mormlib
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Posts posted by mormlib
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Thanks for al of your input. It's been helpful.
@xdarthveganx:: Thanks for the insight. I ended up reading the acceptances thread from last year for some insight and noticed your progress with getting in to various schools and then negotiating funding. Were many of those who were willing to negotiate publicaly funded schools? I could be wrong but it seems like the UC schools are implying their offers are pretty much standard without much room (though I haven't actually come out and asked for anything yet). Feel free to PM.
@mormlib:: Are your professors negative view of schools like this solely regarding funding or in other areas too? Feel free to PM.
@amlobo:: Thanks for the insights on visits. Did the schools you rescheduled visits for seem to care you chose another official visit over theirs? It sounds like probably not. My strategy for right now I think will be to go to the one that informed me first (unless I strongly prefer the other one).
One last question/thought for anyone:: Would you wait to pursue negotiating funding as your offers come in or wait until you know your offers from everywhere? Is there a rush or anything to negotiate before others do? And do you think funding negotiations will only work if the school offering you more is equally or higher ranked (perhaps they won't see it as competition if your other offer is from a school ranked a lot lower).
I'm probably TOTALLY over thinking all of this. But I'm having a hard enough time as it is just deciding where I would like to go before even considering funding (though I know funding will definitely have some sway in the end).
The only criticisms that I've heard is that top programs are competitive (but a lot of these may just by myths about students trying to sabotage each other), fixed on funding, and having people that can really focus on mentoring. Since they are so focused on research, many professors at top universities can't give as much time as other places. (This is all from others and not my own personal experience).
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Isn't this a thread for decisions?
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I'm waiting on PENN as well.
Penn State had called me about a week and a half ago. They were still formulating their list and just barely sent me the official email of acceptance. This is all speculation, but I'm assuming they are still in the process of finalizing who they are accepting.
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Talking to one of my colleges, they asked me to let them know of other offers so that they could make sure they did all they could to get me there. I hear that it is harder to negotiate at the top colleges (my professors all have negative attitudes towards Princeton's and Wisconsin's attitude toward funding and caring about students), but if colleges want you, it's a good idea to improve your situation.
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I'm not aware that Penn State has contacted anyone else yet (for rejection or acceptance). I think they are still making decisions.
I just checked my Penn State application and it still doesn't say whether or not I'm accepted, so they are still waiting to publish results.
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Congrats to today's Chicago admits! That was my first choice so I'm hoping good news is still to come...
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A lot depends on what you want to do after. The general consensus I've heard from professors is if you want an appointment at a university after you graduate, you need to consider that you won't get a job somewhere better than where you went to school. If you aren't looking to be a professor at a top name research university, it might not matter that much.
But, similar to what "Boba felt' said, the specialty areas are different. Yale doesn't have one of the highest rankings in total, but is one of the best cultural sociology programs. So, make sure you consider the specialty rankings
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Are they still contacting admits? Have all decisions been made?
I'm not aware that Penn State has contacted anyone else yet (for rejection or acceptance). I think they are still making decisions.
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This is a really great thread. Especially as I've been accepted into several of the departments mentioned here and to be quite honest, now that I've gotten into some greatly ranked + "up and coming" departments I'm not sure how I'm going to make a final decision (while I was applying I honestly did not anticipate getting into multiple schools).
Someone above suggested we talk to professors and ask about their impression of how their department is doing in relation to others. If anyone has tried that, did you feel like the answers you got were completely forthcoming? At this point with my schools - if they're truly wanting to "recruit" - it seems they would likely sugarcoat their answers.
I'm guessing my decision will come down to my impressions on "fit" during visit days - and probably a little bit on funding - but I also want to be smart and consider the long term, plausibility of placement after I finish, etc.
I talked about talking to your professors, but I meant the professors you have already worked with (if you are a sociology major). My undergraduate program isn't a PhD program and so I felt my professors could be candid about which programs were the best. Of course, some were a little biased about the programs where they received their PhD (like UNC or Ohio), but they were also understanding of my interests and gave me some good advice.
