<p>I graduated 6 years ago with a B.A. in History from a state flagship school. I'm currently working full-time (in a different field) and planning on applying for history Ph.D. programs in 2-3 cycles. </p>
<p>I have strong GPA/GRE scores, and I've identified several professors who would be a good fit for me in terms of research interests. I am very clear about what I want to study, and why I want to attend graduate school/get this particular degree.</p>
<p>However, I have little history research experience (although I do have academic research experience in another field), and no publications. I also have virtually no relationships with professors in the field and I have no idea who I would ask to write a recommendation. </p>
<p>I feel like these things will kill my chances in an extremely competitive process, and I'm willing to work/do whatever it takes to improve the situation, but I'm not even sure where to begin. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions? The only thing I can think of is to take more undergraduate classes and try to form relationships, but I don't know if there is a better way to go about this/if it would be a waste of time.</p>
<p>Alternately, should I just give up on the Ph.D. process for now and apply to Master's programs with a view to eventually applying to Ph.D. programs?</p>
<p>Sorry if this seems incoherent - I just feel a little lost!</p>
<p>I’m not an expert on this, but, as you’ve stated, I really think you only have two options:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Take non-degree seeking courses at a community college to establish relationships with professors who could write you letters of rec. Don’t really know if you could do any real research this way though.</p></li>
<li><p>Pursue an MA that doesn’t require research to get admitted, then get as much research experience as you can while there. Build professor relationships, etc.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I’d go for option 2 as I think it significantly increases your chances of ever getting admitted to a PhD program.</p>
<p>You could also try to get in touch with some of your former professors and let them know of your plans. Ask if they could use any assistance on their current projects - you don’t necessarily have to pay money to take courses just to get to know new professors when you could try to rekindle a professional relationship with past ones. </p>
<p>Lots of students get into PhD programs without getting a masters degree first. If you are dead-set on a PhD, save yourself some time and money and apply directly to doctorate programs after building some relationships and getting more research experience. Masters degrees, especially non-research intensive ones, are not usually as well-funded as most PhD programs are, and even a 2-year program might only knock off a year once you apply to doctorate programs. </p>
<p>However, if you find that you’re having a hard time getting in touch with past profs, or you’re not clicking with new profs in courses you take in the future, a masters degree might be the next choice.</p>
<p>Thanks to both of you - I really appreciate the advice. I’m going to try to get in touch with my old professors. Hopefully they’ll remember me. Although I did very well in their classes, I was much less mature then and not nearly as focused on school. I figure it can’t hurt to try.</p>
<p>In the meantime, I’ve gotten in touch with a professor at a local university and plan on taking classes as a non-degree seeking student this summer.</p>
<p>I planned on the possibility of going through the application cycle twice, so I may focus mainly on Ph.D. programs the first time and then add more MA programs the next year if it doesn’t work out.</p>
<p>Why a Phd? Are you hoping to teach at a college? And, do you know how tough it is now to get a permanent position?
Kids I know count on good aid packages to help pay for grad school- sometimes grants, sometimes a TA job and sometimes tuition waivers. But, these go to students the grad dept wants most. So, make yourself desirable. If you know your research interests, there is nothing stopping you from going ahead and researching. Then, you have gone a step further and have something to discuss with potential profs.<br>
The grad programs (more the PhD than the masters,) are not as generalist as undergrad- they like it if they think you will hit the ground running, so to speak. It’s more than taking some classes now, getting a nice ref from that prof. Otoh, what taking classes now can offer you is mentorship on your research- someone who points you in directions, helps refine and polish your research, etc.</p>
<p>Don’t take undergraduate classes. Definitely do not take community college classes, as they will be lower-level classes and you already have a BA in history. Take graduate classes as a non-degree student. If you already have a BA in history, while you work take some graduate history classes in your field that pique your interest, and do well. Not only will you have recommendation letters, you will prove that you can handle graduate level work.</p>
<p>Publications are unusual for any undergrad, but especially in the humanities, so don’t worry about that. And you can get research experience. Make some connections, possibly by taking those graduate courses. Then approach professors and ask if they could use an RA with a BA in history. If not, ask if they can advise you in an independent study project. Plan to get something out of it that you can use as a writing sample.</p>
<p>Yes, I’m hoping - but not expecting - to become a professor. I’m trying to look into alternative jobs as a backup plan so that I can do what I need to in grad school to make myself more attractive for other positions, but I know the job market is pretty discouraging overall. </p>
<p>The unemployment rates/salaries of many PhDs are the main reasons why I didn’t attempt to go to grad school straight out of undergrad. I’m concerned about the enormous difficulty of getting a position, but I really can’t see myself in another field (believe me, it would be much easier for me to just stay in my current field!). Even with the odds as they are, I know I would regret it if I didn’t pursue this. </p>
<p>I just got my acceptance as a graduate non-degree seeking student at the local university (the one where I mentioned contacting a professor) and I’ll be taking a graduate class there this summer. </p>
<p>I will definitely do research on my own, too - I didn’t know if that was frowned upon or not, but I guess it can’t hurt! I have pretty focused/specific research interests and the university here has some collections that will be really helpful. I think this professor might be willing to take me on as an independent study student in the fall if I do well in his course this summer.</p>
<p>Thanks, as always, for all of your advice!</p>