a fragrant plant

I did not waive my rights to see the recommendation letters. I didn't ruminate all the ramifications of not waiving my rights. My recommenders never mentioned anything about it so it didn't occur to me that it would be a big deal. You won't be able to view the letters before you are admitted to the program. For this reason I don't think not waiving your rights will harm or weaken your application because the whole process is still confidential.

This is a pretty accurate comment that can also be applied to many other universities in the UK.

Yes it should be fine. I've submitted my application to one university and my GRE score will go in later this month.

thank you fuzzylogician. you're always very helpful!

have you looked into ORS?

I also oscillate between going straight into my research interest and starting the SOP with a narrative about my mother who inspires my phd project. I am prone to the latter approach because in my field it's really important to be reflexive in the production of ethnography (I won't go into that). I agree with modernity that this kind of SOP is very hard to write well. But I also want to mention that the anecdote approach is not necessary a bad idea. My friend who started his SOP with an anecdote got into Harvard Medical School (of course he's a brilliant student). To be fair it was a powerful SOP to some but a rather contrived one to others. I guess it really depends on who reads your SOP and their predilection.

Yes, most professors will just use departmental envelopes. Are your recommenders going to post the letters to you or directly to the departments/schools? As a general rule, schools/departments prefer applicants to post all application materials in one envelope unless the applicant's referee refuse to send the LOR to applicant. I'd say check with your recommenders.

Just so you know, $180 = 109.296254 British pounds

Yep, price up again since August 2009. I just paid £180 to retake the damn GRE on the 12th; plus £60 return flight to London. I never received the powerprep software. In fact, I didn't know there was such thing until I bombed my first GRE.... JerryLandis: I didn't see an experimental section either. Is it because we're in London?

We're on the same boat here. My fiance and I also live in the UK. He is a UK citizen and I'm a EU national. To be honest with you, we have researched about all possibilities of him getting a job in America while I'm doing my PhD and I can tell you that it's highly unlikely that a foreign national can get a job in the US without having a legitimate work permit due to the intricate visa system and the gloomy economic climate. Neither of us is US citizen/permanent residents so even if we get married he won't be able to get a job with a normal dependent visa (F1). As I said in another post I'm hoping to obtain a J1 visa if admitted so that he can try to find a job with a dependent visa which allows him to work in the US. All in all, marriage is a prerequisite if you want him to come with you.

Some people on this forum said they were offered the option between J1 and F1 visas. It's a great news to hear because my fiance and I are thinking of getting married in 2011. He'd like to accompany me to the US as a dependent. Can someone share your experience of obtaining a J1 visa? Do you have to indicate your visa preference on your application?

I personally wouldn't retake it. It is too much of a hassle. It's also very expensive. Your score is about average, not particularly low. Just make sure that the rest of your application is solid.

AW came first; followed with the math and the verbal section. it asked me if i'd participate in a research/experimental section after i did my Verbal test. there was no experimental section in disguised.

I've never heard of rolling app for grad school. Isn't it an undergrad thing?

i sent in my transcripts before i submit my applications. i do at times worry that they are lost.

if your writing sample is longer than the school's page limit, you should indicate which 15-25 pages should be reviewed by the admission committee. this advice is given by one of the school that i'm applying.

Hi coyabean and captiv8ed, Sorry I'm lost here. What's the OP? You meant the SOP? Do you mean my syntax is weird? Coyabean - thanks for the SVO advice!

Dear all, I'm wondering if the score will reach the Dec 15 deadline in time if I take it in November 9, 2009?

The one I used is called Barron's How To Prepare for the GRE 13th ed.. Can anyone tell me if it's a good book? I've been using it for my GER preparation.

Hi Coyabean, Can you please explain to me why "besides" should never be used by anyone who is not in the mafia? English is not my first language and I would like to learn more about the taboo of this word. I've never heard of such association before. Thank you.

Thank you for all of your replies. They are all very helpful!

good idea! we need your help!

Hi Sam, I did my research master at one of the schools you're considering. As i said elsewhere on this forum, it's pretty easy to get into a taught master program in the UK. Generally speaking, only MSc by Research applicants need to have a proposal in hand. The proposal needs not to be "concrete", as you'll spend your whole year writing a proposal for your PhD research. And you're right, a research degree involves very few courseworks. The mandatory courseworks at my institution are run by the School instead of the department. Nobody likes them. If you want to know more PM me.

thanks for the help. i'm still deciding when i should take it in november.

I thought I wrote a good essay last time but the result turned out to be very disappointing! I only score 4.0 in analytical writing. How can I improve my score in the coming test? What elements do the graders look for?