Bearcat1

Again, knowing nothing about your field, I think a 3.8 is an excellent GPA. The consensus seems to be that writing samples (if you are required to have one), your statement of purpose, and your letters of recommendation are the most important parts of your application, then your GPA and GRE scores. I think even with a horrible GPA, it's possible to get into a top tier grad program with other strong application components, so it's certainly possible, but I think most of the decision is based on things other than GPA. If you browse through the results pages, there are plenty of rejections with 4.0 GPAs and stellar GRE scores, which seems to prove the theory that the numbers are only a small factor.

I downloaded an email app on my phone so that the work email sound was different from my personal email sound. Then I just disabled all vibrating and tones for my work email so that I don't get excited over nothing. I've stopped putting my phone on silent and started carrying it everywhere (like into the kitchen at work, even though the kitchen is 30 feet from my desk and I'm certain I can hear it from there). All of this and I still have four weeks to go before hearing even from the programs that notify earliest. My poor husband and friends...

I have heard from several places that they look at your last two years. So for your situation, probably only your GPA since you've transferred (although you will have to send in your community college transcripts as well). I had absolutely horrible grades at one community college, then a 4.0 at another. I was able to transfer, got decent grades at my university, and got into an MA program. Based on my funding package, they only looked at my university grades.

How long ago was the class? I started my undergrad at a university, got horrible grades, went to community college over several years, then finished my BA and went on to earn an MA. I didn't address the poor grades on either my MA app (which was successful) or by PhD app (still waiting!) because it was so long ago and my grades ever since are good. You might be able to get away without explaining one failed class if it was several years ago. If that's not helpful, I'd be happy to look over your SoP if you want to PM me. (Disclaimer: I know nothing about your field, but I'm willing to help however I can.)

The advice I received was to assure them that you are excited about the offer and are strongly considering it, and will let them know as soon as possible. Then you don't give an actual deadline, you let them know that you are interested and show enthusiasm, but don't have to tell them where they actually stand. And since most applications have a spot where they ask you to fill out where else you've applied, no one is going to think they are the only program that wants you. One of the POIs I spoke to acknowledged that they notify about admissions about a month before two other programs with which they are in competition for students, so they don't expect anyone to let them know until those other programs have notified. So I would think that most programs have a similar familiarity with the others in their field, in terms of when they send out notifications.

I'm going crazy not being able to plan as well. I go on Craigslist daily and look at rentals, but not know which of the 9 cities (if any) I'll be in is driving me bonkers. We sold our house in preparation for this (we heard it could take a year to sell and it took three weeks!) and our rental situation isn't long term. Meaning if I don't get in, we'll still have to plan a move somewhere. I'll also have to get a "real" job, as I'm working part-time now, so although I don't technically have a Plan B, there are a bunch of things that have to be done. I've never moved further than about 25 miles, so packing up our lives is a daunting task. And how do you even select a moving company?!?!?! Then my husband will need a new job wherever we go, and when do you start looking? Immediately? What if he gets a job immediately and has to move in May when I have a job through July here? And we're facing a cross-country road trip with a small menagerie. (To echo LMac, I have so much respect for bfat and whirledpeas13; I am so stressed out thinking about moving pets, and you have kids. You guys are my heroes.) Additionally, several of the places I applied would allow me to ditch my car, for which my lease is up a couple months before we'd actually move, so I'm trying to figure out the logistics of living in a place where you absolutely need a car for 2-3 months without one.

I don't know if anyone will look that closely at your transcripts, but if they do and see a discrepancy, they will most certainly look for a key. I don't think it's a cause for concern. Also, if you are at a top 10 university, that places thousands of students in grad programs, you probably won't be the only one with a "funky" transcript, and adcoms will probably notice (again, if they look this carefully) that something is amiss, since they will have seen many of your school's transcripts in the past. I wouldn't stress about it. I'm sure schools change things like that all the time, and adcoms are aware that these things take place.

I'm not sure I know what someone with a university degree "acts like." Some of the dumbest people I know have degrees, and some of the smartest people I know don't. My husband doesn't, but after six years of me being in school, he understands the demands and issues that come with being a student more than some of my school friends have. I couldn't have done all that I have without his support, and when I applied to PhD programs we agreed that wherever I want to go, we'll make it work together. If/when I'm accepted, we'll make the decision together (if I have choices) but ultimately he's made it clear that I am to choose a program that is the best fit, and we'll figure everything out after that.

I love this and hate it for you all at once. Maybe the sweatshirt will be your good luck charm?

I'm hoping people with that same attitude applied to all the programs I did, because it will greatly improve my chances of acceptance!

I have seen several posts from people who've applied to PhD programs and were accepted to MA programs, so perhaps you are right. I'll hope for that, because that makes the total number of applicants much less scary!

If official transcripts are required, they usually prefer that you have them mailed directly from the issuing universities. This prohibits students from tampering with them, I believe is the purpose. I had one program that preferred I have them all mailed to myself in official envelopes, then mail them together, but even they also allowed them to be sent directly from issuing universities. If you're worried about the timing, most schools have an option to rush transcripts, for a larger fee. But if official transcripts are required with your application, I'd say only supplying electronic copies isn't an option.

