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Squirtle001

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  • Application Season
    2017 Fall
  • Program
    Criminology

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  1. Hi HedgieLove, Thank you for your insightful comments. You explained the distinction between a criminal justice program and a sociology program really well. The situation is: I'm not sure about my interest in sociology as well and apparently NOT family sociology as I have experience doing research on it. Studying crime with sociological perspective is more appealing to me. If I go to another sociology program, I might still be lost in the vast topics in sociology. Will it help if I do research with professors in sociology background and try to avoid the parts that I dislike about a CJ program? Eww... I agree with what you said about. But I wonder if there is any possibility that I get research work somewhere in the US without a US degree? Do you have any information with that regard? Thanks again! You are REALLY helpful!
  2. All the results have been released and I was only accepted to CJ phd program in Cincinnati (fully funded) and several master programs in sociology (not funded). I have been inquiring almost EVERYBODY I know. But still, I cannot make my decision. There are pros and cons for both options. My background: Bachelor in social science from a top-five university in my home country with interest in family sociology; Master in sociology in the top sociology program in Europe and I chose criminology as my thesis topic BY CHANCE; Not-bad test scores (v62%+quant97%+aw82%); Not 100% sure that I want to study criminology for the rest of my life ... Willing to do a PhD in the US but not reluctant to work there Aim: Teach/research in a top 50 university in sociology or top 10 in criminology Or work as a data analyst or researcher etc. Option 1: Cincinnati Pros: 1. fully funded, cheap living expenses; 2. nice professors; 3. easier (?): no need to apply for another round; 4. great rank in criminology and criminal justice; 5. criminology is underdeveloped in my home country (more opportunities) Cons: 1. The University is not so reputable in general (ranks worse than my bachelor and master universities) and I haven't heard anyone getting rejected by Cincinnati... 2. After checking almost all the profiles of phd graduates of criminal justice, I found them moving downwards in their career: no one to sociology department and almost no one to top criminology departments (UMD, SUNY Albany, UPenn). Most graduates are in universities that I have never heard of (ranking 300+?). However, graduates from those departments have much better placement... And i was astonished by this fact... Anyone has a clue why this is the case? 3. not 100% certain about a phd in criminology... and UofCincinnati does not have many other highly ranked programs... Option 2: MAPSS in UChicago (one year, the best MA program so far in this cycle) Pros: 1. Great reputation (for CV?); 2. Nice location (close to my girlfriend); 3. Rigorous training and more competition; 4. It will assist me well in applying for a phd position (sociology) in a top university; 5. Better placement after phd; 6. Can think more thoroughly if I wanna do a phd 7. Reputation again... Cons: 1. Costly, with only one third of tuition waived (parental sponsorship); 2. Harsh both in terms of training and going through another round of phd application; 3. Need to gap for one year before I can apply again for a phd ... and I don't know if i can stay in the US during that time (NOT a STEM program, so three months to search for a job) 4. Better Phd position anticipated BUT not guaranteed ... Uncertainty The thing is, I think I have nice background and most of my alumni from bachelor and master programs are accepted to better phd programs than me. My application along with tests were prepared within 3 months and I don't really have a certain idea about my future research topic (also reflected in my SOP). My writing sample was rudimentary (theory and hypotheses part of my master thesis). That said, I think I can get into a better phd program than this with more preparation. But is it too risky to turn down Cincinnati and go for Chicago? Or is Cincinnati a sufficient place to achieve my career goals? I'm just too frustrated ...
  3. Two lucky applicants posted their acceptance to Maryland last week... I guess we are either declined or waitlisted...
  4. I wrote to Maryland last week and they replied "we will release our decision within 5 business days". But it's already Friday today... Confused...
  5. Has anyone heard from Penn State or Maryland this year (F17)? Is it hard to get admitted by these two schools? (Any stats?) Extremely anxious now...
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