hahahut

Maybe study their papers beforehand and ask some damn good questions during their presentation's Q&A. Later when they meet you, it might help them to burn a strong mark that would take at least this whole application season to fade.

Try to ask as early as possible. There are some posts about slow reply from letter writers. I have one of those too. Now I have learned the fact that it would take her at least two weeks to reply any email. By asking early, at least I feel less panic with three months ahead of deadlines. Still need to keep finger crossed though. It is hard to anticipate their schedules. Even there is no sabbatical or leaves, they could be planning for a few conferences and therefore have all the priorities on writing their own papers.

Based on many schools' LOR instruction, the letter writer should be someone who understands what research entails and can comment applicant's ability in that area. So I don't see any problem with the former graduate student. She has received her PhD obviously and successfully landed an academic position. So she has mastered the skills for research and she knows one field more than anyone else in the world. Besides, as you two worked together before, I would expect her letter more vivid and personal.

Human Computer Interaction. How about you?

Thanks! Great advice. I have covered what specific works I want to do and with whom I share common research interests. So I will answer this question by pointing out how my ideas link to their current projects and what the differences are. Hopefully this will show how I could play an active and positive role in the program. Think about it, it is just like how you write the related work section in a paper.

In the same boat (or might even be the same school based on the quoted requirement). I have covered my motivation and reasons to pursue an academic career (as I have been in the workforce for quite a while) in my Statement of Purpose. Then the personal requirement says "don't repeat your statement of purpose". But if I take them out of my SOP, it would end up like a detailed resume, which I also need to provide.

I remember reading from one school that they receive GRE scores from ETS twice a month. If that is common, it could take up to six weeks as official score including AWA is about four weeks. However, some schools also mention they understand GRE score is beyond applicant's control and it is all right to be a bit late on that. You better check your schools to be safe.

Hi! Just want to get some ideas how to cover questions like "what can you contribute to the program". Some of the schools expect this question to be answered in SOP. My SOP has covered my potential and my reason for picking the program. But I feel the answer to this question would be something less objective. Any suggestion would be appreciated!

Award like Best Presentation or Best Paper in a conference is a pretty big deal in my opinion. I would definitely put it in. But not so sure about "highest possible classification".

I got the impression that the score is sent electronically twice a month. Most schools would match scores to applicants automatically based on name and DOB. I guess at some point a human needs to interfere to tidy up. But even so, I doubt anyone would pay attention matching name to scores. Like working in a bank, after a while, the teller just doesn't care about the amount. Just transactions (Hope you get what I mean). Another point I am sure you are aware is each score report has all scores from the past five years. So they would see your old score from the past anyway. I would send them to less favorable schools this time. You imply you might not do good enough for dream schools this time. But you might still get a sufficient one for a safe school. So in that case, you would save yourself the money to send them again next year.

Thanks for the advices, Alette! Yes, one problem for me is that my undergraduate is in New Zealand. I don't have a very direct way to compare it to US schools. And it is far more common for people to move to UK or Australia. But I just realized I should contact my university's alumni relationship office. They might have useful information on networking with former students. Another good news is I found some non-US Master programs that offers reliable financial support. That could be a good backup plan. CS might have a different job market. But I have made the decision to shifting from programming to academic. So this would get me to the same situation as you described.

I think they are just busy. The fact that academics are doing rigid researches and having things published creates an illusion that they have everything scheduled and carried out as planned. But in fact, they are just normal human beings who struggle to fulfill commitment and catch deadlines. I have a professor who promised replying my email and only replied two months later. But once she asked me to put her in contact with my employer regarding some research collaboration. Then it took her five months to eventually contact them. So I would never take her late reply as personal. Though I have to make sure she gets at least two months for any recommendation letter deadlines.

Hi! I am working on my school list. So far it has been pretty easy to pick dream schools. But when it comes to safe schools, how would I know it is safe? I understand in theory I could get some ideas by looking at the admission statistics. But not many schools actually release those data. My undergraduate degree is from New Zealand, which adds a bit more problem in placing myself. Anyone can share their safe school stragegy? There is also the dilemma of ranking. I heard a PhD from a better graduate school was expected to get tenure at a school with lower ranking. I don't see there would be any problem if it is anyone from those top 20 schools. Ultimately a scholor's reputation is built upon her contribution to the field, not a fancy degree. But I doubt there are many cases where someone from a 50-100 school to end up at very prestigious institutes. Any thoughts where should be the right place to draw the line? Thanks!

I remember reading it on the Crack the GRE book. It mentioned somewhere that the AWA essay is made available for the schools you sent score report to. They can check out your writing if they want. But not sure if ETS sends it by default or on request.

I agree publication would be the most effective way to strengthen your application.

Sorry, just try to present another point of view: I guess we all agree a good LOR is only good if it gives positive comment on the applicant's ability. But would it be an advantage if an applicant is identified uniquely by having a famous name? The applicant could be one of 1000 others or the one with a recommendation letter from, say, Condoleezza Rice. If I were in the admissions committee, even I won't give any special consideration based on a famous name, I would be very curious and give it a good read to see if this applicant has anything special. I might forget any other application right after reading it. But it might come back to me "what happen to the applicant with the famous people's recommendation letter? Did she get in?" When writing SOP, one important measure is whether or not I have given good details so the reader finishes with an impression of the unique me. Such a recommendation letter could help get a lot attention. It is like making sure the reader gets a shot of espresso. So if the person's recommendation is also relevant, why not?

Hi! I am working on my SOP draft too. Mine has a similar outline. But I have your second to last and last paragraph the other way around. My thinking is it is logical to exam why I want to move on to the next step based on what I have experienced before (i.e. stuff in your 2nd, 3rd paragraphs) and what I want to achieve at the end. Then when talking about why I see a particular fit with this school, I could focus on the details how it could help me achieving my goals. I am thinking to add an extra conclusion paragraph. But only if the space allow s and I could come up something that takes the whole plan to the next level without adding any new information. I would have the vision part in my opening paragraph. It would paint an applicant with passion and long term goal. Although it has to be realistic enough to be achievable. A lot schools ask to describe interests in the first paragraph. I suppose that is how they would know who would be the best person to read this application. So I would have a concise but firm description on my research interests following the vision part. However, more rational reasons could be summarized in the motivation/goal paragraph to show the plan is well considered and the applicant is capable and ready for the challenges. I would definitely talk about people's work rather than just mentioning their names. Ultimately we choose them because their works have inspired us one way or another, not just famous names. I guess most likely they would end up reading the document. By quickly mentioning particular works they have done, they would know that we have done our researches. Hope these make sense. Welcome any feedback!

You better check the schools you want to apply. Some schools explain explicitly how they measure the score validity. As far as my school research goes, schools require the GRE score to be valid by the application deadline. Most schools have deadlines in mid Dec till mid Jan for PhD. Since yours would be valid until June 2011, I think it is good enough.

I agree with the others. I think you can just arrange a meeting with her and tell her your application plan. Don't ask for her to write the LOR at first. But just get her advices in terms of which schools she recommends, whom she thinks you should go for adviser, etc. If she reacts positively, you will feel more confident what she would do in a LOR. You still have a year. I think there must be some way to calm her down and being objective.

At the very least, you could ask her why she thought your SOP is not focused, which is something you are not sure how to fix. Maybe nothing dramatic would happen (but who knows). But she is certainly being very nice. You could get some good advice on how to build a stronger application using the time you have till next application season, i.e. what course should you take? what work could benefit you? Good luck!