Happydays2

Congrats to those that have been selected! Not to be a debbie downer, but I keep worrying about the following scenario: what if all the awarded are notified on the same day, but only a select few frequent the grad cafe often enough to post. If anyone has a good reason as to why the above might not be true, please share

Are awards divided based on discipline? In other words, are we competing mainly against others within own, or very similar, disciplines? (I applied pre-doc)

Thanks! I remember seeing "notifications will be made in early April," somewhere when I submitted my app too, so I was a little confused about why people were talking about receiving notifications in March. But, maybe different awards are notified at different times: I applied for the predoctoral. In any case, I hope we find out soon!

How do you all know the approximate notification dates from previous years? Just from friends and/or previous experience, or is it posted somewhere?

What makes a person a philosopher according to your professor? (apart from non-journalists). I've never read Pollen, but he sounds philosophical to me (esp if he, like you said, inspired new ways of thinking about food, cooking, and eating)

Makes sense. Austin's a great city! So many of my friends graduated from UT and don't ever want to leave. Have fun!

I'm from Texas and got into Oregon, but I didn't apply because it's far away. And, I also got into Texas A&M (another place I could do feminism and continental "stuff" - as you called it). So, do you mind explaining what you meant?

This is my first post in a very long time, but I was just admitted to the Unv of Oregon (PhD). It's my top choice, and I can't even adequetly express how happy I am right now!

Hi everyone, The deadline for Northwestern was yesterday and one of my letter writers did not submit their letter (after reminders from me and reassurance from their end that it would be in on time). Should I be worried my application won't be looked at because it is incomplete? Did this happen to anyone last year?

If we're still talking TV shows, anyone watch NBC's Community? It's great

I thought it was funny, I laughed

Thank you so much for your reply. I am pursuing a MA/PhD in Phil and I'm looking for something to do for a gap year. AmeriCorps interests me because I really enjoy service and want to spend my time doing something meaningful. I believe you when you write "I personally find VISTA will heavily inform my future work in a way that research simply can't." I'm looking for this kind of real world experience too, especially because the philosophy I hope to focus on in grad school, in my opinion, require real world, outside the classroom, experiences. But, above all, in all honesty, I have nothing to do for a year so I want to spend it in the most meaningful way possible before starting grad school. It's nice to hear NCCC is more direct service, that's what I'm looking for, and I find it a little awkard to admit, but I am looking for something "character building" . Thanks again, and Cheers, fellow Philosophy undergrad!

As someone applying Fall 2015, I really appreciate this thread and everyone who has contributed. Best of luck everyone applying this year!!

Thanks everyone for the replies! I might do Americorps (if accpeted ) next year. The term begins in at the end of October, so I was looking for an estamite on my chances of finishing all my apps before *hopefully* starting my assigment. The relipes were very helpful, thanks!

Hi everyone, I'm applying Fall 2015 (best of luck for everyone who applyed Fall 2014!). Quick questions: as far as you can rememrber, when did applications open for the schools you applied (do they ususally open in October or sooner)? And how long did each application take, aprox (once you finished polishing the WS and SOP)? Thanks

Hi everyone, I'm thinking of applying to the AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) program for Fall 2014, if I'm not attending a grad program next year. Has anyone here done this program before? Care to share your experience, please? Or anyone have any info regarding AmeriCorps in general, I don't know any AmeriCorps Alums. From the website, the program sounds great, but it would be awesome to hear some first-hand experiences with AmeriCorps. All input appreciated. Thanks

I'm trying very hard not to have a dream school, since "the one that takes me" is my favorite school . But, if I am lucky enough to be given a choice, I would love to go to University of Oregan. At present, reseach interest wise, I feel as though it a great fit for me. philstudent1991, what's yours?

If by "what is our WS topic?" you're asking what my WS topic is, then I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I don't share information with jerks. Based on your posts these pasts few months and for the sake of students everywhere, I hope you are never given the opportunity to teach, anything, ever. And perhaps you aren't one to speak about applicants who lessen the competition. To everyone else: I apologize for feeding the troll with this post, I couldn't help myself, there is much more I'd wish to say, but I see the absurdity in it, I'll stop here. Sorry, again.

I agree with wandajune. But I'd like to add that my aim in pursuing an advanced philosophy degree is to, one day, teach courses that promote critical thinking and spend my days involved in the subject I find most fascinating. This is perhaps a selfish dream: I find I am happiest when the people making decisions are thinking critically and rationally. This is also a difficult dream: every one here is well aware of the obstacles we face (including attempting to create a beautiful writing sample). But, in my mind, life would be unlivable if we always prevented ourselves, or others, from pursuing dreams. As the great Drake once said, "Yolo". I've come to believe that, within my life time, if I can convince at least one person (the goal is alwayd more) that thinking is a skill worth honing, and that questioning beliefs is important, then I think I can die happy. And if I can do this while connected to my favorite subject, philosophy, then I think I can retire very happy.

That is very helpful, thank you

Hey Everyone, I'm searching for some winter break reading material. I have recently found an interest in Pragmatism. I've read William James' Varieties, "The Will to Believe", and his Pragmatism. Also John Dewey's Democracy and Education and Peirce’s "The Fixation of Belief". I was wondering if anyone has any book recommendations for further reading (maybe some secondary material, James is my favorite pragmatist)? Any interesting books read in an American Phil course, perhaps? Maybe something about the revival of pragmatism (which I know next to nothing about) Also, I'd like to read something by George Santayana, any recommendations on where to start? Any input welcome, and happy holidays!

I used Magoosh over the summer and it really helped my Math score, but my verbal remained the same :/. In any case, I too found Magoosh to be very helpful (at least for the Math section for me).

Congrats on the 99th percentile! I'd be happy if I could score at least 90th percentile If it is not too much trouble, may I ask how you studied verbal? Was verbal your main focus? (it is mine) Did you basically read various passages and answer questions for 1-2hrs (aside from flash cards)?

Thank you everyone for the relpies/suggestions Is there a specific verion you used? Was it this one: http://www.amazon.com/Cracking-Practice-Edition-Graduate-Preparation/dp/0307945634

Did anyone here study for the GRE? I'm looking into studying for it (I'm applying 2014-2015). Anyone recommend any particularly helpful book/online prep? I'm stronger in the Math section then Verbal section , any verbal recommendations? Also did any of you follow any particular schedule (e.g. 1hr a day Mon-Fri). Any and all advice is much appreciated!