Beals

excited for Monday and another week of desperately trying to stop the twitch in my left eye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

excited for Monday and another week of desperately trying to stop the twitch in my left eye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like how you've gone with the 'treat yourself' method of waiting. You deserve it! This is so stressful we need to be nice to ourselves.

HAHAHA WOW it did not even register that drinking a bottle of wine and vegging on a couch alone on a Tuesday night could be an unhealthy coping mechanism. I'm just like, wow, that sounds like a nice evening!!  I should probably be googling 'how to deal with stress in a healthy way' in my downtime, because clearly my instincts are shot to hell. I'm glad you're at least aware of the potential issues though.
EDIT: also, hang in there!! It's not over till it's over!! You still have 9 other programs to hear from!

I like how you've gone with the 'treat yourself' method of waiting. You deserve it! This is so stressful we need to be nice to ourselves.

Last time I did this, I didn't have a backup plan, and ended up working in retail hell for a bunch of years. It was decidedly not a happy time. 
This time? If I don't get in, my husband and I will be buying a house and starting infertility treatments to have a baby. 
2017 is gonna be a win/win for me either way. I refuse to see it any other way. 

I like how you've gone with the 'treat yourself' method of waiting. You deserve it! This is so stressful we need to be nice to ourselves.

My international student office held a meeting for all international students after the election to address some of these issues. Of course, nothing is certain and especially since the Trump administration isn't very forthcoming with concrete plans/details. However, some takeaway points:
- F-1/J-1 immigration is not one of the Trump administration's main concerns. Their election platform was about removing undocumented immigration and protecting US jobs.
- Law changes take some time to take effect. For example, recently, the F-1 OPT time increase from 27 months to 36 months for STEM majors took about 5 years to go through the whole cycle and that was supposedly a "fast-tracked" change. 
- Basically, things that can be put into effect quickly (e.g. executive orders) can be taken away quickly too but law changes are slow.
Overall, the first/biggest changes are likely to be:
- An executive action to counteract Obama's "DACA" (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).
- Reduction in number of H1-Bs (or increased requirements). I've heard that they are considering a plan to make the minimum wage for H1-Bs to be $100,000 (i.e. effectively discouraging many companies/universities to hire H1-Bs at lower level positions).
These things definitely affect academics! But to answer your specific Q on F-1 visas specifically, I don't think there is any reason to expect changes on that soon. F-1 / student visas did not seem to be on their platform and it is not expected that they will focus their early energies on this. Of course, as new students you would be concerned about what happens 4-5 years from now, but many things are uncertain that far out. Things are just a little more uncertain right now due to who's in the White House! We don't know what Congress and Senate will look like after the midterm elections in 2 years and there could be a new President in 4 years. 
I'm not trying to make it sound like everything will be okay. Personally, my biggest worry would be the possibility that Trump issues an executive order halting all immigration of all statuses from certain countries. It doesn't seem likely he'll do this for no reason, but perhaps something might happen that causes him to react in this way. This could happen while you are already in the US, which means if you are from one of these countries, you can't leave the US or you won't be able to come back in.
So, there are certainly lots of valid concerns. But at this point, there seems to be no planned changes to F-1 and J-1 foreign student status. And my personal philosophy is to not make big life decisions based on what might happen in the long run. 
(Finally, note to Beals and other Canadians: We don't have/require visas to enter the US, we just need status instead).

