focused

I personally think 12 is a little high because you may start to sacrifice the ability to customize each application. Of course, this depends on how much time you have. I was working 12+ hours per day at my current job, so I think the final few applications would have suffered if I tried to apply to 11 or 12. For what it's worth, I applied to 8, which I think was a good (but definitely max) number.

I think you should consider how well you fit at each of the programs to which you're planning to apply. If based on your subfields (and even more specific interests), you think you're an excellent fit at several of them and a fairly good fit at several more, then I don't think there is a need to apply to 12. If you have unique interests that only somewhat fit at most of the schools, then you may be better off applying to the upper end of your 8 to 12 range.

I think that when you make a big life transition, you will often be uncertain, nervous, and uncomfortable no matter how much you truly want the thing to which you'll be transitioning (in this case, grad school). For over the past two years, I have been working in a job that provides no intellectual stimulation or meaning to my life. I have been working the entire time to begin a PhD program (that meant after very long work days, working on grad-related things until very late at night). I couldn't wait to begin my academic training, my career, my "real" life. I have now been accepted to a dream school with full funding. But no matter how excited I am to move on, there is, indeed, a little part of me that feels comfortable with where I am now. These past 2 years have been an important period of growth for me in terms of determining my personal and career preferences. So even though I don't particularly like the town I'm in or my job, there will be some sense of loss for the experiences I've had in this place during this time. That said, I don't think that idling in a comfort zone is a way to live life. It's not that you should feel miserable, but I think you should always push yourself to do something important (to you), something that stretches you. Sure, it's not easy, but nothing truly worthwhile ever comes easily.

If I have misinterpreted your feelings about the decision, please feel free to disregard. But especially based on your last post, I got the sense that fear, rather than true personal and career preferences, is somewhat contributing to your reluctance to begin the program this year. I think the important thing is to be honest about the reason you're making the choice and feel that you're making it for the right reasons. Good luck making your decision.

That's it - it's titled "Graduate Admission Essays."

I do not know anything about Soc of Religion, so I can't provide any specific school recommendations. However, assuming those schools are relatively good fits, they are definitely not too high. You have solid stats, so aim high (with some "back-ups"--knowing that nothing is really a back-up). I think that, as deckard mentioned, you need to be sure to craft your SoP to demonstrate the relationship between your interests and the respective programs to which you ultimately choose to apply. Good luck!

That's it - it's titled "Graduate Admission Essays."

I do not know anything about Soc of Religion, so I can't provide any specific school recommendations. However, assuming those schools are relatively good fits, they are definitely not too high. You have solid stats, so aim high (with some "back-ups"--knowing that nothing is really a back-up). I think that, as deckard mentioned, you need to be sure to craft your SoP to demonstrate the relationship between your interests and the respective programs to which you ultimately choose to apply. Good luck!

I'm actually interested in these types of phenomena from an academic perspective, but I do not believe that class reproduction is as prominent in academia as in other, especially professional, fields. Perhaps my perception is flawed, and I am certainly not suggesting that everyone has equal opportunity. Indeed, those with more social/economic capital likely attended more prestigious undergraduate schools, allowing them to both interact with leading professors in their respective fields and learn about real academic research. So although class is undeniably reproduced through education, I don't think that the stratifying processes are actually occurring at the time of graduate admissions; I think they happened long before this point. Adcomms are investing in those they believe are good thinkers and researchers. To the extent that money, your undergraduate education, and your close networks (often a function of social class) affect your ability as a thinker/researcher, adcomms may appear to be the catalyst of class reproduction in academia.

Personally, I came from a working class family and lived in a declining town with one of the lowest-ranked high schools in my (then) state. However, I attended an Ivy university for undergrad. So while I was not originally culturally or financially privileged, my undergrad opportunities strongly influenced both my decision to pursue grad school and my ability to be accepted.

It's an important topic, and I would be interested to hear others views. I know this can be a sensitive issue, so let's try to play nicely.

Hey Socioanthro, don't despair!

I've had 5 official rejections and 5 more to come. As you've said, we've all worked so hard, and sometimes our luck just works against us. One of my recommenders was sure that I would get into at least 1 or 2 of my top schools and at least 3 or 4 good offers overall.. and right now all I've got are rejections. I studied for the GRE intensively for 8 months and still ended up with a mediocre verbal score, and I've worked on my personal statement for months prior to submission.. But I don't want to say that it had all gone to waste. Remember that grad schools are looking for people who are committed, who are willing to take their feedback to improve their chances and reapply: it shows maturity and dedication. In addition, think of how much you have learned about yourself through the process, and just this alone can help your chances next year.
I feel like getting a PhD is an urgent matter for me.. but then i remind myself.. what's the hurry? Learning is a lifelong process. If i know that this is exactly what I want to do, what's another year or two of trying?
What I'm trying to say is don't give up, don't feel defeated. Just remember that they have such limited information about each applicant that they're reviewing, and it has no reflections on your potential to do well, or how well you've done. Find a plan b that you'll enjoy doing and will help your chances in reapplication.. and for now, relax for a few months (or year) before another round!

Karakiz - I don't think you need to worry. This type of stuff happens to everyone. If it makes you feel any better, when I received my first acceptance, I was so excited/relieved/nervous that I didn't even hear the name of the person who called me. I didn't think this was a big deal because I figured it was just the DGS/standard call and I wouldn't really need to know. About 10 mins into the call, I realize, for a variety of reasons, that I am going to need to know to whom I'm speaking. So I'm already nervous, of course, but then I become even more nervous because I'm trying to figure out how to tactfully figure out who is on the other end. I eventually narrowed it down, but still had to ask for the professor to confirm that he was Professor X. Embarrassing! The only good thing was that I was correct in my guess. I just explained to him that I was really excited at the beginning of the call and missed his name (there wasn't really a good point to interject at the beginning). He didn't seem to think it was a big deal at all. These professors have all made similar calls who knows how many times before. They understand we're nervous, so I don't think it's anything to worry about in the grand scheme of things.