ProfMoriarty

I applied to U Minn's Geography program. I'm Latina, and have received no such thing. ETA: The application status says "Awaiting program decision", though, which I guess is a good thing.

The status at Minnesota has changed to "Awaiting Program Decision" Very efficient. I'm impressed.

I've submitted all of mine as well... except for my safety programs (not geography but related to what I want to do). Those are not due till January but I'm busy mopping over my thesis grade not being what I expected it to be

I have heard mixed opinions on the topic of waiting some time vs. going straight into grad school. I believe both have their advantages and you should weight them out according to your particular situation. A lot of people opt for taking a break because they are tired of studying. They need to take a mental break from it. The argument I have heard against this is that you have the impulse of all those years of study. If you take a break NOW, getting back into the school mindset might not be so easy once you do go to grad school. I've heard many say that some graduate programs have started to place age maximums on their admissions (even if they don't explicitly say so), the same way some scholarships do. Therefore, if you take a break (which may prolong itself depending on how it all works out) you may not be able to qualify for some programs in the future. (Not sure on how valid this is, but I've heard it from several sources). A lot of people who decide to wait in order to work never actually end up going to grad school because the opportunities they've gotten at their job are more appealing than going back to school. Obviously work experience looks wonderful on your application. I'm actually kind of bummed myself because the Chevening scholarships to study in the UK require that you have 2 years work experience minimum and I have never worked in my life

I need to submit my second statement ASAP and I'm getting an error every time I try to log in This has been going on since this morning!!!

I'm stuck on Minnesota's diversity statement :'( the due date is this Sunday!

Why would I do that? My scores don't warrant a second, expensive, test. I have called and emailed and done everything within my grasp (I am an international, too, so getting my calls to go through is usually another expensive nightmare). My first deadlines are this weekend, even if I had the money to re-test, there wouldn't be any time.

I CANNOT CATCH A BREAK WITH THESE PEOPLE When I came in to take the exam they changed my last name (!!!) because it needed to be "exactly" as it is on my ID. Over here, we use both the paternal and maternal last names, and they combined the two so that instead of being Jane Doe, or Jane Doe Smith, I appear as Jane Doesmith. Since I applied as Jane Doe to the schools, best case scenario, my scores are lost. Worst case - they accuse me of identity theft of sorts. Then, they told me not to submit my results electronically because one of my target universities did not appear on the list. They said that if I had the institution code, it would be best to make a paper submission. Fine. Then they took over a month to process this information and submit it to the graduate schools - only after I called and emailed insisting that they do (I can only assume my paper submission was lost because they only took care of this after I emailed my list of schools and codes). Now, checking my application status(es), NONE OF THEM HAVE RECEIVED MY GRE SCORES! Even though the ETS site says my scores were sent on November 6. I have started emailing the departments, but this is seriously enraging and nerve-wrecking.

I've submitted two, but a third is complete - my third recommender having submitted his letter today. Every time I go back to review my applications I feel so self-conscious

One of the places I'm applying strongly advises applicants to have a POI "sponsor" their application. I assume all schools have that policy, even if they don't directly say so. It certainly cannot hurt, though.

Well, the certificate says it's not valid unless it has an official signature and the university's embossed seal. The latter can't be photocopied

My university certifies your translations. That is, I translated my transcripts myself, submitted them to the registrar, and they stamped the Uni's embossed seal and signed them certifying that they are valid. They even offer to give them back in an official sealed envelope for when universities require that. I scanned the originals AND the certified translation, uploaded that. When they ask for originals, I'll have another copy certified and mailed

Human-environment interactions here, too!

My emails basically consisted of introducing myself, telling them I will be applying at X program, what I'm currently doing (I.e. Finishing my undergrad writing a thesis on subject Y), and am outline of my interests. Then I explained that since my research interests overlap with theirs, I would be interested in working with them should I get accepted into the program. I asked if they are taking advisees and sometimes attached a copy of my CV.

I'm international as well

If it asks you to write about it, do it.

http://www.amazon.com/Graduate-Admissions-Essays-Fourth-School-ebook/dp/B0062OCMYA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385237115&sr=8-1&keywords=write+your+way+into+the+graduate+school+of+your+choice Excellent resource, in my opinion.

Who did you show it to? Family? Friends? Take into account that most people think a SOP is meant to only say positive things about you, which is probably why they have reacted negatively to it. The person who gave you this advice has to read several of these and probably knows a lot more about what adcoms like to hear..

I'm also concerned because she advised me to talk about fellowships I'm applying for, but I've never seen that advice anywhere :| Also, I don't know how to make it work with the rest of my statement... a random paragraph explaining "I will apply for X, Y, and Z"?

Thanks Shaving off is so much easier said than done. Sometimes it seems like EVERYTHING I've written on there is of the utmost importance!

One of my POIs asked to see my statement before I submit my application. She emailed me the morning after I'd sent her my SOP giving me a few tips and advice on where to improve, and how to make it stand out for the adcom. Should I take this as a good sign? I mean, I don't think a person who isn't interested in working with me would go through the trouble of reading and advising me on my SOP, right? Also, with her advice I expanded from roughly 1,000 words to about 1,300! Although only one of the programs I'm applying to states a limit (set at 2 pages, mine is currently at 2 and 4 lines), I feel I need to cut back...

I would say, absolutely. Many of my professors who are geographers started in other disciplines (political science, history, economics, and engineering, specifically). That's the wonderful thing about geography: it is EXTREMELY interdisciplinary and welcoming of people with other backgrounds.

I followed a similar route and asked if they were taking in new advisees and/or teaching assistants, and that I hoped they would consider taking me in should I get accepted into their program.

Excellent! I'll send it right away, and expect yours

Hi all! I am wondering if anyone would be as kind as to read and critique my SOP. I'm applying for a Master's in Geography, but input from people of all areas is much appreciated. Many thanks in advance.