I thought I would write up a bit about the interviews I did in the fall since a lot of people have been asking about them so hopefully this helps you and a few others. I was really nervous before the two that I did, but in hindsight, now feel that they went really well. I haven't heard back from any of the schools I've applied to yet, so I know for some that may seem like I don't have the evidence to prove how well they went, but the point is that I feel like I did the best I can which is all we can ever hope for. 
I felt at first like I needed to read all of the work by the faculty members I would be meeting with before the interview, but this is just not realistic. I'd say, think about why you want to work with that person, and then read one (maybe two) major papers by that person. If their major text is a book, read book reviews, and at tops a few chapters. Don't overdo it - it's unnecessary. Believe me, I was the person saying to myself, 'Sure, sure, OTHER people may not read the collected works of the faculty of each school their applying to, but I WILL.' I didn't. I'm an overachiever, and I didn't. Be compassionate with yourself. Have enough to be familiar with their research and interests, and so that you can ask them questions about where their research is headed. This will also help you in understanding the agenda of the department, or of the research center you're applying to, if that is pertinent. If the program does have an agenda, like Yale's Center for Cultural Sociology does with the Strong Program, then read up on that mission. If you know any grad students, talk to them first about the program and the faculty and their interests, because they'll be able to give you the most updated info sometimes. This happened for me at Northwestern - one faculty member I was really interested in, it turns out, might retire soon and the focus of their research is not really in line with the work they've done in the past that excited me - and I gleaned that all from a current PhD student. 
Review your own research interests, and if you have it, your thesis or major papers. If you haven't written any major papers, use your writing sample. Think about the questions that really interest you, and practice giving an "elevator pitch" describing those questions and your vision for yourself. If possible, show how you're aware of the questions place in the larger scheme of Sociology and the department itself. 
In the interviews that I did, there was a wide variety to how the conversations went. I met with 7 faculty members total for two school visits, and one of the interviews was really short (only 20 minutes) and I felt like I had to be really quick on my feet to answer questions. Another one lasted two hours, and ended with the faculty member giving me a tour of campus. I'd say, give yourself some flexibility when making appts with faculty if you're visiting the campus, and be clear with them about your expectations for time at the beginning so that they have the opportunity to either agree or tell you that it'll be longer or shorter. That way, you can gauge how much time you have, and if you have less than you desired, you can get right to the heart of your goals and interests right away. 
Most of the faculty members just wanted to know more about me, why I have two BA's, why I landed on the research questions I did, how I came up with my thesis question, if I had any statistical research experience. No one asked about GREs or GPA. So, that's why it is essential to practice your "elevator pitch" before you go. Really get to the heart of what you want to do. No one asked me my opinion on Weber or positivism or interpretive sociology... no. Some theory came up naturally as I explained my passions, but it was not a quiz about my intellect. They know we don't know everything - that's why we're applying for a PhD! They want to mold our minds - we need to show we are at least somewhat malleable. And then ask them about what they plan to do, too. What's up next for them? How might you be able to work with them on those projects? Also, don't be afraid to stand up for your own opinions. I had two professors challenge the generalizability of a quant paper I wrote and my research design, and I was very candid and forward about my views on generalizability and my goal for the paper. I defended my work and my beliefs, and they're looking for that. 
If you're visiting campus (and haven't been offered admission yet - and if your admission would depend on your visit), and sitting in on a class or a workshop, ask the professor beforehand if you are allowed to participate in the conversation. If possible, get a copy of that day's reading before and know your stuff. Ask questions, participate in the conversation, offer your opinion. This will give them an opportunity to really see your mind work. 
This was a bit of a stream of consciousness. I hope it helps! It's hard to give good advice without knowing everyone and their specific cases, but hopefully this helps a bit

One of my favorite sociology jokes:
Why does Karl Marx hate Earl Grey tea?
Because all proper tea is theft.

And to the initial post...this is what grad school looks like.

My last applications were due Jan 15, so I managed to keep myself from stressing about hearing results until after that deadline.  I was actually really proud of myself for not bugging too much!  But, alas, the deadline has passed, and now the anxiety is creeping in....
 
Also, does anyone else both love and hate how confident everyone is that they'll get accepted!?  I'm super grateful that my friends and family believe in me so much, but "don't worry, you'll get in" doesn't help when all I can think is "but what if I don't!??!?!" 
(literally, my answer is "I will move to China to teach ESL for a year" if I don't get in, but emotionally, I have no short answer)

My last applications were due Jan 15, so I managed to keep myself from stressing about hearing results until after that deadline.  I was actually really proud of myself for not bugging too much!  But, alas, the deadline has passed, and now the anxiety is creeping in....
 
Also, does anyone else both love and hate how confident everyone is that they'll get accepted!?  I'm super grateful that my friends and family believe in me so much, but "don't worry, you'll get in" doesn't help when all I can think is "but what if I don't!??!?!" 
(literally, my answer is "I will move to China to teach ESL for a year" if I don't get in, but emotionally, I have no short answer)

My last applications were due Jan 15, so I managed to keep myself from stressing about hearing results until after that deadline.  I was actually really proud of myself for not bugging too much!  But, alas, the deadline has passed, and now the anxiety is creeping in....
 
