socnerd

I think I can understand the contrast of anxiety between those who are already in the workforce and have nothing to lose by taking another year to apply to grad school and those of us applying right out of undergrad who have no other options (or for some reason have no options for employment in the coming year without school). I would probably be close to unemployable, at least for a position where I could halfway support myself, so the prospect of not being in school this coming fall is terrifying. Those who have a job or established career who can just stay there for another year and apply again have a much more relaxed outlook.

Oh leave him alone, we all feel that way. I find that a surprising comment from someone whose name is "anxiousapplicant." Do you already have acceptances or something? Or maybe you're just trying to cut other people down when they already feel terrible by telling them they won't get in anywhere or can't have any friends. Its just unnecessary, everyone feels negative at this point if they don't have any acceptances.

I haven't heard anything yet at all, is that really bad? I didn't apply to top schools but some of the deadlines have passed already. I don't see anyone reporting responses from any of the schools I applied to, but very few people from here probably applied to the same ones. I'm not expecting much so I hopefully don't get too disappointed.

I'm so glad someone brought this up because I was beginning to feel like the only one who doesn't want to go into academia. I mean I kind of feel sorry for everyone that does because the job prospects are so minimal, getting a tenure track job these days is like winning the lottery! Not to knock anyone that does it, I would probably love to do such a thing but I'm a bit more realistic in my career aspirations (probably because I don't have the credentials to go after something like that). Well anyway here are your answers Why are you pursuing a masters? It's pretty much a requirement for any job where I would be able to use my knowledge from undergraduate. WIth sociology a B.A. is pretty worthless, you need at least a Master's to be considered for research either in the public or private sector, which is what I'm after. How's the process been for you? Stressful and depressing mostly. I've found that I have very little chance of getting in anywhere because my grades/scores are less than perfect, thus I have applied to about 15 schools and made my recommenders nuts but they have been so great and understanding. How are you going to pay for this? I just assumed I'd be paying for it out of pocket (meaning my parents would be paying for it) but they have no problem with that. I wasn't aware that people even got funding or did this stuff for free until I started lurking on this board and learning more about it, but I understand that Master's programs are rarely funded anyway. I know I won't be able to get into a PhD program although I did apply to some, but I'm fine with paying for it just like undergraduate. Are you still waiting for any responses? Yes, all of them... all 15! I really hope I get in somewhere, otherwise I have no idea what I'm going to do with myself after I graduate. Good luck to all!

I just noticed on University of Maryland's website it said "Although a previous major in sociology is not required, students entering the graduate program should have had the following in undergraduate courses: mathematics through college algebra, elementary statistics, sociological theory, and sociological research methods. " Not that its a bad thing not to be a soc major, I'm sure it brings some interesting perspectives to the table

Wait... You still live at home with your parents? Lol sorry, I can imagine what a nightmare that would be. I'm so glad I don't have to deal with my parents being around when the mail comes in, just like college all over again! I did get a letter from one of the schools I'm applying to just letting me know about financial aid options, they just love to make us nervous!

I was under the impression that you needed at least a certain number of classes/credit hours in sociology in order to be eligible for admission for a soc graduate degree? You don't have to major in it but most of the schools I looked at said you needed to have at least some experience with theory, methods etc. Is that just the case with some schools?

I'm sure I'm way out of the norm here but I wasn't even aware that the grad school typically paid for your degree until I started reading this forum. I just assumed that you paid for your graduate degree like you paid for your undergraduate, unless of course you couldn't afford it. But then again, a graduate degree is less of a necessity and more of a voluntary thing so I can understand there being less government funding for it. I'm not against people getting funding based on merit or anything else, I just didn't know this happened. My parents paid for most of my undergraduate (I got some financial aid from the school, more in recent years since the economy has gotten worse) but I didn't expect that from graduate school. I have no idea how I'm going to pay for it, but my parents always tell me not to worry and just do the best I can to get in and they'll find a way to pay for it. They are very supportive and I'm grateful for it, since with my stats I'll be lucky to get in and won't be in the pool for funding. I've often wondered if I'd have a better chance of getting in if they knew I didn't need funding, I wish there was a way to communicate that to them in a way that made sense.

Yea, especially since I've put in 14 applications so far! As far as I know none of them have rolling admissions which stinks because I have to wait so long to hear from anywhere. I pretty much used the same SOP for each one, just adding on details about each school to personalize it, I know that wasn't good but not much about my application is. I have such low stats that I wanted to spread things around to give myself the best chance (which still isn't good). I also have 3 schools on retainer with later deadlines that I've started the apps for in case I get rejected from all the ones I've already applied to. I feel like this will be a never ending process for me. Oh well, at least my recommenders are sympathetic and willing to keep helping.

