PREPARATION & FOCUS – APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS –
APPLICATION STEPS – APPLICATION TIMELINE
Welcome! Thank you for your interest in the Graduate Program in History at UF! Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds and institutions and from diverse locations in the U.S. and abroad. We welcome applications from students with records of strong academic performance who intend to devote full-time study to attain their graduate degree in history, whether the PhD or the MA.
PREPARATION AND FOCUS – A successful applicant to our program generally has:
A strong background in history. While the majority of our graduate students were history majors, some come to us with area studies or other related majors but with evidence of competence in historical subject matter through their academic program. Students must have attained a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent at the point they enter the history graduate program.
Language preparation relevant to their intended major field of study. See the individual major field pages with regard to language requirements, which differ from field to field. Applicants need not have fulfilled the language requirements by the time of application or entry into the program, but PhD applicants should show preparation which suggests that if admitted they will be able to complete the requirements prior to admission to candidacy (i.e. in their first 2-3 years).
Sufficient focus within the field of history to describe their major field interests and how those interests fit with the graduate program at UF.
An interest in collaborating with one or more specific UF faculty members. Applicants should indicate three faculty of interest in their intended field of study on their application so that the department can anticipate future thesis or dissertation advisors and supervisory committees.
The first thing to understand when you apply is that you are really communicating with two separate offices: The University’s Office of Admissions and the Graduate Office in the Department of History. Although these two offices do communicate with each other, you should be sure to send the correct materials to the correct place.
This page will summarize all the steps in the application process, but you should begin that process by consulting the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Five items you must submit:
1. The Application. The application is available online here. You should fill out the electronic version and submit it to the Office of Admissions.
2. Academic transcripts. Your official transcripts should also be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
3. Statement of Purpose. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the department and explain precisely why you wish to study here. We read these statements carefully. Is it well written? Does it suggest a clear set of goals? Do those goals match well with our strengths as a department? Has the applicant done his/her homework about the department? This letter is also your opportunity to explain any anomalies in the rest of your record. These statements are generally 2-3 pages long. UF’s newly revised online application includes the option of submitting the statement of purpose electronically.
4. Three Letters of Recommendation. The selection of recommenders is an important part of the application process. You should select recommenders who are in a position to help us determine if you will be a successful graduate student. With that in mind, letters from people who do not know you very well or who do not know you in an academic context are less valuable. If you have written an undergraduate thesis or an MA thesis you should be sure that your advisor submits a letter. If that is impossible, you should explain the circumstances in your Statement of Purpose. UF’s newly revised online application includes the option of submitting these letters electronically. If you choose this option you should consult with the individual recommenders in advance and then provide their information as part of the online application.
5. A Scholarly Writing Sample. You should select a writing sample that gives us a good sense of your skills as an historian. Ideally a writing sample would demonstrate your writing, analytical, and research skills. Writing samples are typically 15-25 pages in length.
Note: The Department of History does not require a GRE exam.
Step 1: Arrange for your academic transcript(s) to be sent to the Office of Admissions.
Step 2: Complete the University application materials:
- The University application materials are available here.
- Complete the materials online.
- Your application must be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $30.
Step 3: Submit your Writing Sample and your Statement of Purpose to the online system.
Step 4: Arrange for the submission of three letters of recommendation. These should be submitted electronically.
The mailing address for the Office of Admissions is:
Office of Admissions
201 Criser Hall
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
The application deadline for fall admissions is January 15. The department only evaluates graduate degree candidates once a year.
Once admissions decisions have been made, the graduate coordinator begins the process of contacting students. In many cases successful applicants to the doctoral program will receive a letter indicating that they have been put on our waitlist. If you receive such a letter, we hope that you will hang in there for a few weeks. Often additional funds become available after we have made our admissions decisions. And of course as applicants across the country make their decisions we are able to offer fellowships and assistantships to our highly ranked alternates.
April 15 This is the national deadline for accepting fellowship and assistantship offers. If we offer you a fellowship or assistantship we will check in periodically prior to that date, but successful applicants are under no obligation to make their final commitments before April 15th.