vaibhavpandey

This is second year running for me too, I hope we go through someway. It is stressful to see people getting responses but we getting absolutely nothing. ?

Unfortunately my visa is still in process (Since August 2018)!!! ?? It was EU research masters, which could have improved my application for fall 19 PhD. Nevertheless, I am back to my job and going through the stressful process of applications again. I have heard from only one program till now, which was a reject but I am hoping something positive will be there for my 2019.

You should be hopeful and it is not over until it is over. Unless you get a rejection letter from University, hope is still there. Last year my friend was admitted with full funding offer in one university which rescinded the offer a month later citing lack of funds in department!! She had applied in eight universities and got rejection from 6 while got unfunded offer from another university. It was disappointing for her. To her amazement, she got funded offer from both Universities in Mid June, which was very very late. Somehow she went through the visa process and yes, she is a grad student in a very good university. In all fairness, keep your fingers crossed, I am also on the same page as you are but with slightly different circumstances. My 2018 was not that great, I couldn't get visa after securing admission, so I am part of process once again. With all the qualities you have, I am sure even if you do not get a favorable response, you would do something productive and good.

I haven't applied to traditional SW programs yet I applied to more social research oriented programs of Vanderbilt (CRA) and UW-Madison (Human ecology). Anyone heard back from either of programs? I am just nervous about the decisions being an International applicant. Avg GRE Q161 V157, 6 years grassroot development experience, some grant writing and research experience.

Applied to UW Madison (Human Ecology) Vanderbilt (CRA). No notification yet!! Anybody heard any news from them?

Hi Loqi, Have you applied in universities?

any such thread for 2019 applicants?

Powerprep 1: Q 166 V 151 Powerprep 2: Q164 V155 Kaplan: Q 162 V 154 Actual test: Q 161 V 157 Happy with my performance in verbal and made significant stride, although personally 160 was my threshold in verbal. However, not delighted with Quant I expected to reach 165+, don't know what went wrong but anyway, I hope social science programs can take me in with this score. Also I found Quant section in real test really tough to manage, especially 2nd section. Something to do with MST, maybe. Because, in all the practice test I scored perfect 20 in Quant section 1, I guess it was not the case with real thing. ?

Hi fellow aspirants, I tried to find a thread or directory pertaining to universities offering evaluation studies program and couldn't find one. I am in early stage of application this year yet I wonder which are better universities in this area. I have found few and it seemed most of the universities focus either on education or Psych evaluation. What I am more interested in is, generic evaluation studies program which is focused more towards training in quantitative and qualitative research methods and universal applicability of such methods (such as in program evaluation, social impact evaluation etc). All the best!!

Thanks a lot

OMG!! Last year I followed the same spreadsheet system and I even added names of letter writers in different columns to track the progress and which writer require little push. It was really beneficial though and most importantly I would be doing it again this application season, Sigh!!

very well put Green Machine, in fact if your employer is good, I am sure they will understand your perspective of pursuing your dream. I am currently working and my employer knows that I can leave, yet they are holding onto me and are prepared in case I leave in fall. Being honest will help you and them as well. In case you are late in breaking the news to them, it would hit them hard by delay in finding suitable replacements. So go ahead pursue your dream and be honest with the employer.

So, what have you decided? I have also got an offer from WBS, it seems a good program with good balance of practice and research. Although I have not got any financial assistance, yet In my view this is a really affordable program.

Hi All, I am an international applicant, can anyone share the deadlines of prominent universities w.r.t international candidates. I see that 1st December is preferred for most but are there universities who accept applications by 1st Jan. Vaibhav

Hey, I am glad that somebody is here to answer the questions about CUNY Hunter. I am an international applicant and want to know, on an average how many PhD students are admitted each year in Social welfare? Thank you

I hope you will be able to give insider info once you join, certificate program looks really good but What i understood is that it is open to students enrolled in the university plus the cost is a bit on the higher side for people working in social roles(developing countries) like me where salary in USD terms is way too low.

