fred987

I've spent a lot of time tailoring my resume, but lately I've been wondering if I should use a CV instead. I have a lot of leadership experience in the field I'm applying, mostly with on campus organizations, and research experience. I also have training and certificates that are relevant to the field. Thanks.

He is, so I may just ask him to work that in. Thanks!

Hahah. I had the exact same experience on my first go around. Freaked out the whole way through because everything seemed so hard and foreign and was pleasantly surprised with my final score. Like you, I don't think it is the best score, but it is "good enough", and that is all I can ask for at this point. I'm considering retaking the test to get my Verbal up, since at this point I can't really lose, considering the programs I'm applying to take the best section out of your attempts. Anyways, congratulations! I know the feeling of relief =D

This may sound ridiculous, but I suppose with deadlines fast approaching now is the time for ridiculous questions. This is the writing sample instructions: Please provide a short paper no more than 1,000 words in length or a similarly-sized coherent excerpt from a longer paper that you have written for a course. Alternatively, provide a focused essay written in an academic style in which you analyze an article, book, exhibit or event relevant to your field of interest. I have a course paper that I will be turning in, its an annotation and has my name, the date it was written, and the course title. Pretty much the normal heading that any professor would want on a paper. Should I keep or remove this from the writing sample? I want to remove it but I also want them to see what course it was for, since the course is extremely extremely relevant to the degree I'm applying for. What to do?

Yes. My ex boyfriend was my chemistry lab TA. They told him that if he liked anyone in the class to ask for them to be switched out of his section or wait until the semester was over.

I rescheduled it twice because I was ill. It is simple, but you can only do it three days before the test, not including the day of test or the day you reschedule, so do it ASAP. Just go on the site and reschedule it, it is $50 but it is worth it. Nothing happens if you reschedule, except for the fee. So if you are not feeling well I highly suggest you do it.

In a writing sample they are usually just looking to see how well you can write. Personally, I would just write a paper analyzing a trend in SLP or analyzing a book dealing with SLP. Make it relevant and make it GOOD WRITING.

I took the GRE today and I got a 550-V and 570-Q, obviously an 1120 isn't the best of scores, but considering that I had less than a week to study. I had all the materials ready and began studying vocab and some math earlier this year, but due to a very rigorous semester I was unable to continue, and only had a couple of days before the test to study. With that said I'm only applying to two or three programs. One program offers a scholarship if you have a 550 Verbal in addition to a GPA requirement which I meet, so my main concern going into this was getting a 550 V which I did. The average GRE for this program is 575-V and 589-Q, but my GPA is higher than the average GPA and I have excellent LoRs, extracurriculars, and really relevant coursework and experience. One of the other two programs, Columbia, doesn't require the GRE, but I was wondering if I should report my scores anyways? They say just submitting scores won't help your chances, but will it hurt if the rest of my application is strong? So should I retake? Or just bite the bullet and dedicate the rest of my time before deadlines to perfecting the other aspects of my application?

I've been struggling with when I should turn in my apps. I'm only applying to two programs, due to the very specialized nature of my degree there are only 4 programs of interest and my alternative to graduate school trumps the other two programs. Either way, one is due on January 15th and the other on March 1st. I spoke to admissions for the March 1st deadline and they told me that they do not have rolling admissions and they will not begin to evaluate the applications until after the March 1st deadline, however the FAQ section of the program says that they accept students as long as there is space, which makes me think that perhaps they evaluate the applications in order that they are received? What do you guys think? Either way I was shooting to have the march 1st app turned in by January or February. I wanted to have these fall term grades finalized to be able to include my raised GPA in the application, and I also wanted some leeway to here back about a conference I'm presenting at. As for the January 15th deadline, when should I turn that in??? December?? November??

I had a similar decision to make, instead mine was between a well known prof in my field and a ph.d candidate that taught a course I was in (highly relative to my field of interest) and who I served as a research assistant under. So the decision was particularly difficult because the one person who really knew my strength and weakneses both academically and in research wasn't even really a professor. However, the one thing that swayed me was the cover letter my LOR would have to fill out which required they rate me on my academic ability, my ability to engage in graduate level research, etc. Clearly the latter would be better qualified to rate me, and probably do so higher, so I went with the Ph.D candidate.

