Any other early modernists out there?

[earlymodernist]

I looked over some of the most recent topic lists and I haven't seen many early modern/medieval applicants. SO...I was wondering, if you applied to work in the early modern era, answer these questions (if you want to of course:) What area of the world are you specializing in? Where did you apply? What is your focus within your intended graduate field?

I'm applying for programs in early modern Britain focusing on women and religion. I have applied to UT Austin, Rutgers, UPenn, Penn State, Vanderbilt, WashU, and USC.

[BumblebeePlan]

I do early modern China and Iberia (with a little Latin America thrown in, naturally). My apps are below!

We early modernists need to stick together!

[Encomendero]

Early Modern Latin America and Germany with a concentration on native peoples, war, and economics...

[earlymodernist]

We def do need to stick together! We seem to be outnumbered on the boards...maybe that's a good thing? fewer applicants for the spots we're after? (it'd be nice if it were true...lol)

[Matilda_Tone]

I am sort of an Early Modernist...at least, that is what I said in my MA applications. Since starting the program, I have drifted into the later eighteenth century, but my thesis looks at perceptions of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in later periods.

Depending on where you study, I do hear that there can be better prospects for early modernists- that is true of Irish history, at least. Far more people do modern Ireland than early modern Ireland.

I'm Canadian, so have no insight into American programs.

[earlymodernist]

I am sort of an Early Modernist...at least, that is what I said in my MA applications. Since starting the program, I have drifted into the later eighteenth century, but my thesis looks at perceptions of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in later periods.

Depending on where you study, I do hear that there can be better prospects for early modernists- that is true of Irish history, at least. Far more people do modern Ireland than early modern Ireland.

I'm Canadian, so have no insight into American programs.

That's why I tried to play the early modern Britain route instead of early modern England specifically. We'll see how it goes. I thought about applying to Queen's University Belfast, but I didn't really want to move across the ocean.

Have any of you guys worked with any paleography yet? That stuff is absolutely ROUGH. Especially since most of you are focusing in non-English speaking areas, I was wondering how you manage to decode painful paleographic sources...It's painful enough in English, but in other languages I couldn't imagine...

[BumblebeePlan]

Have any of you guys worked with any paleography yet? That stuff is absolutely ROUGH. Especially since most of you are focusing in non-English speaking areas, I was wondering how you manage to decode painful paleographic sources...It's painful enough in English, but in other languages I couldn't imagine...

Encomendero and I have both taken sixteenth-century Spanish paleography classes and done archival research. It's fun but brutal! So many horrible, horrible abbreviations and misspellings.

[earlymodernist]

Encomendero and I have both taken sixteenth-century Spanish paleography classes and done archival research. It's fun but brutal! So many horrible, horrible abbreviations and misspellings.

Are you both still undergrads? I didn't know how common it was for undergrads to work with paleographic sources...My school funded me to go do research in London at the British Library and the National Archives on Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII. I had a LOT of fun with that I couldn't believe that I was allowed access to the documents of a queen. I'm still working on my paleography, but they don't have a class at my university so I am trying to teach myself with the help of a professor at my school. Its pretty fun in English, but I couldn't imagine it in Spanish...I'm going to need to learn how to do paleography in Latin (religious history ) so I am dreading that hardcore!

[Encomendero]

Are you both still undergrads? I didn't know how common it was for undergrads to work with paleographic sources...My school funded me to go do research in London at the British Library and the National Archives on Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII. I had a LOT of fun with that I couldn't believe that I was allowed access to the documents of a queen. I'm still working on my paleography, but they don't have a class at my university so I am trying to teach myself with the help of a professor at my school. Its pretty fun in English, but I couldn't imagine it in Spanish...I'm going to need to learn how to do paleography in Latin (religious history ) so I am dreading that hardcore!

I took 2 semesters of 16th Century Paleo as an undergrad and then again with Bumblebeeplan when we were MA students. Our professor is unique in that he developed the course and continues to get 10 students a year to work on Colonial Spanish America using primary sources. We were in Sevilla last summer and seemed to be reading at the same level or better than some PhD students that were there. I have been told by PAs that the archival experience and the paleography is a huge bonus to the application. We shall see if that is so. Bumblebeeplan has some great acceptances, but my top school has not met yet...

