It’s a really useful video. We have qualifying exams too, in Turkey. It is one of the most stressful stages of phd. Hope you will succeed😊 also I am a slow reader like you and I’ve always felt bad about it. But when you talk about being a slow reader, I see that I am not the only one and it gives me courage. Thank you 💕
Good to see you posting and looking so well. I don't have comps, but find it really interesting how programmes differ - and there are always some tips to pick up along the way! Thank you!
The amount of focus Kaelyn has to break down all the details especially in the minutes of the oral exams are impeccable 😂 bravo!! But seriously, your videos are so helpful ❤
super interesting! I'm a PhD student in English Literature in the UK so obviously don't have to sit anything like this but it's great to hear about what you are doing to prepare and what comps are exactly. I'm torn between whether I'd like this to be a thing in UK PhDs. On the one hand just from researching for my thesis, writing journal articles and teaching classes I already feel like I do get a good grounding in the very specific parts of my research area, and the surrounding ideas/period/theories etc, BUT having some sort of test on it would definitely make sure it is all firmly in my brain and I do really like the sound of preparing syllabi and looking into how to convey info to undergrads - that is definitely something that I would like to see more interwoven into UK PhDs as at the moment we have a separate teaching qualification we can take if we want to, but it's not compulsory.
Hi, I am so happy to find someone who is taking a PhD in literature. I am planning to take literature as well for my PhD. However, some friends of mine told me that this topic is much difficult to linguistics. That made me doubt for some time whether I really want to take literature. I will be so happy if I can discuss with you about literature, of course if you don't mind.
I have one more course and then taking comprehensive exams for my Master's. It's a 6-hour written exam. Thank you for breaking down comprehensive exams and what Yale requires. I get anxiety now just about the written exam, can only imagine if there was an oral portion. I think it's great that you are not really on your own when preparing for the comprehensives. I still struggle with some readings on topics that I am not that familiar with, blocking out time has made it a bit easier. Again, thank you for another great and helpful video!!
Hi Kaelyn- thank you so much for making all of these helpful videos! I’ve been watching them for the past two years or so, and found them to be especially useful this past fall when I applied to graduate school. I’m super excited to share that I’ll be pursuing my PhD in Music Theory & Cognition at Northwestern this fall! Couldn’t have gotten here without your help - thanks again!!
I have oral exams and have to defend my thesis for my masters programs so not exactly in the same boat as you. However, this video was very helpful. Definitely confirmed I’m not getting a PhD either 😅 I’m amazed that you and other history majors are able to get through 200 books at all.
I'm starting a literature masters in my second language this fall and we will have comprehensive exams at the end of the program, this is super helpful to know more of what it's like!
This was a great video for me, a person who is going to be applying to graduate schools in the US for philosophy. I’m excited to see your video about how you read for graduate work, I have seriously been searching for a video like that for at least a month or two.
Your videos are inspiring and informative too , they will definitely help me to get admission in coveted ivy league college's in US.Thanks for ur videos.
Wow I never knew this about PhD studies in the US. I agree having to read broadly in your field to be able to teach is so beneficial for preparing yourself to become a professional academic. Really wish universities in Europe would implement something similar to this (although I am not sure if having to take an exam about this per se is the most beneficial)
Thanks for this! I am one month away from 3 out of 4 of my comp exams and it is really fascinating to see how it works at other universities. I am in the Ed Psych department at CUNY, and our reading lists for comps are very general and broad; they aren't tailored to each student the way it sounds like yours are. I find it tricky because there are some topics I am deeply interested in and others that are...less exciting. I like the idea that it may help in future teaching though. A very positive way to look at it! Good luck in your prep.
This was really interesting to watch! Will you be sharing more of the books you will be reading and maybe your opinions on them? I always find your book snippets to be really interesting plus colonial era is my point of study at the moment. I'm really looking forward to your reading video! One of my biggest struggles is trying to pull out the important information without being lost in the details because it's all fascinating to me.
@@KaelynGraceApple Yay! I'm definitely excited for this! I saw a few books in your notion tour a while back (I've been using your template and it's helped me tons!), and I could only make out a few book titles lol
This was great! I have been looking for a video like this forever. I do have a question on requirements; what’s the language requirement/test like for a History PhD? It’s something I’m horrified of right now and would love some insight if you have any! Thanks! 😊
I've never wanted to do a PhD but now I'm glad its not my goal. I'm not sure this style of schooling would work for me so I appreciate this so I could figure that out!