Also, does anyone else both love and hate how confident everyone is that they'll get accepted!?  I'm super grateful that my friends and family believe in me so much, but "don't worry, you'll get in" doesn't help when all I can think is "but what if I don't!??!?!" 
(literally, my answer is "I will move to China to teach ESL for a year" if I don't get in, but emotionally, I have no short answer)

I did my MA in an interdisciplinary program, so I can tell you this: most of the people in your program probably come from a discipline, and perhaps the classes you have now align more closely with their previous areas, but at some point you will cover material that is in your area, and they will be lost and you will feel so happy.  The beautiful thing about interdisciplinary studies is that you can draw on your own background and it is pretty much always appropriate (ex: someone is applying Foucauldian theory to x?  Great, but have they consider applying Y lens that you often use?  Let's discuss how the two differ.)

Also, you're probably less behind than you think you are: if you're familiar with queer theory I'm sure you've read Butler, and she's a Foucauldian!  Or she was, anyhow, I haven't read her recent stuff.  

On a personal note, I don't have a head for names/details/rattling off theory- like you, I prefer to apply or 'do it naturally'.  I could never say "Scholar X's seminal work titled A, and their more recent work titled B, suggests this verbatim..." because frankly I don't remember things that way.  In my MA I also had fellow students rattling off theorists, names of texts, etc., and I felt so behind all semester, until I got back my final papers in classes and outperformed most of them: just because you can recite what another person said doesn't mean you can apply it, or do anything interesting on your own.  Something to think about! 

But if you feel behind on theory, do a crash course: note down the names of scholars you hear a lot about, then wikipedia their theories, pick up a reader, etc. (Rabinow's reader is a really good interest in Foucault, if you're interested).  I'd also recommend starting discussion if you're having trouble jumping in to the middle.  Write down 3-4 discussion points about every article you read for class, and bring them up.  For example, "this week I noticed that the author argues this, which contradicts the theory we read last week that argued blah.  Here are my thoughts."  If you prepare ahead of time you'll be less nervous, and perhaps someone else will bring up the same point and you can contribute what you've already written down.  

I did my MA in an interdisciplinary program, so I can tell you this: most of the people in your program probably come from a discipline, and perhaps the classes you have now align more closely with their previous areas, but at some point you will cover material that is in your area, and they will be lost and you will feel so happy.  The beautiful thing about interdisciplinary studies is that you can draw on your own background and it is pretty much always appropriate (ex: someone is applying Foucauldian theory to x?  Great, but have they consider applying Y lens that you often use?  Let's discuss how the two differ.)

Also, you're probably less behind than you think you are: if you're familiar with queer theory I'm sure you've read Butler, and she's a Foucauldian!  Or she was, anyhow, I haven't read her recent stuff.  

On a personal note, I don't have a head for names/details/rattling off theory- like you, I prefer to apply or 'do it naturally'.  I could never say "Scholar X's seminal work titled A, and their more recent work titled B, suggests this verbatim..." because frankly I don't remember things that way.  In my MA I also had fellow students rattling off theorists, names of texts, etc., and I felt so behind all semester, until I got back my final papers in classes and outperformed most of them: just because you can recite what another person said doesn't mean you can apply it, or do anything interesting on your own.  Something to think about! 

But if you feel behind on theory, do a crash course: note down the names of scholars you hear a lot about, then wikipedia their theories, pick up a reader, etc. (Rabinow's reader is a really good interest in Foucault, if you're interested).  I'd also recommend starting discussion if you're having trouble jumping in to the middle.  Write down 3-4 discussion points about every article you read for class, and bring them up.  For example, "this week I noticed that the author argues this, which contradicts the theory we read last week that argued blah.  Here are my thoughts."  If you prepare ahead of time you'll be less nervous, and perhaps someone else will bring up the same point and you can contribute what you've already written down.  

I did my MA in an interdisciplinary program, so I can tell you this: most of the people in your program probably come from a discipline, and perhaps the classes you have now align more closely with their previous areas, but at some point you will cover material that is in your area, and they will be lost and you will feel so happy.  The beautiful thing about interdisciplinary studies is that you can draw on your own background and it is pretty much always appropriate (ex: someone is applying Foucauldian theory to x?  Great, but have they consider applying Y lens that you often use?  Let's discuss how the two differ.)

Also, you're probably less behind than you think you are: if you're familiar with queer theory I'm sure you've read Butler, and she's a Foucauldian!  Or she was, anyhow, I haven't read her recent stuff.  

