Bearcat1

I wish there was some kind of option to go into a medically induced coma until I get my first acceptance. I made up fake deadlines for myself to keep from quintuple guessing everything. Once I had completed a draft of an SoP or writing sample and gotten approval from two faculty mentors, I allowed myself three days to finalize it and be done. then no more tweaking or re-reading. I also used fake application deadlines so I didn't have to keep track of nine individual dates. I think it helped...at least a little. And 400 words?!???!!??? My smallest was 500 and I almost decided against applying there because of it. I agree: outrageous.

If it makes you feel better, the sense of relief lasted about 24 hours and now I'm in Super Anxiety Waiting Mode for the next three (four?) months. I almost wish I'd dragged the apps out longer.

You're probably going to need three letters, so I'd go with both bio profs and the anthro prof with whom you've taken two classes.

The advice from my LOR writers was that a works cited page is important to show you are "up on the current literature." And I contacted three programs and asked if the works cited needed to be included in the page limit and they all said yes. So I think it depends on the field, but I would definitely ask to be sure about the page limits and also make sure you don't leave something out that you need to reflect your familiarity with current scholarship.

I feel you. Figuring out how to shrink the image pages for my multiple writing samples so that they would upload nearly sent me to an institution.

I disagree with this, for my field anyway. The average number of schools is 10-12, according to my LOR writers. Each letter only varies slightly, so once one is written, it isn't a big deal for them to write ten of them. There are actually about 15 programs with faculty that fit my interests (which are extremely non-traditional, so for more mainstream research interests, there would be more) and for various reasons including funding and/or location, I've narrowed that list of 15 to 9 that I actually applied to. Most of those 9 applications had enough space for me to write all other 8 schools I've applied to. I definitely think adcoms will consider whether you will accept an offer, but I don't think applying to 3 other or 9 other schools makes a difference there. And your SoP should make clear why you would choose them, so I wouldn't worry about that. As far as "wanting the school name more than the degree," I'm not sure I really understand that one. I'm applying to a couple schools that are more "prestigious" than the others, but the other 7 are pretty evenly matched in my field, so that part doesn't apply to my situation.

"A PhD will take you how long?!?? You know you could be a 'real' doctor in the same amount of time!" Yes!!! Thank you!!! Getting my PhD in art history was actually just about how much time it will take, but since you've explained to me that I could be an MD in the same amount of time, that does seem like a much better plan.

Everything fullofpink says is right. The only difference between an MA and a PhD SoP is that you don't need to be as focused on what you want to work on. For example, rather than having a viable dissertation idea, I think it's acceptable to say that you want to work on gender representations in nineteenth-century British portraiture. For a PhD, you'd want examples and more specifics, but most MA programs don't expect you to have as clear of an idea for a thesis. But do not start with a story about why you like art! That's the kiss of death.

Check the "Results" section of the site. You can enter the name of the programs to which you've applied and see when decisions have been received in past cycles. That should give you at least some idea of when to expect any kind of news.

Right. And they probably won't see them until you are completely finished, so you have another semester to not get all Bs, and then it's just a tiny blip and no one will care. You're good.

If you are accepted, it will be conditional based upon you actually graduating, and they will require that you send over transcripts to that effect. So yes, eventually they will see those grades. You may get in now without them, but you'll have to send them later.

Not at all. Some of my records have my maiden name, and I haven't had any problems. If there is a box to fill in any other names used, put both last names there, or the other last name. I would try to match any remaining applications to your GRE scores, but for the ones that are already done, just email them (like you've done) and let them know. It's pretty common, I think, and they know that. Just be extra diligent in following up and making sure everything has been received and accounted for.

From what I've heard, GPA and GRE matter the least. If you have stellar GRE scores and amazing letters of recommendation, I think you could get by with the low GPA. In programs that fund all of their students, the numbers matter simply because the graduate division will have cutoffs for those. So if they fund everyone, but the GPA cutoff is 3.2, you won't make it. In that sense, they do matter. The problem is your explanation for the low GPA. I know what it's like to not be sure of your path and then figure it out sudddenly; that's how it happened for me, although I was in a much different place academically. But I do know how you are feeling and I don't mean in any way to seem like I don't take you seriously, but that's what I'd worry with your statement. You JUST graduated and now you suddenly know what it is you're meant to do? I think that might be a tough sell on paper. If you have unlimited funds, I say apply and see what happens. If you don't get in, you're no worse off than if you wait a year. (That might even demonstrate persereverance.) But I just spent a small fortune on my apps, so I can tell you it isn't cheap. What might also help is making contact on the phone or in person with the POIs at the programs you're considering. If you speak with them so they know you are mature and you have a chance to articulate your desire to pursue grad school, maybe that will help? I wouldn't mention the GPA to them, but if you impress them in "real life" maybe they'll overlook the GPA?