Really? Wow. The person I spoke to didn't specify and I always forget there are MA applicants so I didn't think to ask. The other numbers I was given were PhD specific, so I assume the 200 was also. Ugh. I apologize to anyone who doesn't want this sort of info; I can never decide if it makes me feel better or not, but I shared because that's why we're here so I felt like it was the right thing to do.

Yeah, 200 sounds like a lot but I think there are plenty of programs with more than that. As for whether all the apps are read, each of the professors read the apps in their field before they go to the actual admissions committee, so I do think each app gets a fair amount of attention.

If he is flying to/from, I would think it would be perfectly reasonable to stay that night. Otherwise he'd be getting into red eye flights, and I can't imagine that anyone would expect him to do that. Also, universities usually have really amazing deals worked out with hotels where they put you up, and it often doesn't cost them much. They put up visiting lecturers, interviewing students and professors, all kinds of people. So even at fancy hotels, they aren't paying what it seems. If it's feasible for him to drive home at 8PM, then he can leave his luggage at the hotel bell desk and pick it up when he's ready to leave.

If you are or will be writing some kind of undergrad thesis, this is also something to discuss with your thesis advisor. I did a bunch of research myself on where I'd like to go and who I'd like to work with, but many of the people I've applied to work with weren't people I found myself but people suggested by my advisor or other professors. Sometimes it helps to speak to them because they are often aware of new avenues of research their colleagues are taking that haven't yet been published or posted on faculty websites. Also, once I started contacting POIs, a couple of them suggested other people or mentioned that they "assumed I'd be applying to work with so-and-so also" and even though I wasn't I knew then I should at least be familiar with that person's work. I found that once I had a few people on a list, that the list grew rather quickly. You may also want to check the program for the CAA conference. It should be available as a PDF on their website, and although it's long and looking through the whole thing will be tedious, you might find some great potential POIs that way. (I'm on my phone or I'd link the program here.) You are clearly in a good place in terms of planning, being only a junior, but this may seem more daunting at this point because you haven't narrowed down your interests. I say that not to discourage you, but in hopes that you won't be discouraged if it does seem overwhelming at this stage. It will start to fall into place as you narrow your focus, so keep at it. Good luck!

I spoke to the department secretary regarding another issue and asked about that. She said she has to manually change the status from incomplete to complete and told me not to worry, that if everything else appeared as received that it would be changed when she got to my app. They had over 200, so it may take awhile, but don't worry if all of your other stuff is marked.

I spoke to my POI at UPenn and he said to expect to hear something no later than the end of February. My POI at Delaware said they meet in January because they have no class that month, so they send out notice at the beginning of February. So I think for every program it's different. I'm using the results search as a guideline, hoping everyone is on a similar schedule this year.

I don't think it's descrimination because she's a woman or a mother. To have a family of any kind (children, spouse, etc.) adds another dimension to this process and it's important before one embarks on the application process that all of these things have been considered. Also, if one is a poor test taker, the GRE may seem insurmountable. The OP never specified what she hoped to achieve in her career aside from teaching at the collegiate level, so to jump to "grad school isn't for you" isn't fair. Maybe her end goal is to teach at the community college level. If that is the case, there is nothing wrong with looking for programs that do not require the GRE.

My grandpa, who was a contractor, thinks I'm wasting my "talents" because I'm mildly handy and one time, under his tutelage, was able to repair some drywall. Everyone I know "knows" I'm getting into all nine programs to which I applied. Right. And I'll ride to my top choice on a unicorn, eating magical gumdrops. And everyone, people I know, people I don't, think I'm trying to be an artist. Even the people who know I don't have a creative bone in my body.

I think it's up to the individual programs, rather than some hard and fast rule across the board. I visited one campus after the deadline, which was fine with them, and I had another POI I've been in contact with tell me they can no longer have contact with me after the deadline. I'd email them and tell them you'll be in the area and you'd love to arrange a visit, but that you understand if it's against their policy to meet with applicants after the deadline. Then you give them an out and they don't have to find a way to explain if they say no. Good luck!

I've met with a couple POIs in person and both times I wore dressy on top (blouse and blazer) and casual on bottom (nice jeans and boots). I felt like it was a good mix and not overly casual. For a formal interview, I think I would wear dress slacks, but since this is just a meeting, I don't think it's necessary, but definitely look presentable. And take your resume in a folder in a purse or a bag. Then you have it if it feels right to give it out, and it's not awkwardly in your hand if you feel like it was unnecessary.

Adcoms know we are human and I'm sure 99% of the Statements they read have some kind of error. It is clearly a mistake, rather than something you don't know or are unaware of that will be glaring. I don't think it's a big deal at all.

This happened to me several times...how did you get into college if you can't figure out that getting a zero on half the assignments will result in a failing grade?!?!?! This baffles me. This, and the sense of entitlement to just "get" an A. I feel like someone's grandmother talking about the good ol' days, but when I was an undergrad, we didn't get good grades, we earned them.

Are you looking for terminal MA programs, or PhD programs? I know Cal State Long Beach does not require the GRE, but it is a terminal MA program and also a very small department, so depending on what you want to work on, it may or may not work. I also don't think they have much (if any) funding.