I majored in history & would like to get my graduate degree, but it has been about 2 years since I graduated.
Due to floundering in my freshman & sophomore years as a physics major I graduated with about a 2.9 gpa, but in my history major I had better than a 3.8.
I'd like to specialize in pre-modern Islamic cultural history (particularly regarding the Abbasid Caliphate). I know that I will need at least a basic understanding of the history & I will need the ability to speak Arabic. What else could/should I do to prepare for applying to grad school in Fall 2020? How could I make myself a more appealing candidate?
I can tell you what I’d tell one of my philosophy students in the same situation: Go to a good MA program and do well there. Find places that are sending people to the sorts of PhD programs you want to be at. Good luck.