MsDarjeeling

I would give out F's and mark their papers with clear notes on what they did wrong. If your syllabus and rubrics are clear, you went over the information multiple times in class, and you offered in person meetings before the due date you've done your job. Many professors don't do close to half of that and wouldn't bat an eye about handing out F's. I would not give them an opportunity to redo the paper either. If the paper is only 10% of their grade then I don't think failing it warrants the creation of an extra credit assignment either. It also wouldn't be equitable unless you offered that to the whole class. They can still earn a decent grade if they put forth the effort. Maybe these students don't care about this class, didn't care about the assignment, have personal life distractions, farted around and did it last minute, etc. None of that is your problem and I'm sure every other student in class has a laundry list of issues. They need to accept the consequences for not following instructions because in the workplace there often aren't second chances just pink slips. Continue to make yourself available to them so that if they want to get in gear and do better next time they can.

While working vs not outside of grad school may be field specific, I think a lot of it has to do with whether you're in a PhD or MA/MS program. Many PhD programs are funded so outside work is less of a need whereas MA/MS programs are generally unfunded so working is more of a necessity. In my MA program at least 90% of the students work because it is unfunded and many have families or mortgages. I personally take 12 units per semester and work 32-40 hours per week at a job completely unrelated to my field. I also work 4-10 hours per week at volunteer jobs directly related to my field and log a few hours a week on independent research projects. Then of course there's time spent studying and doing coursework and I have no idea how much time I devote to that. Regardless there is still time leftover for a full nights sleep, exercise, hobbies, family, and friends.

Another option would be to graduate in 4 years and use the 5th year as a gap year to continue to work on that stuff. I don't think it reflects poorly on you at all. There's a lot of info that has come out over the last 5 years or so saying that graduating in 4 years isn't the norm and many students take 5-6 years. The point is that you finish and do well in your studies.

Well if you remember the organizations name and where it was located (exact address can be found via internet search) then that is a place to start. I would just contact them and ask to speak to the volunteer coordinator or whoever handles the event you helped at. Then explain to that person that you may need your service verified and ask what sort of records they keep. They may be willing to write a letter that lists your volunteer hours and duties (not exactly a LOR) that you can attach to applications and it should have company contact info on it if someone has follow up questions.

I can't believe you're considering not mentioning being a foreign language instructor. Anthropology is the study of humankind and language is a huge part of that. Definitely mention that and its ok if you were teaching kids, they're still people. All of my teaching experience has been with kids and the input I've gotten from professors is that it is definitely relevant.

I am a mix of many things and since I find such questions on applications irritating I tend to check all the damn boxes heehehe. Seriously, what are they going to do? Have the gall to argue with me?

If the job is somehow relevant to your field of study then it is ok to list it. If not I would leave it off. I have a ton of work experience in accounting and human resources, but none of that relates to Clinical Psychology so I have left it off. However, I have held a few positions that were both administrative and clinical in nature so those I included. If adcom's wonder if you worked elsewhere while reviewing your CV then my guess is they'll make a note to ask during an interview. That's when you could explain that you held an unrelated job(s) just to keep bills paid while you transitioned.

I too have tons of volunteer experience and have had no trouble having it verified. I've treated it similarly to a job reference. I make sure to have a contact number for anyone I worked directly with, the manager of the department/volunteer coordinator, and someone in HR. In most cases volunteers have a file much like that of regular employees that contains an application and resume, copies of LOR's, copies of awards earned, job duties, approximate hours per week/month, etc. If a background check, drug screen, etc were required then evidence of that would also be in the file. This way if the person who supervised you weren't available anyone in HR or management could pull your file to verify your service. I also make note of when my name/photo is mentioned in that companies newsletter, website, or special event announcement. That can assist the verification process also.

In addition to what the other posters have said I would take a look at the sop. Have you had several people review/edit it? Maybe your passion for the field and readiness for grad school isn't coming across. Also are you sure your LOR writers are raving about you? Sometimes they'll let you see a copy of their letter, which would show if someone is writing a mediocre "Had student x in class, they did well and I think they'd be great at your school" type letter.

I don't think adcom's are surprised to find that many of us who went to community college first valued it and it shaped tus in a variety of ways. That solid foundation led to a Bachelor's and for some us even a Master's or PhD. I agree that you being a community college advocate (me too!) isn't relevant to your sop. Do however devote a line or two stating how your education there has helped you toward a PhD. I've done that and so far the feedback from my reviews has been positive.

I think instead of thinking of the possibility of putting your dreams on hold you should be creating a solid back up plan. I was having similar feelings a few months ago.... what if I don't get in again, what if I'm waitlisted and don't get picked, what if I'm picked and don't get funding, what if..... Horrible. So I made a list of things I could do to boost my application and stay connected to my field to apply for the following year. I keep adding to the list as new ideas emerge and its kind of like a security blanket. I may not need it, but I sleep better knowing its there. I don't see any reason you can't do the same thing. If full time work will be necessary perhaps you'll be able to work in your intended field. Maybe 2 part time jobs in your field to equal full time will work out. Or maybe your best option will be a full time job out of your field, but it'll allow for volunteer and research projects. At least with a back up plan you'll still be trying to go after your dream and not giving up.

I've had to do this for a few of my classes and I didn't alter my personal note taking style at all. If I'm reading a textbook I tend to use post it notes. If I've printed an article I tend to highlight, write in the margins, and use post it notes. When reading something online I write in a notebook. So what did I turn in? Well I just typed up all of my post its and scribbles in a bullet point style or short paragraphs, whichever seemed more appropriate for the thoughts that I had. It might help to think of this type of assignment as keeping a journal. There isn't a right or wrong. You just note what you agree with and why, what you disagree with and why, if anything reminds you of something you've learned/read/heard elsewhere, what doesn't make sense, any connections to that classes lecture/discussion, etc.

