Hello friends,
I am going to apply 4-5 sociology, and 1 gender studies PhD. But everytime, something pops to increase my anxiety level.
Now, I have studied in a very stupid program in a top 5 university: English Teaching as A Second Language. I was a student that my teachers liked and found clever and hardworking. But of course I was not mad at being the honors student of the department with trickery in the exams like all my fellows have always did. I was just sitting and watching them write what they might need during the exam onto their tables... It was a stupid 4 years. Finally, I got a GPA of 2.91. Then, I started masters one year after in Women's Studies in the same university. It is the first in WS in my country. There, I was so much applauded for my ideas. I am in the top 3 choice of my professors out of a cohort of 20-30. Well,, there, I got a GPA of 3.07.... Why? I started pychotheraphy, given anti-depressants, bashed by a professor because I did not write '' men hegemony '' but '' hegemony of some genders/sexualities over others'' thus she got mad at me and gave me the low marks... Now, I hope some sociology departments do not care a GPA from a department about technics of teaching. Secondly, my Master was dominated by early feminists and our interests did not match in Women's Studies. This is the reason of a low GPA (3.07) and why I am applying to the programs in USA. I have good reference letters, one presentation experience in an international PhD meeting, and interesting writing sample, articles on web and a SOP. Now, do they care Master GPA or Bachelor? This things will put me into trouble? And, this is why I am applying to these programs: I have been to departments whose philosophies don't match mine. This is the reason of low GPAs. But I have international experience and my teachers think I can do in America and I should go. Please, tell me some things... I do not want my dreams get soaked.
p.s: I am also going to apply top 20 universities. but mostly top 30.