, American, and UMass being my favorite contenders. I'm really only waiting to hear from Brown before I start making decisions, but I'm really stuck as to where I want to go. I'm excited about the prospects of all the programs, but funding seems to be about the same across the board. 

I am waiting to hear what the funding is from UMass Amherst, but I hope we hear from Brown soon. I already have another school I'm leaning towards but I could probably be persuaded with more funding, though I don't think I'll get a better offer than what I have already. I'd like to just accept the offer and start planning for the fall.