Medievalmaniac

You know what? I'll probably get banned for this - but frankly, right now I don't care, because you are not helping anyone on this forum and we've all had it. So I'm just going to say this once and very clearly:

F-CK OFF, Mate.

Yes, but be certain your undergraduate GPA makes the cut.

I appreciate all the well wishes, guys, I really do (keep 'em comin'! lol J/K). But, let's not lose focus. I mean, yes, we are here to get into the best possible grad school, and yes, I just took a pretty painful beating, and one apparently several of us are facing and didn't know about - but, I also respect their right to make that choice, and I think it was above and beyond for the DEGA to take the time to email me personally, multiple times, to help clarify their position while I unraveled the situation. I told her what I'm telling you - in the end, I'm going to do this, and if it's not at UNC then it's not at UNC. It isn't going to do any good to say "their loss" - they don't think so, right? lol

It just wasn't meant to be. And while the reason may not seem fair, right, or even logical, it was their decision to make.

My current decisions include which bottle of wine to open and what chocolates to eat first.

You know what? I'll probably get banned for this - but frankly, right now I don't care, because you are not helping anyone on this forum and we've all had it. So I'm just going to say this once and very clearly:

F-CK OFF, Mate.

You know what? I'll probably get banned for this - but frankly, right now I don't care, because you are not helping anyone on this forum and we've all had it. So I'm just going to say this once and very clearly:

F-CK OFF, Mate.

You know what? I'll probably get banned for this - but frankly, right now I don't care, because you are not helping anyone on this forum and we've all had it. So I'm just going to say this once and very clearly:

F-CK OFF, Mate.

Just a heads up based on my most recent experience -

I had a 2.66 GPA undergrad, in the 1990's, from a brand name school.

I went on to complete a Master's degree with a 4.0 in my desired field of study, and also to complete further A level coursework in my field at the graduate level. The Master's degree was earned just last year, in 2009.

My GREs were reasonable, if not stellar - I did get a 6 on the writing section.

I also have published both in an organizational journal and in subject encyclopedias; I have a chapter coming out in an edited book in the next few years as well as other publications in the pipeline.

With that record, I have been accepted at one program. The other program said that firstly, they are doing away with the admission of those with MA's in hand, so that you will only be able to get into complete the full PhD program. They were also very clear that nothing I have done since the undergraduate transcript is sufficient to compensate for that GPA.

So, in my experience, this is all a craps shoot...some departments will accept your most recent (master level) coursework as representative of your academics, others will insist that only the undergraduate GPA counts.

I know that only complicates things concerning the question at hand - but in the end, I think it all depends on the individual admissions committees at individual programs. You're just going to have to do your homework.

Just a heads up based on my most recent experience -

I had a 2.66 GPA undergrad, in the 1990's, from a brand name school.

I went on to complete a Master's degree with a 4.0 in my desired field of study, and also to complete further A level coursework in my field at the graduate level. The Master's degree was earned just last year, in 2009.

My GREs were reasonable, if not stellar - I did get a 6 on the writing section.

I also have published both in an organizational journal and in subject encyclopedias; I have a chapter coming out in an edited book in the next few years as well as other publications in the pipeline.

With that record, I have been accepted at one program. The other program said that firstly, they are doing away with the admission of those with MA's in hand, so that you will only be able to get into complete the full PhD program. They were also very clear that nothing I have done since the undergraduate transcript is sufficient to compensate for that GPA.

So, in my experience, this is all a craps shoot...some departments will accept your most recent (master level) coursework as representative of your academics, others will insist that only the undergraduate GPA counts.

I know that only complicates things concerning the question at hand - but in the end, I think it all depends on the individual admissions committees at individual programs. You're just going to have to do your homework.

MAKE CONTACT.

