Applying to UCSD History’s PhD program

Deciding to apply

It’s natural to want to do what you love. If you love history, you may think this means you should pursue a PhD. While I think a doctoral program can be one of the most enriching, intellectually satisfying things you can do, I want to make sure you realize how much risk you’re also assuming.

You should do your homework before you apply. Consider the drawbacks:

1. A terrible job market at the end of 6-8 years of work, with no guarantee of future employment;

2. Very low pay for the entirety of your PhD training;

3. Difficulties coping with and pushing back against often opaque traditions in PhD training;

4. Challenges maintaining personal goals and health including mental well-being, desire to start a family, etc.

Before you decide to go, I recommend reading Amanda Seligman’s book (link above), talking to PhD students in the schools you’re interested in, and perusing twitter to see what other PhD students are saying.

Is UCSD the right fit?

There are many factors that go into deciding which programs to apply to. You should begin by looking at some of your favorite secondary works. Which authors speak to you most, have influenced you the most? You may want one of those writers to be your future advisor.

Then, you should consider cohort and community. How many different faculty members are you interested in? Do you see a group - not just one person - that you can work with? UCSD tends to admit ever smaller numbers of students each year. Does a small cohort fit with what you want?

Lastly, lifestyle. When choosing an undergraduate program, many people disregard factors like location, climate, housing costs. When it comes to graduate programs, however, things are different. Are you ok with living in Southern California? Do you understand graduate housing options at UCSD? You should consider the full package. Generally speaking, I tell PhD students they should avoid accumulating debt at all costs. Make sure UCSD’s financial package matches your needs.

Reaching out to potential advisors

Once you’ve done your homework, you should send an email to at least one or two faculty to express your interest in UCSD. Ask if they are taking any new students this year. Then, introduce yourself briefly. (Where did you go to school before and what did you study?) Talk about how you see your work intersecting with theirs. Show you know what they do! And last but not least, ask if you can set up an appointment to talk by phone or zoom.