How competitive is my application for a PhD in History?

Graduate School
1

<p>BA in History from NYU
GPA: 3.721
Major GPA: 3.63
Double Minor: Music and Web Applications
Awards: Founders Day Award and graduated cum laude
Recommendations: "Good" - The professors I've asked have discussed this with me and said they'd attest to me excellent research and writing abilities but that I need to strengthen my discussion skills.
Work Experience - Worked for a year researching with a local organization and have written Historical articles for them online. Taught History to High School students for a year through a program at my university and served on the Undergraduate History Journal's Board of Editors.
Statement: Working on it still, will receive advice my professors on it.
GRE - 730 V (99%)/720 Q (75%)/6.0 AW (99%)</p>

<p>I know you can't tell based on numbers like this and there are a lot of other factors but I just want to know how competitive my application is and where I should be shooting for. Is there a PhD program for me? I'm fearful of my limited work experience and not glowing glowing LoRs, just being positive ones. Thanks for any type of advice anyone can provide.</p>

2

<p>How’s your writing sample?</p>

<p>Do you have a particular geographic area of interest? Any languages?</p>

<h2>Work experience is always a plus as there’s nothing wrong with taking time off.</h2>

<p>As long they can write positive letters, it’s fine. Your writing sample and SOP will be scrutinized closely just as well. Just make sure that you apply to a range of schools.</p>

3

<p>Yeah my writing sample is my 30 page senior thesis, although I have to send a brief summary and excerpt to programs that don’t want more than 15 or 20. My research area can and probably will change but right now I’m applying to programs strong in US labor history (this also reflects my writing sample). As far as language is concerned I’m basic in Spanish and conversational in German, but am planning to strengthen both greatly over the next few months.</p>

4

<p>Make sure that your excerpted section shows your very best writing and usage of primary sources. Just a brief abstract will do for the adoms who want shorter writing samples.</p>

5

<p>Yeah, thanks for the advice. I’m fairly confident in the writing sample as it received a 99 from the professor who said it was excellently written and researched (professor is writing a LoR). It cites from sources written by professors in some of the programs I’m applying to as well so hopefully that will help.</p>

6

<p>Would it be wrong to say I’m Hispanic on my applications if I have a white name, look white, and lived life as a white person? My grandfather is from Puerto Rico however. I can’t recall if I did this on college applications or not…</p>

7

<p>Those boxes are optional.</p>