undergrad history research and the quest for grad school...

Graduate School
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<p>I'm considering applying to history PhD programs, and while I'm still in my third year of undergrad, I don't know exactly in what area I would be concentrating. I'm torn between medieval and modern history! I've been taking Latin, but I recently got really interested in 20th century diplomatic history. Now I'm about to start work at an archive (in Budapest, incidentally) dedicated exclusively to post-WWII history.</p>

<p>I don't know what my first project will be, but we're currently working on cataloging materials relating to the Balkan wars back in the early '90's and the resulting Hauge war crimes tribunal. There was nothing available for me, as a lowly undergrad, in the field of medieval studies. Believe me, I scoured all of Central Europe. So my question is this: all else being equal, will ANY kind of historical archive work or historical research experience look good on a PhD application, even if it isn't in the same field of history in which I am applying to study? That is, will spending a semester researching and documenting ethnic cleansing in the Balkans still help me, insofar as it is at least some kind of scholarly work experience, even if I end up applying to study Medieval history?</p>

<p>I know this job at the archives would be perfect if I ended up doing modern history in grad school, especially something in SE Europe or the Balkans, but what if I went in another direction? How much is general (academic) work or research experience valued when one applies to a PhD program? I know that grades and test scores and letters of recommendation are the most important parts of the application, but since the PhD IS essentially a research degree, it seems like a little taste of research as an undergraduate could only help, even if it isn't in the exact area you were applying to study. Am I right? </p>

<p>I hope I've made myself clear. I'm starting the job next week regardless, I just wanted to get some feedback from people already wading through the grad school tide. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>
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So my question is this: all else being equal, will ANY kind of historical archive work or historical research experience look good on a PhD application, even if it isn't in the same field of history in which I am applying to study?

[/quote]
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<p>Yes, it will.</p>

3

<p>Anything that exposes you to the archives, documents, any form of primary source. What you will learn from this job will be skills necessary to become a good historian, doesn't matter what field. I've worked in archives and in research involving different kind of sources and the skills I learned have helped me along the way to write pretty darn good research papers and being an efficient historian.</p>

<p>However, I would NOT apply to graduate school until you are fairly sure of the time period and geographical area, even long after you've done the work. It's fairly common among graduate students (at least the undecided MAs and this can apply to undergrads) that they'll become excited about their current seminar topic and then say "I'm doing my thesis on this!" And then they enroll in a different seminar the following semester and say, "Never mind, I'm doing THIS instead!" Be broad but specific with your interests as you will be paired with a faculty member expert in his or her field and you will be his/her protege. Take your time in deciding and do talk about this experience in your SOP so make notes in a journal or something along the way for reflections. </p>

<p>Also, "modern" doesn't always mean 19th and 20th centuries.... if you're more interested in the 1300s-1500s, you can kind of mix it with medieval and early modern.</p>