History Ph.D - Should I be concerned?

Graduate School
1

<p>I'm 100% confident that I want to be a History professor--either History of Science or Western European History (from the peak of the Roman Empire through the Enlightenment, preferrably). I understand that the job market is bleak for Humanities students, but I accept it.</p>

<p>And now for my ramble...</p>

<p>Part I:</p>

<p>My collegiate education began in 2003 with a 2-year community college stint, in which I earned a 3.8+ GPA and an Associate's Degree before transferring to a small liberal arts college and completing a B.A. in Psychology. My GPA plummeted to approximately a 3.2, and in early 2008, I took the General GRE, receiving a modest 1170 (620Q, 550V, and a 3W, if I recall correctly... I clumsily ran out of time on the second essay, which is a shame because I think I could have gotten a 4.5 or better). I sat out a couple years before attending an also modest Psychology Master's program for a semester. I received an A- for my thesis course, or rather directed studies course, but had to withdraw from my other classes, and the program, due to a medical condition and a change of interests.</p>

<p>Part II:</p>

<p>I have returned to undergraduate study, this time at Pittsburgh, and am enrolled in the History & Philosophy of Science program. During my first year I withdrew a few courses due to changes in program and my medical concerns, although I am now healthy. It is very likely I will graduate the program with over a 3.7, including an A+ in one of my foundation courses. But the withdrawals, and the low GPA I earned for my first B.A., haunt me.</p>

<p>The breakdown...</p>

<p>A.A. (County College): 3.8+
B.A. (Lesser known liberal arts college): 3.2+
Old (2/2008) GRE Scores: 620Q, 550V, 3W
M.S. attempt: A- in Thesis course, 2 medical withdrawls, withdrew program
B.A. (Pitt/History & Philosophy of Science): 3.7+ expected
Also planning to retake the GRE. Hopeful I can up my verbal percentile significantly (indeed, I know about the format/scoring changes)</p>

<p>Concerns: Low first Bachelor's GPA, withdrew graduate program, 3 withdrawals for current program (though in non-major courses). Afraid that I cannot get into a very good history graduate program because of these setbacks. Would I be correct?</p>

2

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<p>If you are open to being a High School history teacher this story may have a happier ending!</p>

3

<p>First thing they’ll ask, do you have any languages if you want to do Western Europe?</p>

<p>Pittsburgh’s got a good PhD program. I would absolutely ask their Latin Americanists for advice on your application in general. They are top-notch people.</p>

4

<p>Yep: French and German.</p>

5

<p>Good. Still, I would talk to those Latin Americanists about graduate admissions in general. Im friendly with a grad student there so trust me on this. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>I don’t think you realize just how bleak the job market is in the humanities… The odds are highly stacked against you becoming a history professor.</p>

7

<p>Ah, I do! But it’s a chance I’m willing to take, and I have a solid back-up plan (to become a programmer).</p>

8

<p>I should emphasize that I will retake the GRE, and expect major improvements from my old score.</p>