Too Old for History Phd?

[Eve Nicholson]

6 hours ago, Boolakanaka said:

Hmmn, the PhD program I ways accepted to was highly selective and one of a very few in the entire US, and I was in my early 50s when I was accepted. They certainly knew I was not going to pursue a traditionally accepted teaching/academic path when they accepted me....

Yes but I am in England and doing a specialised Humanities subject.

[Eve Nicholson]

On 2/7/2019 at 1:19 PM, telkanuru said:

There is direct evidence to the contrary within this very thread, if you read up. That's not to say you do, but it's a question you're going to have to answer on an application, and I don't think it's unfair. 

FWIW Brown has been perfectly happy to take many PhD students over 40 into its cohorts.

Sorry Telkanuru, I have just put together a proposal for a specialised topic, an interdisciplinary between philosophy (a subject where I have an MA from UCL/theology in which I have a diploma from the Maryvale Institute /history(where I have an MA from Bristol in Medieval History. concerning the spiritual Impact on the devout pilgrim of  medieval pilgrimage in England and Wales- with reference to Aristotle Aquinas and others. I am looking at transformational emotions and conversion of soul required for penance. Perhaps it bores people, but I find it fascinating and it is a real project for me to trawl medieval pilgrim plays, Latin and English but would welcome guidance in some areas which is why I am interested in an interested supervisor,

[Eve Nicholson]

On 2/7/2019 at 12:49 AM, OHSP said:

I understand the frustration, but the barriers exist (in some, not all programs) because most reputable PhD programs (especially in the US) are designed to train people for careers as professors, even despite the realities of the job market and even despite nice words about alternative pathways. They pick people who they think will be best placed to become professors after the PhD, which tends to mean people under 40. What is it, specifically, that's drawing you to the PhD? Do you need it in order to carry out the research you want to carry out, and/or to write the publications you want to write? What's your research on, by the way? And where have you been applying? There's a lot of PhD knowledge on this site, and a lot of people (of various ages and backgrounds) who are frustrated by their current inability to get into a program. Maybe someone can offer some specific advice about good programs or pathways for your specific interests. 

I have just put together a proposal for a specialised topic, an interdisciplinary between philosophy (a subject where I have an MA from UCL/theology in which I have a diploma from the Maryvale Institute /history(where I have an MA from Bristol in Medieval History. concerning the spiritual Impact on the devout pilgrim of  medieval pilgrimage in England and Wales- with reference to Aristotle Aquinas and others. I am looking at transformational emotions and conversion of soul required for penance. Perhaps it bores people, but I find it fascinating and it is a real project for me to trawl medieval pilgrim plays, Latin and English but would welcome guidance in some areas which is why I am interested in an interested supervisor. There are many aspects, sensual stimuli, olfactory, auditory tactile and visual and I would really like some guidance in some aspects.I would be doing something useful with what I have spent a lifetime learning.-even Latin and Welsh.

[Eve Nicholson]

On 2/6/2019 at 8:24 PM, fartsmeller said:

I think what some of the others are rather poorly trying to say is that you can't approach the PhD program (at least the better ones) simply as a hobby. In your statement of proposal, you will need to identify a historical problem, how you plan to address, and why it is important that you address it. If you can do that, and not just say in your statement of purpose that you are doing this for self-fulfillment purposes, then I don't see why you don't stand just as much a shot at admittance. 

Honestly, a lot of programs (knowingly) let in young people that probably don't have much of a shot at tenure-track at jobs afterwards. Those TA positions need to be filled, after all. I don't see why this would be any different. 

Yes I have prepared a strong proposal.I have just put together a proposal for a specialised topic, an interdisciplinary between philosophy (a subject where I have an MA from UCL/theology in which I have a diploma from the Maryvale Institute /history(where I have an MA from Bristol in Medieval History. concerning the spiritual Impact on the devout pilgrim of  medieval pilgrimage in England and Wales- with reference to Aristotle Aquinas and others. I am looking at transformational emotions and conversion of soul required for penance. Perhaps it bores people, but I find it fascinating and it is a real project for me to trawl medieval pilgrim plays, Latin and English but would welcome guidance in some areas which is why I am interested in an interested supervisor.

[OHSP]

3 hours ago, Eve Nicholson said:

Thank you for taking the trouble to write some advice. Very kind.

