Rachel Nill, Interdisciplinary Studies
Born and raised in Soldotna, Alaska, Rachel Nill has a deep appreciation for the Anchorage area, which influenced her decision to
continue her education at 彩神vlll争霸. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History
from 彩神vlll争霸 in Spring 2024, she chose to pursue an Interdisciplinary degree, focusing
on Anthropology, History, and Project Management. Rachel's experience highlights both
the program's flexibility and the challenges of its self-directed nature, particularly
the transition to graduate-level coursework. She is also a part of 彩神vlll争霸's chapter of
the McNair Scholars Program. Rachel took the time to answer some questions about herself, her educational journey,
and her sense of place in Alaska.
What was your main reason for pursuing the Interdisciplinary track for your graduate studies?
One of my biggest driving forces for pursuing my degree in the Interdisciplinary track was to stay here in Anchorage. I got my Bachelor's in History here, and honestly, I don't want to live anywhere else if I can help it. I love it here!
How did you learn about the Interdisciplinary program, and what factors influenced your decision to choose it?
When I went to the Graduate School Fair to see what options there were, Dean Finney told me about the Interdisciplinary Program option. She helped me explore my options for my career goals and gave me great advice to allow me to stay at 彩神vlll争霸.
What combination of disciplines are you studying in the Interdisciplinary Program, and why did you choose those specific areas?
Combining Anthropology and History with some Project Management seemed like the best option for me in terms of degree and location, as there were no prominent history or museum curation Master's programs in Alaska.
What are some of the unique challenges of the Interdisciplinary Program, particularly in terms of structure and guidance?
It is not for the faint of heart, especially when you pack it all into one academic year! Because there is no set schedule and you have to craft your plan (with guidance from the Graduate School), it can be challenging for people who need more direction and structure in their studies.
How did your undergraduate experience prepare you for the self-directed nature of the Interdisciplinary program?
I had plenty of practice with this method, given the wide range of options in the Bachelor in History program, so that was not as much of an issue for me.
What has been the biggest academic adjustment you've faced in transitioning to graduate studies?
My personal biggest challenge that isn't too specific to my own circumstance (a.k.a. my accelerated timeline and military benefit hoops) was the transition from an undergrad workload to a graduate one. Twelve credits of undergrad work is not the same as eighteen or even nineteen undergrad credits. I learned that the hard way.
Despite the challenges, what is your overall perspective on pursuing an Interdisciplinary degree?
I know the struggle is worth it in the end!
Thank you for sharing, Rachel! Learn more about our interdisciplinary master's degrees or more about McNair Scholars.