Summit_Bid
-
Posts
143 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by Summit_Bid
-
-
I'm paranoid someone is going to find out who I am ...although I think I've revealed enough already even without naming schools.
-
I'm obsessed with tween girl stuff: Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez etc. especially Disney channel. Kinda embarrassing I know. It was fun writing my SOP and talking about my connection to Hannah Montana.
Anyways, I like looking at the changing roles of teen and tween girls in TV and Movies. I especially like looking at the the types of roles they played in the late 80's/early 90's and comparing them to the rolls of today. Basically girls are portrayed in more career oriented/power roles than they were before. The same is happening in movies but at a slower rate I think. comparing the TV side the movie side is fun.
I can't wait to start my PhD and not feel guilty watching the Disney channel-hey, in my case that's considered research.
-
I have a pet tarantula although I'm afraid of spiders.
A hobby of mine is nomenclature. I love anything to do with peoples' name (like meanings of names) and I especially love collecting names.
I enjoy studying the history of commencements and academic regalia...hmm..wonder if this is a good omen of things to come.
I think I'm unique because I can use my artistic background in performing arts and film and apply it to almost anything (a boring office jobs, life, other fields etc.) and always see the connections between these seemingly different relationships.
-
Like many of you, I've been waiting it out in the gradcafe since I got my 15 apps done in October. I've been spending way too much of my work time perusing these forums like a mad woman. If I get accepted into a school, long gone will be the days are checking the results page every hour on the hour 365 days a year. Long gone will be the days of taking everything everyone posts personally and posting away until I finally get my last word in. Long gone will be the days of moping over the "positives" thread and rejoicing over the "negatives" thread.
How will you wean yourself off of something like the gradcafe who for so long not only was your comfort during those long winter waiting hours, but aided you in becoming a grad app fanatic? Won't you miss it...just a little?
-
I applied to 15 schools and all are saying they need my FAFSA info. The FAFSA only lets you submit your info to 10 schools. Do I print out a copy for the last 5 schools and send it to them via snail mail or what?
-
I'm feeling better already reading all these. This "negatives" threat is actually cheering me up and making me laugh. I'd like to take a stab...
I want to get into a PhD program in Cinema Studies and the only way to get in is to have an MA in Cinema Studies...which I don't have. My MA is in a completely unrelated field. I have no more money to get another MA or even take a few classes.
So basically, I'm doomed. To make matters worse my GRE Scores are also somewhere in the 3rd %tile and my recs, while all glowing, are from people not in my field and who taught me undergrad classes (all the classes I took as a grad student were undergraduate level but I got grad credit for it...it's a long story).
I have nothing published and have no real work etc. experience in my field.
My writing sample?....I chose what I still feel is my best piece of writing but it was my master's thesis--I never did pass my master's thesis the firs time around.
No wonder it's my third time applying.
I'm more screwed than all of you!!!
Ha! See if you can top that!
-
I'll live with my folks (yuck I know!) so they'll know. I'll tell one of my undergrad professors from back in the day. He really wants me to get in and will be really surprised if I do.
-
Thanks for the instructions! It worked. Here are my two SOPs:
-
I am less and less confident of ANY acceptances as the minutes pass, but I guarantee that, if I do get in anywhere, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth things I will do will ALL be: cry.
Same for me.
-
I still don't get how to upload my wordles either. Anyone have instructions?
-
-
I've completed 10 app's out of 12. I'm currently working on my 11th one. My last deadline is early March for a master's degree program. If I get any acceptance in February, I probably won't even submit this last application.
I was physically worn out too during the week of the 15th. I had several app's due that week.
A few days ago I read about another poster's experience of receiving 13 rejects last year and started to wonder whether I should apply to more schools! I'm not thrilled about my writing sample either even though I revised it somewhat. I'm a better writer now than I was eight months ago. I hope that my SOP demonstrates my writing ability adequately.
I was done with my 15 apps in October (Dec. and January deadlines). While I'm glad it's over this just means I have longer to wait for a response!
