Applying to the Graduate Program in History The history graduate program accepts applications for the fall term only of each year. The deadline for the fall term is December 1. Please submit all materials prior to the deadline. Although the history department program in graduate studies is highly selective, the graduate studies committee carefully considers all aspects of a candidate's file in making its decision, and welcomes applicants of diverse backgrounds and interests. All applicants should read the Graduate School application thoroughly when applying. We will notify applicants when all materials have been received. All completed applications will be reviewed and will receive a letter of decision from the Graduate School. We hope to have most decisions released by mid-April 2024. Note: Please check the graduate school's application site to see if your items have been received and checked in. Late materials will be processed after the winter holidays when our history graduate studies office reopens. Note: All graduate courses in history are scheduled to be in person, face-to-face classes. Application Guides / Frequently Asked Questions Before You Apply FAQs Graduate School FAQs Beginning the Application Process Our application process is entirely on-line. Please do not mail us hard copies of letters, writing samples, etc. Please read the information here carefully to help understand the application process. IMPORTANT: once you have submitted your official application and application fee to the graduate school, it is important that you check* your email blocks and filters to make sure that you are not filtering out our admissions communications! *Add history@uga.edu to your safe senders list. GRE -- The GRE is no longer required. Transcripts -- Upload unofficial transcripts to the application. Official transcripts will be required upon admission to the UGA Graduate School (see the application for instructions). UGA Domestic Application Information Includes letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc. UGA International Application Information Additional information and requirements for international students UGA History Department Application and Materials Additional materials required by our department, as explained below Letters of Recommendation The UGA Graduate School requires three letters of recommendation. You will need to submit the names and emails of your recommenders in the application. Then, writers should upload their letters via the Graduate School's on-line application system. Please do not send us hard copies of actual letters. Please do not send us additional letters or recommendations. The first three received on record will be accounted for. Recommendations should make a strong case for your ability to succeed in a history graduate program. You will be asked to list names and contact information for recommenders on the application for admission. An email request with a secure link will be sent to each recommender. Once the recommender completes the recommendation form, it will attach to your application for admission. Departments will be able to view the submitted letters of recommendation in the application portal. You can re-send notification emails to your recommenders via your Status Portal. Optimally, you should obtain references from professors who have taught you. Their recommendations should describe your academic work in detail so that our departmental graduate studies committee can be assured that you can complete a rigorous graduate program. If you have done significant independent research, such as a thesis, the committee normally expects a recommendation from the professor who supervised that work. [Further advice on obtaining letters of recommendation] Admissions Status Updates During our busiest application processing period in December and January, materials may take up to 7-10 days processing time due to the volume of materials we receive. Once processed, applicants are notified by the Graduate School and e-mailed instructions on how to check any updates of the application and materials on-line. How do I check on the status of my application? You should have received an email from Enterprise Information Technology Services (EITS) with information on creating your MyID within a few business days after submitting the online application and fee. Please follow the instructions in this email and keep the email for future reference. You will need the MyID to access the Grad Status portal to check your application status. If you do not receive an email from EITS within 5 business days, please contact the EITS Help Desk directly at helpdesk@uga.edu or 706-542-3106. Important: Additional Departmental Requirements for Admission After our department receives your materials from the Graduate School (which may take 7-10 days after we starting checking for applications in August), you will receive an email with a link to an additional required department form. It is the applicant's responsibility to check in to the application system to check to see if all of their documents were submitted. All requirements must be received in order for your file to be complete. Materials such as the writing sample, personal statement, and resume or CV should be in PDF format. It is important also to note that if you have difficulty uploading a document such as your writing sample, then it is too long. A paper of less than 12 pages is recommended. Once you have submitted your official application and application fee to the graduate school, it is important that you check your email blocks and filters to make sure that you are not filtering out our admissions communications! Some applicants use two distinct emails throughout the application process. If you are looking for our emails to you, be sure you check BOTH the emails you may have used. Please DO NOT submit unsolicited materials by mail or email. All of these items should be uploaded in PDF format to your graduate application. Personal Statement (1-2 page MAXIMUM) A 1-2 page statement explaining your background for graduate study and educational/career goals. Writing Sample (10-12 pages MAXIMUM) A sample of your written work--in the form of a term paper or other formal writing--must demonstrate your potential as a historian. This is one of the most important parts of your application file. Ideally, the writing sample will be a historical research paper using primary sources. If not, it should demonstrate that your analytical and writing skills will enable you to handle the demands of our rigorous program. It is not necessary to have been a history undergraduate major to be accepted. The writing sample must be in English. Resume OR Curriculum Vitae (do not send both) A resume or curriculum vitae detailing your academic and/or work experience. Department of History short supplemental survey form. A link to the form will automatically be emailed to you after you submit your application and fee and the application is made available to the department. This is a short form related to your research interests, with just a few brief questions. Please do not request the form directly. All applicants will be sent the form. It is important you note which specific professors you want to work with on this form, as they will be assigned to read your application.
