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Originally Posted by hannukah harry
hey,
i've decided i'd like to go to grad school for history. i've been looking into some programs and noticed that there is a foreign language requirement (in some cases more than one). i plan on studying either ancient rome/greece or medieval europe.
does anyone have and advice/knowledge about:
a) what would be a good language to learn? (i've been debating between latin, french and german)
b) besides teaching or working in a museum (which are my two interests) what other options are there for someone with a masters or phd in history? (i'd like to know what else is out there)
c) good scholoship websites?
d) studying abroad? any info on doing a masters/phd in england... how is it different, will that be beneficial or harmful to me looking long term at job prospects in the states? what about summer programs? anything else?
e) what is the job market like for a history masters/phd's at the moment? any idea on the future?
f) how important is the school i go to? for instance, i realize that the difference between going to harvard/yale and arizona state is probably pretty big, but if my thesis and work is excellent, will it really make much of a difference? short term? long term?
g) anything else i should know/think about?
i've searched on the 'net and have found some stuff, not others. not really sure what i'm looking for at the moment.
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Meepa covered this pretty well, but as a first year Ph.D. student (in political science) I'll try to add something.
You should understand that where you go to school is EVERYTHING. Some people get degrees from crappy schools and climb the academic ladder, but it is a very tough climb and very few make it. The first thing anyone looks at before they publish your paper/give you an interview/invite you to speak at a conference is what school you're getting your Ph.D. from. Bad school = no papers or conferences. No papers or conferences means you'll never be able to establish the reputation to overcome your bad school.
A masters in Political Science is worth about its weight in toilet paper, and I imagine a master's in History is about the same or less. The only point to getting a masters is to polish your academic resume so that you can get into a better Ph.D. program.
As far as scholarship websites go, there are some national fellowships, but most of those you apply for after you get into the program. Most of your financial aid will come from the school you're attending, in the form of TA and RA (research assistant, not residential advisor) positions. Do Not go into a Ph.D. program unless they are paying you to do it.
Again, these are just my observations from having two academic parents and beginning to enter the academy myself. If you have any more questions feel free to PM me.