History Research - Interested?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>Okay, this maybe isn't a conventional posting here, but I hope it sort of turns out to be the right place...</p>

<p>Anyway, to the point - what with college applications coming up, it seems that there's a real need to have certain things that 'differentiate' from all other applications. Whilst this is normally done with ECs and a strong academic record etc., I feel that there should be more - especially a way to really show colleges your show your commitment to a subject to persuade them to view you as a 'long term prospect'. It's all well and good claiming to have a 'passion', but can you prove it in a way that hasn't been done in exactly the same fashion hundreds of times before?</p>

<p>Some of will, undoubtedly, find a niche for doing so - especially for subjects that seem to lend themselves to the independent proving of one's worth. For others, however, I'm sure it can be difficult...I know so, in fact - particularly through my own attempts at to showing my passion - history. I've done all of the standard things...got a job as a tour guide at a local stately home, worked in museums, volunteered at archives etc., (lamentably, the UK doesn't seem to go in for these 'State Championship' competition style things you seem to favour across the pond for higher accolades), but I'm finding it really difficult to show anything deeper. And, as an international student - or even for when I apply back home - I feel that I should do everything in my power to bolster my application.</p>

<p>Which is why I have a proposal. Well, maybe not a 'proposal' as of yet...more just an idea to be bounced around. I'd really appreciate feedback on it though, as if it works, I don't think it's been done before on any large scale organised from a student-base before - a true differentiator. Regretfully, it only pertains to those considering a major in history, but I do strongly feel that for those limited few it could turn out to prove invaluable.</p>

<p>So yes, my 'proposal' is as follows - what would you think to putting together some sort of 'grand-scale project'? Not the clich</p>

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<p>Reading your post was like reading a long business contract. You think too much about college admissions. It's not necessary that you have to have a hook or something to get in. It is a subjective decision that comes from underpaid admissions officials. I would work on a essay topic or something more concrete that you can be sure to cash in on. </p>

<p>A historical research by high schoolers will not be taken seriously by anyone. "got a job as a tour guide at a local stately home, worked in museums, volunteered at archives etc." - you've done plenty. There are not that many national competition winners and even less applicants of that caliber. </p>

<p>Just play with the cards you have. Don't chase the rainbow.</p>

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<p>Well I, for one, think it sounds like a cool idea, regardless of college admissions. I pm'd you my e-mail address.</p>

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<p>sounds intense
i kinda like that
i pm'd u my email address
email me let me know wut u got in mind
i don't have any experience with this kinda stuff
don't know if i'm publishing material
but i think i'll be fine if u explain wat u'r idea is
lets give it a shot</p>

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<p>Gryffon, thank you for your reply. I understand completely what you mean, and to a large extent have to completely agree with you. However, and perhaps I didn't stress it well enough in my first post, history for some of us is a passion - a subject that we would give complete dedication to. I - and I'd like to think that admissions officials would do the same - recognise the problem of not having a history degree or several years of experience in approaching a task of this nature. To show the drive to want to be involved in something that clearly yearns for involvement in work of that nature, though, can only show commitment - and passion. What is produced isn't intended to be taken seriously on an academic level - instead, it should show the willingness to become involved in that serious academic work later on. Pointless, perhaps, but for those that crave the concept anyway, merely a way to experience the future now, and get 'some', as of yet undefinable, benefit from it.</p>

<p>I find the idea of chasing admissions quite the repulsive one - not 'British' at all ;-p - unfortunately, to play the game - especially the American game - things have to be different, and, in my eyes, show initiative. If you don't think it'll help you, then so be it - don't become involved. If you fancy the punt, however, then why not experience a possible future and take the chance as well? I'm not forcing anyone into this - just trying to open up a new pathway in history-for-high-schoolers AND admissions.</p>

<p>Oh, and about getting the work published - I say this of course in no seriousness at this point in time. Like Gryffon pointed out, the work would have little respect in the academic community when written by high-schoolers. To be able to produce something to show commitment though is what this is primarily about - if, twenty years down the line the material we collect now is still good, then why not? Like I said before, with the benefit of hind-sight, there's no reason why we can't do the leg-work now then polish-up later. You can't come down on me for not being ambitious ;-p</p>

<p>To the other two posters, Ill be in touch.</p>

<p>All further comments - of both critical and interest-based nature - are welcome. The idea is still in seed-form, and clearly needs work, but something has definitely started. Interested?</p>

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<p>Well, I hope your not doing this just for college admissions which it kind of sounded like at the beginning. I agree it will look good if something is put togeather, but if it's just for college admissions, than I doubt there will be enough real passion for the topic at hand to get anything done.</p>

<p>That aside, with passion, I think this could be really cool. If someone came up with something that would make it possible for high school students to do something of this nature, it would be truely amazing. I also like the idea of "people from all different walks of live and perspectives" working on the same project; although cliche, it works all the time! </p>

<p>PM if you get/have any ideas in mind!</p>

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<p>hey, i'm interested. i've done historical research before (for the one, and only, certifiable history competition that I've found). I'm PMing you</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the replies.</p>

<p>To WatchMeShine:</p>

<p>Thanks for giving me the opportunity to clarfiy a point - I'm afraid my original message was written in the late-early hours of the morning...hence the length :-)</p>

<p>I don't mean this project to be about college admissions. I mean, it will be - because everyone involved in it will have that looming over them in the background, and the ultimate goal will be to have 'something' respectable churned out for January. However, I'm only really looking for people with a passion for history...people really willing to commit to the cause. For those with this passion, I'd hope that the enthusiasm was there - along with the small but additional desire to complete the work to PROVE their commitment to history...something which isn't easy to do when dealing in the past.</p>

<p>I spoke tentatively with my own history teachers here in England, and whilst it seems in principle to defeat the object of the task to get their involvement, I can't see it harming to get some 'expert' guidance to set us off, as well as a reference base for later on. With two who graduated from Oxford, one from Cambridge, and several others from top universities, I hope that I can call on them for advice throughout the project. As you've surely gathered, I've done nothing like this before, so all help we can get in invaluable. Similarly anyone generally with experience in detailed research could prove to be priceless...not to mention all of the history departments full of experts they can bring in for 'consultation' purposes.</p>

<p>The aim of the project in main though is to get students doing something that they could never normally easily do...the work, in an albeit limited sense, of an historian. This is 100% a student-led concept, and I hope the results will reflect that...it WON'T be perfect, but what it will be of a credible level given the brief we've set ourselves. And, with the cliched idea of having different perspectives from different backgrounds - the bed-rock of historical insight - we should produce something highly commendable, both for ourselves and, should we choose so, colleges.</p>

<p>If anyone has any further questions or criticisms, or wants to generally express an interest, PM me and I'll be in touch.</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>badegine</p>

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<p>I heart History!</p>

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<p>I think this would be fun and interesting. And I don't think you're doing it only for admissions sake... I mean, you like history, neh? A lot. It's your passion. Therefore, you'd enjoy doing this, and would do it for the sake of learning.</p>

<p>PM'ed you my email address. :)</p>

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<p>lol, are all of badegine's posts comprised of at least 3 paragraphs?</p>

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<p>lol - I have a weakness there...a love of thirty words where three will do ;-p</p>

<p>Anyone else considering this venture then? I don't want to sound pushy, but I don't want to keep this offer open indefinitely - the sooner we get a solid list together the sooner we can start work!</p>

<p>So yes, any more takers?</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>badegine</p>