On a personal note, I don't have a head for names/details/rattling off theory- like you, I prefer to apply or 'do it naturally'.  I could never say "Scholar X's seminal work titled A, and their more recent work titled B, suggests this verbatim..." because frankly I don't remember things that way.  In my MA I also had fellow students rattling off theorists, names of texts, etc., and I felt so behind all semester, until I got back my final papers in classes and outperformed most of them: just because you can recite what another person said doesn't mean you can apply it, or do anything interesting on your own.  Something to think about! 

But if you feel behind on theory, do a crash course: note down the names of scholars you hear a lot about, then wikipedia their theories, pick up a reader, etc. (Rabinow's reader is a really good interest in Foucault, if you're interested).  I'd also recommend starting discussion if you're having trouble jumping in to the middle.  Write down 3-4 discussion points about every article you read for class, and bring them up.  For example, "this week I noticed that the author argues this, which contradicts the theory we read last week that argued blah.  Here are my thoughts."  If you prepare ahead of time you'll be less nervous, and perhaps someone else will bring up the same point and you can contribute what you've already written down.  

I did my MA in an interdisciplinary program, so I can tell you this: most of the people in your program probably come from a discipline, and perhaps the classes you have now align more closely with their previous areas, but at some point you will cover material that is in your area, and they will be lost and you will feel so happy.  The beautiful thing about interdisciplinary studies is that you can draw on your own background and it is pretty much always appropriate (ex: someone is applying Foucauldian theory to x?  Great, but have they consider applying Y lens that you often use?  Let's discuss how the two differ.)

Also, you're probably less behind than you think you are: if you're familiar with queer theory I'm sure you've read Butler, and she's a Foucauldian!  Or she was, anyhow, I haven't read her recent stuff.  

On a personal note, I don't have a head for names/details/rattling off theory- like you, I prefer to apply or 'do it naturally'.  I could never say "Scholar X's seminal work titled A, and their more recent work titled B, suggests this verbatim..." because frankly I don't remember things that way.  In my MA I also had fellow students rattling off theorists, names of texts, etc., and I felt so behind all semester, until I got back my final papers in classes and outperformed most of them: just because you can recite what another person said doesn't mean you can apply it, or do anything interesting on your own.  Something to think about! 

But if you feel behind on theory, do a crash course: note down the names of scholars you hear a lot about, then wikipedia their theories, pick up a reader, etc. (Rabinow's reader is a really good interest in Foucault, if you're interested).  I'd also recommend starting discussion if you're having trouble jumping in to the middle.  Write down 3-4 discussion points about every article you read for class, and bring them up.  For example, "this week I noticed that the author argues this, which contradicts the theory we read last week that argued blah.  Here are my thoughts."  If you prepare ahead of time you'll be less nervous, and perhaps someone else will bring up the same point and you can contribute what you've already written down.  

I did my MA in an interdisciplinary program, so I can tell you this: most of the people in your program probably come from a discipline, and perhaps the classes you have now align more closely with their previous areas, but at some point you will cover material that is in your area, and they will be lost and you will feel so happy.  The beautiful thing about interdisciplinary studies is that you can draw on your own background and it is pretty much always appropriate (ex: someone is applying Foucauldian theory to x?  Great, but have they consider applying Y lens that you often use?  Let's discuss how the two differ.)

Also, you're probably less behind than you think you are: if you're familiar with queer theory I'm sure you've read Butler, and she's a Foucauldian!  Or she was, anyhow, I haven't read her recent stuff.  

On a personal note, I don't have a head for names/details/rattling off theory- like you, I prefer to apply or 'do it naturally'.  I could never say "Scholar X's seminal work titled A, and their more recent work titled B, suggests this verbatim..." because frankly I don't remember things that way.  In my MA I also had fellow students rattling off theorists, names of texts, etc., and I felt so behind all semester, until I got back my final papers in classes and outperformed most of them: just because you can recite what another person said doesn't mean you can apply it, or do anything interesting on your own.  Something to think about! 

