socialcomm

To answer your final question, yes, I think if I were you I'd concentrate on the other areas of your applications. However, if you feel you have a relationship with anyone at the schools you're applying to and feel comfortable inquiring about any GRE cut-offs, it might not hurt to ask the questions you asked in your post.

You might also want to investigate UC San Diego. Might not emphasize politics enough, but worth a look.

I would ask as well. One program I'm applying to doesn't request a CV, but with 10 years of work experience, I feel like leaving out that experience (not including the CV) would hurt me. I called and asked and they indicated including the CV was fine.

I'm not sure I'd include the CV if you email the recruiter. If a professor asks for it, definitely, but it sounds like the recruiter would just facilitate a meeting with profs/students and wouldn't necessarily care about your qualifications. I could be wrong though!

It sounds like the rest of your application is strong. Turn your attention to making the rest of your application the best it can be.

But don't you know... all graduate level work you do will mimic this environment! Just kidding.

Hmmm. I wasn't aware schools would see cancellations. I'd be interested to see what others say.

If you have the time and resources to do it, I'd say go. Putting a face with the name on an application could help you in the long run. At the same time, you'd be able to see the facilities where you'd be working, meet the people you'd be working with. That could help you with decisions later on if you're accepted. Good luck!

I had to as well, but overall, think it looks good!

I can also sympathize with you. Concentrating on the other aspects of your application sounds like a good idea. I might also do a little research into if any of the schools you're applying to have any kind of GRE cut off they make. It wouldn't preclude me from applying if schools did have the GRE cut offs and the rest of the app is strong, but always good to know. Good luck!!

Do you know how Riverside uses the GRE? If you think you have the drive to study more and take it again, I'd do it. I'd concentrate less on memorizing words and try roots etc instead. And take as many practice tests as you can. Good luck!!

Thanks for sharing! Very helpful.

Well, I wouldn't exactly label it 'cold calling' if you have emailed with them before. Could you perhaps go through the grad admin or grad manager of the program? Often they're the ones who coordinate campus visits and meetings with profs. If that doesn't work, a quick phone call might be in order.

Random, but typical of an Internet forum for sure. I know I've noted my age in a previous post, but probably not gender. Even with that knowledge (I'm female), I seriously doubt a google search would amount to anything. I've been in a professional field too long and am not really associated with an academic field (yet!). The Internet does do interesting things to communication among groups (and identity! who says that everyone here is who they say they are?) -- one of the reasons I'm interested in new media!

How frustrating! I was able to request scores online without a problem. Perhaps call again to check in? I received a notice in the mail that they had been sent, which was reassuring.

Each program is different. Do you know if you need to align yourself with an advisor coming in? If that's not the case, the Director may be the one that fields all the questions about the program. You're right, it definitely doesn't give you a warm, fuzzy feeling! Of course, that doesn't mean the prof wouldn't be a good advisor or isn't a good advisor with their current students, it may just be the way their program admissions works.

Don't stress. If anyone brings it up, just be as honest as you can about it -- and you have plenty of classes that show it wasn't the norm for you.

I'd think for some people, it's a combination of A and B, assuming they're coming from a background in the field they'd like to pursue their next degree in.

You can only control your own actions. Make sure all the things you have direct control over are as good as they can be. Have you gotten feedback on your SOP? Can you talk to your other LOR writers to provide them with more information about you and your goals so they can write stronger letters?

I'd try to get someone else to write a LOR if you can. I think getting the MA is a good plan -- you can work on obtaining LOR from these profs for when you apply to PhD programs. I also agree you should try to apply to as many schools as possible. Good luck!

Do you need unofficial score reports or just the scores? For the verbal/quant sections you'll know your scores as soon as you complete the test (and at that time you can immediately have scores sent to some schools). If you can provide those scores within the application somewhere, then fax/email the report you get in the mail, and then have the official scores sent.

I don't think I would risk it with something so important.

I agree -- do a bit more research into the program before you make your final decision. That way there's less of an opportunity for feeling like you're second guessing your decision.

The only way to find out is to ask the new university.

It sounds as though you have a good relationship with your boss and he's a reasonable person? It's business (who says he won't need to lay you off over the next year for an unknown reason) and your life (are you willing to put your life and future career on hold for a job?). As PP said, you're giving him plenty of heads up -- hopefully he'll be supportive of your future endevours and will write a glowing letter.