<p>Hi everyone. I posted here a while back as well, though my circumstances have changed a little bit.</p>
<p>I'm from Pakistan and have graduated with a Bachelors (Hons) degree in Social Sciences. My GPA is 3.25 and my diagnostic tests point to a GRE score of 1400+ at the very least. Letters of Recommendation are also going to be excellent.</p>
<p>I have a few questions.</p>
<p>First, does it really matter if I graduated in 5 years instead of 4? Especially as I completed all my coursework in four years, worked full time as a research associate and only did my Senior essay in the fifth year.</p>
<p>Second, my primary research experience is population studies and policy research with organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the EU and the Government of Pakistan. However, I want to pursue a Masters degree in History, hopefully leading to a PhD as that is my true calling for further studies. Will my research credentials count for anything (especially as I have published several reports which could highlight my analytical skills) if they're not History-specific? Or will they be discarded while under review as I'll be applying for a history MA?</p>
<p>I will be applying for the Fulbright scholarship for Pakistani citizens and I am very confident of getting that grant as currently people with lower credentials than mine have received it. So funding in the US might not be a major problem. However, for safety purposes, which unis generally give out funding for all PhD students?</p>
<p>Finally, with my GPA/projected GRE scores, do I stand a chance at the best schools? And if not, what kind of schools should I apply to.</p>
<p>Be brutally honest. I would really appreciate your input as my resources require me to be very careful (and rather stingy) with application/mailing fees.</p>
<p>4 years vs. 5 - doesn't matter at all. Your transcript will show what you did and when.</p>
<p>Research - you bet it counts! Especially published - that alone will make you stand out from the majority of applicants. </p>
<p>Now, you should be aware that in the US the MA in the most subjects is considered a terminal degree. Many schools award the MA only as part of the PhD process. If you want a PhD you should be applying to PhD programs.</p>
<p>Funding...is getting tighter every year in the humanities. Universities typically fund most or all admitted students but policies vary place to place and year to year. Most schools publish their current policies on their websites but you'll want to look at BOTH the university's "graduate school" site AND the History department site since many departments have their own funding sources over and above the university wide sources. Also be aware that some schools offer funding only to US citizens or permanent residents.</p>
<p>Chances - very good almost anywhere, especially if you come already funded. Your research and publication history will help you stand out from the crowd and you can discuss how that experience is relevant in you statement of purpose.</p>
<p>Actually, for history there are places that give just the MA, places that just to PhD (with the MA along the way), and places that do both. So it really depends on the institution.</p>
<p>Non-history publications will definitely be considered, as it shows your ability to research, write, and have those skills stand up to review. Do you have a history paper from a class? if so, submit that along with your app. Most programs ask for a writing sample, and they prefer it be history based, but it doesn't have to be a publication. Just be sure to explain why the shift to history.</p>
<p>Thank you both so much for your response. I do have papers from the history courses that I took, will probably send them off as well.</p>
<p>I think my best chance is to apply through the Fulbright Scholarship program. From what I've heard, universities are more likely to admit you if you've been recommended by the Fulbright Scholarships committee.</p>