GradSchoolTruther

$50k tuition for a two-year technical school is a rip off, and I'm guessing most graduates can't afford to pay back their student loans. Also have a feeling this question is better suited for College Confidential.

I'd have to get more than one sigh before questioning a program.

Yes, teaching is beneficial compared to being a TA.

Good luck in your quest to have the board avoid reality. I'm sure you'll have a fine career as a barista.

Every Ph.D.-granting program can be considered an R1 program. I find little need to post 500 words when my questions suffice. You can't expect to have a good chance getting a job at an R1 of previous graduates of the program haven't placed there. Also, is the OP at a highly ranked program?

Is an R1 realistic? Do most alumni land R1 jobs?

Why did your friend get a Ph.D. when it would make him overqualified for his dream job?

I had other things to worry about. Did my bit and knew it was good enough.

What you want to study? Why you want to pursue a Ph.D? Maybe some questions on academic background.

Answer to #2 is a thesis still matters. It shows you can finish a long-term project.

Is more transparency good? People here seem to think transparency just means posting minimum GPA/GRE scores. Think that does some harm in that it discourages some qualified candidates from applying. Others would argue they need that info to decide whether to spend time and money applying. I think grad-school applicants need greater self-awareness and initiative, and an applicant with poor GPA/GRE scores who has those attributes would find a program.

What can you offer? You really need to know the industry if you think this service would help. Honestly, it wouldn't. There are plenty of outlets for people to publish. Quality of the work and editing an large issue, as well as writing for free devaluing journalism.

This is a forum for graduate students or those looking at graduate school. You seem immature to pursue graduate school.

Ask your advisor.

If it's for a master's, don't count on funding.

We aren't in a position to help you explain why your grades are below what is expected.

What are you looking for in a review of your essay? No one here is on admissions committees, or if they are, they won't be able to personally critique your materials.

Welcome to academia!

Traits that won't help you land a TT job - Lacking self confidence (Chance me threads scream no self confidence) - Lack of self reliance and research skills (Google is your friend) - Lack of work ethic (You need to actually do your coursework and RA/TA work) - Lack of ambition (Turn seminar papers into conference/journal submissions) - Lack of collegiality (Need to play nice with others)

To be honest, you'll probably have to outwork almost everyone in your cohort. That's a huge weight. You're not competing over grades, as law school students do, but you do compete for faculty attbetion. You'll likely need to start presenting in your second year. Do not think of seminar papers as one-time projects. Even a mediocre one can be revised hopefully land at some journal. You'll have to deal with rejection. As for TT jobs, many smaller schools, especially public ones, are hesitant to hire those coming from top-ranked programs. Departments want faculty who will stick around, especially as there aren't guarantees that TT lines can be replaced.

Even coming from low-ranked or unranked programs, you can get a TT job. It won't be in a Ph.D-granting department, and probably a stretch for a department with any type of graduate program. The real question is are you going to be one of the top students in a low or unranked program who will succeed? Are you a go-getter and willing to find information on your own, or do you need everything spoon-fed to you? Are you willing to take some risks? Do you need an advisor who researches exactly the same topic you want to, or do you just need general guidance? Are you afraid of attending conferences, presenting your work to your peers and faculty, and tentative about teaching?

The list of doctoral programs is here. Look at the rankings and find the low or unranked programs. http://www.natcom.org/DoctoralProgramGuide/#Alphabetical

Most full offers of funding require up to 20 hours of service per week. As for a research idea, it's an idea. You had at least one in your SOP.

Doubtful.

Not good. Better have very high GRE scores, stellar SOP, and stellar LORs. Here's some free advice: Don't ask about chances with such low stars, and include several grammatical and spelling errors in your post.