gingin6789

I was 25 when I started my M.A. program, and I'll be 27 when I start my PhD program (if I get accepted ahhhh *hides*).

I wonder why they're specifically recommending the Peace Corps or Americorps for you. What program/major are you applying for? Really, the kinds of people who can make it through PhD without some kind of burnout might not even exist; we all reach a burnout or breaking point in grad school, but it's a matter of whether your passion outweighs those breakdowns/whether those breakdowns aren't too tremendous to keep you from pushing on. How do YOU feel about continuing on to grad school right after graduating? You also said you're a senior: are you graduating this December, or are you graduating in May? 12 programs is a lot, in that you'd have to write 12 SOPs, get 12 LORs from three profs, etc. As for your question, what do you mean by grad programs deferring you because of Americorps or Peace Corps? My friend worked for Americorps in undergrad, and, if anything, working for them helped her get some of her application fees waived (which is super handy since they're usually at least $75 a pop). Best of luck to you! Sorry for having more questions than answers, but I'll be around to keep up the conversation!

iemons, thank you! I really appreciate your advice. I'm going to look into more programs now!

litany, your GPA may be a bit low, but MAN, those GRE scores are awesome!!!! Plus you have that undergrad honors thesis! As for where to apply, apply to a range of ranked programs (a few lower ranked, mid, and highly ranked), but most of all, keep FIT in mind!

Thank you for letting me know that! Do you think I'd be a good candidate for top 20 programs? I was considering a couple, but thought they *might* be too high of a reach. I suppose it never hurts to just go for it and try though, right? :-)

iemons: phew! That's a good question. I might add a couple of more highly ranked programs to my list. I guess that, while I see myself as a fairly well-rounded candidate, that low quantitative GRE score makes me a bit nervous. It really encourages me that you think I have a great record!

We're basically GRE twins! Have you taken other classes that may help adcoms look past your quantitative GRE score? Clear up any uncertainties about your quantitative potential in your statement of purpose and your letters of recommendation!

I'M BAAAAACK!!! *clings to coffee* Hi, everyone! I'm Ginger, and I'm currently pursing my M.A. in sociology at Lehigh University. I'm a TA for the university as well, and it has been a blast, overall! If you all have questions about Lehigh's M.A. program (and its awesome department and funding opportunities), let me know!! BUT NOW THE TIME HAS COME FOR PHD PROGRAMS. Research experience: - Undergraduate Thesis: content analysis of ~400 newspaper articles pertaining to the contraceptive clause of the Affordable Care Act. Examined how religious views regarding the contraceptive clause were framed in mainstream media narratives. - Master's Thesis: quantitative analysis examining the impact of global environmental degradation on HIV/AIDS prevalence among women in less-developed countries - Other: co-authoring an article on young women's unemployment and HIV/AIDS prevalence among young women, presented at two conferences in 2014, presenting at 2016 ESS - Overall package: research experience in both American and global health matters, along with qualitative and quantitative research experience. Stats: - Undergrad GPA: 3.91, cumulative (3.87 AA, 3.97 BA) - Graduate GPA: 4.0 (so far) - GRE: 164 (V), 152 (Q) Cons: that low quant score! I've taken undergraduate statistics in the math department, undergraduate social statistics, graduate-level social statistics, and graduate-level quantitative methods, and I have LOVED each and every one of those classes, earning an A in each one! So, I have the aptitude for quantitative work, and I actually prefer it, but someone who never finished high school math (GED class of 2007!) isn't bound to get a perfect score on the GRE quantitative section. I'm hoping my grades and letters of recommendation offset that quantitative score. Areas of interest: Medical sociology (reproduction, women's health, global health), religion, gender Here are the programs I'm looking at: -University of Delaware (accepted me for their M.A. program, I went on a recruitment visit there and I LOVED it!) -Brandeis University (*gets dreamy look in eyes* medical sociology *and* religion ... *swoon* Plus, Wendy Cadge is there, and her book, "Paging God," is awesome!) -Vanderbilt University (my undergrad thesis advisor got her PhD here) - Emory University - UC Davis (I have a good friend who goes here, and who actually is in these forums pretty often) - NC State I'm considering more programs than this, but those are my top 6.

Some terminal MA programs in sociology offer the opportunity to do community-based internships in conjunction with earning a master's degree in sociology. I am in a program that offers that option, but I'm not taking that track. At the university where I am, students who take that route finish their master's degree in a year, get about 70% of their tuition waived, and get experience in working with community non-profit programs. A good option if you wish to use sociology to engage with the community. Additionally, you can teach at some two-year colleges with a Master's degree (and whatever teaching certification is necessary, of course). Also what MaxWeberhasaPosse said.

Also, if you haven't already, talk to profs from your undergrad soc and anth programs about this! Sorry for typos. My phone keyboard hates this forum.