Send preliminary questions. Explain that you are delighted to have been accepted and want to know more, specifically, about the kind of work you will be able to do with the professor(s) in question, because you have multiple offers. Ask what s/he is currently working on. Is s/he presenting at any conferences in the near future where you might be able to hear his/her work and meet up? Tell him / her the kinds of things you are interested in and ask how that might fit in with the department and/or his or her work. Don't ramble on, be professional, polite and engaging in your writing. You'll get an answer, although it might be a few days or even a week or so later. This is a good idea for three major reasons:

First of all, you'll be more informed to make a decision about which program is your best fit dependent upon their answers.

Secondly, if you end up going to that school, you have established the beginnings of a relationship with the professor, and starting will be less awkward because (ideally) you'll be on the same wavelength and already have a nascent plan in place for what you are going to be doing.

Thirdly - and key - if you DON'T go to that program, you have an outside professor who has heard of you, and you can establish a relationship with him/her that will serve you well when you go knocking on doors for outside readers of your dissertation, prospective jobs, etc. etc.

People tend to forget that at the doctoral level, you aren't just applying to your schools of choice - you have to cultivate a relationship with your field. That means meeting as many people who work in it as possible and being familiar with their work. The professors of the schools you don't choose are not going to take that personally. They have MORE than enough on their plate. But they do appreciate the opportunity to talk about their work and to exchange ideas, whether you are working with them or not. And they DO remember good emails and proactive behavior.

Good luck!

Delightful qualifications, especially that very unusually high for a humanities applicant GRE Q score! You are soooo in. Multiple offers and funding!

You really need to lay off. Your personal attacks are unfounded and uncalled for. I'm not diagnosing or insinuating anything about anyone. I was merely acknowledging that there could potentially be underlying conditions that you absolutely refuse to acknowledge could even be a possibility for anyone to have. Your attitude sucks, and your responses are a pathetic attempt to make everyone else look bad, foolish, or not credible. Furthermore, even if I were insinuating something about another person (I never did) you outright call people unfounded and horrific names. You lash out with absolutely no regard for anyone but yourself and what you think and how you feel. You are not the only person in the world with the answers, or even with an answer, to all of the problems associated with the GRE. You really just need to get over yourself, little troll.

Also, can you please tell all of us what schools you have applied to or what schools you have been accepted to, so we can be sure not to go there for fear of ever meeting someone as narrow minded and trivial as you in real life?

And before you lash back at me telling me I'm the one insinuating things and saying offensive things about you without thinking first - don't bother. I have veeeeery carefully considered what I have to say in this post prior to posting - but frankly, I'm fed up with your Holier-Than-Thou tone, your condescending and borderline manic responses to all and sundry, and your overall attitude about the GRE and everything related to this board.

I'm sorry, but really - I think you suck. At least in cyberland. Maybe in real life I'd think you were a great person, but I sure don't feel like finding out.

It's altogether possible that the person in question does have an actual underlying psychological problem with test taking in high-anxiety situations. This is a documented medical condition - at present, it can either fall under a long-term ADD diagnosis OR a shorter-term test anxiety disorder. People with mild to moderate ADD often go undiagnosed because they have learned coping skills or don't outwardly manifest their disorder, but in high-stress situations or times of prolonged stress their condition is exacerbated and things that they think are not going to be problematic become much more difficult, especially concentrating or focusing on a single task. There is also (much rarer, but it DOES happen) adult-onset ADD, which can be triggered by sustained bouts of stress and anxiety. Finally, there is test anxiety, and many more people than you would think are awarded extra time on ETS exams because somehow, psychologically, that helps to ease their anxiety to a point at which they can focus and take the test.

My sister was a National Honor Society student in the top 10 of her class, as well as a scholar athlete and just an all-around respected scholar. She never got less than a B on anything in any of her classes. Her PSAT score (back in the good old days of 1600 as a perfect score) was a 560 - no joke. She took it again: 560. She came home shaking and in tears after both exams. My parents had her evaluated. The doctor got the testing folks to grant her extended time. Her PSAT score: 1200. Her subsequent SAT score, also with extended time: 1470. Obviously, she was then blowing everybody else away the way everyone knew she could...the difference was in the time allotted; with the pressure off she could do the work. She ended up early decision full scholarship to W&M and is now a highly respected Math teacher.

