gingin6789

How is everyone's application process going?

Oh, I missed the part where OP said he wanted to finish his master's rather than start a master's program. I agree with iemons -- if you've already started your master's program, OP, finish it there, then apply to PhD programs in the states, if you want. As iemons noted, funding is much better for PhD programs anyway!

When you think a student is going to do pretty well on a paper, but they completely miss part of the directions and then give their opinions that aren't based in any fact whatsoever :-( Sad stuff. Also, what do students have against a conclusion paragraph? Their papers just end abruptly with no warning. It's like stepping off the edge of a cliff (maybe not a very tall one though).

I would make a list of different grad programs that correspond to your interests, then research the funding available from those programs. If you're not sure where to start, the ASA has a guide to graduate programs in sociology. It costs money though, so if you give me a list of your interests, I can provide you with a list of programs from the ASA guide via PM. You can also do a basic Google search for "PhD (or master's) programs in [insert research interest here] sociology." Then you can check out their rank on the appropriate website. I don't know if this helps, but the program I'm enrolled in now offers very generous funding, and it is a terminal M.A. program. It has been a great stepping stone for me towards PhD programs, and it has been a wonderful learning and research experience in itself. I'm applying to PhD programs now with a master's degree, master's thesis, and four upcoming publications under my belt. I feel like I'm a much stronger candidate now than I was right out of undergrad. If you have any questions about the program I'm in, feel free to PM me!

Just submitted the last of my applications today! What an exhausting process. Two years ago, I only applied to three MA programs. This round, I've applied to eight PhD programs! All I need to do now is submit my GRE scores to three programs. One of those three programs noted that they've already received my GRE scores? How? I didn't send them to that program, and I didn't apply to their master's program two years ago. I think I will send them my scores regardless, in case it is a mistake. Now, all that's left is ... grading. Grading many papers and exams. And then waiting!

I realized I posted here before starting grad school, asking whether I should carry an extra outfit in my backpack, as my campus is on a mountain and I sweat easily. Ha, that didn't happen! I just learned to wear lightweight clothing and NEVER wear heels! I'm a TA, so I usually wear black, stretchy pants and a nice top. Comfy and makes me look semi-professional. I also have a lot of dresses because I love dresses O_O

If they ask you to upload official copies of your transcript through scanning them, then the watermarks and VOID notices will appear. That is inevitable. The folks on the adcomm are likely aware that this will happen. I believe that they ask for your official copies to be uploaded because they are harder to tamper with than the web-displayed unofficial transcripts.

In terms of "when will I hear back?" I've looked at last year's acceptances/rejections thread, and I've also checked searched the Results page. Now, I have a nice little timeline of when I *might* hear back from the programs I've applied to.

Students: read directions and submit everything you need to submit on time please. I'm having major surgery on Friday and you do NOT want me grading during recovery. GRRRR.

VICTORY!! Yay! So happy for you!!

Yeah it's the last day of classes! All things considered, it's pretty sweet timing for being during the semester. Glad you are going to be able to go back tomorrow! Are you feeling up to the presentation? Let us know how it goes! Ummm I think you should email her again. Couldn't hurt. I had to send an email to one of my letter writers, but I hadn't sent her a reminder before today because I was under the (probably mistaken) impression that the programs sent out automated reminder emails to them. I think you should email her, especially if she didn't reply to your initial email!!

I was hoping to not have surgery before the end of the semester either, but saaaaaaaaaaaaaame. I get mine on Friday. What does your hospitalization time/recovery time look like?

So, I'm assuming those GRE scores are for practice tests? Those scores are AMAZING. Keep it up! Revising SOPs takes a while, but you'll get through it! Besides Notre Dame and (maybe) Emory and Columbia, which places are you applying to? I'm doing ok with the application process. Trying to keep ahead of the deadlines. UC Davis/Brandeis deadline is the 15th, so I want to finish those applications before this Friday, since I'm having surgery, and I don't want to worry about those applications during recovery. I'm also kind of upset with myself because I've already submitted three applications, and I noticed a few typos/a missing Works Cited entry in my writing sample! Grr! At least I noticed those mistakes before submitting ALL the applications though! Keep us updated with your application process, MelSoc =)

Thank you very much! Yes, I am thinking of either doing office hours over the phone or on-line ... when I'm not under the influence of pain meds, of course!! Thank you for your suggestion!

