about, say, Indian history at a university that lacks an India specialist. Do you have any general or specific historical interests, or are you still investigating? Can you find at least a few professors whose own interests intersect with your own?įor advanced degrees, and it's really the advanced degree you have to worry about if you want to become a professional historian, it's less about the institution and more about the professor under whom you'd be studying. They should be pretty upfront about what they're interested in - if not, look at their publications/dissertation. Look closely at the college's course offerings and who's teaching what, then look at the history department's faculty listings. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have fun, but try to go somewhere where the student culture values the library just as much as, if not more than, the football field.Īt least one or two professors have interests in stuff you'd like to study. The ultimate goal here is to go to a school where the faculty actually gives a shit about undergraduate education, and - not incidentally - where the undergraduates are also serious. What are office hours like? Are faculty members generally supportive? (This is one of the areas where I think the overnight programs offered by admissions departments can be valuable - students are much more likely to be honest once everyone's back at the dorm for the night and you're seeing what their assignments and readings are like.) Get multiple opinions to reduce the likelihood of just running into someone with an irrational grudge. As a matter of principle, most will feel obligated to talk up their school to potential applicants, but ask them to be frank about the good teachers in the department. When you have the opportunity, ask current students about this. ![]() None of that matters if they don't teach undergraduate classes, if you won't see them until senior year, or if they're just really crappy teachers. A college's prospectus will be eager to advertise the school's famous professors and their interests, publications, and lectures. in most top universities and liberal arts colleges, although try to go to a school where: For a bachelor's degree? You can get a quality history A.B.
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