Center Hosts Panel on Graduate School in the Humanities
One question all humanities students have heard from friends, family, and complete strangers after discussing their major is, “What are you planning to do with that?” While some students have clear plans for life after college, others are left fumbling for answers. On January 24, 2022 the Center for Humanities hosted a panel to discuss the realities of one post-graduation option: graduate school in the humanities. Five PhD students and candidates (more on that later) offered advice and answered questions from undergraduates during the Center’s “Paths to and Through Graduate School” panel. For those humanities undergraduates who couldn’t attend the panel, here are the answers to some common questions about graduate school applications, academics, finances, and prospects for the future.
When should I apply?
The short answer: whenever it works for you. While panelists Maddie Webster and Ryan Pasco enrolled in graduate school directly after graduation, the other panelists worked in various different sectors before applying to graduate programs. If you do plan on enrolling in a graduate program immediately after undergrad, Maddie recommends you start researching programs and studying for the GREs toward the end of your junior year. If you want to take a break from schoolwork, you can always apply to programs in the future and use your valuable work experience to stand out as a candidate.
How do I pick which programs to apply to?
Religious Studies PhD candidate Amanda Napior recommends researching faculty you want to work with and reaching out to them ahead of the application process. There’s more to selecting a program than finding faculty whose research interests align with your own. According to Amanda, the key question is, “Would you work well together?” Different graduate programs have different social environments, so don’t hesitate to ask professors and teaching fellows for insider knowledge about programs that interest you.
I’ve picked a program. What are the best application tips?
You probably wrote a personal statement when applying to undergraduate programs, but when it comes to graduate school, it’s all about the Statement of Purpose (SoP for short). While your personal statement reflects who you are, your SoP reflects what you want to do. PhD student Carter Jackson says that your SoP should formulate a research question and make graduate school sound “like the next logical step.” Amanda recommends creating a master application to use as a baseline, so you don’t overwork yourself during the application process. Be sure to swap out the relevant pieces of information, such as program, university, and faculty names. Asking teaching fellows and professors to review your SoP can help you catch these key mistakes, and if any of them graduated recently, they are likely to offer other insights into the current application process.
How can I succeed academically in graduate school?
Panelist Alyssa Kreikemeier provides this helpful outline of progression through graduate school for those working toward a PhD: course work, qualifying exams (usually an oral defense of texts you have read, possibly with a written component), prospectus, the switch from student to candidate, and your final dissertation. On top of coursework and research, you may also be required to teach classes or act as a research assistant. Different people have different approaches to time management and cultivating the proper mentality to drive them through graduate school. While Maddie says that she prefers to treat her studies as a continuation of her undergraduate education, others see graduate school as a 9-5 job. The most important thing is that you approach your studies in a way that works for you both academically and personally.
Of course, graduate school is structured differently depending on location, program specifics, and whether or not you plan to pursue a PhD. Carter earned his MA in England, and was surprised to see his British classmates jump straight into their dissertations after graduate school while he took on even more course work for his PhD. He has come to not envy them, however, noting that course work helps you to develop your research interests.
How can I support myself while pursuing a graduate degree?
According to Alyssa, humanities graduate funding depends entirely on the program, but generally lasts for five years for those pursuing a PhD. Your degree may last longer than your funding, so you should be prepared to address this reality. For Amanda, supporting herself through her Master’s meant continuing to work as a hairdresser while studying. “The stipend is not livable unless you want to live as a mendicant, begging for rice,” she remarks. Amanda and others took on side projects, part-time jobs, and teaching positions at different points throughout their studies. Carter recommends doing what he did and asking the school for more money once you have been accepted into its programs; they just might give it to you.
So, what are you planning to do with your degree?
Maddie’s best advice is to apply to internships, try many different things along the way, and “be super open.” While she now knows that she wants to work for the City of Boston, it took years for her to reach that conclusion. Alyssa also emphasizes openness to jobs outside of academia, which graduate programs do not always promote well. Academic positions are limited, so it’s a good idea to get involved with your school’s humanities center, which can connect you to various public humanities programs and internships. The BU Center for the Humanities offers opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students; for some ideas about the possibilities for PhD students, take a look at the PhD Internships in the Humanities or stop by our office at CAS B02.