I think you would have a better shot if you took another year off and applied next year. You will have more time to prepare, including knowing what your actual GRE scores are. You will also separate yourself a bit from your poor grades as an undergrad, which I think would help tremendously. I have heard of several people who go back to grad school years later with low GPAs, so it can be done, but all of the people I've heard of had a few years out of school. Your situation now might be looked at as just another change in direction and focus, but if you can reference next cycle in your statement that you decided now that this is what you wanted and worked on it for a year, I think you'd be much better situated to get into a good program.

I would hope that she wouldn't tell you (a stranger) before she notified her colleagues, but I wouldn't bring it up. I would mention her and whoever else you might work with if she leaves.

I think proximity to research resources is definitely something to mention. You want these programs to believe that if you are accepted, you will attend, so any reasons you can give to confirm that are good.

It's not too late! Just shoot the DGS an email so they know. None of them responded to me, so who knows if it did any good (I haven't had confirmation that all my transcripts have been received yet) but if it would make you feel better, I think it's definitely not too late.

I would at least send out introductory emails and make sure they are accepting new students. And sending an email I'd say qualifies as contact, so there you go!

One of my recommendation writers, who sits on an adcom, told me some horror stories about crazies who contact professors before the applications are due, then don't get in, and send harassing emails about how so-and-so led them to believe they would be accepted. It sounds like he's had that kind of experience. I got a similar response from a professor I contacted, and when I spoke with her by phone, she was lovely and didn't even mention it. I think it's just a disclaimer for would-be crazies.

Although my GRE scores have the correct name, my transcripts don't. I made sure to fill out the maiden name section on all my apps, and the ones that didn't have a place for that, I emailed the DGS with a heads up. (No one responded, but I am trying to cover my bases.) The good thing about GRE scores is that they are received centrally, so you can call the graduate division without the department ever knowing you did. I would call (not email) and ask them if they have been received. It's also possible that because they are received centrally there is a difference in posting time with transcripts or other materials. I had to call two grad divisions about my GREs and both were really nice about it and extremely helpful.

Mine were all about 400 words total. I don't think you should go on and on about yourself or your interests, but definitely give them enough info to know why you are approaching them, and also to know if they are interested in what you want to work on. Good luck!

1) & 2) You should definitely find out if the people you want to work with are accepting students, and then mention only people who are in your statement. If you mention people who aren't, you look like you didn't do your homework. If you say your open to working with anyone, it may seem like you are just hoping to get in anywhere, and you may not have done your homework on the program. 3) I would say you want to do research and why and what kind. Just leave out the where, but make sure the rest is strong. Then you won't seem wishy-washy. 4) Don't mention them. You don't want to waste space in your statement with something that will be evident elsewhere in your application package.

They have your birthdate, so they can figure it out. Unless it had some impact on your academic career, I wouldn't mention it. If you were significantly older or younger than your peers, it might be something you could work into a diversity statement for schools that require one, but I don't think one year makes much of a difference, and I don't think adcoms are interested in what you achieved prior to college.

I wouldn't add anything about your GRE scores or GPA, but I would give more info about your research background and explain your research interests so it's clear how he/she fits as an advisor. And I don't know if I would admit up front that the only thing you know about them is from the faculty profile. Whether it's true or not, let them think you are familiar with their publications/work. You don't need to reference them specifically, but more like, "I'm familiar with your work on blah blah blah (published) and your current research on blah blah blah (from faculty page)." Your template is good, but it kind of sounds like you're holding your own background info hostage, and you need to give them more on what you hope to work on and your experience (maybe work experience in your field) to "hook" them.

Yes, German seems to be the most important language everywhere, so take that instead of French. You may be able to sub French for something else if you go on to get your PhD, but you will have to have German.