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I didn't get any notification from duke, neither offer or rejection, is there anyone wih me?
A good friend from my school is in the same boat. He doesn't know what that means (and that's where I am with Michigan).
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I feel that, rather than judging schools based on various ranking systems, the best way to judge a school's worth is to talk to a faculty member who is familiar with the areas of expertise that the school offers. They will know how the department is doing in regards to other programs that have that specialty.
For example, Yale is ranked between 15-20 on some of those composite rankings, but in terms of sociology of culture it is considered one of the best by most of the faculty I've spoken with. The same for UCSD and the sociology of knowledge/science. Overall, it doesn't rank much better than the 20s, but it is turning out some of the best research. Speak to faculty members in the area you are interested in and they can give you better information.
(This doesn't mean you should ignore the rankings. Obviously they mean "something", but don't be too rigid.)
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I posted this in the other thread and I will post it hear too. I'm not claiming it (because I didn't post it), but I will say that the DGS did interviews this weekend. I left the conversation feeling like I was accepted (based on many things that were said), but I'm still holding my breathe until I either hear or read "congratulations you are accepted."
Maybe that person also had a chat and just decided to claim acceptance. Idk if they interviewed everyone they plan to accept or just the people they were iffy about. He did say I would hear back for sure by week's end so I'm guessing others will too.
Thanks Shewrote! Good luck to everyone waiting on them!
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I've seen this discussed more generally in past threads on visit days, but what is your guys' perspective on how to handle visit weekends that completely overlap and for which you haven't already rsvp-ed/committed to one?
I know it's fairly common for this to happen. But I guess I'm struggling with how to prioritize which school to visit during the scheduled visit days versus which school to visit at another time. I don't know how much schools read into the fact that you are missing their visit weekend for another's schools. I also am wondering about strategies for how you as a prospective student can pick up on things like the level of graduate student satisfaction and other more opaque aspects of a school outside the context of formal visit days if you schedule a visit at another time?
Anyways, it feels a bit weird to complain about conflicts that result from having choices that you're really grateful for, but let me know if anyone has any thoughts on the matter!
I totally get that. UCSD, Ohio State, and UNC are all on the same weekend (and that's also a weekend I had a conference). I would echo that question. I told UNC that I have already committed to Ohio State's recruitment days since they told me a week earlier and I had already bought the ticket.
I'm trying to prioritize it by attending recruitment days for the schools that are on the fringe of me really wanting to go vs. being apathetic about it. Obviously if there is a school you want to go to, I'd go there for the open house to get yourself in a good position with faculty.
One of my schools is still offering to set me up with a grad student to stay with. See if you can do that so you can talk to them outside of the school. Maybe having meals with grad students and then formal meetings with professors? But these are all just random ideas I've had and I'm wondering the same thing.
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I've been wondering about that too and hoping to hear from Indiana soon
Ditto
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I am so sorry to hear that, mormlib =( That's absolutely heartbreaking to hear that they abandoned you during such a crucial project!! Are you still presenting? If so, at which conference will you be presenting?
It sounds like we both have things we're uneasy about on our SOP. Hopefully they can see we really were doing our best to make a great SOP!! I did have my thesis advisor look over it, and she said it was ok before adding "I absolutely hate Personal Statements ... " She just doesn't like them, overall!
Oh thank you!! I am uneasy about my dang quant score, but we'll see how it pans out! I think you're gonna be fine, too. =))
Haha, thanks. Yes, we are still presenting. We are doing it at PSA (Pacific Sociological) and a couple of small research conferences here in Utah. They came back on board after the semester ended, but it was still frustrating to carry the project during such a stressful time. I guess you can't always plan on research going perfectly.
And my professors hated SOPs as well. It's a universal hatred, I think
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Amen!!!! I was finishing my thesis and graduating in December, so I was just trying to get everything in! I did absolutely no networking, and I didn't put names in my SOP =( I've been kicking myself ever since!