But if you feel behind on theory, do a crash course: note down the names of scholars you hear a lot about, then wikipedia their theories, pick up a reader, etc. (Rabinow's reader is a really good interest in Foucault, if you're interested).  I'd also recommend starting discussion if you're having trouble jumping in to the middle.  Write down 3-4 discussion points about every article you read for class, and bring them up.  For example, "this week I noticed that the author argues this, which contradicts the theory we read last week that argued blah.  Here are my thoughts."  If you prepare ahead of time you'll be less nervous, and perhaps someone else will bring up the same point and you can contribute what you've already written down.  

I think you should take him up on it.  You're right, it's not required that he offer something like this- but he did it anyway, and he wouldn't have offered if he hadn't been willing to follow through.
I think there are a few reasons meeting with him would be a good idea:
1) It makes you look better.  You have a chance to explain that it's not that you're bored/uninterested or whatever, and obviously you're invested!  Look, you're willing to meet beyond class hours!  You're a good student,  really, and you can explain what your reasons for not participating are.  Don't be a whiny baby, that's a good call, but explain to him what you've said to us.  Those are perfectly reasonable factors.
2) You can get advice, reassurance, tips, or whatever from the prof which will probably help with your imposter syndrome (I'm assuming that's at play here, I may be wrong), and thus improve your grad school experience (or at least time in this class).  Obviously he's concerned with what is happening in his class, and wants it to change.  Speaking with the prof will let you know how to  concretely go about doing that.   
3) Forging good relationships with faculty is also important.  Perhaps this is too calculating, but it never hurts to get one on one time with faculty early one, because even if he doesn't work in your area, he knows the profs who do much better than you do at this point, and you never know how that will come in handy.  

I really don't think you have anything to lose, and you have at least some to gain.  But that's just my two cents.  Good luck!

I guess I'll be the person that speaks up about this, but...all your posts seem really off (for lack of a better word). 
It seems really condescending..like everything you're saying seems really condescending. Before branching into relationships, I think you should work on just basic social interaction with people first because you kind of lack a little bit of empathy, respect, and tact.
Just my two cents. 
P.S. why even hook up with people you find repulsive? A pity fuck? Cause that's pretty gross on your part.

Hi ZombieBirdhouse,

Out of curiosity- I've never seen a dept that states having an MA will make you inadmissible.  Or do you mean having work experience precludes you from admission?  Could you clarify and/or mention some programs that stipulate this?  Honestly, I'm a little nervous now!

Also, wise advice about waiting till you're sure about which life course you want  

I finished my MA in 2014 (Canadian university).  I'm applying this fall with hopes of starting my PhD in 2017.  Took the last 3 years to work locally, work abroad (Europe), and am now back home working and applying.  I was literally never once tempted to not go back.  Perhaps that's unusual?  I don't know, but I think if you're the type of person who isn't totally sure about grad school then those doubts will pop up whether you're in a program or not.  And of course, things can happen that preclude you from going back (I'm not sure what would've had to happen to stop me, but perhaps a serious financial misfortune??  Everyone's situation is different).

MA - Work - PhD is very common.  Again, I'm coming from Canada so perhaps my perspective is different (because MAs are always terminal), but many of my profs actually suggested I take a year before going from MA-PhD (my MA was only one year so I was having trouble narrowing down research interests) so that I could figure out what I wanted to do.  I ended up taking 3 years off because I wanted to 1) pay off some debt, and 2) fulfill some of my nonsense romantic nomadic travelling desires (I did and it was great).  I personally also value the perspective it has given me- the anticipation to get back in to a program is so great now I imagine I'll cherish it more than I would have had I gone straight from my MA.  Tangibly, I've also gotten some interesting life experiences I think will help me do work as a social theorist.  
If you want to work in industry after your MA that will absolutely help you out when/if you go back for a PhD (translating your own practice into theory- why wouldn't that be an asset!?).  
This is really the best advice I think.  No sense going aimlessly into a PhD program- you might end up squandering the opportunity accidentally.  

TL;DR: yes, MA-Work-PhD is common.  There are some benefits to it as well.  

Ryan from PowerScore here. We’ll be hosting a free GRE Math webinar on August 23rd @ 8pm EST. My co-instructor, Katie, and I will be talking about problem solving and taking your questions live. Some of the strategies we’ll cover, such as Analyzing the Answer Choices and Solving a Simpler Problem and Adapting the Solution, are demonstrated in this blog post: Problem Solving Steps for GRE Math.

You can learn more about the webinar and sign up here: Free GRE Seminars from PowerScore

Let me know if you have any questions!

- Ryan