<p>After graduating from college in 2005 and working out in the world for a while, I've figured out that my true passion is history. I could see myself working at a museum or archive, or possibly continuing in academia (although I know the job market is tight).</p>
<p>My plan is to apply for history MA programs, since as an English major I assume I wouldn't be able to make it into a PhD program right off the bat. I'm mostly applying to state schools, since they seem more affordable. </p>
<p>Unfortunately:</p>
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<li><p>Since I majored in English, I have no research writing samples to send. Scholarly, analytical writing samples, yes. But no original research.</p></li>
<li><p>Since I've been out of school for a while, I'm not in touch with my college professors and would feel awkward approaching them out of the blue for letters of recommendation. They recommended me for various jobs/internships in the year or two after I graduated--I don't want to be obnoxious by asking for more. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I am taking history courses at community college to strengthen my application--hopefully also making new contacts for letters of rec. Will it seem odd that my letters of rec don't come from my real college professors? And also that at least one letter will need to be from an employer in a non-related field?</p>
<ol>
<li>My GPA is 3.1: not stellar.</li>
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<p>On the plus side, I did graduate from a fairly prestigious/rigorous liberal arts college, so... perhaps that counts for something in the academic world (?). </p>
<p>Does my plan seem viable to the knowledgeable folks here? Is there a possibility I could be accepted somewhere, ideally with some funding or a TA job? Or am I just living in dreamland?</p>
<p>Thank you for any help or guidance!</p>
<p>1) At least one of your English papers probably deals with the historical context of a piece of literature. Rewrite it, or submit a paper you’ve written for a current history class.</p>
<p>2) Get over the awkward feeling, and get in touch with your former professors. I don’t know why you think it is “obnoxious” to simply ask for letters. Your former professors will likely serve as better (more effective) references than your current CC professors. Perhaps you can secure two letters from former professors,and one from a current CC professor.</p>
<p>3) Your undergraduate GPA might work against you. Do make sure your GPA at the CC is markedly better. You will have to submit both transcripts anyway. If your major GPA is substantially better than your cumulative GPA, this will also help.</p>
<p>Unsolicited advice: Given your goals, you might wish to look into a MA in Public History. Admission is easier, but funding is rare.</p>
<p>Thank you for your response and advice!</p>
<p>The reason I feel awkward is that I haven’t talked to my profs in years. It seems kind of rude, as if I only talk to them when I need a favor from them. I had worried that they would be annoyed about it. But I suppose if they’ve already written letters for me, all they need to do is update slightly and send… I will follow your suggestion and at least ask.</p>
<p>Fortunately, my major GPA and last two years of college are much higher than the cumulative. (Last two years is a 3.5, including a semester abroad to learn a challenging foreign language.) I anticipate doing fairly well on the GRE, since I scored 800 on the verbal SAT back in high school, and the GRE seems to be the same sort of animal.</p>
<p>I’m definitely applying to at least 2 or 3 public history programs, since the field seems rather up my alley.</p>
<p>Anyway, I hope it’s not too much of a long shot!</p>
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<p>It part of their job. They expect it – and you won’t be the first student to ask for a recommendation years after graduation. Just make sure you supply them with enough information about your relationship, your goal, your current progress, etc.</p>