Graduating a semester early. Any programs still taking applications for the fall?

[94AVL]

I know this is a long shot but I thought this would be the best place to ask. I was on track to graduate from UG school this fall but lucked out and petitioned for one of my High School/Community College dual enrollment classes to be counted as credit, which was just approved this week! Anyway, I am dead set on graduate school but I know a lot of deadlines have passed. I couldn't apply this last fall because I thought I would still be an undergrad student at that point. So far the only schools I have found are Purdue and Appalachian State for a M.A., which wouldn't be awful because of my interest in Southern/Appalachian Studies. Do you guys have any other suggestions? Just don't know what I would do for a year and a half while waiting to move on. 

Another question: I know one of the bigger problems will be funding this late but I have enough to support myself for a semester. If I am self funded for one semester can I be offered funding later?

Pros: Archival Internship with my final exhibit being requested by local historical society to go on display. Going to graduate Cum laude with distinction in History. 

Edited March 19, 2016 by 94AVL

[AZMoose]

Mississippi State accepts applications until April 1

https://www.history.msstate.edu/academics/graduateprograms/  

[ashiepoo72]

I would honestly spend the year teaching abroad, getting some language training, working on an independent research project or something along those lines. There's no guarantee you'll get funding later if you come in self-funded. At this point you're looking at slim pickings of MA programs with little to no funding and no guarantee of funding later, so why not take a year off of school and bolster your app while gaining some (outside academia) perspective, which, trust me, programs love to see. That way you can apply straight to a PhD next season and maybe avoid having to pay for an MA. By all means, apply for the MAs with later deadlines if you'd like the option, but there is a lot you can do in a year off that will keep you connected to academia while also giving you space from it AND making your application stronger for PhD programs that don't involve the massive debt an unfunded MA brings (I'm speaking from experience, as I did an unfunded MA).

Good luck!

[94AVL]

2 hours ago, ashiepoo72 said:

I would honestly spend the year teaching abroad, getting some language training, working on an independent research project or something along those lines. There's no guarantee you'll get funding later if you come in self-funded. At this point you're looking at slim pickings of MA programs with little to no funding and no guarantee of funding later, so why not take a year off of school and bolster your app while gaining some (outside academia) perspective, which, trust me, programs love to see. That way you can apply straight to a PhD next season and maybe avoid having to pay for an MA. By all means, apply for the MAs with later deadlines if you'd like the option, but there is a lot you can do in a year off that will keep you connected to academia while also giving you space from it AND making your application stronger for PhD programs that don't involve the massive debt an unfunded MA brings (I'm speaking from experience, as I did an unfunded MA).

Good luck!

@ashiepoo72Thanks! I'll have to look into the abroad idea. It just feels really far away but I am sure it will be here before I know it. 

[ashiepoo72]

It's the perfect time to consider applying for a Fulbright ETA grant. Check out the countries to which you can apply on the Fulbright website. It's a great opportunity to get teaching experience and to learn a language with the added benefit of making you a more competitive PhD applicant. 

Better to wait a year doing something that pays you than something that puts you in debt. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret my MA, I loved every minute of it--but if I could go back, I wouldn't take on the debt that I did, I would look for other opportunities. There're plenty of people on here who can tell you about the things they did instead of accruing a ton of debt.

[94AVL]

1 hour ago, ashiepoo72 said:

It's the perfect time to consider applying for a Fulbright ETA grant. Check out the countries to which you can apply on the Fulbright website. It's a great opportunity to get teaching experience and to learn a language with the added benefit of making you a more competitive PhD applicant. 

Better to wait a year doing something that pays you than something that puts you in debt. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret my MA, I loved every minute of it--but if I could go back, I wouldn't take on the debt that I did, I would look for other opportunities. There're plenty of people on here who can tell you about the things they did instead of accruing a ton of debt.

@ashiepoo72 I am definitely going to look into that. I appreciate it. I'm gonna hold off on applying until this fall. Just one last quick question. Does anyone know much about Virginia Tech's program? 

[TMP]

You have articulated your reasons for going to graduate school.  Why do you want to get a graduate degree in history?  Do your careers of choices specify a need for a graduate degree?  Or should you get hands-on work experiences before going back to school?  

Don't jump into the deep end, just yet.  The fact  you're so anxious to be IN school in the fall that you're willing to take any MA program with late deadlines (as ashiepoo alludes) tells me that you have yet to think through the ramifications on multiple levels.  Have you spoken with your professors?