Of course, from the sound of things, it is harder to be granted this extended time without a full bout of psychological work ups - which is unfortunate. It truly was the deciding factor for my sister.

What an awful thing to say. While it's true adjuncts cannot serve as graduate advisors, it is not true that they aren't important. Even if they are not full time faculty, they are still professors, and therefore deserving of respect from their students as such. Furthermore, adjuncts often 'work twice as hard for half the pay', as it were; I know some who teach as many as seven courses per semester, sometimes at multiple campuses, for a stipend for each class (about $2500.00) and no benefits. They are definitely people, and certainly merit respect!

YES. I originally wrote IT'S ALTOGETHER POSSIBLE the person has an underlying issue. That would be suggesting a possibility, not stating s/he does or doesn't, and it was in response to your rant against the other person asking if s/he "really thinks it is a time issue on the test". My post was simply pointing out it could, in fact, really just be a time issue on the test. Which clearly you don't think is even a remote possibility, but which I assure you is a possibility and even a reality for some people. I never said it was a reality for anyone involved here. It is one of a number of possibilities thrown out for the other person's consideration.

it is soooo not socially unacceptable to offer suggestions to problems that have already been suggested. Unless, that is, there's someone involved who thinks anything s/he hasn't agreed with and put a stamp of approval on is socially unacceptable.

and it's not a question of whether or not I like you, it's a question of how narrow your view of things is and how rude and offensive you are on a regular basis to anyone who disagrees with you. I don't know what you are like in real life, but many of your posts are the most offensive, irrational and obnoxious statements I have seen anywhere on this board, and even though people keep telling you that, you seem to glory in their attention and spew forth more crap as a result. So, I'm not going to contribute to your megalomania any further.

I'm through posting in this thread, because I have already responded to the other person's issue with what I had to contribute.

I'm through trying to reason with you or even to have discussions with you. You come across as a total megalomaniac and an offensive jerk in your posts. There's an ignore button for that.

You really need to lay off. Your personal attacks are unfounded and uncalled for. I'm not diagnosing or insinuating anything about anyone. I was merely acknowledging that there could potentially be underlying conditions that you absolutely refuse to acknowledge could even be a possibility for anyone to have. Your attitude sucks, and your responses are a pathetic attempt to make everyone else look bad, foolish, or not credible. Furthermore, even if I were insinuating something about another person (I never did) you outright call people unfounded and horrific names. You lash out with absolutely no regard for anyone but yourself and what you think and how you feel. You are not the only person in the world with the answers, or even with an answer, to all of the problems associated with the GRE. You really just need to get over yourself, little troll.

Also, can you please tell all of us what schools you have applied to or what schools you have been accepted to, so we can be sure not to go there for fear of ever meeting someone as narrow minded and trivial as you in real life?

And before you lash back at me telling me I'm the one insinuating things and saying offensive things about you without thinking first - don't bother. I have veeeeery carefully considered what I have to say in this post prior to posting - but frankly, I'm fed up with your Holier-Than-Thou tone, your condescending and borderline manic responses to all and sundry, and your overall attitude about the GRE and everything related to this board.

I'm sorry, but really - I think you suck. At least in cyberland. Maybe in real life I'd think you were a great person, but I sure don't feel like finding out.

YES. I originally wrote IT'S ALTOGETHER POSSIBLE the person has an underlying issue. That would be suggesting a possibility, not stating s/he does or doesn't, and it was in response to your rant against the other person asking if s/he "really thinks it is a time issue on the test". My post was simply pointing out it could, in fact, really just be a time issue on the test. Which clearly you don't think is even a remote possibility, but which I assure you is a possibility and even a reality for some people. I never said it was a reality for anyone involved here. It is one of a number of possibilities thrown out for the other person's consideration.

it is soooo not socially unacceptable to offer suggestions to problems that have already been suggested. Unless, that is, there's someone involved who thinks anything s/he hasn't agreed with and put a stamp of approval on is socially unacceptable.

and it's not a question of whether or not I like you, it's a question of how narrow your view of things is and how rude and offensive you are on a regular basis to anyone who disagrees with you. I don't know what you are like in real life, but many of your posts are the most offensive, irrational and obnoxious statements I have seen anywhere on this board, and even though people keep telling you that, you seem to glory in their attention and spew forth more crap as a result. So, I'm not going to contribute to your megalomania any further.