I have a question - do all Ph.D. programs in the US require you to have one or more subspecialties? Or is it just history? I'm interested in psychology/Cog Sci (ABA in particular, which there are all sorts of training and certificates in) as well as engineering and I'm wondering what requirements grad school requires you to have in those fields.
@@KaelynGraceApple I agree that it depends on the field but it also depends on the type of university (R1, R2, etc.) And your specific program. Some programs in my field are doing away with comprehensive exams altogether and instead requiring publications. So I would say almost everything in this video is basically just based on your program.
This video is so timely. I am also preparing for my comp and I am in my 5th semester. I started preparing last fall. I have a question: how do you retain the information? I am writing notes and I prepared an excel worksheet that contains important key points. But I have a hard time retaining the information and at times I feel lost. A lot of stress and imposter syndrome. I don't know how am I gonna do it.
What happens if you fail the exams? I imagine if there are mock exams, you’re organized, and you’re talking/thinking about the material with your examiners, it’s not common to fail. Is that correct, or is it not uncommon to fail? Or maybe it depends a lot on the examiner.
In the programs I was looking at, it seems more common that there’s a qualifying paper to demonstrate you’re capable of proceeding to the dissertation. How stressful...
I appreciate the curiosity and the question, however I still have four+ years remaining in my program. I have three viable businesses which I could take full time, I could return to corporate consulting, I could go on as a full time academic, or work in government/industry as a researcher. I have no way of predicting what my life will look like in four years or what the job market will be like. However, I also knew all of these factors going in and find the training I am receiving invaluable.
It’s a really useful video. We have qualifying exams too, in Turkey. It is one of the most stressful stages of phd. Hope you will succeed😊 also I am a slow reader like you and I’ve always felt bad about it. But when you talk about being a slow reader, I see that I am not the only one and it gives me courage. Thank you 💕
I didn't know that there were Quals in Turkey as well! I learned something today
As a history major in undergrad, I appreciate the value you have packed into your videos on learning the craft.
Good to see you posting and looking so well. I don't have comps, but find it really interesting how programmes differ - and there are always some tips to pick up along the way! Thank you!
It is SO interesting to see how different programs are structured according to country!
Yes! And even between programs at the same school
The amount of focus Kaelyn has to break down all the details especially in the minutes of the oral exams are impeccable 😂 bravo!!
But seriously, your videos are so helpful ❤
super interesting! I'm a PhD student in English Literature in the UK so obviously don't have to sit anything like this but it's great to hear about what you are doing to prepare and what comps are exactly. I'm torn between whether I'd like this to be a thing in UK PhDs. On the one hand just from researching for my thesis, writing journal articles and teaching classes I already feel like I do get a good grounding in the very specific parts of my research area, and the surrounding ideas/period/theories etc, BUT having some sort of test on it would definitely make sure it is all firmly in my brain and I do really like the sound of preparing syllabi and looking into how to convey info to undergrads - that is definitely something that I would like to see more interwoven into UK PhDs as at the moment we have a separate teaching qualification we can take if we want to, but it's not compulsory.
I can definitely see the pros and cons of comps and how stringent some of the US requirements are
Hi, I am so happy to find someone who is taking a PhD in literature. I am planning to take literature as well for my PhD. However, some friends of mine told me that this topic is much difficult to linguistics. That made me doubt for some time whether I really want to take literature. I will be so happy if I can discuss with you about literature, of course if you don't mind.
I have one more course and then taking comprehensive exams for my Master's. It's a 6-hour written exam. Thank you for breaking down comprehensive exams and what Yale requires. I get anxiety now just about the written exam, can only imagine if there was an oral portion. I think it's great that you are not really on your own when preparing for the comprehensives. I still struggle with some readings on topics that I am not that familiar with, blocking out time has made it a bit easier. Again, thank you for another great and helpful video!!
Good luck with your exams!!! fingers crossed for you
Taking my comps this semester as well in History! Good luck!
Hi Kaelyn- thank you so much for making all of these helpful videos! I’ve been watching them for the past two years or so, and found them to be especially useful this past fall when I applied to graduate school. I’m super excited to share that I’ll be pursuing my PhD in Music Theory & Cognition at Northwestern this fall! Couldn’t have gotten here without your help - thanks again!!
THATS INCREDIBLE!!!!!! Congratulations and thank you so much for supporting my channel!
Very important video, Kaelyn. Thanks. I'm looking to apply to Yale History PhD program later this year.