Hi, Since you will be attending University of Michigan, from your research/ resources can you tell how good is a joint PhD in social work + another subject (Anthro/sociology/etc). I am a leading a tribal women collective and have 3 years of progressive experience which cuts across multiple thematic areas concerning rural development, I also have 2.5 year's MIS experience so able to very well cover the technological aspect too. I am preparing my application to apply this fall. Just wondering how to approach, Joint Social work PhD is good option as it is related but PhD in sociology/Gender studies/ Social Psychology also interest me. Please share your compilation of top 10 schools in which you will apply.

Hi, I have same questions but in addition to above, I also want to ask about the funding provided to the PhD students at TC. From their website it was almost clear that they partially waive off the tution fee.

Sociology interests me but I would like to get involved in diverse research which has Org behavior, gender studies as well as management as key components. Thanks for Advise nevermind, Prof. Shelly's areas of interest are very appealing. Will explore more about her. Thank you so much.

I think you are spot on here, as far as deciding my interests goes, they are very much done and I have prepared potential areas (with potential research questions) which interests me. I am yet to find potential supervisors, I am reading some papers of related subjects then from thereon I am trying to find out best professors in the area eventually leading to the universities of their education and current work (Suggested by some fellow grad in the cafe forum). Thanks for advise, it helped because handling both in one admission cycle could be very hectic and stressing. As far as I can understand from preparing the things to do is:- 1. Find out research interests/Areas, clear understanding and coherent SoP. 2. Explore potential supervisors and shortlisting of Schools. 3. Prepare for GRE/TOEFL alongside. After that rest depends on GRE Score.

So many positive things has been said and I would add one quote which always pumped me up to achieve and do things I could never have imagined and it is "You should never, ever, let anyone tell you you're not good enough. Not even yourself!!". Relax, reflect and as stated above pursue your most loved hobby. It would be great help in coming to terms with reality and it is that, you have immense potential and talent which unfortunately some people missed. Don't back down, I am sure you will stand up bigger and better to conquer everything your had set for yourself .

Hii, Thanks for starting the thread. Program of interest: Interdisciplinary studies, development studies, sociology Schools you have looked at: I am open to US as well as UK schools but writing two different types of application will burn me out so still confused, but writing GRE for sure. Number one worry about applying: Lack of research experience maybe (I have hardcore rural experience in tribal areas, 3 years). Also my switch from being a software engineer to social worker (This will raise some eyebrows I am sure)!! keep sharing guys, you are awesome!!

There are pros and cons to application in EU/UK and US. The major pro of US universities is that they do not require detailed research proposal while in UK top schools demand for detailed proposal (as mentioned on their website). Also the duration in UK for a PhD is a little less imho. Pro of UK universities is that most of them do not require GRE. Only English proficiency is required. To answer above questions, honestly I would have loved to apply to as many schools as possible but I have financial constraint to look after, I have to pay all of the fee from my earned money. That is why I am concerned about choosing schools. If somebody can throw some light on how social PhD programs differs in US and UK, that would be really helpful. For example if UK is better for development studies PhD then I pace up my work on preparing my research proposal.

Hi there, I am an aspiring PhD applicant for fall 2018 and planning to put in applications in top schools in US/EU. My areas of interest include Gender studies, collective, culture and management. The main dilemma I am facing is, whether to apply in US universities or European universities including UK. When I look up rankings of development studies programs many UK universities come to top. I am still in dilemma what to do. My research topic is not yet decided but I have interest areas which makes applying to UK universities a bit problematic. I need some advise on how to shortlist the target universities for application. My profile: Computer Science grad, Rural development masters (from top institute in India)and 3 years of hardcore development experience based on tribal women collectives. I have no publication. I have average grades throughout, very active in extracurricular and sports. In current job qualitative research tools forms part of daily tasks. I am also capable of conducting quantitative research and can program models in various programming languages. I can get good LoRs as well as writing sample from masters projects. I would appreciate a frank response on how my profile looks and what message it conveys to people who want to make some sense out of it. Any tips for improvement will be a big plus.