When I decided to pursue a masters BEFORE my JD I initially intended to get an MA in IR or an MPP. My concentration would have undoubtedly been human rights, my field of interest. And I would have eventually gone on to law school with aspirations of becoming a human rights lawyer for the state or an NGO. However, I ran across the MA in Human Rights. So far I've only ran across three that I would consider applying to but all have excellent curriculums. My top choice is Columbia's LSMA in Human Rights. I decided ultimately that I would rather study human rights for two years than as a concentration. However, the resources and connections made at IR and MPP schools are unrivaled. Was it a wise decision to steer away from the MA IR and MPP considering my specific interest, or should I rethink applying to at least one or two of these programs?

Go ahead and private message me with it. I'll be glad to help.

I agree with Fuzzylogician. and if you work your volunteer experience into your SOP in a manner that shows extracurricular experience and dedication to your field then that too is another plus.

Its not research based. Its the LSMA in Human Rights at Columbia. This is what they ask for: Please provide a short paper no more than 1,000 words in length or a similarly-sized coherent excerpt from a longer paper that you have written for a course. Alternatively, provide a focused essay written in an academic style in which you analyze an article, book, exhibit or event relevant to your field of interest The Annotation was written for a course, a Human Rights literature course at that, which is why I am tempted to turn it in. Hopwever, like you mentioned, I was concerned about it being more of a review than original work, though the 'reflection' portion is original work as it allows you to create a thesis of any topic and just requires that you substantiate your claim with details from the book. However, this reflection portion is only 2 pages of the 4 page annotation.

Speaking of the Princeton Review... Crash Course for the GRE 3rd Edition is a great little book that is designed for cramming a week or two before the test. Its cheap, I bought mine for $10. If you have the money I believe there are online cram courses for $100 or so also.

I'm having a similar problem, so I've decided to turn in a book annotation that I wrote this semester. It meets the word requirements I just don't know if the format is what they are looking for since its not an essay and its broken into sections that cover the summary of the book, the authors argument, an analysis of his argument and then a reflection. What do you guys think?

Most of the Ph.D students I know have a section in their CV titles Under Review that list there publications which are... well, under review. I think its perfectly legit and doesn't look out of place at all.

I was deeply disappointed with how few universities in the United States offered Masters in Human Rights. Conversely, the UK has a lot of them. One of them in particular, the Masters in Human Rights and Genocide from Kingston University in London, really appeals to me. After reading up on it sufficiently, I decided to embark on the application process. I thought that since it was in English it couldn't be THAT hard. I was wrong. I have no idea what I'm doing. No idea where to include information that I consider important but they have no sections for, and to what degree I should explain things such as GPAs, certificates, local organizations, double majors, minors, President's List, Dean's List, etc. Also, what do they mean by the 'result' of my degree. The drop down menu only offers First Class, 2.1, 2.2, Second Class, Pass, Fail, etc. Nothing that I'm familiar with. They also say that if the degree is from a non-UK institution to prove that it is equivalent to a UK degree. How do I go about doing that? Thank you in advance for your help.

I'm not in psych either, it was just an example, although apparently a poor one. My point simply was that sometimes a personal family experience can lead a person to a specific study and if worded correctly could contribute positively to the SOP.

I have to respectfully disagree, in some cases family background is relevant, for example if you're applying for a MA in Psychology and your mother suffered from a psychological disorder, this may serve as your motivation to work in the field. Of course this isn't applicable to everyone, and should be treated on a case by case basis. But I don't think it should automatically be removed.

I've only found a handful of programs in the United States that focus on human rights. Columbia's LSMA in HR Studies (Their International Affairs program has a good human rights concentration too). American U's MA in Ethics, Peace, and Global Affairs University of Denver's MA in International Human Rights Arizona State University's MA in Social Justice and Human Rights NYU's MA in Global Affairs with a concentration in human rights (also to be considered is NYU's Gallatin school) Any more worth mentioning? How are you applications going? What are your backgrounds in human rights?

I'm applying to the MA in Human Rights program at Columbia's GSAS and the GRE is optional. I am taking it next month but have had such a busy past couple of months that I've had little time to study. I'm afraid my scores wont be up to par. The website says that submitting a GRE won't automatically help your chances and that not submitting them won't automatically hurt your chances. I was wondering if anyone who is familiar with the program or anyone who is in a similar situation could give me some feedback. I have a 3.6 GPA and a certificate in global affairs with a concentration on human rights. I have strong extracurricular leadership experience, many in human rights organizations. I work as research asst in the poli sci dept working on an NSF funded study on human rights. As of now I have 18 credits of human rights courses. Both of my LOR will be coming from profs or TAs from HR classes. Does this sound like a strong enough application that can do without a GRE submission?