I have oral exams and have to defend my thesis for my masters programs so not exactly in the same boat as you. However, this video was very helpful. Definitely confirmed I’m not getting a PhD either 😅 I’m amazed that you and other history majors are able to get through 200 books at all.
I'm starting a literature masters in my second language this fall and we will have comprehensive exams at the end of the program, this is super helpful to know more of what it's like!
This was a great video for me, a person who is going to be applying to graduate schools in the US for philosophy. I’m excited to see your video about how you read for graduate work, I have seriously been searching for a video like that for at least a month or two.
Your videos are inspiring and informative too , they will definitely help me to get admission in coveted ivy league college's in US.Thanks for ur videos.
Wow I never knew this about PhD studies in the US. I agree having to read broadly in your field to be able to teach is so beneficial for preparing yourself to become a professional academic. Really wish universities in Europe would implement something similar to this (although I am not sure if having to take an exam about this per se is the most beneficial)
Thanks for this! I am one month away from 3 out of 4 of my comp exams and it is really fascinating to see how it works at other universities. I am in the Ed Psych department at CUNY, and our reading lists for comps are very general and broad; they aren't tailored to each student the way it sounds like yours are. I find it tricky because there are some topics I am deeply interested in and others that are...less exciting. I like the idea that it may help in future teaching though. A very positive way to look at it! Good luck in your prep.
I got anxious just thinking about it. But you seem very confident and prepared. Wishing you all the success!
Thank you
so looking forward to your 'How I Read' video!!! your videos really increase my studying motivation ✨
This was really interesting to watch! Will you be sharing more of the books you will be reading and maybe your opinions on them? I always find your book snippets to be really interesting plus colonial era is my point of study at the moment. I'm really looking forward to your reading video! One of my biggest struggles is trying to pull out the important information without being lost in the details because it's all fascinating to me.
Many book review videos are in the works! So, YES!
@@KaelynGraceApple Yay! I'm definitely excited for this! I saw a few books in your notion tour a while back (I've been using your template and it's helped me tons!), and I could only make out a few book titles lol
This was great! I have been looking for a video like this forever. I do have a question on requirements; what’s the language requirement/test like for a History PhD? It’s something I’m horrified of right now and would love some insight if you have any! Thanks! 😊
I've never wanted to do a PhD but now I'm glad its not my goal. I'm not sure this style of schooling would work for me so I appreciate this so I could figure that out!
Hi Kaelyn, how do you get through all that reading with such a short period of time?
I have a question - do all Ph.D. programs in the US require you to have one or more subspecialties? Or is it just history? I'm interested in psychology/Cog Sci (ABA in particular, which there are all sorts of training and certificates in) as well as engineering and I'm wondering what requirements grad school requires you to have in those fields.
Every field varies! History normally puts you on one track (US, Global, Modern European) but I am in a combined PhD program :)
@@KaelynGraceApple I agree that it depends on the field but it also depends on the type of university (R1, R2, etc.) And your specific program. Some programs in my field are doing away with comprehensive exams altogether and instead requiring publications. So I would say almost everything in this video is basically just based on your program.
I would love to see an updated morning and night routine.
Thanks for the rec!
This video is so timely. I am also preparing for my comp and I am in my 5th semester. I started preparing last fall. I have a question: how do you retain the information? I am writing notes and I prepared an excel worksheet that contains important key points. But I have a hard time retaining the information and at times I feel lost. A lot of stress and imposter syndrome. I don't know how am I gonna do it.
Check out my how to read like a phd student video! There is a whole section on retention :)
yay! thank you :)
this is fascinating.
Im so glad you enjoyed it!
What happens if you fail the exams? I imagine if there are mock exams, you’re organized, and you’re talking/thinking about the material with your examiners, it’s not common to fail. Is that correct, or is it not uncommon to fail? Or maybe it depends a lot on the examiner.
In the programs I was looking at, it seems more common that there’s a qualifying paper to demonstrate you’re capable of proceeding to the dissertation. How stressful...
It’s pretty uncommon but you can either take them again or master out of the program
If you read 200 books in a year, how many days does it take you to finish 1 book?
It varies as I say in the video!
You might get this a lot. But what do you plan on doing with your PhD? Professor? Or in industry as a historian?
I appreciate the curiosity and the question, however I still have four+ years remaining in my program. I have three viable businesses which I could take full time, I could return to corporate consulting, I could go on as a full time academic, or work in government/industry as a researcher. I have no way of predicting what my life will look like in four years or what the job market will be like. However, I also knew all of these factors going in and find the training I am receiving invaluable.