I did get fortunate, however, and my POI for one of the schools I applied to (who I didn't mention by name in my SOP) is presiding over the presentation session where I'm presenting at a conference in a couple weeks! Later that evening, I get to have dinner with her and a few others! So, I'll be networking *after* submitting my application. I also talked to a graduate student who is currently in another program I applied to, and she said I should be ok so long as I mentioned my interests. So ... it's nice to have that reassurance.
We can do this!!
I graduated in December, too--I understand your pain! I was working on paper with a team of undergrads that we are presenting this year and they all decided to abandon the project on me.
I was able to haphazardly throw a couple names on each SOP, but as I'm looking over it I see that some of them I don't really want to work with and others I didn't even capture their real research interest. So, I think that could have been damaging. But with your stats, I'm sure you'll be fine! Good luck!
For all you Michigan appliers, is there anyone who still hasn't heard back yet? All my friends have heard either way, but they've been silent on my end. Should I contact the department? What do you all think?
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Let the grad school fights begin! No, just kidding.
I've been living in China for the past 6 months and doing long-distance with my boyfriend of 5 years. Neither of us are willing to do long distance again when I return to the U.S. this summer. However, the job market has been rough in his field (political consulting/organizing) and he has been boucing from temp job to temp job.
We had originally intended to apply to the same schools where he hopes to get his MA. However, my academic advisors strongly advised me to apply this year. My boyfriend, on the other hand, decided that it's too soon to apply to his programs.
I only applied to four PHD programs, and was accepted to my top choice. Even though I'm still waiting to hear from other schools, he's already convinced that we're looking at an additional 5+ years apart. I don't want to put off grad school for another year.
Any advice?
I'm no expert, but I think this would take a lot of coordination between you too. If it had been my relationship, I would talk about who had the best opportunities and try to work around that (trying to be as neutral as possible either way). That's asking a lot to sacrifice, but I think if you are able to pull through those years than the rest will be stronger for it.
As for me, I just started a relationship and I'm wondering why...I'm definitely not staying in Utah anymore as I didn't apply to (nor wanted to) any Utah schools...however, he's going to stay here to finish his BA for another year. It does kind of seem a little futile.
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Good to know, thanks mormlib!
Another quick question- did you contact anyone at the school aside from sending in your application?No. I've emailed the graduate coordinator about possibly attending visiting days, but that's it. If I was to do it all again, I would probably try to network with professors more before submitting my applications. Time crept up on me before I realized what was happening and the last semester was a rush to get everything in.
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Just got an acceptance from Northeastern!
Congrats!!
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@sparklecakes. I'm going to see about UCLA. I'm in the process of getting hired and my employment wants me to work some weekends, so I don't know if I'll be able to get the time off.
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I didn't see a forum for this. Where is everyone going for their recruitment days? It would be nice to already know some people before I get there.
I'm planning on going to Ohio State's the last weekend of February, but I don't think I make any of the other ones unless I go at a different time. Anyone else going to Ohio State's?
Accepted: Ohio, UCSD, UNC, Penn State
Waitlisted: UCLA
Rejected: Princeton, Wisconsin
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Anyone want to claim Penn State?
I'll claim Penn State. It came as a shock since it wasn't even among my top choices, but they made it really appealing and told me about some awesome programs.
They still haven't drafted up my acceptance letter, but she mentioned they'd hopefully be sent out this week. So, watch for those.
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quick question : do you show up as 'waitlisted' on the UCLA check status page? here is that page.
Thanks!
No, I show up as "Submitted - Pending Decision"
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I can claim one! Really was not expecting it so early. I had to read the email several times to make sure it was from the school I thought it was.
I got one too! I really like the professors' research there. I didn't see anything about any recruitment visit time, did you?
2014 Official Decision Thread V.2
in Sociology Forum
Posted
Accepted the offer at Northwestern! So excited!
It's nice to have that off of my mind.
For those on waitlists, that frees up a spot at: Ohio State, Indiana U, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Penn State.
Congrats to all those accepting offers and good luck for those still waiting or deciding!