[BumblebeePlan]

I took 2 semesters of 16th Century Paleo as an undergrad and then again with Bumblebeeplan when we were MA students. Our professor is unique in that he developed the course and continues to get 10 students a year to work on Colonial Spanish America using primary sources. We were in Sevilla last summer and seemed to be reading at the same level or better than some PhD students that were there. I have been told by PAs that the archival experience and the paleography is a huge bonus to the application. We shall see if that is so. Bumblebeeplan has some great acceptances, but my top school has not met yet...

Oh, like you haven't got an in there, and an acceptance elsewhere to boot!

Earlymodernist, I am so jealous, I love Katherine Parr. It's not my field, but I've always been very fond of Henry VIII and his wives. KP was brilliant!

[earlymodernist]

I am hopeful that knowledge of paleography will help my applications. It would seem that it is much better (with how few spots are being offered by schools) to get an MA then apply to PhD programs after. What you think? I've still got 6 more schools to hear from, but I'm not feeling too confident. Maybe if I get my MA I can apply again in a few years to more competitive programs. At least there are a few funded MA programs that I can still apply to for the Fall 2010 season.

Where are you guys completing your MAs? Seems like you both have gotten into some pretty heavy-hitting PhD programs (which is another reason why it might be better to go the MA route now!)

I love all of Henry's queens, KP and Catherine of Aragon are perhaps my favorites...

[Encomendero]

I am hopeful that knowledge of paleography will help my applications. It would seem that it is much better (with how few spots are being offered by schools) to get an MA then apply to PhD programs after. What you think? I've still got 6 more schools to hear from, but I'm not feeling too confident. Maybe if I get my MA I can apply again in a few years to more competitive programs. At least there are a few funded MA programs that I can still apply to for the Fall 2010 season.

Where are you guys completing your MAs? Seems like you both have gotten into some pretty heavy-hitting PhD programs (which is another reason why it might be better to go the MA route now!)

I love all of Henry's queens, KP and Catherine of Aragon are perhaps my favorites...

I am not sure if we can really say. We dont know who reads this forum, but we have MAs from a medium sized public university in north-east Florida. Our advisor is perhaps one of the up and coming scholars in sixteenth-century Latin American history. I cant speak for Bumblebeeplan, but I had more PAs pay attention to me once I got my MA. Its not just an experience thing, but it means that the schools do not have to pay you as much to educate you. Thats just what I have seen, though. At this stage though, applying early doesnt mean you wont accomplish anything. It will help you see what schools want out of applicants so that the next time you are more attractive to the various committees. Good luck in any case, though.

[BumblebeePlan]

I am not sure if we can really say. We dont know who reads this forum, but we have MAs from a medium sized public university in north-east Florida. Our advisor is perhaps one of the up and coming scholars in sixteenth-century Latin American history.

Ahahaha, way to narrow it down, man

I didn't apply straight out of my BA, but having an MA certainly helps. I've noticed that the older, private programs tend to be more open about accepting BA students though. And sixteenth-century paleography, whatever the language, is a comparatively rare skill, especially for a BA. I think you shouldn't have too many problems!

I like all the wives, but I have a soft spot for poor Katherine Howard. I just want to hug her and tell her that I don't think she's a skank

[Bluebird]

I'm doing Early Modern England: alchemy, magic , science, women, and the visual culture of the era 1450-1650. I have a BA/MA in Historical Linguistics. I'm applying for PhD programs for 2011 here in the US and across the pond.

I enjoy paleography! The chance to research primary sources in the UK sounds fantastic. I only took a workshop here at the Huntington Library. I try to do some on my own.

Anyone else doing science or alchemy?

[Matilda_Tone]

I took a course on early modern British science- can’t say it got me excited though. I’m old fashioned and am sticking with political history. Wish I did like the history of science though- such a booming field at the moment, it seems. Your job prospects will be much better than mine!