Expert Proposal

Problem Statement

Potential History graduate students here at Clemson must go through the process of application to the program, a process about which information is available, but widely scattered. No singular source of information is available to candidates that could make the process easier. In order to rectify this, a document that amasses as much of the information regarding the process as is practical should be written, so that it may be distributed to interested students as an aid to the process.

Problem Section

A simple bit of investigation shows that there is information available on the History department’s website concerning the program. When one reads through the three pertinent pieces, the Guide to Graduate Study in History[1], Financial Aid[2], and Areas of Study[3], it becomes apparent that these bits of information are useful. But a close reading reveals many terms which are not addressed or defined within. The consequence is that the interested party must resort to hunting down information through other sources to begin piecing together an understanding of the process.

The next likely step for the inquisitive is the Clemson University Graduate School page[4]. The page itself features primarily information that is not major specific, but more focused on the general requirements and process of entering any of the graduate programs at Clemson. Some specific information is available for each program, but what is available for the history program is very brief, and is mostly mirrored in the Guide to Graduate Study in History. Much of getting useful information from this source is determining what is applicable at the time, and what is not.

Neither are more than references. They are not designed in such a fashion as to actively assist a graduate candidate, and force the individual to go through a good bit of back and forth to get what they need out of them. This is the point in which some of the associated frustration with the application process begins to become apparent.

In talking with graduate students of differing backgrounds and majors here, they mentioned among other things, that they wish they had known more about the GRE. This indicates that there information is not as accessible as it could be. Information is available in a link on the Clemson University Graduate School page, it is not a Clemson page, and is arranged differently in both stylistic and practical fashions[5]. To get pertinent information out of this source requires more decisions as to what is or is not applicable.

While the prospective student's advisor may be equipped to answer questions not covered by one of these sources, this is still contingent on the advisor having the time to either meet with the student or respond to their queries through other channels. And if the prospective student is coming from another university, then this may pose even more of a problem, as their face to face time with an advisor is going to be limited by the distance they have to travel. In either case, the students do not have a tool in hand that they themselves can make use of to ease their application process.

That these issues exist can potentially lead to frustration on the part of candidates, which can lead to possibly fewer candidates than would otherwise apply. Fewer applicants will likely result in less funding for the program, and make it much more difficult to maintain the quality of the program, much less increase it. It is also quite conceivable that in navigating the maze of the application process that mistakes can be made, although how problematic those mistakes may be could vary. At the very least, it is a source of distraction and frustration during the applicant’s senior year at college. In any case, these issues bear addressing.

Solution

It is necessary then, that prospective graduate students have access to a document that will function as more than just a reference, but as a tool to help guide them through the process of application. The document, which will take the form of a manual, will incorporate not just the program guidelines laid out on the history website, but would also explain general requirements for graduate school at Clemson, the application process itself in detail (including the GRE), financial aid available for graduate students, and would include a series of useful aids for the student, such as a timeline for the process and relevant contact information.

Granted, there are things that relate to the application process which are not suitable for this document. Such things deal with the current politics of the department. This document is not to be a guide to ingratiating oneself to the applications committee.

Such things would be inappropriate for a text that advisors would hand out. In addition, it seems certain that an argument would be made that an attempt to navigate the peculiarities of politics in the history department is a necessary part of becoming a more mature historian, and putting out a guide would in some way diminish the quality of applicants. Rather this document is about the established and concrete portions of the process, the ones that ostensibly applicants are bound by. In other words, the manual is going to be “by the book.”

Qualifications

I believe myself qualified to take on this task for several reasons. First, I am a history undergraduate here at Clemson University, with aspirations of going on to graduate school, here or elsewhere. Hence, I feel I have a vested interest in the problem. Second, I have had some graphic design instruction, and some experience in producing similar documents, and I feel that I can make an attractive looking document. Third, my minor here is technical writing, and I feel I can make the document functional as well as attractive.

Work Plan

to be updated and revised as needed

Week of October 8^th

© Additional research is required to further understand needs of graduate candidates –to be completed within the week if possible

© When research is complete, begin process of choosing essential information for booklet

© Brainstorm useful features.

Week of October 15^th

© Begin writing draft material for manual

© Begin taking photos for use in manual

Week of October 22^rd

© Assessment of progress and work plan updates

© Continue on draft of manual

Week of October 29^rd

© Begin formatting draft manual

Week of November 5^th

© First draft of manual

Week of November 12^th

© Revisions

Week of November 19^th

© Draft Due

Week of November 26^th

© Prepare final draft based on input

Week of December 3^rd

© Presentation

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[1] Guide to Graduate Study in History. (Last accessed, October 11, 2007)

[2] Financial Aid. (Last accessed, October 11, 2007)

[3] Areas of Study. (Last accessed, October 11, 2007)

[4] Clemson University Graduate School. (Last accessed, October 11, 2007)

[5] ETS: Educational Testing Services. (Last accessed, October 11, 2007)