med latte

Thanks for the info. I was looking at Visual CV but was not thrilled with their privacy settings. Wordpress is a great idea.

Did you create an online CV as part of your application process? I can see that having a link to a page with work background, sample papers, etc. would be helpful in pre-application email communication with POIs. Which system do you use? LinkedIN? Visual CV? Others?

It was the SSA program at University of Chicago. No GRE needed. So, can't say....

From convicted murderer to attorney who knows the system from both sides. That would make a great movie.

If you have a strong SoP, I say go for it! But again, my gut reaction is to not spend one more moment on undergrad-level classes. For the MA program I went to, I went from not being accepted one year to getting a generous scholarship when I reapplied the following year because I took some grad non-degree classes that later went towards my MA (and I had more work experience the following year). Focus on demonstrating a fit between your interests and the program /faculty's research in your SoP. Doing an independent research project will help, too, if you decide to apply later. Good luck, and let us know what you decide!

Your quant score really jumped! What books, resources etc did you use for study?

Just wanted to bump this thread....it's a great question.

I would recommend that you take some graduate-level courses as a graduate student at large (also called non-degree seeking student). That will show the committee that you can handle grad-level coursework. At most universities the application process for non-degree students is straightforward (no GRE or GPA info needed.) The classes you complete may count towards your Masters when you do get in. Take one class at a time to start, and do all you can to make an A.

What about grad school? When applying for PhD programs, would prestige of where you got your Masters matter more or less than prestige of an undergrad school?

Or just use the first names if they are common names. You likely signed a privacy policy when you began to work there. You have no reason to use real names.

Do you think it helps to apply as early as the department accepts applications? (for example, submitting in Sept for a program with a Jan. 1st deadline). This would add time to the agonizing wait, but are there advantages to being one of the first submissions? Or do they just put them aside and review later, anyway?

Ah, yes! Looking to see how I add another option..... How do you feel about your decision to not study? Did you not believe it would help? Or were you too pressed for time?

Yes, I thought about that - but I'm really more interested in how long (in months) that people adhered to the emotional and intellectual commitment to studying for the GRE, ie being in official "GRE preparation mode" regardless of total hours.

I read in one of the many books on the market on how to apply to grad school that in some cases a school might accept the Miller Analogies Test in lieu of the GRE. Have any of you seen this happen in real life?

How long did you study for the GRE? Did you set aside a set amount of time every day, or focus on it for several hours once a week?

Have you looked up the course descriptions and faculty research at all the schools you're considering? if you've missed the deadline for the school with the best fit to your interests, I would say it's worth it to wait. Focus on fit, not so much name brand. People create successful career paths from all schools.

I don't know if this helps, but I applied to an MSW program with similar stats a decade ago. I was not admitted then, but that year I took a graduate MSW course as a "graduate student at large" and continued working full-time in the field. When I applied to the same school a year later, I not only got in but I also job a scholarship. I think it would not hurt to apply. If it doesn't work this time around, applying again later with some work experience might do the trick.

I suspect I'm not alone in reading GradCafe long before my application time. Perhaps you're waiting for financial reasons, or you want to have a couple of years of job experience to improve your application when the time comes. Whatever the reason, how are you handling the wait? I plan to apply to a particular PhD program, but not for another 2 or 3 years when my spouse and I will be ready to consider relocation. I am currently in a job in my field and am taking a couple of online grad classes at the school I want to attend as a PhD student. Life is pretty good (though there are days when I fantasize about leaving my job!) but I can't quiet my excitement about the PhD program. I hope to leave in a couple of years, so it is difficult to get excited about long-term plans in my job. Part of me wants to hit the "fast forward" button and make it time to apply. I find that when I've having a bad day at work, I escape into mentally writing my resignation letter. I know that a PhD program will be incredibly stressful; I am going into this with my eyes wide open. Yet I am eager to launch into independent research after 15 years of working in my field. It is far too soon for me to be thinking about this so often. At this rate, I'm afraid I will run out of steam emotionally by the time I apply, much less start the real work of a full-time PhD program. Does this sound familiar to anyone? How are you coping with these year(s) before you apply?

I've read that applying at 40+ can hurt your chances for admission.....but I've also read that schools like that the older applicant brings experience and demonstrated commitment to the field. I would love to get inside the heads of admissions committees on this issue.

So glad to see this thread! I'll be 40 when I apply for PhD programs. I have wondered if that will count against me as an applicant. It would be interesting to dive into the age data for accepted students. Right now all I can do is read about current PhD students in the program I am interested in. The majority seem to be very young, but a few are 40+.

All PhD students take different amounts of time to finish. What is your best guess as to the age you will be the year you finish your PhD?

Did you have an interview (in person, phone, Skype, etc) as part of the application process for your PhD program? Or were you notified about acceptance or rejection without an interview?

Thanks for the input! I wasn't sure just how far to go in the emails. That helps.

Congrats on the encouraging replies! Can you tell us a bit about your original message / wording in your emails to the POIs, especially the ones you had not met before?

Just wanted to bump this topic and hear from more female married academics. Did you change your name? Hyphenate? How has that affected your academic career, if at all? What would you suggest to engaged PhD students and potential students who will need to make this decision soon?