I'm through posting in this thread, because I have already responded to the other person's issue with what I had to contribute.

I'm through trying to reason with you or even to have discussions with you. You come across as a total megalomaniac and an offensive jerk in your posts. There's an ignore button for that.

You really need to lay off. Your personal attacks are unfounded and uncalled for. I'm not diagnosing or insinuating anything about anyone. I was merely acknowledging that there could potentially be underlying conditions that you absolutely refuse to acknowledge could even be a possibility for anyone to have. Your attitude sucks, and your responses are a pathetic attempt to make everyone else look bad, foolish, or not credible. Furthermore, even if I were insinuating something about another person (I never did) you outright call people unfounded and horrific names. You lash out with absolutely no regard for anyone but yourself and what you think and how you feel. You are not the only person in the world with the answers, or even with an answer, to all of the problems associated with the GRE. You really just need to get over yourself, little troll.

Also, can you please tell all of us what schools you have applied to or what schools you have been accepted to, so we can be sure not to go there for fear of ever meeting someone as narrow minded and trivial as you in real life?

And before you lash back at me telling me I'm the one insinuating things and saying offensive things about you without thinking first - don't bother. I have veeeeery carefully considered what I have to say in this post prior to posting - but frankly, I'm fed up with your Holier-Than-Thou tone, your condescending and borderline manic responses to all and sundry, and your overall attitude about the GRE and everything related to this board.

I'm sorry, but really - I think you suck. At least in cyberland. Maybe in real life I'd think you were a great person, but I sure don't feel like finding out.

I didn't "dispense unwanted medical advice". I offered possible answers to the problem posed that happen to be very different from your responses - so obviously, they couldn't be valid possibilities, right? Clearly not. Hence your flinging of accusations of ignorance in my general direction.

And I'm not at all surprised at your response to my post, which I called at the end of my post as being your response.

You're just delightful.

You really need to lay off. Your personal attacks are unfounded and uncalled for. I'm not diagnosing or insinuating anything about anyone. I was merely acknowledging that there could potentially be underlying conditions that you absolutely refuse to acknowledge could even be a possibility for anyone to have. Your attitude sucks, and your responses are a pathetic attempt to make everyone else look bad, foolish, or not credible. Furthermore, even if I were insinuating something about another person (I never did) you outright call people unfounded and horrific names. You lash out with absolutely no regard for anyone but yourself and what you think and how you feel. You are not the only person in the world with the answers, or even with an answer, to all of the problems associated with the GRE. You really just need to get over yourself, little troll.

Also, can you please tell all of us what schools you have applied to or what schools you have been accepted to, so we can be sure not to go there for fear of ever meeting someone as narrow minded and trivial as you in real life?

And before you lash back at me telling me I'm the one insinuating things and saying offensive things about you without thinking first - don't bother. I have veeeeery carefully considered what I have to say in this post prior to posting - but frankly, I'm fed up with your Holier-Than-Thou tone, your condescending and borderline manic responses to all and sundry, and your overall attitude about the GRE and everything related to this board.

I'm sorry, but really - I think you suck. At least in cyberland. Maybe in real life I'd think you were a great person, but I sure don't feel like finding out.

The DSM-IV agrees with me. I assume you've heard of that? It's the diagnosis manual used by doctors, psychiatrists, psychologist and social workers for the diagnosis and treatment of psychological and behavioral issues. I have been working with this manual for ten years in my current position, and have been trained to use it appropriately.

I think you're ridiculous for absolutely refusing to acknowledge that there could possible be brains that are wired differently from your own. I never attributed a medical condition to the other person, I suggested it COULD BE THERE based on my EXPERIENCE for nearly a DECADE working with a wide variety of high schools students, many of whom have these diagnoses, fully documented and based on psychological evaluations and testing session after testing session.

