<p>Hi guys. I'm interested in classics and medieval history, and frankly all European history. I'm wanting to teach, preferably as a prof. at a LAC at some point. How much competition/difficulty/red tape is there in getting a PhD and in obtaining a teaching position in history? I'll be attending the University of Dallas next fall as a freshman. How important is it to have a "big school" name on your diploma? UD is a small catholic LAC, but it has GREAT departments, especially in classics and history. Are my grades what will matter most in getting into a strong masters/phd program? Thanks.</p>
<p>Double post. Read below.</p>
<p>Come back in 5 years. WAY too early for you to be worrying about this.</p>
<p>That answer bothers me. It's never too early to plan for the future.</p>
<p>Drbott,</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong about planning for the future. However, there is a difference between planning, in a general sense, for your future endeavors, and specifically planning what you will be doing in 4-5 years. In my humble opinion, asking about how difficult and competitive it is to get into a specific graduate program when you are still a Freshman is a bit much. Alot changes in four years.</p>
<p>Actually, he's still in <em>high school</em>.</p>
<p>Addwit,</p>
<p>Yeah, I just realized that upon re-reading his post. Look, as I said before there is NOTHING wrong with planning for the future. But I do believe that encouraging 17 year olds to stress out about the specifics of what they will be doing when they are 22 is just unhealthy.</p>
<p>I'll answer your question -- What matters is where you go to graduate school and that will be much affected by your grades and letters of recommendation from professors. Your overall grades are important, but grad programs focus on grades in the area of study. If you have a definite interest in the history of a particular area or period, one that you could do as an undergraduate is to develop language proficiency.</p>
<p>The job market for history PhDs is not great, but stronger than it was 5 years ago. And, yes, chill out and enjoy what comes along in the next years - and be prepared to let your evolving interests take you where they may.</p>
<p>I like what The mom says about "letting your evolving interests take you where they may." I know very few kids who have gone through university within ever changing their interests or wanting to do something other than they had originally planned after undergrad.</p>