dubitocogito Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 What's up with these Yale interviews? Are these for real?
amanda1655 Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 That was my question, exactly. I have heard of individual professors contacting students in which they are interested and arranging phone interviews so that they can have more information about the candidate. One of my friends was contacted last year by a program for a phone interview, and he was asked about his interests and if there was anything that he thought the committee should know (funny, I thought that was what your statement of purpose was for.) Yale could be interviewing everyone, or it could be just one professor who wants more information.
scirefaciat Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 I was hoping that I could get some advice. As I posted earlier, my first area of study is post-Roman and early Medieval Britain, particularly on the Celtic side of things. My undergraduate degree is from a very small, but respected liberal arts woman's college, where I cobbled together classical archaeology and history degrees to try and make a curriculum for myself. My GPA at my undergrad was a 3.64 with a 3.9 in my History major and a 3.6 in the Classics, I read honors in History, studied abroad at the University of Reading (I also took classes at Oxford and Sabhal Mor Ostaig). I'm pretty discouraged at this point, I've been out of school for two years, trying to learn languages (middle welsh, medieval latin, middle scots) and read books and articles and generally try to make myself a better candidate. My biggest concern is that I can never seem to get anywhere with trying to make faculty connections; my emails to faculty members have never once been returned, nor have my phone calls. I hear about other people getting these great responses from potential advisors and really wonder what I'm doing wrong. Right now, I've only applied to the Univesity of Texas, I really like the idea of UT, I think it would be a great place in a great city that's close to home and my family -- and I'm really interested in the program and think it has interesting possibilities. At the same time, when I emailed the professor I hoped would be interested in advising me (and asked very specific questions relating to her own work as well as the program) I received no response. The more I read on this site, the more it seems that where you go and who you study with are everything. UT does not have the option of a Master's degree, and I'm not terribly optimistic about being accepted because of my GRE scores (540v, ouch), so I guess I'm looking for advice on what my next step should be. What do you think?
canadiana Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 I was hoping that I could get some advice. As I posted earlier, my first area of study is post-Roman and early Medieval Britain, particularly on the Celtic side of things. My undergraduate degree is from a very small, but respected liberal arts woman's college, where I cobbled together classical archaeology and history degrees to try and make a curriculum for myself. My GPA at my undergrad was a 3.64 with a 3.9 in my History major and a 3.6 in the Classics, I read honors in History, studied abroad at the University of Reading (I also took classes at Oxford and Sabhal Mor Ostaig). I'm pretty discouraged at this point, I've been out of school for two years, trying to learn languages (middle welsh, medieval latin, middle scots) and read books and articles and generally try to make myself a better candidate. My biggest concern is that I can never seem to get anywhere with trying to make faculty connections; my emails to faculty members have never once been returned, nor have my phone calls. I hear about other people getting these great responses from potential advisors and really wonder what I'm doing wrong. Right now, I've only applied to the Univesity of Texas, I really like the idea of UT, I think it would be a great place in a great city that's close to home and my family -- and I'm really interested in the program and think it has interesting possibilities. At the same time, when I emailed the professor I hoped would be interested in advising me (and asked very specific questions relating to her own work as well as the program) I received no response. The more I read on this site, the more it seems that where you go and who you study with are everything. UT does not have the option of a Master's degree, and I'm not terribly optimistic about being accepted because of my GRE scores (540v, ouch), so I guess I'm looking for advice on what my next step should be. What do you think? Hi, I know what you mean about the lack of response from certain schools. In my experience, however, other profs at some schools have been very helpful. I'd suggest studying to retake the GREs (although they honestly don't seem to matter that much...just try to improve your score), as well as applying to a Master's program first. (This just from personal experience: I myself applied for several PhD programs before realizing that my application was not competitive. I'm more optimistic about my master's applications.) Also, your professors at your alma mater (probably those from whom you're getting your LORs) would be able to suggest people in your field at other universities to work with. Ask them how to better approach professors -- maybe they know something about a certain professor or department. And don't be afraid to apply without talking to the prof in person. Just mention their name somewhere in your application, stating why you're interested in their work and in working with them. Finally, I think that your application has potential strengths: your interdisciplinary approach, for one, as well as your language proficiencies. So don't be discouraged!
scirefaciat Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 Thanks so much for the quick response, you gave some great advice Also, your professors at your alma mater (probably those from whom you're getting your LORs) would be able to suggest people in your field at other universities to work with. Ask them how to better approach professors -- maybe they know something about a certain professor or department. And don't be afraid to apply without talking to the prof in person. Just mention their name somewhere in your application, stating why you're interested in their work and in working with them. I think this may actually be part of my problem -- I had no professors that knew anything substantial about the medieval history/studies field. My senior paper advisor (and one of my LOR writers) specializes in early modern britain, particularly things like the emergence of the working class and gender roles in the industrial revolution. My other history LOR writer specializes in American history, particularly colonial. So, I've really had to branch out a bit about where I ask for advice because they couldn't really help.
dubitocogito Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 Ok, Ok - what is up with these interviews? I find it suspicious when people post only on the results page, but then do not post in the forums. Does anyone have good word on these Yale and Princeton interviews?
jaw17 Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 What I'm really curious about is whether they are "official" interviews that are now a formal step in their admissions process, or if it is a more informal/ad hoc inquiry from a potential advisor who wants to learn more - e.g. does not being invited to interview constitute a rejection? What about in cases like my husband's, where he was just up at Princeton last week to meet with their Eurasian specialist - should he still be hoping for an interview request, or would that discussion "count" retroactively? Unfortunately, there just isn't enough forum action in my field (global health policy), so I'm channeling all of my nervious energy into worrying about his...
