anthrostudentcyn

i will for both of you guys!

ok makes sense. too bad that is not anywhere near my actual topic, haha!

I am asking how much does one focus on methods in the SOP for sociology. like do you generally say (just as an example): i am interested in using a longitudinal analysis for divorce rates of immigrant parents who have been in the US over 10 years. or would it be better to say: i am interested in working in marriage and family structure in immigrant families, integrating X`s theory on family structure. I am open to various methodologies...namely media analysis, conversation analysis, and ethnography, but also do not mind working with bigger data sets. Should I specify one, or focus more on my research questions?

Hi, can I join in on the SOP exchange? @psyched64 @speechfan222 @Beals

I can look over it!

Hi, I am coming over from anthropology. And anthro doesnt really have many methods other than ethnography, but for my sociology applications I am interested in doing some mixed methods stuff. Could anyone give me advice or even PM me about this? I think my research questions are very sociological, I just need some work on framing.

hi! im interested in medical sociology/STS/qualitative methods/social movements, and im thinking of rutgers, mcgill, and penn HSS for now!

As far as POI's....personally I've contacted a few who seem really really interesting to me and directly related my research to something that they wrote. Almost every professor writes me back, and I actually got two phone conversations (1hr+) and one in person meeting with POI's, who just gave me really interesting advice about the field in general!

I;m in the same field; would love to know where you are thinking of applying.

Basically what the title says! Thanks!

@RM1 I similarly had to decline an offer from my top choice do to lack of funding with an eye to reapplying. I thanked them for their help, communication, and transparency, and reiterated how excited I was about the program, but that it didn't make financial sense for me to accept the offer this cycle. I then said that I am excited to reapply, and hope to spend my time off improving my profile to make me a stronger candidate.

So I think that if you are set on this school, perhaps think about ways you could get funding on top of the tuition waiver. TA, RA, etc. Also, and people will disagree with me on this, but I bet there are a decent amount of ways for you to make money as a computer science major. Personally, people I know are always looking for a comp sci person to work on this project or that one. So, other people as well as other departments may very well have a need for your (marketable!!) skills.

Hi all, was wondering if anyone could suggest programs that are strong in medical sociology that are mostly qualitative? Thanks

@fuzzylogician thanks! I actually have a bunch of really great job experience prospects for next year. Plus I may take advanced courses in my proposed area of study, something that id been lacking. I applied right from a BA so I think a gap year would be great!

@GradSchoolTruther I mean idk they didn't outright reject me so obviously me app was decent. Things I could do to improve are work opportunities in my field and publications or conference presentations. But yes that may not be enough. They encouraged me to reapply.

hey all, just wondering, would it be better to reapply next year or in two years? is there a major difference/would next year be too soon?

I'm pretty nervous, I had a meeting with someone from the program last week and they said they literally didnt know a timeline. Should I inquire again? I feel like it's kind of annoying to not be kept up to date, especially because I'm admitted just waitlisted for funding. Also, in my situation, should I go to the accepted students dinner?

@Danger_Zone I have the same question, last time I inquired with my POI was march 4 and I don't want to be pushy and ask but it is getting close

My two cents as someone in the field of anthropology, what you do before you come to the program does really matter, because anthropology is a human centered discipline. It requires 1-2 years of fieldwork, so programs like to know that you can be working with different types of people and will be successful in fieldwork. If this was a discipline that didn't involve fieldwork, I might agree with you, but I think doing something that proves you can interact with people, and know the realities of working with whatever group you propose is beneficial, either in a thematic sense or a regional one. For example, I'm in medical anthropology and if I don't go to grad school next year I'll try to pursue research opportunities thinking about the same types of populations I want to study or using the same methodologies I want to use. I think whatever is most comfortable, @Peanut is what you should do. I would caution, however, if you're thinking of applying next year, that might be difficult if you're in China, due to being busy,having a job, and most likely, culture shock. Your decision also depends on your timeline for reapplying.

hey all! I'm thinking of applying to a few of these programs for next year, can anyone message me and give me some advice? Thanks!

Just looked up the Alabama program, it looks really good, I'm in a similar field. Honestly, it looks like Alabama's placement it pretty good, if not better than CWRU. But I've also heard really good things about CWRU's medical anthropologists, so I'd say wait it out. CWRU could be waiting for funding info and then will start to "court" you.

Thoughts on going to visiting days of such schools if you're invited?

I know someone who got their PhD in the Rutgers SSW and is now tenured at a good research university, so that's probably a better deal if the differential is significantly more!

@+thinking it's kind of ok but its stressful because it's my only acceptance!

Can I join in? I have one acceptance but am waitlisted for funding. It's been going on for a month now, and the professor said it's looking better for me than it did a month ago, but still up in the air. So frustrating.