Your research sounds very interesting—not boring at all. I wonder though are you applying solely in the UK? This particular site is very US focused (I am not from the US but now study in the US, and I came here mostly for US specific advice). When I was applying to US programs it was after having made the decision not to apply to UK programs because of the lack of funding, so being able to fund yourself is a big advantage there (as you would know). Where have you been applying and are you willing to move for the PhD—I wonder if you’d find a good advisor (or someone who could point you to a good advisor elsewhere) at St Andrews?

[Eve Nicholson]

7 hours ago, OHSP said:

Your research sounds very interesting—not boring at all. I wonder though are you applying solely in the UK? This particular site is very US focused (I am not from the US but now study in the US, and I came here mostly for US specific advice). When I was applying to US programs it was after having made the decision not to apply to UK programs because of the lack of funding, so being able to fund yourself is a big advantage there (as you would know). Where have you been applying and are you willing to move for the PhD—I wonder if you’d find a good advisor (or someone who could point you to a good advisor elsewhere) at St Andrews?

 

7 hours ago, OHSP said:

Your research sounds very interesting—not boring at all. I wonder though are you applying solely in the UK? This particular site is very US focused (I am not from the US but now study in the US, and I came here mostly for US specific advice). When I was applying to US programs it was after having made the decision not to apply to UK programs because of the lack of funding, so being able to fund yourself is a big advantage there (as you would know). Where have you been applying and are you willing to move for the PhD—I wonder if you’d find a good advisor (or someone who could point you to a good advisor elsewhere) at St Andrews?

Thank you OHSP. If shall definitely follow up St Andrews to start with. Would love to study in US, but have a husband here and I always wonder whether funding is available for mature students.Scotland is a way away (I live in Cotswolds) but nowadays not so much of a problem because Skype etc. is very useful to cut down on visits. I thought I might try York. Dee Dyas whm I would like to work with has gone to Melbourne I think! Still thank you for the encouragement. Distance learning might be good. I live quite near Oxford, London is not too far and the Library of the University of Wales is ok, if I travel and stay overnight....

 

[latecalifornia]

i'm in my 20s and think older students with a variety of motives and experiences outside of academia enrich the discipline 

[Eve Nicholson]

On 7/26/2016 at 7:23 PM, TMP said:

Ageism is real but there are definitely PhD programs willing to have "non-traditional" students as part of the program like mine.  Honestly, it all depends on the person you'd really like to work with.  If you want to save $, I'd speak with faculty whom you're interested in working with before applying.  If they show any signs of uncertainty when they figure out your life trajectory, I'd move on to someone else.  You want a faculty member who doesn't care about your age but only to give you an opportunity to pursue a PhD.

Make sure you really are willing to leave behind the kind of security that you have now as you enter the next decade of your life (and later on).

Thank you, I am in the UK . x

 

[islandsatlantic]

This is an old thread at this point but for the sake of other older people who might be considering it, fucking whatever. Do whatever you want. I know a bunch of older people who did their PhDs in their forties, fifties, and even sixties, and who are successful and having the best time ever studying what they love. DO IT.

[Eve Nicholson]

On 2/13/2019 at 1:44 AM, latecalifornia said:

i'm in my 20s and think older students with a variety of motives and experiences outside of academia enrich the discipline 

Thank you late California! x

[Eve Nicholson]

On 2/23/2019 at 2:10 AM, islandsatlantic said:

This is an old thread at this point but for the sake of other older people who might be considering it, fucking whatever. Do whatever you want. I know a bunch of older people who did their PhDs in their forties, fifties, and even sixties, and who are successful and having the best time ever studying what they love. DO IT.

Thank you islandsatlantic. Trouble is, someone has to let you in, and we need supervision just like younger people.....Still trying. Improving my Latin at Blackfriars Oxford in the meantime.

 

[Eve Nicholson]

I have always thought that the academic pursuit of a question I wanted to prove for a specific historiological purpose and to reduce bias and misunderstandings about a certain institution. And Yes, I was accepted by an institution in Cambridge in April, have two wonderful supervisors ,have passed my first stage and selected to short-present my work at a Conference which was well receive. My professors have treated me as a friend and fellow researcher and are not threatened by my not caring about professorships.Being treated like this,and the encouragement have spurred me on to meet the deadlines, improve my Latin and ancient Welsh with regular lectures and I am more than holding my own. This is NOT a hobby for me , but a job and being respected as a voice says a lot for the university. I don't feel like an older person(nor look like one actually). All I needed was a chance to prove my theory and help my organisation. Thank you to all those who gave the advice to be courageous. It has inspired me to go for it and not allow others to keep me out.