<p>I am graduating with my BA in history this spring. I want to obtain a PhD in British imperial history and teach at the university level. My dream school is Harvard, not necessarily because of the name, but because one of my favorite historians is there. I spoke with him prior to applying for their PhD program. He said I don't compete with the other applicants because my grades aren't the best (there is a gap in my education - I failed a few classes almost ten years ago, but I've made As and A-s since returning) and because I don't know enough foreign languages. He advised me to get a masters at the London School of Economics (LSE), learn another language (specifically Hindi), and apply at Harvard again.</p>
<p>I applied at 11 schools and have some interesting offers. I was accepted into the doctoral program in history at the University of California Irvine with funding. I was also accepted into the masters program in imperial history at LSE, but I would have to scrounge up my own funding.</p>
<p>So the question is, do I accept UCI with the funding and make the best of the program? Or, do I take the Harvard professor's advice, spend a year in London (which is awesome for a British historian), and try to get into Harvard (or another Ivy or public Ivy) next year? Is the latter even possible through LSE? I've received advice from my current professors and my friends, all of which have differing opinions. I'm interested in what the CC community thinks. Thanks!</p>