history major, Spanish minor...

Graduate School
1

<p>I've posted on this web site for a long time, but I've never participated in the grad school forums. So... I am a newbie. :)</p>

<p>I'm beginning my sophomore year at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and am planning to major in history and minor in Spanish. I'm not sure what aspect of history on which I will focus, but I'd eventually like to have both of my areas of study supplement each other. </p>

<p>I'm currently flirting with the idea of going to grad school after I receive my degree, but I want to be an informed buyer before I make that final decision. However, if I do decide to go to grad school, I want to have prepared myself in the best ways for the application process. So... I have a few questions. Does anyone know of grad school programs from which I would benefit? (Michigan is definitely on my list of perspective programs. I love studying here. However, one cannot rely on one school for admission.) Also, how does one stand out in the application process? I know the criteria changes from undergrad to grad school admissions.</p>

<p>Thanks for any advice.</p>

2

<p>Until you nail down your area of study more specifically, this is kind of an impossible question. Take your junior year to focus more and then go looking for programs. History and IR, the two areas you are most likely to be interested in, both have tons of subfields in tons of programs across the county. Take some time to make some other decisions first.</p>

3

<p>I agree with DespSeekPhd, you need to narrow your focus before we can recommend specific programs. However, I was a history major and am now a graduate student in IR (I applied to both history and IR grad programs), so if you have more questions I am happy to help. </p>

<p>As for standing out, research is obviously a big one, whether with professors or on your own. I also think that for you some foreign study would also be important and useful, both for you personally and for your application.</p>

<p>(Michigan does have a great history grad program, I almost applied there, so it sounds like a good choice.)</p>