a fragrant plant

Some universities require the applicants to send their score to the departments while others require the score to be sent to the Graduate School. How does this work? I thought all I need to do is to select the school and the department's name at the end of the test? Does this mean I'll need to remember each school's GRE code?

Neither do I believe in the GRE part. Most of us know that the math part doesn't play a huge role in humanities departments. I don't think they'd expect you to score above 600 in math. I'm told that the GRE should not be interpreted as a combination score as they do to SAT. *UPENN is not on my list.

Sigh, looks like we are all facing the same long-distance dilemma. I've been with my boyfriend for 4 years and we're serious about our relationship. We're going to get married. It's frustrating when people keep telling you that long distance relationship won't work.

The universities I apply state explicitly that applicants should not attempt to convert a foreign grading system to the US GPA scale. Some universities ask me to leave the box blank. For others that do not give clear guideline I simply put N/A. Don't try to convert your grade to GPA. It won't work. I worked as a teaching assistant in the UK and my UK colleagues told me that anything above 70% is an A. Having said that, very few people earn an A here (top 10 UK university). I did my B.A. in the U.S. and I found the UK grading system very strange.

If I were you I would demur to mention it on my CV at this stage. If you let the departments know that your presentation is under review, they may want to contact you later on to see how things are going for you. It will be all good if they accept your paper. But if they don't, what would the implications be? I agree with fuzzylogician that it's more appropriate to send an amended CV that includes this conference presentation when everything is finalized.

Yes UCI is like this. But their deadline is not due till Jan.

Don't miss your deadline if your score doesn't come in on time!!!! Most schools are understanding with late score report. If your score doesn't come in before your deadline call the department to see if you can submit your application and report your score as soon as you receive them.

I wouldn't group publication, fieldwork, conferences and internship under the "extracurricular" category. In my opinion, these are significant experiences that make one stand out from the rest of the applicants. Have you done all these? It's actually pretty impressive!

First application: sent on Oct 13 via Royal Mail Airsure. Documents received on Oct 21. Not bad. Second application: sent on Oct 16 via Royal Mail International Sign For. Documents received on Nov 5!!!!! I strongly recommend you send your application materials via Airsure. It's only slightly more expensive than International Sign For. One of the universities I'm applying set an early deadline for International Student (Dec 1). Because I'm preparing for my GRE I won't be able to put together my CV and writing sample for this university until after the 12th this month (the materials are ready for submission. I just want to examine them one more time before I send it off). My question is: Do you think I should send it through Royal Mail Airsure? If not, which express courier would you commend? I'm considering DHL but it's quite pricy. Any thoughts? Many thanks in advance!

Will you still have time to retake before deadline? I'm retaking in this Thursday. I feel that I'm cutting it close!

Sorry I forgot to say that I have one year teaching experience at a UK university. This bit is definitely going to the SOP.

I consult a few first year graduate students' CV when I wrote mine. I found them extremely helpful.

Mine exceeds 2 pages for one university (max. 10 pages) but I am just going to submit it.

The application process has humbled my confidence quite drastically. I'm not sanguine about my prospect as many schools are taking fewer students this year due to budget cut and I'm not a super competitive candidate. I at times feel that I don't stand a chance. The 10 universities that I'm applying are ranked top 70 by US News and World Report. I am really worried that I'd end up going nowhere. I am writing my SOP and I constantly feel that I'm not good enough to do a PhD. Here is my brief profile. Do you think I have any chance of getting in? What should I emphasize in terms of maturity and academic preparation? Graduated in 2006 GRE - the first round was abysmal. I'm going to retake it this Thursday. (That probably accounts for my anxiety) GPA - 3.59; major:3.77; graduated with distinction from a top 40 public university in the US. A research Master degree from a top 10 UK university. Research experience: The first research project was an independent research carried out in 2005 and the second one was a shorter project carried out during 2008. LOR: strong letters from two prominent professors who know me quite well; the other one is written by my undergraduate academic advisor. Writing sample: I don't know. I sent it to my advisor and he said it was good (he's the director of graduate studies). Work experience, collaborations and volunteer work: I've done plenty. They're all closely related to my field. I just don't know how to weave these experience into my SOP. Publication: none. but I'm going to submit a paper to a journal next month. All advices are welcome. Thank you in advance!

First of all, your GRE score is not a sad score. It's well above average. The more I think about it the more I am convinced that GRE score is probably the least important factor in admission decision. It's hard to believe that scholars would select potential PhD students based on a notoriously biased standarized test. You didn't mention you GPA, your research experience and what you have done since you graduate. I don't think any of us here will be able to tell you your "chances" based on your GRE score.

I had the same panic about one of my recommenders missing the approaching deadline but I finally got a response from her this morning after sending her another email beseeching her to submit the LoR online this week. This morning she promptly submitted all the letters! I was so relieved! I don't know what to advise here but I do hope things work out for you. I totally understand how stressful it is for you.

I think naming names may harm you if you have only named one professor in your entire SOP and in the worst-case scenario that person you mentioned is retiring. I don't know about the culture in science subjects but I think in my field it's impossible to talk about the fit without naming certain professors' current projects. Not all professors work on the same project in a department, though that might be different in your field. Contrary to what you surmise, classes mean very little in the PhD curriculum of social science too. What rising_star meant is that you want to go to a school where there are people (both within and outside the department) who may be able to give you advice regarding your research project. Taking classes from these people is just one form of learning.

if math doesn't matter at all, i think your verbal is about average for your subject. it's not atrocious.

How important is math in your subject?

I understand that it's very important to discuss how apposite a department fits for one's research project in the statement of purpose. I only apply to programs that have people who are either the theoretical or geographical specialists in my area of research. Given the fact that Sociocultural anthropology is a very broad subject, is it appropriate to mention faculty of other departments (e.g., history, science studies, women's studies, etc) who may play a subsidiary role in my PhD education? The rationale behind this approach is to highlight the fit between me and the school and my commitment to inter-disciplinary understanding of social phenomenon. All comments are welcome; especially from those who are in social science. Thank you in advance!

Instead of using an anecdote, what do you all think about narrating one's research interest through life history?

I understand your rationale and I think it makes perfect sense. However I don't think our busy professors have the time to bother about our waiver decision. My professor told me that few professors have the time to craft an idiosyncratic letter for each student. A lot of them work on templates that they have used and modified them accordingly. Since I know my professors quite well, I don't think my decision to retain my right will affect the way they write the letter of recommendation. If it does, I am pretty confident that they'll tell me. I can't really control how the adcomm view the LoR. A letter lauding an infallible student may raise suspection, but a candid comment of a candidate can also be viewed negatively. All in all, I have no qualms about my decision. But if you do, you should waive your rights.

Thank you. English is not my first language so I have to cram as many words as I can. I don't know how useful that will be, but I'm trying my best to improve my score.

What is your source? Nobody really knows for sure unless the admission committee explicitly said so.

I'm taking the GRE the second time next Thursday. Over the past two months I've crammed 1500 GRE words. Right now I'm reviewing words that I am not familiar with. I am also doing lots of analogies and antonyms exercises. I found this to be the best way to learn new words in a short time frame.