Those sound like sociological interests, and not everyone is into race, gender, and Marx, and you don't necessarily have to incorporate them fully into your research. Now, there are gendered and racial dimensions to most topics; that's inevitable. However, I think you would still be a good fit for a sociology program. I mean, as long as you're not opposed to learning more about those areas in required Theory courses, I don't see why it would be irreconcilable. I will say this though: you're interested in crim theory and urban sociology. Be ready for racial inequality being incorporated into that, and be open to learning about it. Race is a huge part of crim, urban soc

In the class I TA for, the students have two papers, two essay exams, and a group presentation. Grading papers was the hardest. I graded each paper fairly, but it was hard to give out lower grades to students I could tell were trying, yet still didn't do the paper properly. Added pressure came from the fact that students at my university expect this class to be an easy A and are always expecting A Grades in general. Plus, grading essays was left in our hands, completely (no rubric from the prof or anything). Moreover, we had to give out A, B, C, D, or F grades (as in no percentages besides 95%, 85%, 75%, 65% etc. So if you wanna give a B, you'd better be darn sure). So I felt lost and crappy. I ended up treating myself to some cookie dough, took the rest of the night off, and consulted with one of the other TAs, asking him if he thought I graded the five or so papers that I felt worst about in a fair manner. I guess the two things to remember are: 1) if you're crying over it or otherwise upset, just walk away for a little while. 2) consult with others and get their input/feedback.

@breaks0: I just got done with my semester about a week ago, but I'm finally back on Grad Cafe! Best of luck, everyone! PS: this time next year, I'll be participating in the waiting game once again! I'm in a terminal MA program, so PhD apps are just a year away!

I remember transferring to a four-year school after spending three years at a local community college that became my second home. I remember how nervous I was, how excited I was, and how, for the first time in my entire life, I knew absolutely nobody in the area. That's exactly how I'm feeling now. Now, on my first day as a transfer student at my four-year college, I met my roommate and my boyfriend. So, I really lucked out there. I can only hope my transition to grad school is half as smooth!!! I'm absolutely down the days until I move into my very first apartment and get started at grad school!!! I graduated in December, so after 8 months of working and helping out at home, I'm absolutely ready (yet still nervous) to get going!!!

Hold on. Woah. I'm all for developing an ability to take harsh comments, but let's delve deeper, here, into the technicalities of the application process. I didn't know that there were programs where applicants had to ask to apply! I thought you just filled out an application, and that's how they came to a decision. So, since OP was able to apply online without the guy's permission, then it's this director's job to know that process. It sounds like this guy didn't even know the application process on his own university's website because he raged at OP telling OP that they needed his special permission to even apply!!! That's an oversight on HIS part, not OP's. If the director doesn't even know the application process, and if he doesn't know that folks are, YES, allowed to apply without his permission, then what kind of director is that?! Seriously! That's really upsetting, and I don't blame OP one bit!! "But what if they just changed the system, and he didn't know?" He should have recognized that, hey, if a student was able to apply without asking his permission, maybe the system changed, rather than accusing an innocent applicant of trying to pull some kind of application trick behind his back! The only reason I'm glad he was mean to OP is that now OP won't be stuck there!! Having a thick skin to take constructive criticism or rude comments from, perhaps, the lay public or undergraduates? Absolutely! Having a thick skin so you can let an underinformed grad director in the wrong walk all over you? I call bullcrap.

It's been over a month since you last heard from them. I think you're more than deserving of a proper response! Try emailing them again, or call the department directly.

I would have gladly applied for grad school at my undergrad institution, but there were no grad programs in either of my fields (sociology and philosophy). However, a good portion of my grad student cohort actually attended the same institution as undergrads.

This one!! http://ogio.com/soho I got it, and I've taken it on a test run...I decided to spend my day at my first college, and I brought my laptop and everything I need for the day, and it all fits wonderfully in the backpack (with room for books for when I start grad school, of course!)! EDIT: If you're a dude, they still have backpacks on the website. I still say you could use these backpacks if you like/don't care about colorful polka dots on the inside. The straps are also made "for women," which just means the straps are cut in a way so that a woman's bust won't get in the way of the straps.

I attended and presented at the Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS) winter meeting in February. I also attended and presented at the Eastern Sociological Society (ESS) winter meeting in February! These were my first two conferences! Both intimidating, but very fun!!

Hey, there! Sometimes, application fee waivers can be unexpected, if you work with a qualifying organization. For example, my good friend had application fees for Brandeis and UConn (I THINK UConn, but I'm not positive. Definitely Brandeis, though) waived because she works with AmeriCorps. So, I would call the department or search the website to see if there's any possibility to have app fees waived. As for the GRE ... *shudder* that was a $1,000+ investment for me, including tutoring classes that made all the difference. I don't know if there's anything you can do to receive discounts on the GRE registration fee or tutoring!!

It goes something like this: "I'm headed to grad school in the fall. I'll be a teaching assistant for undergraduate classes as well." They don't usually ask whether I'm going for my MA or my PhD, but rather: "Oh yeah? For what field?" "Sociology." THEN, the guaranteed, reflexive: "Oh, what are you gonna do with that?" ... ...

Solid scores! A big, big congratulations to you!! Where are you planning on applying? What are your interests within sociology?

I've found "the one!!" (the backpack, to clarify)