meowth

Pokemon. One of my favorites...

My parents were both community college drop-outs (so their highest education is high school), so I'm the first to go to college for more than a year, actually graduate with a degree, and now applying to graduate school. Even in high school my parents couldn't really help me with anything beyond basic encouragement because they didn't really know most of stuff I was doing, and they were even more lost trying to understand what I did in college! They're both good in their fields (civil engineering and computer programming respectively) but they've worked up the ladder for a long time (from soil tester and secretary respectively) and that's different than learning the stuff at a university. But, I also think they might've been some of the last of a generation actually able to work their way up without a college degree, and if they ever lost their jobs at their companies, I'm not sure they'd be able to get back into the workforce very easily despite so many years of experience. It's just different. I'm lucky to say I don't think I've struggled very much; it probably helps that I'm white, U.S.-born, my parents were also U.S.-born, etc. I'm doing fine... graduated summa cum laude, found fields that I love, applying to graduate school. Even though my parents didn't got to college, they always expected me to, so that really helped! Yet they also never told me I had to do one thing or another. Like, even if I hadn't gone to college they probably would've been okay (but I was always did well in school so that probably would've surprised them). I've been pretty self-motivated and I liked being given pretty much free reign and very few expectations. They were a little worried that I'm taking a year off post-graduation and working crappy jobs while applying to graduate school, but now that I've been doing fine with that I think they're less worried. I'm still surprised when I hear people talking about their parents going to college, graduate school, sometimes even in the same fields! It's hard to imagine.

I have a D+ too, but from sophomore year, but by the end my overall GPA ended up at 3.6 and I still got summa cum laude. When I first started doing my graduate school applications I wanted to mention how I started out in another major and just didn't do too hot, but it just sounded like too much of an excuse and like my later major was a "backup" (which it kind of was but) which I didn't want to do because I really, really love my major(s) way more than that one I was in when I got the D+. Other than that, I don't really want to mention mental health things either even if they were maybe a contributing factor. So... I just didn't mention it at all! It was in a class totally unrelated to my majors and what I'm going to grad school for. Everyone makes mistakes, and I did well enough otherwise that I don't see the point in dwelling. Especially since it was only in sophomore year (and in your case, freshman year I think shows even more it was just an oops.) I think it also helps that I've already graduated though, so I was able to show that I did consistently well the rest of the time in school to make up for it. The only time I've had to list now is on one app that asks for all my mathematics and stats classes. I think it has me list them assuming whatever I add is an extra thing, a good thing, but instead now I have that D+ staring me in the face when and I'm just thinking "I really don't ever need that advanced of math for program anyway and it should be good I got that far at all." If they ask about it in a follow-up anything, sure, I'll explain. Otherwise, I mean, it's no secret but I'd rather focus on my strengths and on my education that's actually relevant. (But if your D+ is in a psychology or history class I guess I'd suggest explaining it!) (Also, I haven't actually gotten in anywhere yet, so who knows.)

Does she have an advisor with a higher level of education that could perhaps at least co-sign the letter? That's what was recommended to me when I was considering asking a student with only a master's for a letter last year (I had taken three of his classes but didn't know his advisor at all). It was also said to me that if I did that, at least make sure the other two letter writers had their PhD / doctorates. I would say that it also helps to consider the selectivity of the program, if you think she could write a really persuasive letter, and if you actually have other options. But I can't really same more because in the end I just decided to wait another year, and this year I was able to get three letter writers with PhDs. The same same student with a master's actually ended up getting his PhD over the summer, but I ended up not asking him because he was so new and had likely never even written letters of rec yet.