Mine will probably be breaking up with me. We've been together about a year but he's not good at relationships even when I live downstairs, I can't imagine a few states away. Certainly wouldn't make any effort there. Makes me wonder why I bother to continue the relationship. Oh well, maybe I'll meet someone in grad school.

Well, I can't move back home because my parents moved away and I would rather die than stay with them in their tiny apartment in a strange city. I'll be freshly out of undergraduate with a pretty useless degree (just a B.A.) so I probably wouldn't be able to get a decent job. I'm thinking WalMart greeter? Seriously I have no idea what's going to happen to me if I don't get in anywhere, it terrifies me. If I did have to get a job I don't know where I would go. I'd be alone most likely in an unfamiliar place and would probably succumb to depression and loneliness due to isolation. It's not a good prospect, I guess maybe I could get on unemployment. This is why I'm applying to 14 schools with 3 more on backup. With the economy being the way it is I really can't afford not to be in school in the fall.

It's just an expression, but thanks for the cattiness!

Wow I really really hope not! I would hope that something as important and prestigious as graduate school would throw out the "affirmative action" card and just accept people based on their qualifications. That would really enrage people I think if they found out that was happening.

Oh its OK I was just curious, I know I don't stand a chance there anyway, or at any of the other programs I applied to

Who was the person who got into Penn State?

I agree in that I am very pessimistic, I don't really think of it as seeing where I'll get in, more of just waiting for the rejections to come in. I realize that my $200K undergraduate education is now worth nothing because I didn't work hard enough and with a BA in my field I might as well go work at WalMart. I've applied to 14 places with 3 on backup that have later deadlines. I don't even care if its not a good school or I don't get any funding, the truth is my parents have moved away and if I don't have somewhere to be next year when I graduate I don't know what's going to happen to me. Its a terrifying prospect and I just try not to think about it, but I won't be surprised if I end up screwed at the end of this process. My grades just aren't good enough, which means that I'm just not good enough, but I think I knew that already. Oh well. Good luck to everyone

God I hope so! I mean not that I need any more advantages because of my stunning beauty but sometimes I wish we were allowed to send a photo along with our applications! Haha Mostly joking... mostly

One of the programs I'm applying to is an MA in Criminology and Public Sociology at UNC Wilmington, does that count? Most of my applications are for sociology, but my research is more criminologically based.

I'll pretty much be waiting until the first round of rejections are sent out, whenever that is! I'm thinking of putting in my resume to WalMart

I solve this by owning a blackberry, or should I say crackberry... makes it even easier to be obsessively checking!

I'm certain that mine will take one look at my GPA and GRE scores and feel sorry for me. They'll say "Awww, we almost feel bad taking this person's application fee... how sad"

If I do end up getting any acceptances I think I'd be afraid to put them on facebook, like if they turn out to be a mistake or something and then I have to tell everyone I think that would be worse. I know thats a very neurotic thing to think but I definitely will not be convinced they mean it if I get any acceptances until I get some sort of extensive confirmation. I mean, I've heard of people who get notified that they're accepted then days later they get an e-mail saying sorry it was a mistake.

Thank you for your insight, how is it possible to let them know in some way that I wouldn't be asking for funding? I don't have a scholarship or anything (I'm from the U.S. btw) but I'm willing to take out loans. I just thought not asking would make me a more attractive candidate, but I don't know how to let them know that. Thanks!

Hi all, I have been sitting around thinking about my applications that are out there hopefully being looked at and I just had a thought. When I applied I never really thought about funding, its not a major issue for me but I'm pretty sure I checked off that I wanted to apply for some type of assistantship. I was wondering, if I hadn't done that would I have a better chance of getting accepted? I know they try to fund everyone (at least for PhD programs) but I hear they also let people in without funding. Would they be more likely to admit me if I didn't ask for anything? I mostly applied to MA programs so maybe it doesn't matter anyway, but it just crossed my mind. I have 10 applications out there already and am planning on sending about 4-6 more out and I wonder if I should not mention anything about funding if they ask. Just a thought, since I know that schools are struggling right now with funding and I don't care if they can't give me any I just don't want to be rejected because there isn't any money. Just wondering, thanks!

Lol that is a great quote! I guess I just never thought of it that way because I didn't think of undergraduate in terms of where I could afford. My family is not wealthy and I did have to take out loans and things but I think of grad school more in terms of getting a degree so I will be able to make some money in the future. I know I'm going to have a lot of debt but I think I'd have a much better chance in the world with my degree and debt than no degree at all. I just thought it was interesting that people are so focused on it and that I never put much thought into it. Then again like I said, I am probably not competitive for funding (or admission for that matter).. but I guess we'll see!