When I considered graduate school, I had one professor at Arizona who
welcomed me "with open arms," saying that I would be a colleague and he
welcomed new blood. One professor said that I should think of the
6-10 years of my life it would take. *SHE* said I should consider that, since
it would destroy any chance of marriage and children (and
happiness...) that I might have. She also said my writing was not good
enough and I would never make it.
Happily, I listen to Professor Bernstein, along with Robert Vignery,
Hermann
Rebel and Inga Kohn. They all encouraged me and told me that the only
limitations I had to learning and doing well were my own.
Certainly, I did not enter grad school looking for a job. I wanted to
know (and still want to know) if I could really think (My undergraduate
experience was not a challenge). My skills have certainly improved. I
finished my M.A. in History at the University of Iowa in a little over a
year and was accepted into the Ph.D. program. I am currently studying for
my comprehensive exams and am trying to publish an article I have
written. The point is, if the student has the desire, I do not think it
is fair to paint a really black picture for him or her. They can always
do something else later. To have the support (just a little) to at
least TRY it, can be very helpful.
Michelle Rhoades
Ph.D Candidate
Department of History
University of Iowa