captiv8ed

I am assuming nothing is going to happen until Feb at the earliest. I don't eve know where these checkers are, and I feel like the very uncool kid. lol. Is it just on the application status page?

I am with you Rogue. If this MAJOR life occurrence isn't worthy of a status update, what is? I don't understand the need to be coy either. And it is funny that people will scream it from the rooftops on gradcafe, but won't share it with their fb friends. I am not judging or being defensive, I am just as baffled as I was the other day when I found out a gay student at my super duper hippy school votes Republican and thinks Obama needs to move more to the center if he hopes to win in 12.

Why does it seem more conceited to say that you were accepted into your top choice? My uncle decided to climb a mountain. He fell down a crevasse and posted about his fall on facebook. Just last week he posted that he was going back up on a mountain. And then he posted about his successful climb. Is that conceited bragging? Maybe. But so what, his friends and family want to know and cheer him on. I have gone through difficult times in my life. Hell yeah I am going to tell people if I got into my top choice. And I think more of my friends would be pissed off if I didn't tell them than if I did.

Yes the professor was speaking more of subfields than methodologies. And yep, probably higher pay results in more respect. I can't speak to the nuances of it. I go to a school that doesn't even have departments so I have not even witnessed any of it on an undergraduate level.

I was talking to a sociologist and he was filling me in on some of the issues. He said that there are two groups: the sort of hard, Marxian, political and economic types and the softer gender, family, and religious types. He said that there is contention between the two and sometimes it is harder for the softer fields to be taken seriously. HE also said that when he first started, the softer side was a lot more fun to hang out with because the others were often debating and trying to outwit each other. ANyway, I found it a really interesting analysis of the field. I know that a lot of people LOVE debate and thrive in that kind of environment so I don't think it means one is bad and the other good, just what works for an individual. It does suck that the gender and cultural models are not as respected though. Have other people seen these divides? Do you agree with his assessment?

Mine is listed as Sociology, but I go to an interdisciplinary school so I feel like a giant poseur. I have very little theory but a lot of practical/applied sociology.

Ha! Washington wasn't even one of the schools I got in touch with. I have a professional relationship with a very well known professor there and met with her, but otherwise, I didn't send out fit emails.

I am focusing towards sociology of religion and I found three depts that were super excited about me. Another one was pretty excited. I didn't contact anyone in the other three.

This has been my huge beef too! And sociologists know and teach about test biases, so why do they use it anyway?

Thanks everyone. I used to use a laptop and switched to a desktop when I started school because I was getting really bad carpal tunnel and neck pain from improper positioning. I was seriously thinking of the switch to laptop for grad school because I forgot about the pain (it has been four years now since I was using the laptop) but then last week my desktop was acting up so I started using my husband's laptop. After just a few hours, I was experiencing pain. So, I was hoping that I could get away with not needing one, which will save money. And it sounds like I can.

I have survived undergrad without one, and many of my classes actively discouraged using one in class. I was planning to get a tablet for grad (if I get in!), but I wonder if they are even needed? I have a desktop at home, and I do a lot of my work at home. I don't mind using library or computer center computers. Is there a reason for them in grad school?

I have a mix of top schools and not-top schools. Variety is good! I emailed Iowa last week because the status page showed a couple of transcripts missing. I heard back today that they have all of my info and look forward to reviewing my application.

All but one. 1 application (PhD) isn't due until Feb 1. I am going down to meet the dean and tour the school next week, so I am waiting until after that to do it, since the visit might bring a change in the statement of purpose.

Thanks rogue! Glad to entertain! Steven, I am close to that. I just had my 20th high school reunion last year, so I will be graduating college 21 years after I graduating high school. I took my first college courses when I was 20 and came away from those 2 classes with a 1.0!!

