socioholic

Loric's advice is good. In attempting to avoid using "I" so much to start a sentence, I found more descriptive ways of saying what I wanted to say (I hope.). it's a good practice. Could you say "attending workshops and conferences several times a year, such as Big Name Confernce in the field, fuels(?) my commitment to lifelong learning/professional development(or however you will phrase that). ?

The application fees have to be an incredible source of revenue for these schools. I'm curious to know this too. I'd assume they have to as that would put poor students at a huge disadvantage. On second thought "poor students" wouldn't be the only ones. I'm not sure how many people could afford several flights around the country just for the heck of it.

I only took one practice test so I can't comment too much on that. My humble opinion: #3- I used Magoosh vocabulary and found it quite relevant. I say yes, get as many words in you as possible. #4- My issue was time. I knew all the concepts but I couldn't get through the section. I say yes, the more examples you see the better. If you have a time problem like me, I'd suggest just reading and figuring out how you would find the solution, not necessarily performing every calculation. #5- I'd give it a day, but casually try to get some extra vocabulary in. get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast, hit the gym if you can. I didn't knock it out the park, but I studied for a couple weeks and hit my goals for reaching 160 (practice test scores were 155-ish)

Im leaving Tally just because its time for a change but I wanted to concur with Mary in that there are a bunch of events in Tallahassee if you look for them. I stay farther north of the areas she mentioned (trying to avoid the students); the cost of living is low and im experiencing serious sticker shock when researching areas around the schools I applied to. The weather is mild and perfect most of the time. It is NOT the big city-definitely more country/rural-but there is an eclectic mix of people. Good place overall.

YES. My humble opinion: Pick a date or time to stop. This is the easiest way. Step away from it for a day and read it in a different environment than where you write it. 1. have you addressed every topic in the prompt? 2. does every sentence add value? 3. Is there anywhere you could be more descrptive and less general? it's unlikely one or two *words* will make a diff (as opposed to new ideas, stories, examples, etc.).

I'm also a black female whose been the "only" in many situations. I am done with worrying about being a stereotype. I roll my neck; i'm from the south and you can tell. I wear untraditional hairstyles and I listen to rap. I'm OK with that. The hate (to put it simply) directed towards black ppl instiutionally and socially for generations is well documented; we're not just being paranoid or sensitive. It seems as though a lot of people have the perception that we ( black ppl) exaggerate our concerns. My attitude is that I will not spend energy worrying about this. We have the right to be as "anything" as we choose just like everybody else and we dont have to put on a show for anybody. My works speaks for me. I have dealt with it by doing less to try and fit in and more to be as knowledgeable as possible within the given context.

I think I've done all I can do. This SOP isn't getting any more purpose-y. Good luck you guys.

Let me ease your mind - I got married at 31, first baby at 32 (I got pregnant immediately). I thought that was late even though I have a relative who had her first at 41. Since I've been pregnant I've met too many women who have made it a point to tell me they had their *first* babies at 40 and more later in their 30's. That's not to say it's ideal, but you're not as rushed as you think you are.

This has been my dilemma so far. I don't want to sound like a lunatic but I don't want to sound canned either.

May I ask how you all are determining your "sociology GPA?"

For me, a good location is warm, safe weather, medium sized city or near larger sized cities, low or mid-range cost of living, relatively safe. Ann Arbor misses one of those but I applied anyway because its one of the best. Initially I hastily ruled out basically everything in the west and north, LOL

I can actually relate to this. I was actually at the end of a master's degree and I quit. People asked me why and looking back I wonder if it was really as bad as I thought at the time. Like you, the field itself (public administration) just seemed like nothing. I felt like all I was doing was writing papers but I wasn't learning anything tangible. Additionally I no longer envisioned myself in that work environment for the next 40 years. I wondered why spend more time on this when I know I hate it? Just to prove something to other people? Your time and peace of mind has value. You don't have to stay in a situation you hate. I'm not sure if you're asking literally, how to get out of it; are you obligated somehow?

I have to write one of these too and i have no idea how i add to diversity, lol.

I'd be glad to read it.

Thanks you all, on the way.

Ive changed it so many times and Im a little over it. I may be out in left field with it. If you feel like being a critic, respond and i'll PM it.

My thoughts: 1- what is it you are depressed about exactly? that someone who did the same amount of work you did is making more money? as is life. 2- it's not all or nothing. this is not a life sentence. i'm not giving up the rest of my life because i go to school! you can change your mind now or later. you can change your mind afterwards. 3- there is going to be a committment for some period of time. the main question is- can you achieve the things you want without going to grad school? for me, simply, to do the work i believe i want to do, graduate school is the logical path right now. and im applying right now- have no idea if i'll even be accepted. but really that's all it came down to - is grad school the path for what I want to do in my career?

Well I'll disagree with a few of the others. There's nothing wrong with wanting a partner and it's completely natural. Make sure you participate in groups on campus - you'll need to do that anyway - and you'll be sure to meet people. There will be guys there, too. Keep it casual; if you're dating guys your age it's unlikely marriage and babies are around the corner. There's no rush dear. You have plenty of years to let men run you crazy, LOL. They aren't going anywhere. But you don't have to shut off your romantic life to go to school.

IMO, its the money. Without a decade of experience in a library, the money to be made sucks. I got into the program for the IT side which is a little more lucrative if you actually want to go that direction. In the end i'd have done just as well (if not better) getting an IT certification.

ETS practice test: 155V, 156Q Real test: 160V, 161Q

yes, number pad on the keyboard could be used on the calculator. the cut cand paste did not work though; there were buttons on the screen for that. i'm not sure if this would vary between providers for any reason.

32, got my BS 10 years ago and an MS 5 years ago. Married and expecting first baby in a couple months. Obviously, I hate to not be busy,

Hmmm... I think it depends on what you want to do. Trade school will lead you to, probably, a job and perhaps if you have the motivation, a small business of some kind. Graduate school, depending on how far you intend to go, is training for you to contribute to the field of study and not just work within it. With that said, I have a masters degree in library science (it says this is your field). good luck with that.