ZTSfreak Posted February 2, 2008 Posted February 2, 2008 Well, I don't usually post on this forum. But since I don't want to make anyone worried, let me clarify the facts behind the Yale and Princeton interview results I posted. Apparently, only certain committees in Yale's history department are doing interviews this year. I know that the East Asian professors are interviewing everyone they have in their final pool (this is a new policy they implemented this year), though one professor told me that other geographical areas *might* be doing the same thing. I simply have no reliable information on that. My guess is that most committees do not. I'm also guessing that Princeton only called me because of certain abnormalities in my file (I'm a law student, and apparently they don't get a lot of applicants with that background), since the phone interview focused entirely on why I was applying to a history program with a J.D. in hand. There's no indication that they're interviewing on a general basis.
dubitocogito Posted February 2, 2008 Posted February 2, 2008 Thanks so much for this information. And congratulations - interviews at Yale and Princeton, wow. Looks like you might have a tough, though enviable, choice ahead of you. Best of luck.
Minnesotan Posted February 2, 2008 Author Posted February 2, 2008 So we don't all freak out, I checked the results wall, and there were no interviews posted for P or Y last year. Two results came in for Y interviews for this year, though. It's likely informal or inconsistent (cf. above post claiming only one field, or a small number of fields, are doing it, which sounds likely).
nomadism Posted February 2, 2008 Posted February 2, 2008 Hi all, I'm one of the "mystery" guys who posted the interview from Yale. Sorry I'm not fully aware of how this site works - I knew its existence only yesterday -, and I found out that my posting on the results kind of caused some un-intended confusion. I
rising_star Posted February 3, 2008 Posted February 3, 2008 I'm also guessing that Princeton only called me because of certain abnormalities in my file (I'm a law student, and apparently they don't get a lot of applicants with that background), since the phone interview focused entirely on why I was applying to a history program with a J.D. in hand. There's no indication that they're interviewing on a general basis. That IS an unusual background. How interesting. Are you interested in legal history at all? Unfortunately, there just isn't enough forum action in my field (global health policy), so I'm channeling all of my nervious energy into worrying about his... We can start a convo about global health policy if you want! It's not my field but it fascinates me.
NSGoddessQ Posted February 4, 2008 Posted February 4, 2008 Hi there eahistory -- I'm also planning to do work in the American Gilded Age and Progressive Era! You've got the technology aspect though, while I'm more interested in social/cultural and women's history. I've applied to UNC, Duke, University of Maryland, Pitt, Indiana, Michigan, Rutgers, Harvard and Yale. So far the only one I've heard from is Rutgers -- nothing official, but a nice letter saying that they're interested.
el217 Posted February 4, 2008 Posted February 4, 2008 Hi NSGoddessQ, Rutgers is one of my top choices. I'm curious about this letter you got. If it's not too much trouble, could you give some more specifics (i.e., who sent it, when, what it said, etc.)? I'm trying not to panic... Thanks!
cso162 Posted February 4, 2008 Posted February 4, 2008 I am getting so neurotic right now---wasting time at work reading these forums----I have such an unrealistic sense of the turmoil of the next weeks...maybe I'm terribly competent and qualified and I'll be accepted everywhere---or maybe I'm out of my league and will be in nowhere---Peace Corps anyone? Those who've been rejected for a whole cycle before...can you offer some advice? what did you do by mid march when it was clear you wouldnt be in grad school in the fall.....Did you plow into a career? get lost in a bottle? something wacky?
dubitocogito Posted February 4, 2008 Posted February 4, 2008 BU History has made decisions on many applications. Including mine. No idea what the word is. I'm shaking as I type this. Wow, so nervous. Good luck everyone who has applied. Hopefully, you'll get good news soon.
canadiana Posted February 5, 2008 Posted February 5, 2008 BU History has made decisions on many applications. Including mine. No idea what the word is. I'm shaking as I type this. Wow, so nervous. Good luck everyone who has applied. Hopefully, you'll get good news soon. What is BU History? Just curious...
dubitocogito Posted February 5, 2008 Posted February 5, 2008 Sorry, Boston University. Apparently, decisions are by mail.
canadiana Posted February 5, 2008 Posted February 5, 2008 Sorry, Boston University. Apparently, decisions are by mail. Really? Considering that the deadline was Jan 15 for applications, that's REALLY quick! I guess that American schools make decisions faster.
dubitocogito Posted February 5, 2008 Posted February 5, 2008 It was fast, indeed. Last year, they made their first decisions on February 15. Today, they decided on approximately 60/210 (though some of those other 150 are incomplete).
dmh26 Posted February 5, 2008 Posted February 5, 2008 I got in somewhere! There is hope for all those with bad GRE scores
dubitocogito Posted February 5, 2008 Posted February 5, 2008 Congratulations dmh! Are you the Minnesota acceptance? I'm very happy for you!
dmh26 Posted February 5, 2008 Posted February 5, 2008 Congratulations dmh! Are you the Minnesota acceptance? I'm very happy for you! Nope...I'm the Michigan one. Thanks for the well wishes Good luck everyone!
jaw17 Posted February 5, 2008 Posted February 5, 2008 University of Michigan or Michigan State? Either way, congrats!
dmh26 Posted February 5, 2008 Posted February 5, 2008 University of Michigan or Michigan State? Either way, congrats! Michigan State. I was thinking about applying to UMich because it's a great program, but the faculty didn't quite match my interests.
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