I ended up changing my mind about a few schools so now I'm almost exclusively applying to Sociology programs save for a Women's Studies masters program at my alma mater and a one-of-a-kind Women's Studies & Psychology PhD program. And I've applied to one sociology program so far, PhD at my alma mater. I'm trying to get my application for University of Chicago in today because it's due on the 10th and I'm working all day tomorrow. It's quite intimidating though! But I'm glad I have a couple statements under my belt already so I don't have to start this one from scratch. And then I decided against all the programs that had apps due on the 15th, so at least it seems like I'll have a break in due dates until January 15th unless I find some other programs to apply to. But even then, I couldn't try for anything earlier than January 1st or so and still have time (at least for transcripts and LORs to be sent). I did end up looking up the ranks for programs too and using them to weigh whether or not I apply. Like Northwestern was a top ten program AND I didn't feel like I was a good fit, so I decided not to waste my time and money. (Different than U of C which is high ranked but I really, really like the program and at least one particular professor there.) Hope everyone else is doing well with their applications.

lexiro, Even though I sent the requests for my recs at the same time (when it gave me to option to check off both programs, I checked off both programs) I believe each one went out as two separate e-mails to each professor. So, when I submitted my application, 6 emails got sent out, 2 to each of my 3 professors. I know that while two of my professors uploaded recs for both programs at nearly the same time, the third professor only uploaded one letter. I assume that's because she knows that the materials for my second application aren't actually due until January (but since I was applying to both programs as one application I had to do them by the first deadline in December). (This is really the only reason I'm pretty sure they went as two separate e-mails.) I guess make sure that you professors know that you're applying to two programs and that you need two LORs from them for UF. They might have seen the two e-mails from UF and assumed the second one was just a resend or a reminder. I think you can resend your request too if you need to (though I'm not sure how that works if they already submitted one). Good luck!

GRE scores should be sebt electronically, so theoretically they should get there pretty fast once you actually get your grades on them and pay for them to be sent over. That's what it sounded like when I asked my school if they still had my GRE scores; like, they're all just on the computer somewhere. Which really makes you wonder why it costs $25 to send each one, ugh.

My area is no where close to yours, but I applied to two programs at UF. At first I was worried it might come off weird, but I just made sure my two separate statements agreed with one another because I assumed the professors from one department or another would see both (also the professors I was interested in working with were affiliated with both departments) and figured that would be okay. Not that each statement can't emphasize a slightly different thing, just making sure you seem consistent in your message of what you want to do, even if the programs draw you in for different reasons. So I believe you should go for it! Costs the same for your application either way and you can even send out the letter of rec requests for multiple programs at the same time (although it doesn't send until after you submit your application entirely).

Since I graduate last May I'm working two part-time jobs now. Once is a county job that actually has opportunities for advancement (even if the entry level job I'm in now is only part-time and low-wage), so if grad school apps don't work out I just plan and applying to a full-time position there once I work there a few more months. Then decide when next year roles around if I really want to try again. I could also one day work on a master's in that field and they'd even help pay for it. It's not too bad, really. The only problem with working this job, being unrelated to what I'd want to do in grad school, is that it would be difficult to find more opportunities to improve myself. Even last year when I decided not to apply I thought I'd have more chances. I did gain some more experience in the spring semester, and a little bit summer and fall, but come fall when I got my jobs I also had to drop most of my volunteering or unpaid work because I just don't have time when I'm also having to work to make ends meet. But at least I have this job to fall back on, and I'm glad for it.

I'm applying to UChicago too and had the same problem figuring out what they mean. Mine's due the 10th, but I still can't bring myself to really think it's worth emailing the program or school about. I left it blank. Seems more like a survey question anyways, not something super important.

I wasn't sure if my apps needed to be submitted on or before the 1st, or about time zones, so just to be safe I submitted 11:30pm on the 30th! I have one for counseling due the 15th though. Glad I got this one done! #1 choice and I was really pushing the deadline. I hope everyone else submitted or will submit their apps on time. Good luck!

I had 11 on my list originally, but after apply to a couple and starting the applications for a couple more, I crossed two off my list already just because they didn't seem appropriate once I looked again. I say aim for it, and then if you miss some deadlines, decide they're not as awesome fit, too much money, etc. then at least you're still applying to plenty. Even if you do apply to all 12 though, especially if they have low acceptance rates like many PhD programs, then it seems reasonable.

