lovekilledinos

I guess I'd buckle down and look for a real job. I'm not making enough as an adjunct lecturer. It might be time to put the dream of a PhD away for now.

@sgaw10 well, damn.

Are interviews common for your program? I'm holding out hope on mine. Maybe your programs are super confident in you and don't need to interview you to know they want you. What if interviews are for people they're on the fence about? IDK.

Shit.

Can you take a class for an R as a grad student?! That's cool! For my program we had to take all classes for a grade and couldn't receive less than a B. In general, I'd say take the grade. But it's also an elective and those matter less than the core courses.

I'm thinking about all the ways I fucked up my applications now. Like. Shit! I'm so stupid. I just want this to be over with so I can move on with my life.

God. My lease is up in May, I applied out of state so I will hopefully be moving to a new city! In which case, a summer of madness in a new place while I settle in.

Thanks for that! I hadn't thought about it from that perspective. She's also one of my letter writers for this year's application cycle so I was fairly devastated over the weekend. But ultimately, whatever shenanigans happened behind the scenes to make it possible for me to teach this course was not my fault. Shouldn't faculty want to see their students succeed?

YEP. Last year I only applied to one program and it was a big fat No. This year I only applied to three and while I logically know that decisions for my programs will come in about three weeks.. still so anxious.

Worried that I have irrevocably damaged my relationship with a faculty member from the university I received my MA from. Currently, it's also where I teach. We had a strangely icy interaction today that I hope I'm just reading wrong. Excited because I'm teaching an introductory course in my field for the first time! Incidentally, I think that could be the reason the other professor is icy. I might have taken the course from her. Shit.

It's considerate of you to not want to rob someone of that very opportunity! Though I'd say, at the risk of sounding callous as hell, that it's the time to be cutthroat and not worry about the other guy. This is your life and these are the opportunities being presented to you. Don't feel guilty for doing what is best for you.

MCC just let me know that my application is incomplete because of missing transcripts. I sent them a PDF of the officials a month ago.. but they somehow apparently only have 2 of the 4 pages in it. I'm waiting to hear back if they'll take the PDF through email or if I need to overnight officials.

Nah, I wouldn't. Your statement should be about how much of a badass you are! You don't want to tell them how you suck. What you can do is have one of you letter writers address it, if you're nervous about it. The GRE is not a measure of anything except how well you test on the GRE, after all.

I'd take it as a personal statement, they want to know who you are and where you came from. What got you to where you are now? It's supposed to be personal and less focused on your academics. It's your chance to be a person! Show your quirks and things like that.

I wouldn't be overt about it. You're re-applying after all, something drew you back to it! Probably better to focus your efforts on your research and why you fit well in the program, rather than taking time to explain the obvious--which is that you love the program/campus.

@kp_87 I think it depends on the program. MCC at NYU said on their website you don't need to contact anyone, but other programs suggest that you should. I am also applying to media studies and I've sent out a couple of emails to people. It's case by case, honestly.

I went the MA route first, too. It also solidified my ultimate goal of going into PhD and I do think that it prepared me for the rigors of a doctoral program. These last two years have been hell, but if there is anything I've gained from it is a sense of myself and my own confidence. I was bullied and pushed around by faculty my first year, but when I came back this year I settled what I wanted to do and I've stuck to my convictions. I don't have a whole lot of research experience behind me, but what I do have I feel I've done well enough. Remember, your MA isn't what you're going to do for the rest of your life and it is, if nothing else, a stepping stone into helping you explore your interests and finding what you do want.

Ohh cool, which schools are you applying to? And yeah! I had always assumed that you needed a mentor in the department to want to work with you before you entered, but at UCI all the professors I've contacted told me they don't admit based on advisers--but rather through overall "fit" with the department and program. Which is a huge relief! (I'm now 4 for 4 at UCI, which is astounding to me.)

Woo! I'm willing to swap, too. I'm on the socio anthro track though.

UCI! It's a crapshoot, man. Idk. Good luck with this round!

I'm 3 for 3 of the people I contacted in the same university. The first responded within two days, the second took almost a week, and the third replied about 20 minutes after I sent the email. I scheduled a phone call with one for tomorrow! Generally, I introduced myself by name, said I was graduating with my MA and from where, and added which program I was applying to and where. I asked if they had time to discuss my research and how it could fit in with the program and that I thought my research could benefit from their expertise. Then I briefly said what I was interested in, how it related to something about their work that I'd read, and then I asked if they'd be at the AAAs in DC this year, and if so, if we could meet to chat about my research. Then I thanked them and said I looked forward to their response. Super easy!

Oh man, I spent 3 years between undergrad and grad school working in food service, too. I used that in my application essay, my boss wrote me a letter of rec (I wrote it for myself and she signed it, actually), I had no extra-curricular activities to talk about, but mentioned a study abroad experience that tied into my research ideas. If you haven't done a lot, don't worry. No one expects you to have amazing shit before you're in the place where you learn to do amazing shit.

Honestly, the admission cycle is always a crapshoot. If there's anything I've learned after applying this season and reading other people's experience, it's that you can do the best at everything and still get denied for whatever reason you can imagine. I say that so that I can also say not to freak out over your GPA/Credentials. They are what they are. The worse thing that can happen when you apply is you can get rejected, which while might feel heart crushing, is a part of life we're all familiar with. It's okay! Apply to the schools, see what happens. And anyway their individual departmental websites should tell you about expectations (gpa, gre scores, etc.) that could alleviate some of your concerns. Check them out. I'd also look at MAs as a backup if you really, really want to go to grad school and are okay with delaying two years before you continue to PhD. Again, admissions is a crapshoot based upon a bunch of different factors. Your age may or may not have to do with anything, there's no way to tell. Just think about what you want to do vs. what you think you should. As for 3, no. You don't need to have practical experience beforehand. Would it be nice? Sure. But it's not required. Tailor your relevant experiences and interests to what you want to research and to each department to which you're applying. That's really what the application is about. You've got this. And if you don't, there's always the next year.

I had a similar problem even though it's only been 4 years for me. I had one professor who knew me well enough to write a letter as we'd kept in sporadic contact since I graduated. I asked my department about non-academic references which they were also cool with, so I asked my supervisor at work to write me one. Since I worked in a restaurant (something not even remotely related to my field) I knew it wasn't going to be related to my skills as a student or researcher. What ended up happening though, was that I wrote the letter and had my supervisor sign it. I focused on my work related skills, my communication, and my ability to learn new things, something I wasn't sure my professor would include in her own. I figured it'd be the best way to present myself as a well rounded individual. Anyway, that's an option! Good luck.

Wow, that IS super stressful. Do you know why they make you guys wait so long to register? Ahaha, I feel you. I was so smug when I saw I already owned and read 1 of 2 textbooks for a class, then I saw the 11 item list for the other one and it properly wiped the smug off my face.