<p>Okay, so I am on my way to a phd in history(concentration in medieval history). I am entering my third year of undergrad studies and I need some advice on Masters programs that will help rather than hinder advancement to phd candidacy. </p>
<p>I am a late bloomer when it comes to higher education. I took a break from school in 2004 and returned in 2008 part-time and now I am a full-time junior. I plan on taking introductory and intermediate French in my 4 remaining semesters and introductory German over the summers leaving only Medieval Latin to conquer in grad school.</p>
<p>Gpa is currently 3.6. I am a strong writer, but weak at standardized testing. As far as extracurricular activities go I am halfway through a roughdraft of a work of fiction based on the legends of Robin Hood- when I started I had no idea they were making another movie and that it would be really bad! Of course, I haven't like Russell Crowe since Gladiator.</p>
<p>I appreciate each and every suggestion!</p>
<p>Bring on the knowledge!
Thanks in advance</p>
<p>kinda old, but you should be able to find many similar resources: [Retrieving</a> the Master’s Degree from the Dustbin of History: Appendix 1](<a href=“http://www.historians.org/projects/cmd/2005/report/app1.cfm]Retrieving”>Appendix 1 | AHA)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Not all MA programs are funded. When looking for programs, be sure to thoroughly investigate the availability of funding.</p></li>
<li><p>A lack of Latin may be more of a handicap to your application than a lack of French or German, though ideally you’d have all three. That is a question to run by a professor in medieval history…it’s not my area of emphasis.</p></li>
<li><p>Your extracurriculars do not matter at all unless they specifically pertain to your field. Works of fiction do not qualify.</p></li>
<li><p>Your research experience seems sparse, unless you didn’t bother to write about it. A research seminar would be good if they’re offered at your college; independent studies are also good. A senior thesis would be icing on the cake but not required. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Try posting this in the [graduate</a> school](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/]graduate”>Graduate School - College Confidential Forums) forum, and be sure to read over the excellent [Graduate</a> School Admissions 101 thread](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/348756-graduate-school-admissions-101-a.html]Graduate”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/348756-graduate-school-admissions-101-a.html).</p>
<p>Since CC is primarily composed of scientists and IR folks, you should also check out The Grad Cafe and the applyingtograd LJ community (google them).</p>
<p>warblersrule:
Thanks for your advice. Bullet point number 1 is the main issue I’m running into. Not only is it harder to get fundung for the MA but most of the Universities I have looked into only the offer the MA leading to a Ph.D as kind of an honorary degree or as the terminal degree they offer you if they don’t think you are a satisfactory doctoral candidate. The funny thing is: after I posted I acquired an e-mail address to a faculty of the History program and sent an inquiry. Someone else posted that the MA is good for people who don’t have as much experience in the research or language areas so I decided to go that way…but If I can fix those areas before I graduate I may change my mind. There are just too many avenues…I will also check out the grad school forum.</p>