HELP! Do I have a shot this season ?

[Rbiem]

Hello everyone! I am new to the forum but I've been reading history threads for a while; which have been very helpful but I would really appreciate more specific advice regarding my situation. 

I am an international student, hoping to graduate with a GPA of 3.5 (on a scale of 4) this December, GRE 160Q/158V/4.0AW - just got the official scores yesterday and planning to retake it later this month. I am fluent in Arabic, English and French with some basic Spanish and Hebrew. I haven't yet written my SoP, I do have a clear idea of what I want to say but I far am too stressed out to actually get writing. My WS is going to be part of my senior thesis, I have requested LoRs from two professors, and only been in correspondence with one PoI. 

I am currently taking 7 upper-level courses and application deadlines coincide with my thesis defense, exit test, and final exams/papers. I'm worried I'll end up messing everything up by trying to do it all at once. I am starting to think it would be a better idea to switch to funded MA programs (suggestions would be greatly appreciated- for now, MAPSS at UChicago sounds like a great fit) since I can apply after graduating in December, and would give me more time to work on a stronger PhD application next season. 

Part of the reason I started late is that, being an international student, I wasn't aware that I could apply for PhD programs as an undergrad and only started looking into it after a professor brought it to my attention mid-September. 

Thank you very much in advance. 

Edited November 5, 2017 by Rbiem

[dr. t]

You could probably rush your application through, but I certainly wouldn't apply to MA programs just to apply to MA programs. The MAPSS program is indeed good, for example, but it's also absurdly expensive, and if you already have solid language skills and a good idea what you want to research, it's unnecessary. 

There's nothing wrong (or abnormal) with taking a year off to present the best candidate you can. Right now, taking a year to work and prepare might seem like an unconscionable delay, but I don't think you'll regret it in the long run.

Edited November 5, 2017 by telkanuru

[astroid88]

Though you might (hastily) get your required essays and WS done, there are other, more practical matters involved. I am going off the premise that most PHD apps you will be submitting are due between Dec. 1st-Dec.15th, the timeframe majority of PHD apps are due. 

You say you want to retake your GRE. By the time you retake it, and ETS processses them, will you have enough time from your score reports to get to the schools you are applying to? 

Will you have enough time for any transcripts you order to arrive at the schools you are applying to? 

Do you have a CV written up and edited? 

What about diversity statements? You said you are an international student, so you would certainly want to take time to do those if offered the option.

Only you know the answers to these questions. I'm just posing these questions because you failed to mention parts of an application that can be the downfall of an otherwise great application. 

Edited November 5, 2017 by astroid88

[OHSP]

I'm also an international student (now in a PhD program), and I found the application process hellishly stressful, so know that it's not unusual. One suggestion--sit down for a few hours and write a rough first draft of your SoP. Once you actually focus your attention 100% on that task you might find it easier to think about what you want to do next year. When I finally sat down to write my SoP I was like, oh right, I really want to go to grad school and I'm not interested in taking another year to think about it. Your post is full of [very relatable] anxiety but you don't sound totally unprepared to me, it's just a matter of giving yourself some time to sort your thoughts out, and those 5 hours or so are not going to jeopardise your final exams etc especially if you can use them to make a decision about what you want. 

Edited November 5, 2017 by OHSP

[Banzailizard]

I would agree with the general consensus in this thread to wait.  I wasted time and money last year trying to cram Economic PhD applications in around 50+ hours at my job in October and November. All I got for my effort was stress and worry. 

Ask yourself what you will honestly loose in taking the extra year to prepare. Realistically nothing if you remain focused. Then ask yourself what you will gain.  Time to research schools and POI, time to study for and retake the GRE without extra stress, time to perfect your SOP, and, if needed, trim your WS. In fact you are probably better served by focusing on your classes to improving your GPA. Your grades will also be part of your application and you can only improve them now, whereas the GRE can be taken whenever. You look like you have good credentials. Don't stumble into this, take your time and stride to the deadline with confidence.

If you choose to wait, talk to your LoR writers sooner rather than later and let them know you will need them next year.  If you are going for  a PhD, you may need three LoR as well.

[Rbiem]

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to read and reply to my post. I took the time to think it through and decided I'll delay my applications until next year.

@telkanuru I do have a fairly specific idea for a potential PhD dissertation, and am aware of the crazy tuitions for MAs at UChicago and other schools. I will need at least partial funding (only looking at funded programs in general, which is why I'll mostly be applying for MAs in Europe). I know that taking a year off (especially straight out of undergrad) will only make me a better candidate and more confident in my choice to pursue a PhD. 

@astroid88 You're right. I'm sure the grade reports would have made it it by the Dec 15th deadlines but I would have had to email departments to make sure they take into consideration the late scores for Dec 1st deadlines - I heard they're pretty flexible with these things especially with international students (in my country, there's sometimes only one GRE opening per month or even less). Thank you for raising the issue of diversity statements. I wasn't aware of that possibility and will look into it. 

@OHSP Feels good to hear that I'm not alone in this. As I was reading through older posts, most people seemed to have their app materials ready as early as June and no later than August. I know I can still probably make it by these deadlines, but I realized a one-year hiatus would be of much benefit at the moment to strengthen my application and recuperate before embarking on a six-year academic journey. 

@Banzailizard Good point. I could use the extra .1 given that my GPA isn't that good, which I'm sure I'll have if I focus solely on my thesis and other papers/exams this following month. 

One last question: does anyone know students or has info about the MA in Historical Studies at the New School for Social Research or could direct me to a thread where it is mentioned? The website doesn't say much but they seem to have funding available for Masters since there's no History PhD. Ann Stoler is one of my favorite scholars and the program seems like an excellent fit overall.

PS: I should mention that my degree in in International Studies/Gender with a focus on the MENA region, but I have taken all history courses available at my school (there's no history major). 

Thanks again and I wish you all the best in your academic careers ! 

[OHSP]

8 hours ago, Rbiem said:

One last question: does anyone know students or has info about the MA in Historical Studies at the New School for Social Research or could direct me to a thread where it is mentioned? The website doesn't say much but they seem to have funding available for Masters since there's no History PhD. Ann Stoler is one of my favorite scholars and the program seems like an excellent fit overall.

PS: I should mention that my degree in in International Studies/Gender with a focus on the MENA region, but I have taken all history courses available at my school (there's no history major). 

Yes! Message me and I'll be happy to pass on some information. I'm at NYU not the New School but I know about their programs (and am also working on questions of gender and sexuality).