I gotta go with MedManiac on this one Seadouche, since you know he is presenting logical and coherent reasoning to not diagnose but present some possibilities that might be affecting slee. With these vehement responses that you put out are you really a potential grad student or a lobbyist for ETS? And by the way still waiting on the speechless thing.

I didn't "dispense unwanted medical advice". I offered possible answers to the problem posed that happen to be very different from your responses - so obviously, they couldn't be valid possibilities, right? Clearly not. Hence your flinging of accusations of ignorance in my general direction.

And I'm not at all surprised at your response to my post, which I called at the end of my post as being your response.

You're just delightful.

And yet, seadub, you appear to feel perfectly justified in accusing the OP of using his/her medical condition as an excuse.

You really need to lay off. Your personal attacks are unfounded and uncalled for. I'm not diagnosing or insinuating anything about anyone. I was merely acknowledging that there could potentially be underlying conditions that you absolutely refuse to acknowledge could even be a possibility for anyone to have. Your attitude sucks, and your responses are a pathetic attempt to make everyone else look bad, foolish, or not credible. Furthermore, even if I were insinuating something about another person (I never did) you outright call people unfounded and horrific names. You lash out with absolutely no regard for anyone but yourself and what you think and how you feel. You are not the only person in the world with the answers, or even with an answer, to all of the problems associated with the GRE. You really just need to get over yourself, little troll.

Also, can you please tell all of us what schools you have applied to or what schools you have been accepted to, so we can be sure not to go there for fear of ever meeting someone as narrow minded and trivial as you in real life?

And before you lash back at me telling me I'm the one insinuating things and saying offensive things about you without thinking first - don't bother. I have veeeeery carefully considered what I have to say in this post prior to posting - but frankly, I'm fed up with your Holier-Than-Thou tone, your condescending and borderline manic responses to all and sundry, and your overall attitude about the GRE and everything related to this board.

I'm sorry, but really - I think you suck. At least in cyberland. Maybe in real life I'd think you were a great person, but I sure don't feel like finding out.

The DSM-IV agrees with me. I assume you've heard of that? It's the diagnosis manual used by doctors, psychiatrists, psychologist and social workers for the diagnosis and treatment of psychological and behavioral issues. I have been working with this manual for ten years in my current position, and have been trained to use it appropriately.

I think you're ridiculous for absolutely refusing to acknowledge that there could possible be brains that are wired differently from your own. I never attributed a medical condition to the other person, I suggested it COULD BE THERE based on my EXPERIENCE for nearly a DECADE working with a wide variety of high schools students, many of whom have these diagnoses, fully documented and based on psychological evaluations and testing session after testing session.

You really need to lay off. Your personal attacks are unfounded and uncalled for. I'm not diagnosing or insinuating anything about anyone. I was merely acknowledging that there could potentially be underlying conditions that you absolutely refuse to acknowledge could even be a possibility for anyone to have. Your attitude sucks, and your responses are a pathetic attempt to make everyone else look bad, foolish, or not credible. Furthermore, even if I were insinuating something about another person (I never did) you outright call people unfounded and horrific names. You lash out with absolutely no regard for anyone but yourself and what you think and how you feel. You are not the only person in the world with the answers, or even with an answer, to all of the problems associated with the GRE. You really just need to get over yourself, little troll.

Also, can you please tell all of us what schools you have applied to or what schools you have been accepted to, so we can be sure not to go there for fear of ever meeting someone as narrow minded and trivial as you in real life?

And before you lash back at me telling me I'm the one insinuating things and saying offensive things about you without thinking first - don't bother. I have veeeeery carefully considered what I have to say in this post prior to posting - but frankly, I'm fed up with your Holier-Than-Thou tone, your condescending and borderline manic responses to all and sundry, and your overall attitude about the GRE and everything related to this board.

I'm sorry, but really - I think you suck. At least in cyberland. Maybe in real life I'd think you were a great person, but I sure don't feel like finding out.