Surgery in exactly two weeks... it'll take about a week to recover. Academic Pros: The only thing I have left to complete this semester, as a student, is a paper that is mostly done already. The deadline for this paper is December 11th, but I should be able to complete it before my surgery. Thesis timeline is flexible, too. Academic Cons: My students have their final paper due the day of my surgery! 37 papers, 6 to 8 pages, and I know I won't be able to start grading them right away. Luckily, grades aren't due until the 18th. Also, students in the *other* class I TA for have their exam on December 11th ... I know they'll want to meet with me a week or so before the exam, but I'll be in surgery/recovery during that time. I feel bad because that means they'll have to go to the prof, who is already swamped beyond belief! So, we'll see how this goes. I'm nervous, but happy about the potential results of the surgery.

Exactly, I agree with all of this.

Well my writing sample is my thesis proposal rather than an abridged version of my final thesis. My writing sample is around 17 pages without references. I have a further abbreviated version of 10 pages because one of the programs I applied to has a 10-page limit.

My thesis will be too long to use as a writing sample, too, so I'm using my thesis proposal as a writing sample. It has an abstract, intro, literature review, [proposed] methods section, and conclusion. It still demonstrates my knowledge of my thesis subject and the proposed methods section demonstrates that I know what I'm doing, methodologically.

Are you coming straight from undergrad? Or are you applying with an MA? How's your research experience? Does your writing sample demonstrate your abilities as a quantitative researcher? Did you have good grades in stats, social stats, quant methods, etc? If you have the actual quant experience and/or an MA, that could overshadow the low quant score. We're pretty much score twins. I got a 164 (V) and a 152 (Q). I'm applying as is, but my programs range like 20s to 60s in terms of rank.

It's really tough for me to pick from the list, but if I had to, I would choose your Intro to Soc professor, Nutrition professor, and maybe your politics professor.

Hi, MelSoc! It seems to me that your sociological interests are well-developed and that you have a good grasp on theory as well. I don't think that having an English BA and a Cultural Studies Masters will ruin your changes of getting an offer of admission to a sociology PhD program. Your grad GPA, academic experience, and activism experience will reflect your abilities as a strong candidate. Undergrad GPA might be a deterrent to adcoms though, who knows? As for whether you have a chance at the particular schools listed above, I really don't know enough about them to be able to give you a helpful answer. Don't grow too discouraged. I say just go for it! Let us know how your GRE goes, too!

It took me like two hours to finally get this joke, and that's saying something, since people always joke about my name =p

*waves* Hi, Hillary!! I can attest that Hillary is, indeed, very helpful!! She encouraged me to apply to CU - Boulder and answered all of my questions! While I am also applying for PhD programs, I am currently finishing my terminal MA program. So, if there are any questions I can answer, I'm also happy to! Hillary, I have a question about the 10-page writing sample page limit for Boulder. Since it's a Boulder-specific question, should I PM you instead?

Clicked this thread from the Forum directory page because I saw your picture and username and thought "Munashi?! I remember Munashi!!" ... although I don't think we ever really knew each other. You're one of the regulars I'd see all the time nearly two years ago! As for how I'm doing ... I'm doing pretty well! Applying for PhD programs (my program is a terminal MA), and I'm engaged now and getting married a soon after graduation. Also doing my master's thesis, part of which I'll be sending out for publication, and I'm co-authoring three other pieces including a book chapter! Woo! But I've also been living off of coffee in the process. It's ok though, cause coffee is a hug in a mug.

How did I not know this?? Is this the procedure everywhere? And does the person in the Dean's office overrule the department recommendations often?