-
This is why I'm applying to 14-15 schools, I can't let this happen to me. It would be impossible for me to get a job in this economy and I don't know what I'd do with myself... I'm keeping my fingers crossed
Not to scare you or anything but but when I graduated in May 2008 I couldn't get a job for a year. I tempted while living in NYC I ran out of money and had to move back in with my folks since temping wasn't enough. A year to the day after I graduated I got a job as a receptionist. (I have a master's degree in Film and Dance from a top ranked school too! But ya know, dance and film is a bad thing to get a degree in anyways...). I'm hoping you will get into a school but should you not...Yyu will survive. You'll end up finding a job but it likely won't be something you like. We are all in that situation however. It's understandable and only temporary. You'll find something to do. Trust me. I did. I wish you good luck.
-
1) MA or PhD?
PhD
2) What do you want to do with your degree?
Teach I guess.
3) What is your undergrad degree in?
Film Studies and Film Production
4) What topics do you want to study?
The life of the movie director paralleling the films he makes. (i.e. Jurrasic Park was really about Speilberg's bad relationship with his mom.)
5) What's the #1 thing you concentrated on when working on your apps?
Applying to a a range of different schools not just the top ones.
6) What's the thing you fear the most about being accepted and if accepted are you going to pimp up your dorm or apartment like a true movie diva (huge TV screen, dolby surround sound, max out the netflix plan, have milk duds nearby) or just settle for watching flix on your computer...or worse....your iphone (shame on you!) ?
I don't actually like watching movies. I'm going to bring my Nintendo Wii though. I'm scared I'll fail quals.
7) Do you like making movies or just studying the history, theory and criticism of films?
Both. Making movies streese me out but it's still fun in a way. I don't think I'm good at theory but I kind like some of it.
8) Do you even like going to the movies?
I like going on Monday or Tuesday nights when no one else is there.
9) When people know you want to study film don't you always hate it when they ask you, "What's your favorite movie?"
Yeah I hate it. but I figured out a little trick. I make up names of movies and plots no one has ever heard of. If there is one people really like I try to make that the next movie I make.
10) Tell me a story about talking to someone about applying and them "not getting you".
All my friends are film geeks so they "get it".
-
It does depend on the school. I don't think most schools have one specific time they meet. They meet multiple times during and after the app deadline.
-
Out of curiosity, what did you think of the admissions consultant? I had no idea such things existed. Not that I would have had the $ for it anyway, but now I'm intrigued. How did it affect your applications? Do you think most people would find this service valuable, or only people in your field?
I don't know how the admissions consultant thing worked out since I haven't heard from any schools yet. I think the real result of if it worked or not will be the indicator of money well spent...or not. As of right now though, I think it was worth it. I think my SOP was as good as it could be and really represented me. I feel confident about my apps and in no way is there a single thing about my apps that I feel like "oh, I wish I would have said this in my app" or whatever. I owet his to my consultant.
In a way I feel like I paid for piece of mind...and it's worth it. I feel like if I don't get in this year then I never will since this year I did a thorough job. If I get into a school, I believe it will be because of the consultant. If I don't, I will just think the consultant (who wasn't directly in my field but teaches in a similar field) just didn't understand the nature of the programs I applied to but will mostly think it actually wasn't her fault, just me and my degree (my master's is in an unrelated field to what I want the PhD in which is a big "no-no" for the departments I'm applying to.)
Yeah, it was expensive but I feel worth it. If you don't get in this year, save money all year like I did and get a good consultant.But again, check back with me in April and I'll let you know how it goes.
-
14 Application Fees at about $80 Average:$1,200
Admissions Consultant for SOPs: $1,300
Admissions Consultant for CV: $250
2 GRE Prep Courses: $1,200 *Not including gas to get there.
Postage: $45 *Not including gas to get to the post office (sent via USPS W/Delivery Confirmation).
Transcripts: $60
GRE Score Reports: $300
GRE Prep Book: $30
Paper, Envelopes and Ink: A lot of $ but it's not included in this estimate.
Total: Approx. $4,385
I work full time at a professional job and saved for a full 12 months for this. I'm broke now but I wanted to leave no stone unturned this year and went all out since getting into a PhD in my field is very competitive.
-
Media and Cinema studies are really competitive fields so don't be discouraged. Continue to apply to schools again and again and don't give up.Your stats look really good so getting into NYU was a real accomplishment that's a tough school. I would expect you to get into anymore than one or two being that this field is so competitive. It's not like undergrad you get into a lot of places. One school is good enough, let alone NYU!
