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canada_kid

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  • Application Season
    2016 Fall
  • Program
    Sociology

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  1. Hello everyone. I am from Canada and would like to get your opinion on whether my application is good enough to be competitive in applying to a so-called ‘top tier’ PhD program in sociology. I frequently hear the horror stories about students going 0-10 and such when applying to schools like Chicago, Berkeley, Harvard, Oxford, UCLA etc. While fit is important, we all know how much reputation means in terms of future job security so I’m trying to balance both. Any insight on my situation would be appreciated. My major interests are urban sociology, law, the criminal justice system, social movements, and the sociology of tourism. I'm finishing a MA in Criminology at a university in Canada. I hold a double major in Criminology and Sociology (summa cum laude, 3.82 GPA). I have 3 years of qualitative research experience as an RA, where I have collected 2 first authorship publications in 'decent' peer-reviewed academic journals (both criminology journals) and have done 1 conference presentation. I have an additional first-authorship publication from undergrad in a non-peer reviewed journal. I am currently co-writing two more journal articles with a prof (1 specifically for a sociology journal). I have TA'ed 2 undergrad courses. I have not yet taken the GRE, but have set the date for mid-October. I will be starting a 6 month placement in the government doing quantitative social research in September, to advance my skills in that area. Potential Problems 1. LOR will be strong, but not from sociology professors per say (criminology), and none are full time or tenured profs. 2. Unilingual. 3. Current school not the most reputable internationally 3. Lack the money to fund myself 4. GRE may not be strongest It’s always been my dream to do doctoral studies in sociology. Is going to a top school overrated? In an ideal world, my choices are schools such as Chicago, Berkeley, UCLA, Harvard, NYU and Toronto. Yet, I’m trying to remain realistic and will be sending out applications across a wide range (any suggestions?). Also, should I be sending out emails to potential supervisors? How important is my GRE score? Thanks and best of luck in all your upcoming applications. - John.
  2. I'll claim an acceptance to the University of Toronto MA program. Received an email today. Should be receiving funding information in the mail shortly.
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