What are my chances?

[ilgjen2002]

I want to pursue a PhD in Sociology and become a professor/expert in the sociology of the military. First, I'm going to get a Master's in sociology for few reasons and then go for the phd. My #1 choice is Columbia because I liked their curriculum. But what are my chances if:

 

My GPA is 3.8 from a city college (but will become lower if it is converted to Columbia's GPA standards)

ROTC cadet

Student research assistant for a PhD student

working on a senior thesis on some issues in the military

honors student

volunteer at an emergency shelter for non prof organization

and..... a darn awful GRE score.. V:144 Q: 152

 

I heard that gre for MA in Soc does not really matter. Columbia did not specify a minimum. Should I retake it in 3 weeks (last chance) or just hope that my personal statement letter is good enough?

[bsharpe269]

If you think that you can raise them then i would retake.

 

your application looks good to me otherwise.

 

goodluck!

[tspier2]

Your verbal score is pretty low. If you think you can improve enough without compromising your quantitative score, it might be worthwhile to consider retaking it. Everything else looks great!

[jamc8383]

You're applying to what is arguably one of the top universities in the country; if it is within your power to do so, raise the score. 

 

The reality is that, even though the score may matter little in terms of admission discussions within the sociology department, many universities have to make objective funding decisions across disciplines and the GRE score (for some) provides a metric to this end.  As such, schools may set an (unpublished) minimum qualification for funding (I've heard 290, I've heard 310, but it's hearsay).  If the department can't fund you, they're much less likely to waste an admittance on you.  

 

You may have heard the old TGC adage: "a good GRE score won't necessarily help you, but a bad GRE score can hurt you?"  The V144 is problematic and if sociological analysis at Columbia has a quantitative bent (probably, I have no idea), the Q152 could likewise be harmful.

 

Best of luck!

[ilgjen2002]

I am definitely going to try one more time.

 

But do you think my stats are good enough for NYU's M.A program?

[mdiv2014]

academia usually doesn't understand the military, its culture or veterans and the perspective/experiences of veteran applicants need clarification at times

and they wont understand your unique skill sets (unless you explain them in terms they can understand)

the sociology of the military is fascinating, similar to other cultures and relevant with more veterans filtering back into american society

talk intelligently and with curiosity about say - women in the military (too include the tail hook scandal) , leading a diverse group (?), cultures within elite military organizations, etc

i take it you are a reserve officer with some active duty?

did you have a major staff job? a command? attend staff school? any elite schools (ranger, etc.)? will one of your recommendations come from service people who are also rooted in academia? explain any writing you did as a staff officer. share your strategic thinking ability

if you have some time between now and the application, get published in professional military journals (there is an accepted way to list on your resume that you submitted articles for publication but they were rejected or are under consideration)

your application can merit great attention if you can groom and package yourself

Edited February 2, 2014 by mdiv2014

[ilgjen2002]

Thanks for all your feedbacks! Just got accepted into NYU! Still waiting on Columbia, but I am very pleased with NYU. 

 

@mdiv2014: I'm working on my senior thesis on bills/legislatures that would most efficiently combat sexual assault in the military, so that pretty much shaped my personal statement letter.