帝王会所

How to Apply to Graduate School in History

Everyone who applies to graduate school has applied to college, and the first mistake many of them make is to assume that the process for both is more or less the same. It isn鈥檛.

Graduate school is more like an apprenticeship. You seek to become a professional historian. To do so, you must demonstrate the drive and talent necessary to complete the work required of you. Above all, you must craft your application to convince potential advisors, in specific terms, that your interests match up well with theirs and you have something interesting to contribute to their field.

More Tips on How to Apply to Graduate School in History

Application Deadlines

The deadline for applications for the fall semester is Feb. 7 of the preceding winter. The History Department's graduate committee will make decisions on admission shortly after that date. Applicants will be notified of those decisions prior to March 1.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university and M.A. in history, preferably with a thesis. Applicants who have a graduate degree in another, closely related field will still be considered. But they must provide clear and convincing evidence that they are prepared for doctoral study in history. Students must have completed a U.S.-equivalent master鈥檚 degree in a related field by the time of enrollment. Applicants who are in the process of completing their master鈥檚 degree may apply, with the requirement that the degree is expected to be conferred by the end of the first semester of the doctoral program.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0. The department expects that an applicant's GPA in his or her M.A. program will be significantly higher.
• Transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation, preferably from university faculty or those with direct knowledge of the candidate鈥檚 academic and/or relevant work experience.
• The GRE is optional for admission. If you believe your scores will enhance your application, feel free to include them, but they are not required. The code for 帝王会所 is 1593.
• Writing sample that demonstrates the ability to engage in advanced historical research and to express ideas clearly and persuasively. A chapter or chapters from an M.A. thesis would be an appropriate writing sample.
• Statement of purpose (approximately 500 words). This should explain the applicant's reasons for seeking admission to the Ph.D. program and what he or she hopes to study. Try to be as specific as possible. The admissions committee does not expect applicants to propose a precise dissertation topic, but in making decisions on admission they do look to ensure that a student's interests can be well-served by history course offerings and faculty expertise. It is strongly recommended that, prior to submitting their applications, prospective applicants contact faculty members with whom they may wish to study. See Faculty Research Areas for individual contact details and more information about the wide-ranging scholarly interests of faculty.
• English Proficiency. All non-native English speakers applying to the graduate program must demonstrate English proficiency for admission and potential funding. The History Department has English proficiency requirements that are higher than the minimum university requirements. The minimum score for History is TOEFL of 110+. Please review information about 帝王会所鈥檚 English Language Proficiency requirements.