<p>I've just started looking into a PhD in US History ( interested in schools in the Northeast) and would welcome any thoughts on my chances - see info below. </p>
<p>Undergrad 3.0 - BBA, small liberal arts college in the south
Grad 3.75 - MS, Communications, NYU
3 years of work experience in NYC, have also lived and worked in Spain</p>
<p>I took the GRE about 3 years ago and had less than stellar scores (V560, Q520, A5.5) - do I need to retake the the test?</p>
<p>Would I even be considered competitive among other program applicants? Would it be worth taking a year off b/w my MS and applying for a PhD to gai some relevant work experience? etc etc etc I very much appreciate feedback.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>First, geographic location should not be a major factor in your graduate program decisions. One chooses programs by faculty/potential advisors, not by location.</p>
<p>I do indeed suggest retaking the GRE.</p>
<p>The only "relevant work experience" I can imagine for PhD admissions in history would be archival work, work at a historical society, etc. Your time might be better spent acquiring / refreshing the languages you will need in your intended subspecialization. Coursework in French and/or German for reading would also be highly desirable.</p>
<p>Agreed with Prof X's comments/suggestions. </p>
<p>You might also want to be a bit more specific about what aspects of US history you're interested in. It's the most competitive field- more so than Europe or Asia... my US history profs are very grateful to have gotten in gradute schools when they did. The more research you can do on professors and departments, the better you tailor your search for the right fit with the department. You certainly won't want to be in a department filled with US foreign policy and Cold War historians (like Yale) if you're really into Colonial or West history (schools in the South and West).</p>
<p>As said, because of the intense competition, you will need to be flexible about where you can apply. I'm also considering US History... depending how I market myself and to which programs when it's time to re-apply. For example, if I apply to NYU, I'm better off emphasizing my other field of interest because it's much stronger in that. On the other hand, Penn isn't so strong on that particular field so I'm better off competing with over 100 people for 3-4 spots in US history just because it's the way the department works.</p>
<p>Is your undergrad degree in history? If not, then you might have a little trouble finding jobs in archival work... I've already looked.</p>
<p>thanks so much ticklemepink. im interested in 18th century US, and due to certain family constraints, i cannot be too far from home, hence the need to look at schools in the northeast.
i appreciate the feedback - now i will have a better idea what i should be looking for and how the process will work.
thanks!</p>