prospecting

I was accepted for Springs admissions and received full funding + stipend to a highly renowned research school. That being said, different schools may do it differently and I guess that depends on how deep their pockets are.

You may want to consider retaking your GRE since your quantitative scores are a little on the low side for a focus that requires it. Furthermore, the schools you are applying to are highly competitive and many students will apply with a combined GRE score greater than the minimum 315 score.

Do you know the reason(s) for your rejection last year?

wat

I had a Professor who was interested in hiring me. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful at appealing to the committee to bring me on under his supervision largely because the department was lacking funds that year. Although, having a POI support your application usually guarantees admission, there are still many factors that go into accepting a student; funding, minimum grades, departmental support, criminal background, etc. I never count my chickens before they hatch but, all in all, I would not be worried. I'd say hope for the best and keep going until you receive something Good luck with your application!

The SOP used for my application was 1100 words within 2 pages single spaced for programs that did not have a guide/specification. Feedback I received typically indicate 1.5 pages to 2 pages being most ideal. If I had it my way, I would have stuck with a 1.5 page SOP but I felt it necessary to convey to the committee some personal/professional details. And so my advise is, do what you must if you feel 3 pages is necessary.

Apart from your lousy attitude, you also seem very incoherent and possess poor writing capability. I hope my assumptions are untrue, but it is my sincere belief that you have a character most would find to be a pain in the butt.

As ashiepoo has pointed out, you post only to get out of people what you want to hear. I recognized you were the same person who adamantly denied the GRE is a crucial part of the application process. You mentioned you had failed to do well in your GRE and due to time constraints would have to use your present scores for application. Despite this, you opened a thread asking soliciting opinions on whether your GRE scores would be competitive/viable in gaining entrance. You refused to heed the advise of community members who have a different opinion and instead shot them down saying GRE scores should be redundant. Because you have already decided on your course of action, and what you feel is best for yourself, I do not understand your purpose in creating these threads.

All the best!

Is it for the Scripps/UCSD geophysics doctoral program? All the best nonetheless!

You're the type of student I'd hate to have

I agree strongly with Ridethelightning. Try to reign in the sloppiness in the SOP. I am also confused at what you are trying to convey with your initial post.... Connections may help, but they are not a guarantee and should not be relied on. You should craft your own future instead of riding on the coattail of others.

Yes! I believe the University of Wyoming has a small geophysics program. Steve Holbrook who is very well known and respected in his field has made the transition to near surface geophysics in mountain watersheds. As for competitiveness, I am not for certain. I have heard from sources before that they UWyoming offers a higher stipend to compete for students because... its in Wyoming? Nevertheless, they have good faculty and you should definitely apply there if a particular research interests you.

Just to clarify, Rice does offer funding but not to students attending the Professional Masters program.

If anyone needs a little more personal help with the direction and where to apply, please feel free to either send me a personal message or leave a message on this board. I will check it periodically. I am currently doing my graduate studies at a well known private college and may be able to help guide you

I'm doing my graduate studies in geophysics-seismology and may be able to help you. Are you looking at active source seismology or studying teleseismic data? Are you interested in deep earth or shallow crust?

I think you will find noone will have an absolute answer. If you don't have time to prepare for another GRE attempt, then any question about how well your application will fare is irrelevant. I think you may have already realized this from the replies you've received.

Yes - praying helps.

One last thing I wanted to add is this: I do not feel speaking with your UG adviser would be effective in determining how your qualifications will be assessed by the admissions committee at a different school. If anything, your Professor will reassure you that the GRE is one part of a multicomponent selection process and that you need not worry. I suggest you do not take too much weight in concluding what you need to do and instead prep for your next GRE attempt.

I agree with Geodude that many factors will come into play and you should not give up with applying to more competitive programs. I have seen my fair number of surprises including a person who was accepted into a highly competitive O&G school despite a sub-3.0 GPA. The GRE plays only one part of the overall selection process and many of these criterias are not entirely unveiled to us. I would say both motivation and research interests play vital roles in selecting an appropriate candidate. I feel you may possess these intrinsic qualities and so I ask that you do not give up. Edited: a word.

Sure - almost every school in Texas, including programs at Scripps, UWashington, and UOregon. Most, if not all, of these programs have stringent GRE cutoffs. I had graduated from a top 3 R1 school with several research projects and very strong recommendation letters. Unfortunately, I had failed to meet the minimum GRE last year because I had taken over twenty credits worth of courses on top of other assignments. I was overburdened with commitment and could not afford any time to study for my GRE. I did come very close to being admitted with faculty recommendations from two Texan schools, but unfortunately the committee denied me admissions because of my subpar GRE. I wish you the best with your applications.

I too had a very poor GRE showing during the last application season. Please do not be disheartened. I highly suggest that you keep your chin up and retake your GRE, make good/excellent contact with Professors you are interested in working with, and perhaps arrange to meet with them. Last year, I was devastated too when I was rejected from 5 out of 5 schools despite having a solid GPA. Granted my GRE score was my achilles. When my advising UG Professor found out, he said to me "your dream isn't over, it merely got postponed is all". Motivated by that, I buckled down and studied for it before retaking it earlier this year. I scored significantly better. I would recommend you do the same. Remember my friend - your dream isn't over, it merely got postponed. Not that it is over yet, but if you do get rejected - I say take heart and put in a stronger application next season