The next step now that Zach has finished his master’s degree, he’s been applying to universities in the US for admission into their Ph.D programs (History).
Clearly, with limited placements available in these programs, not only because they are prestigious schools but also because they only accept less than a handful of applicants into the program each year.
He has had to cast his net far and wide.
Sure, if you ask him he wants to go to Harvard, Princeton or Yale – who wouldn’t want to attend these schools?
However, due to the significant competition for placement into these programs he’s also applied to 12 other schools across the United States.
The next step is now a bit of a waiting game.
Prior to his application he reached out to specific professors at each of the schools to both make contact but also to float his Ph.D thesis concept and ideas past them.
Not surprisingly, each of the professors responded with many of them offering to be his advisor if he’s successful in his application.
I suppose this is a great measuring stick to his ideas, even though it doesn’t help him on his application per see other than a reference to the professor and their support.
As you’d expect each university has a different set of criteria and requirements for your application to be submitted for admission.
Some require, in addition to a written statement of purpose an essay plus samples of your published works, excerpt from your master’s thesis and a host of other inputs and hurdles including your marks from the program.
As to what I’ve witnessed this process is not for the faint of heart…
If you’re on the fence about applying, then each school ensure you earn the right for them to review your application.
In addition, there is a non-refundable application fee.
From what I’ve seen with Zach the process takes between 10 – 20 hours of preparation to ensure you have all the items required prior to submission.
He does have a couple of things going his way (1) he’s already been published in the Yale Review during his undergrad, (2) he earned a high distinction with his Master’s thesis, (3) he’s already made contact with the professors within the programs he’s been applying to.
Now, we all hold our collective breath and wait until mid-January to see if he gets an acceptance letter from any one of the schools he’s applied for.
It’s important to keep a positive mindset until we hear back from every one of the schools he’s applied for.
Clearly, he’s nervous about being accepted into any one of the programs but we now have to let the “chips fall where they may…”
Once he’s successful his next move will be back to the United States in the July – August timeframe next year.
His history Ph.D will take him a further 6 – 7 years of study which includes developing, writing, and defending his final thesis.
If all goes well, he will be around 30 years old by the time he graduates and can then begin applying for university professorships.
From our family’s perspective he’s moving into truly rarefied air!
Although to be fair he’s already in that category as he’s the only person in our family to receive his master’s degree…
Along with Zach applying for his Ph.D programs my daughter Sam is applying for a master’s programs as well.
Although unsuccessful in her first application to McGill University in Montreal she has be undeterred and has applied to a number of schools in the UK.
The feedback she received on her initial application to McGill was that her first-year marks weren’t up to scratch. Okay, but how about the subsequent four years where she’s been in the top 5% of her class?
Seriously, sometimes there is such a lack of common sense…
Yeah, I know I’m just the parent in this equation and I realize that it’s only my point of view but of course I’m always going to be their biggest cheerleader.
The next step for Zach is his graduation next week back in Canberra.
Judy and I are flying down next week with my ex flying in from Canada to attend as well.
Zach’s undergraduate graduation at McGill University in Montreal did not happen because of Covid-19 so this will be the first time we will have the opportunity to celebrate with him.
Now that Zach has finished school, he’s staying with us up here in Queensland, but he’s heading to Sydney this weekend so he and his mum can spend a few days exploring before they meet us in Canberra.
Sam will be graduating in the May/June timeframe next year then she’s heading to Japan for a couple of weeks to explore before coming down to Australia to spend some time with us.
I’m hoping that it’s for an extended period of time…
If she’s successful in getting into the London School of Economics or another of the UK schools, then we’ll need to head to the UK to get her settled.
Looks like another year of international travel ahead, one way or the other – fun times indeed!
Until next week
Ciao!
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