This is me too. Except I am on the other end of the country. Luckily I was able to put N/A or leave it blank for all but one. Damn that 0 hurts! So, since I go to a nontraditional school, some have said it is more important to do well on the GRE, to prove I can fit into a box. No boxes for me! I got a 410Q my first round and a 590Q my second. I have 6 transcripts, mostly from community colleges. I feel like Sarah Palin. My school doesn't have majors, it is interdisciplinary. However, you get to have an emphasis that you can call a major, depending on how your credit distribution falls. I sat down with an advisor who found that I have a sociology major. But I have never taken a theory class. I feel like a fraud

It is too bad. A lot of people in the beginning of the cycle were posting about how awesome and supportive this board is, and it is too bad that it is starting to feel like an "unsafe space." It is weird too, because most people are NOT in direct competition with each other. we have so many disciplines represented here, and most people are applying to a lot of schools. Even if there is another person who is applying to you top pick and it is their top pick, there are still usually at least 5 spots. But then again, a general feeling of inadequacy can make me feel bitchy sometimes, so maybe it is more about that.

Somebody actually told a "cute" story about her baby's excretory functions as her status update! Just not what I want to hear! Yes, I am sorry but I think my acceptance into grad school is a bit more important than baby poop!

My hubby My mentor My kids My mil My LORs All of you My facebook world Teachers who have been there. Especially my Comp 101 teacher, who has been awesome. Anyone else who will listen. If it is my first choice, I don't know if I will be able to wait to tell my hubby if he isn't nearby. But I will try. I am jealous of all of you who are telling your mom. Mine couldn't care and wouldn't understand it.

SNP, that sounds like excellent research in cutting edge stuff.

Life is good for Life is Good!! It is all really outstanding, but I think your advisor and your sit down meeting is especially helpful!! Cpaige, Your Russian work is incredibly impressive!! Are you fluent in the language as well? And great job on the GPA!! Astro, Come on, just post and you will feel better!! OK Braggarts, be sure to follow up on everyone and give them lots of positive feedback!

OK, here is mine: I go to a school that doesn't do grades, but my first two years were 3.93. I think if I did have grades, I would have a 4.0 or very close the last three years. I did an extra year of undergrad to get more focused experience. My evaluations are peppered with words like: Excellent, Exceptional, Phenomenal, Above and beyond the call of duty. I got one very good, but even that one goes on to include words like exceptional and so forth. My mentor is someone pretty darn famous in my field. And she loves me and wants me to succeed. Two of my letter writers are well known (as in, have written books) in the field. I am primary author of a research article that professors have used in undergraduate programs. I wrote an article that is published in an academic anthology. There are tons of bigwig professors, maybe a grad student or two, and me I have or will have presented in two poster presentations and one round table. For one school, all 4 of my letter writers graduated from that school. And one is the school's state rep. Speaking of which, I did a competitive internship for my state legislature. I did a research internship for a national academic council in my field. There are board members for that council at 4 of the 7 schools I am applying to. I have a professional relationship with faculty members at two of the schools I am applying to. I have contacted professors at 4 of the schools to discuss my research. All were quite enthusiastic about it. One told me it would be a great contribution to the field I have a really strong statement of purpose with a very compelling (I have been told) life story that ties into my research at three critical junctures. I was a teaching assistant last quarter. Phew! That is awful to do. It is hard to write it and not feel like you are being totally pretentious. And to worry that an ad com is going to stumble across it and say, "Wow, this student is so arrogant! We don't want them at our school!!"

cpaige, be as vague or specific as you want. It is about feeling good, so I don't want you putting something and then feeling like you said too much or too little Lauren wins the bravery award!! First author is absolutley wonderful, and seriously helpful! And you have grants (they love folks who can bring money!) and your MA program is so well ranked. You are in!!

I have seen so much worry about everything here. I have felt so much worry. So, let's play a game. Let's put all of our positive academic achievements here, and then tell each other how helpful they are for admission!! Rules: No negatives! Please don't put anything to weigh down your positives, like "My GPA is great (too bad it is in the wrong field)" or "I don't think that your underwater basket weaving skills are really going to have much of an influence on the political science adcom." This is just about being positive and encouraging. I think we all need reminders of why we are well qualified for what we are doing! Is anyone interested in playing? I will post my list, but I am not going to until I see that people are interested. Bragging on strengths is really hard, and much more so if you are the only one doing it.

Nope, I am no good for this! I have no idea. I am doing a school visit and will sit down and talk to the dean. I don't know anything about any interviews though. I assumed there would be, but others have said there usually aren't. I hope not!

I had a few applications that wanted supporting material sent by mail. Maybe that is what happened to the OP.