Tritonetelephone

No, it's still illegal, unless they're not part of the Council of Graduate Schools. Read Tinyboss's post again...

Yes!! I sent mine a full profile of each school with a cover sheet of my stats. I included info regarding due dates, why I was applying/why it was a good fit, which faculty I liked, contact info for the DGS, and instructions for submitting their LOR's. Creating these profiles means a lot to them - one prof said I deserved my rec on that alone. My UG was a large university with impersonal classes, so I met with my professors over several sessions of getting to know each other and asking for their advice before asking them for a recommendation. I was actually surprised that they had noticed me in their large classes (which made it easier), but it took time to build that genuine relationship. Here's what I would do: email them and say you're an alumna who is considering graduate school and would like to meet with them to ask their advice. I would NOT mention the LOR right off the bat, as you proposed. Go to the appt, ask them about their own experiences, how they got to where they are (my profs loved that). Tell them about yourself, what interests you, why you think now is a good time for graduate study, and ask what schools they recommend. Ask if they think you would be a good candidate. If they say yes, ask them if they would feel comfortable supplying an LOR for your applications, and leave them with your academic resume or CV. Tell them you'll be in close contact and will provide more info once your schools are picked out (as mentioned above). I can't emphasize enough (you may already know, if you've been reading the boards), that getting into grad school is TOUGH and you want every component of your app to be as awesome as possible! Employers are not appropriate for your circumstance. Hope this was helpful (took forever to type)! Good luck!

I agree with hip2btraingle 100%. To put it another way, obviously migrationdude was a stellar candidate and deserves all hu's success, but there are other stellar candidates among us that might not have had the opportunity for the same stats. There are so many components to your application that each committee considers carefully, some of which can't be provided in stats/list format. So, you future sociology applicants in the year 2010 and beyond: don't give up on yourself!!

I would just let the secretary know that you're still interested and keep waiting it out. If the school is your top choice, you could email your potential advisor, let them know that you're hopeful after having been waitlisted and that the school is currently your top choice. They might try to fight for you if a spot becomes available (especially if they weren't on the committee) or volunteer some info about your chances. I did this last year after receiving advice from profs, but it didn't work out - the faculty member sent me a VERY kind response but he didn't know anything, and everyone offered admission ended up accepting (more than they wanted).

Yes, thank you so much for sharing, migrationdude!! I know a lot of us must have been curious, myself included. So how much did it freak you out to see the title of this thread for the first time?

I've been told by many profs that the best letters of recs mention some weakness(es) the student has. So, it is possible he was trying to be helpful - but since he wasn't specific, it's hard to say. All I'm trying to say is, this experience doesn't mean he's an inherently bad recommender. Like others said, since he's in your subfield, you may need him. He'll have connections. What I would do is sit down with him and ask him what he thinks you can do to improve yourself before grad school, then DO IT. Because this phrase: has me concerned that you're not thinking like a grad student. Essays are not something to be taken lightly - and they mean SO much more than grades in grad school!!

Good idea for a poll! Is there a way to change it so they could select two: the time of day and if it was a weekday or weekend?

This is a great thread! I'm among those that refuse to read it, for fear that it could only lead to negative consequences if a mistake is found. Instead, I'm re-reading each only after I've received that school's decision. Although I haven't done it yet for the two I've heard from... maybe when I get an acceptance, I'll start?

Aww, thanks tonights! That's really sweet. There is a possibility that he can move after year 1... he just started a new job 6 months ago and is up for a raise, so leaving only a few months after the raise wouldn't be right. We haven't worked out all the details yet... it's kind of one of those "cross that bridge when we get there" things. Wouldn't it be nice to be a poor grad student but sharing bills with an employed engineer, though?? Grr

I'm moving far away from anyone I know and love, likely ending a great relationship with my awesome bf of 5 years who can't leave his job, and... wow this is getting really depressing. I need to just stop there.

I had a HUGE crush on my high school calculus teacher, and still think about him from time to time. I think I'm most attracted to math/science people, so my own profs haven't really been an issue.

I'm staying patient about UCSD. Looking at the timeline of past results, it seems no news is good news.

I haven't heard from UCSD yet either, but I was the one waitlisted by USC. I got the letter in the mail last Thursday - it was dated 2/2. They said they'd email me in a few days, and I haven't received an email yet. The letter was clear that they're having funding issues (as I posted on the results page). I'm going to initiate an email today to say I'm "still interested in being considered" (but truthfully, it's unlikely I'll be able to attend without funding).

It's April 15th - and they're right. My guess is that the school putting on the pressure is trying to get people who have already made up their minds (but are hesitating to tell them for whatever reason) to come forward. That's reasonable, but there's nothing they can say that should make you feel pressure to make up your mind too early. It's a good idea to tell them that they're your top choice but you're not ready to make a final decision. It won't affect your future relationships if you do choose to attend. From the Resolution of the Council of Graduate Schools...

Jesus, migrationdude! 7/12?? Where will it end?! (Congrats!)

Yeah, I don't think that's bad at all, especially for a UC school. Maryland's stipend seems outrageously high for sociology, IMO, so I wouldn't use it as a comparison. Don't take that healthcare for granted as part of the package, either! That being said, without knowing the cost of living in LA, be sure to do your research about how much you'll need to sustain yourself while you're there before accepting!

I agree with IvyHope - it's best not to assume that you're in yet. I feel pretty strongly that they sent this to everybody, just to let you know that it will be a while before they can even begin to review everyone's application. But it sounds like your response was perfect! Good luck!

I'm sure someone will forward it to the dean and complain about having their email address exposed. They probably had a student assistant do it, but I'm a student assistant at a grad school, I've sent out mass acceptance emails (for scholarships), and I know to put all recipients in the BCC. That's just common sense.

I didn't know Paul DiMaggio was at Princeton. I led class discussion on his Cultural Capital and School Success article, and pointed out how weird it was that, although women did better academically than men, he said this was a good thing because it makes them "eligible partners" for successful men. Excellent article all around, but I was looking for the date, expecting to see 1955 or something. Published in 1982. I got props from my prof for noticing - he said DiMaggio is known for being more conservative than most sociologists.

Three of my schools notified people by now last year... I haven't heard from any of those yet. Princeton wasn't one them, though. I'm just saying...

While we're waiting... I have to give a weekly news update to a student group tonight. Does anyone have any interesting academic news to suggest? Recent developments/discoveries in your field? I noticed they just discovered a planet that kind of resembles earth, except that it's much closer to its sun and probably covered in lava. Stuff like that would be good.

I don't remember - I only rented it. I don't even remember if it was that bad while I was playing or only while I was watching someone else play (which is always much worse). The absolute worst motion sickness was watching someone else play Half Life 2 for hours. I'm now conditioned to get sick just hearing the sound effects for that game (even Portal now makes me a little sick, didn't used to). I'll be sure to be more aware of it if I get a chance to play Mirror's Edge again. Interesting info, thanks!

That's ironic - same title as the best video game song ever, from an even more amazing game. Mirror's Edge wasn't bad, but it gave me motion sickness - a lot of FPS's do that to me.

Yeah, I don't like scary movies at ALL, but my bf does and even he can't play Bioshock alone. I've played Left 4 Dead, and that was a little scary at first. But nothing on the level of bioshock. (Plus, you can play as the vampires, which is MUCH less scary than playing as the humans.)

We've discussed stipend amounts a little while ago on the soc board: viewtopic.php?f=59&t=15006