My advice:
-If you don't have an MA yet, just apply to the MA first. Schools want to see you can write a thesis before a dissertation. Writing a thesis is hard so who knows, maybe you'll be burned out after that and not want to do the PhD. Get a regular MA not a terminal one. A terminale one won't get you far especially if you want to teach. Just get the regular MA and who knows, maybe down the line you could get the Phd if you wanted, not so with a terminal MA. I think there maybe a stereotype going around that people with terminal MAs weren't good enough to get into a PhD program or were lazy. This isn't true but who knows, it could come back to haunt you one day.
-Apply to more schools. My research indicates 3-26 students are excepted (on average about 6-12) for all these programs yet about 150 people apply. This year, with the economy tanking, the numbers look worse.
-I understand your dilema about location. You and I are in the same boat. I'm obsessed with going to West Coast schools however, I'll apply to all schools everywhere...I can decided later if I'll actually go or not. Unless you spent some time in some place, it's hard to tell what you like and don't like. Who knows, maybe you never thought you could live in say, San Francisco, but once you go you love it....that's what happened to me.
-SOP is the most important part of your ap. Make it sound professional and like you are really dedicated to research and are focused on one idea that is similar to what someone in their department is working on. Email or call that person in the department whose interest is similar to yours and connect with them. Kiss ass a little if you have to yet still be yourself. I think it was your SOP that prevented you from getting into more places. Again, you have to be a match with the school you are applying to. You might be really great with italian cinema but if you go to a school that focuses on women in film or whatever, you'll have no chance there.
-Publish papers and present at conferences. Present yourself as a serious and sophisticated academic. Your SOP should really be an outline for your dissertation idea. Personal stories and extra curriculuars are for freshman. Tell them your idea for your plan of study and sell yourself.
-Make your CV look like you are obessed with film, media, whatever it is you want to study. Take off any little jobs not related to your studies (like that camp counselor position...unless it's related to your field)...basically, keep it streamlined.
-Choose a really good writing sample you already wrote in undergrad or grad school.
-Consult your professors on everything.
Good luck.
-
Donald Asher's "Graduate Admissions Essays" is good. But I agree with the above poster, get feedback from other professors or students already in the program you want to apply to.
-
No one will ever know you went to that school and since you will never be asked for transcripts from that place for any other reason I would not send one. I take a lot of community colleges classes for fun at a different univeirsity and never report them when applying. If you were to take a little summer class or something and for someone reason either got credit or even if you didn't but it shows on another transcript some where or something like that then you would have to report it. But for your situation there is no need to so you don't have to.
-
Yes! Even if you did a little summer thing, as long as it shows on your main transcript or anywhere else you must send a transcript from that school. It does matter! I made the mistake of not doing this one year and my application was deemed incomplete and I was therefore rejected from a few schools. It matters to them so send it in and put it on your application when they ask you to list schools you've attended. Good luck!
-
I've been advised to not mention the specific students because that potentially puts them in an akward position. Instead mention that you've spoken with certain students with similar interest etc. Basically, write what you did in your post. It's ok to mention the potential advisor by name.
-
quizlet.com has games to make it at least kind of fun. Tons of great gre lists.
-
Anyone have any thoughts on the comparative lit program (film track) at Univ. of Washington, Seattle? I know they also have a PhD certificate in cinema studies starting this fall. What's the difference between the PhDcertificate and a regular PhD?
Recession Increases Interest in Law, Grad School
in The Lobby
Posted
In regards to applying because of the recession...it's one of my reasons. Before the economy tanked I wanted to get a PhD but now it's more of a motivation than ever. I was unemployed for year after I graduated in '08 and am stuck with a near minimum wage job now (I've got a MA too!). Since 2008 I've been applying to jobs and this dumb receptionist thing I have now has been my only offer.
I want to go to grad school for all the right reasons but also, riding out the economy by living on a hefty stipend (all the schools I applied to give you tuition remissions and stipend)and not having to work at all (or work a little)would be sweet for 4 years! When I get out the economy will more than likely be better (Let's hope), I'll have a new set of academic and life skills and I'll also just be more mature. sure I'll be another new college grad but in my competitive field I feel like there is no use trying to even make an effort getting a job during this recession so not worrying about it and focusing on something else for a while will be nice.