Not sure where you have been searching for volunteer public health opportunities, but you could also try: volunteermatch.org volunteerlosangeles.org voa.org idealist.org laworks.org

Well I can't tell you what to do, but you have to decide if its worth letting go of the full time opportunity to take a chance on the other possibilities. Also the full time opportunity isn't guaranteed as there is no written offer letter and no start date. While I'm not in your field I've been in your shoes working a couple of part time/temp jobs and trying to decide if I should take the full time job that would be ok or wait for something I was passionate about. I've also picked both options and had mixed results. Sometimes the full time opportunity was horrible, other times it was more amazing than I expected. Other times waiting for something better led to something amazing, other times it led to nothing but the possibility of unemployment when my part time/temp jobs ended. If you'd rather pass on the full time job, then consider how you will get by if/when your current jobs end. Do you have savings? Will unemployment be enough to tide you over until you find something. Are there expenses you can cut if necessary? Have you been expanding your network to increase your odds of getting something, even if its another part time/temp job? If you take the full time job, then consider what growth opportunities there are. Are any of those opportunities something you want? How long will it take for you to get there? Until you're able to move up will you be able to learn new skills and network with new people? Can you adjust your budget enough to survive on less income? Are the benefits good? If that job ended suddenly would you have other opportunities in that area?

Well if that's the case then maybe you are better off not pushing for one. If I were you I'd be very concerned that it wouldn't be positive. Whatever is up with this guy you're better off getting as far away as possible. Seriously. Get letters from others who are pleased with your work, get into your PhD program, and don't look back.

So far so good. I took it to my first editor a few weeks ago and the feedback was brutal as I expected. Then I ignored it, largely to lick my wounds lol. Now I'm working on incorporating their feedback for what will be draft 3. I have 2 more editors to go through so I'm expected about 6 drafts total, which isn't bad. The time away gives me a fresh perspective and renewed energy.

Wow this is a crazy situation. I'm wondering something though. When you applied and got into the PhD program before, did your advisor write you a LOR then? If so I don't see why repurposing that one is such an issue. If they didn't then clearly you can get into a program without their help if you can even consider it that. If your 2nd reader is willing to write one I think you can use the 'my advisor was unable to do one prior to leaving the country and will be gone for nearly a year' excuse if anyone asks. After what you've described this guy to be like I wouldn't trust him to write a LOR anyway.

Well this all depends on your contacts. If you're in touch with any professors from UG that's a great start. If your UG has a writing center you can access that would also be useful.

Nope that isn't necessary to explain in your sop. The only place that might come up may be in an interview and I doubt even that.

Well I'm not an expert on Sociology or its admissions process, but I do think it wouldn't hurt for you to open your mind to the possibility of a Master's program. Yes many are unfunded so you do have to review your finances carefully. It may be possible for you to work your way through which would help a lot. If your professors are all nudging you toward a Master's program then that's a big hint that they don't think you're ready or competitive for a PhD program right now. The application process is very expensive and time consuming so considering their input is a good idea.

I don't see why you couldn't start such a thread and/or form such a group of people on here. There is a forum on here under 'Applications' for writing sample related topics. Regardless of how you proceed with it I think the best thing for you to do is to enlist the guidance of those professors from UG.

I'm in my 2nd year of a Master's program and I feel stupid all the time lol. It's perfectly ok to feel that way, we all do. Just keep asking questions and studying, eventually you'll feel less stupid.

I'm not in your field but here are my thoughts on your questions: 1) Great GRE scores won't promise you anything, but they can't hurt you. Low GRE scores can hurt you. It really is going to depend how much the programs you're applying to value the GRE and which sections are more important to them. This is something you'll have to browse their website for and possibly contact them and ask. 2) If you have not maintained contact with those professors be prepared for them to say they may only be able to produce a lukewarm LOR. You may have to invest some time into meeting with them to discuss what you've been doing since UG, how you decided to go to grad school, what you want to do, why you want to do it, and how you're prepared to succeed. You also need to anticipate them saying no, not being available, that they don't think you're ready, etc. The 3rd LOR can be from a current or former employer if the job you hold/held is/was relevant to the field you want to study in grad school. Adcom's understand this is the case for people (myself included) who didn't go straight to grad school from UG. Keep in mind industry people are not academics. They may not understand the difference between a LOR and a job reference, so you will need to meet with them and give them a lot of information and support to make sure the LOR is amazing. 3) Do you mean how do you decide which programs to apply to? If so then you want to research each program and its degree options, coursework/training, professors (their research/publications/education), program stats (class size, graduation rates, etc), financial aid stats (funding or no funding, how much, from where), length of completion, location/cost of living, etc. You want to apply to programs that will not only give you the degree that you want to earn, but also have professors conducting research in the area(s) that interest you. If your research interests differ from all of the faculty then an acceptance is less likely. The professors from your UG can provide you with a lot of insight about this process too so don't be shy about asking them. 4) If you don't want to use a paper from UG (or don't have one) you can write a new one now, but you will need it reviewed many times so that it is the best it can be. Again the professors from your UG can help with this also and if your school has a writing center you can try there too. Also you're not alone being a full time employee and applying to grad school. There are others and I was in that position before my Master's program. Now I'm a full time employee, in a full time Master's program, and applying to PhD programs. It's challenging, exhausting, and parts of the process absolutely suck, but it isn't impossible. The key is academic mentorship. Even if you only have one professor in your corner, you'll need that input and support. It also helps if you have family and friends that are excited for you and willing to remind you to take a break and have fun.