I wouldn't just quit. If you just "take a break" I'm assuming you'd still have bills to pay, and even just having NO obligations isn't actually as fun as it seems (especially if you have no source of income). If you take your masters and leave, there's no saying how long you'd be unemployed before you find a job. Even if you think you're just going to work 9-5, that doesn't mean you won't have nights that work makes you stay late. That you won't end up having to come in during the weekend to finish a project. Maybe you could look into jobs while still in school. I wouldn't throw away what you have without having something else lined up first. Maybe if you're working 110% for your program, work 80% and use some of the extra time and effort to soul search, job search, etc. while you're still there, if possible. If you have a winter break or something similar coming up, think of how you could use that time too. And look for people in the jobs or careers you might be interested in, talk to them, see how they like it, if they regret going into the job field instead of going for a PhD. Similarly, talk to people in your field that have a PhD, and those that got their PhD years and years ago, and ask how they felt when they were in graduate school, if they ever went through something similar, or know someone who did. If they did fall out of love with their research, felt unsuited to academia, etc., ask how they came back from that. It's hard to say what you'll like until you're there and you could potentially find yourself in an even worse place than before, so that why I'd say be wary. But it's still good that you're thinking about it, since you don't want to waste years of your time doing something that you might not even like.

I'm only applying to a few psychology programs, but the one with the earliest date, University of Michigan, is due the December 1st deadline. It's difficult because they ask for a statement of purpose AND a personal statement. Also I feel really nervous writing either one since UMich is my #1. Besides, the only SoP I've done already was for my Alma Mater's Dec 1 deadline, which not only is a lot less prestigious school, but not even a psychology program. I'm somewhat worried about my GRE scores and transcript getting matched with my application too, since there's some name discrepancies, but I figure I'll just have to deal with that when the time comes. Hoping to get UMich's SoP at least mostly done tonight so I can send it off to my letter writers, since they only have an old draft of my other SoP so far and that's for sociology.

I don't think those scores are bad enough to not apply at all. 81 percentile, 78 percentile, still means that you're doing better than about 80% of the people taking the GRE. Just from looking around the forum there seems to be people getting into programs with lower scores than that, or at least, not getting ruled out immediately without looking at what else you have to offer. I hope that's not the only thing stopping you.

Hey all! My first applications are due December 1 so I might as well make my first post in this forum I've be stalking the last few weeks. I've got decent GRE scores (87% percentile on V & Q, 50% on writing), 3.6 overall GPA, 3.9 major(s) GPA, summa cum laude for gender studies and also majored in psychology. Only took a few sociology classes though, which went towards my gender studies BA. I volunteered in some psychology labs during senior year and had to drop all but one when I started working, so the one I'm still in I suppose it's been nearly a year now. Most of my research experience was probably for my thesis, but it was archival / literary with an English professor advisor, so not super relevant. I really don't even know what rank list people are looking at in terms of top tier, second tier, etc. and I'm not sure I actually want to know because I don't need more to be worried about. I know some of the programs I'm applying to are more competitive than others, but I chose them more based on having programs that fit my interest in gender and sexualities, and located somewhere I wouldn't mind spending several years or where I already know people. My current list, all PhD programs: University of Chicago, Northwestern, Boston University, SUNY Albany, University of Florida, University of South Florida. I'm also applying to five more programs that are mixes of psychology, gender studies, PhD and master's programs. The hardest part for me right now is working two part-time, barely above minimum wage jobs at the moment leaving not much time, energy, nor money to apply to grad school. Oh well. I hope one I get the first few applications in that the rest won't be as hard. And the statements of purpose and/or personal statements have been the things that bother me the most! They're so hard to write. I also need to get my writing sample ready. I want to use my gender studies honors thesis, but that's 39 pages or so, so I was hoping I could just take out part of it to use. I actually started scoping out this forum wondering if I even had a chance at getting in these places, but what I've seen gives me hope that it's competitive, but doable. And I really just have to get accepted into one, right? So hopefully that happens.