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Recruitment Days


mormlib

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I didn't see a forum for this. Where is everyone going for their recruitment days? It would be nice to already know some people before I get there. 

 

I'm planning on going to Ohio State's the last weekend of February, but I don't think I make any of the other ones unless I go at a different time. Anyone else going to Ohio State's?

 

Accepted: Ohio, UCSD, UNC, Penn State

Waitlisted: UCLA

Rejected: Princeton, Wisconsin

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@sparklecakes. I'm going to see about UCLA. I'm in the process of getting hired and my employment wants me to work some weekends, so I don't know if I'll be able to get the time off.

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I've seen this discussed more generally in past threads on visit days, but what is your guys' perspective on how to handle visit weekends that completely overlap and for which you haven't already rsvp-ed/committed to one?

 

I know it's fairly common for this to happen. But I guess I'm struggling with how to prioritize which school to visit during the scheduled visit days versus which school to visit at another time. I don't know how much schools read into the fact that you are missing their visit weekend for another's schools. I also am wondering about strategies for how you as a prospective student can pick up on things like the level of graduate student satisfaction and other more opaque aspects of a school outside the context of formal visit days if you schedule a visit at another time?

 

Anyways, it feels a bit weird to complain about conflicts that result from having choices that you're really grateful for, but let me know if anyone has any thoughts on the matter!

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I've seen this discussed more generally in past threads on visit days, but what is your guys' perspective on how to handle visit weekends that completely overlap and for which you haven't already rsvp-ed/committed to one?

 

I know it's fairly common for this to happen. But I guess I'm struggling with how to prioritize which school to visit during the scheduled visit days versus which school to visit at another time. I don't know how much schools read into the fact that you are missing their visit weekend for another's schools. I also am wondering about strategies for how you as a prospective student can pick up on things like the level of graduate student satisfaction and other more opaque aspects of a school outside the context of formal visit days if you schedule a visit at another time?

 

Anyways, it feels a bit weird to complain about conflicts that result from having choices that you're really grateful for, but let me know if anyone has any thoughts on the matter!

I totally get that. UCSD, Ohio State, and UNC are all on the same weekend (and that's also a weekend I had a conference). I would echo that question. I told UNC that I have already committed to Ohio State's recruitment days since they told me a week earlier and I had already bought the ticket.

 

I'm trying to prioritize it by attending recruitment days for the schools that are on the fringe of me really wanting to go vs. being apathetic about it. Obviously if there is a school you want to go to, I'd go there for the open house to get yourself in a good position with faculty.

 

One of my schools is still offering to set me up with a grad student to stay with. See if you can do that so you can talk to them outside of the school. Maybe having meals with grad students and then formal meetings with professors? But these are all just random ideas I've had and I'm wondering the same thing.

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@mormlib Good tip - I've heard the same thing about setting up your own meetings. I would still ask if they'll cover some of the flight costs and if the school still houses you with a student, that's great. I'm trying not to miss a lot of class so another idea would be to go to an open house/separate meetings for schools that are on the same coast or in the same state. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Do you guys know what the typical dress is for these recruitment events?  I can't decide how casual/formal it's going to be!

I'm probably over-thinking this but I'm a female and I'll be going somewhat dressy/business casual. Flats, dark ankle pants, button up that isn't tucked in, and a full-length blazer that's made from a comfortable fabric - not a blazer that's overly stuffy or formal. I've read other people on here say they wore jeans and a nice top and it was fine. I'm erring on the side of caution because I'd rather be over-dressed than under-dressed and also because I like any excuse to wear my nice clothes.

Edited by Maleficent999
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I'll be at University of Delaware from March 2-4!

 

I'm also just going to dress in business casual attire like Maleficent, <3Durkheim.  For me, just a button down shirt (three colors of the same style from the same store), dress pants (one pair that I just will wear three times), and a shoe with a small heel (since my pants are too long to wear them with flats). That might be a good way to go! 

Edited by gingin6789
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Do you guys know what the typical dress is for these recruitment events?  I can't decide how casual/formal it's going to be!

 

Most guys wore khakis or nicer jeans and a collared shirt.  I'm a girl and wore dark skinny jeans, flats, and a dressier shirt with a cardigan.  I'd say as long as you don't look disheveled, whatever you feel comfortable wearing is fine.  :)

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I'd say about a 6 out of 10 on a scale of formality is best.  Maybe 7.  What you would wear to a job interview at a retail store is fine -- not what you'd wear to a job interview at a bank.  Sociology is pretty egalitarian, so don't worry about it too much.  

 

Mostly what you want to do is relax about the impressions you will or won't make on anyone (nobody really cares), and just focus on getting as much information out of faculty and students (especially upper year students) as possible.

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So... I'm kinda of concerned because I won't be able to go to either due to work requirements... Luckily, I live by one campus and I'll probably visit the other, but it won't be the same without the programming and such...

 

Thoughts?

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So... I'm kinda of concerned because I won't be able to go to either due to work requirements... Luckily, I live by one campus and I'll probably visit the other, but it won't be the same without the programming and such...

 

Thoughts?

I'd let the schools know that and they might be able to help you set up a separate visit. I know amlobo mentioned last year that two visits conflicted and one of the schools set up meetings for her on a different date.

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So... I'm kinda of concerned because I won't be able to go to either due to work requirements... Luckily, I live by one campus and I'll probably visit the other, but it won't be the same without the programming and such...

 

Thoughts?

 

If you set up a separate visit, I'd make your own program.  That's kind of what I did.  I set up meetings with my POI and the DGS, plus met with the grad coordinator.  My POI took me to lunch and put me in touch with some of her students, so they showed me around, introduced me to some other students, took me for a drink, and answered all of my questions.  It ended up being a full day at the campus.  I really felt like I still got a good experience, even without the formal visit day.  I think you just have to put forth a bit more effort to make sure you get the information you want when you visit on your own.

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I've seen this discussed more generally in past threads on visit days, but what is your guys' perspective on how to handle visit weekends that completely overlap and for which you haven't already rsvp-ed/committed to one?

 

I know it's fairly common for this to happen. But I guess I'm struggling with how to prioritize which school to visit during the scheduled visit days versus which school to visit at another time. I don't know how much schools read into the fact that you are missing their visit weekend for another's schools. I also am wondering about strategies for how you as a prospective student can pick up on things like the level of graduate student satisfaction and other more opaque aspects of a school outside the context of formal visit days if you schedule a visit at another time?

Most schools are willing to work with you and create an unofficial recruitment visit. We usually had one or two students do this every year. You don't have to state your reason for missing it, schools know that you have other offers, you can just say that you have a conflict.

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@turbodream If you don't mind sharing, how did you like UCIrvine? 

 

Don't mind at all. The faculty at Irvine get along very well it seems. I like the collaborative and supportive vibe of the department. There is a good handful of faculty that work in areas in which I am interested so it is a solid fit for me. I'm going to check out others before I finalize my decision though.

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Don't mind at all. The faculty at Irvine get along very well it seems. I like the collaborative and supportive vibe of the department. There is a good handful of faculty that work in areas in which I am interested so it is a solid fit for me. I'm going to check out others before I finalize my decision though.

 

It was a pleasure having you Turbo. You have some great options in front of you and you should be able to do solid work wherever you go. 

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It was a pleasure having you Turbo. You have some great options in front of you and you should be able to do solid work wherever you go. 

 

Thanks man. It was a great time... very informative and fun.

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