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I wouldn’t obsess too much about your scores, but I do think you should try to bring both up. Although math is not inherent to a program like English, basic quantitative skills speak to your ability to conduct and understand quantative research, which may still be needed for your education. Have you tried Magoosh? Using it for about 30 minutes 4-5x per week brought my Q and V score up about 10 points each in only one month. I’m not here to promote a specific service, but it helped me a ton and allowed me to study effectively while in school and working. I ended up with 156Q and 162V after starting out with practice test scores about the same as yours.

I think you have a good chance of being admitted at The New School. They do typically have limited funding, but hopefully you get some. I second the suggestion of CUNY, and will also add Fordham to your list (although GRE/GMAT is required). Given your situation, it might be worth contacting some programs that require GRE/GMAT and see if they will waive the requirement or extend a conditional offer where you could take the test later. January enrollment is pretty close. It might be worth applying to a few for January enrollment and a few for September enrollment, just so you have options. Fall enrollment might mean being away from your girlfriend for 6-8 months, but it's better than two years (if you don't get admissions/funding for any winter programs). Many people commute throughout the tri-state for both school and work. If you're up for a train commute of 1-1.5 hours, I'd recommend expanding your search to schools like Yale, Rutgers, Fairfield, UCONN (depending on campus), Hofstra, and Stony Brook. One last note: I think places like The New School are a good option because (depending on your program) they offer both online and on-campus courses. If you and your girlfriend decide you don't like the U.S. or if her contract expires before you are able to graduate, this option gives you a lot of flexibility in that you could move back to Sweden but still continue your program. Good luck!

I'd recommend speaking with an advisor at your school about options to improve your grades. Depending on your school's policies, it may be worth taking an extra semester or year to re-take some of your courses. Besides just getting you into grad school, undergraduate courses are meant to prepare you for what comes next; having a better grasp of course material will only help you in grad school.

I have had similar conversations before. They are a great opportunity and nothing to worry about. My recommendation is to make sure you know your research interests fairly well and know the work of some of the program's faculty, particularly those you are interested in working with. In my experience, the conversation might cover your general interest in the field, your background, what appeals to you about that particular school/program, and specifics about the program (from the POI). I was given a lot of great info about life as a student, career outcomes, and application tips. You should try to think ahead about questions regarding the program so you can make the most of your conversation and come across as educated about the program you're applying to.

I would recommend slacks or a skirt with a sweater, polo, cardigan, collared shirt, sports coat... that sort of thing. Chances are, the people you'll be meeting follow a casual or business-casual dress code. You want to be presentable and show that you take the opportunity seriously without being overdressed. For proper interviews, I would recommend something more formal, but for a visit you can stick with what I mentioned. The most important thing is to wear something comfortable that will allow you to be confident and free of distractions. And always err on the side of moderately conservative (no logos, slogans, short skirts, low necklines, etc.).

One week is not long to wait at all -- I would give it at least 2-3 weeks. I have contacted nine faculty of interest and have received replies back from seven (have not sent follow-ups for the other two yet). In some cases, I received replies back within a few days; but in some, it took several weeks. Remember that the term is just starting for professors as well as students, and professors also have their own research, families, etc. They are very busy and sometimes away from the office. If you haven't heard back in 2-3 weeks, I would recommend sending a brief follow-up that includes the date of your original correspondence and summarizes its main points. From what I've heard, you should not send more than one follow-up to a faculty member.

I am thinking of applying to UC Irvine for Fall 2019. I'm worried about cost of living, though. My partner and I have a large dog, so wouldn't be eligible for on-campus housing. Has anyone had luck finding decent housing in or around Irvine? I am just outside NYC right now and am paying $1,850/month for a one-bedroom. We would ideally get our monthly payments down to $1,600 or less for 800+ sq. ft. We look for safe neighborhoods where I can feel secure taking our dog out at night.

A friend of mine is interested in working in sports counseling/psychology and is looking to pursue a Masters degree. Her undergraduate is a BA in an unrelated field but she does have impressive professional experience. Due to her employment, she is only able to look at online programs. She saw a MEd in Positive Coaching through U Missouri, but we weren't sure if the MEd (rather than an MS) would limit career options. Can anyone chime in? We are also open to suggestions of other programs.

I recommend the website www.visajourney.com. I used the site and forum while applying for my own visa and it was very helpful.

This is a bit of a weird question... Prior to pursuing a Master's degree, I was a full-time athlete for 10 years. I had decent success, including being inducted into national halls of fame, etc. This background is loosely related to my proposed PhD research (or, it at least led me to being passionate about my area of research). I am now putting together a CV for my PhD applications and am wondering whether any of my athletic honors/awards should be included. Certainly not minor ones, but I'm wondering if some of the larger honors might speak to my background knowledge of my topic, dedication/work ethic, that sort of thing. On the other hand, it seems silly to include such things on an academic CV. Thanks in advance.

I am a dual Canadian-American, and lived most of my life in Canada. To answer your question: It really depends on your field of study. Canada sometimes does not recognize international degrees in areas such a law and medicine because they do not meet standards for licensure. For example, study in a different type of legal system would not necessarily make someone qualified to practice law in Canada. Likewise, medical training in certain countries may have standards and/or teachings that do not meet Canadian requirements. I'd recommend looking up specific requirements for jobs, fields, and companies in Canada that you might be interested in after graduation. Generally, a theory-based PhD (ex. humanities) would probably be accepted, while something requiring licensure may not be. I'd definitely recommend doing more research on your field.

I contacted a potential advisor at a school of interest, and she replied that she is not taking PhD students next year. So I am now having to contact a second potential advisor in the same department. My question is: can I use essentially the same email? For different schools, I have been essentially recycling an email template and just tailoring certain parts to specific programs and profs. Is there any chance that these two profs would compare notes and realize that the two emails are the same? If so, would this reflect poorly on me?

Hi everyone! I am in a dual MA Media Studies / GradCert Media Management program at The New School in NYC. My primary research interest is in the role of media in the construction of ethics and identity. I'm an interdisciplinary student with hopes of developing a practical application for my research as part of my dissertation. CU Boulder is definitely my top choice, both due to faculty research and the program's interdisciplinary nature. University of Oregon and UT Austin are also on my list. California schools are not great options for me due to my husband's job, although we'd make it work if it was absolutely the right program. I'm open to suggestions. Regarding my current progress: I have been in touch with faculty at a couple of schools. I just started studying for the GRE, which was not required for my MA program. And I have been in touch with a prof at my current school for some guidance on my application. Now making a list of potential LOR writers, and debating whether a professional reference would be acceptable or not.

Sorry for this super late response -- I am new to the forum. I am in my second and final year of graduate studies at The New School. I am in the arts/entertainment/business side of things, not government or policy, so my experiences are slanted towards that. But here they are: 1. I love The New School. My courses are interesting and leas towards practical applications of what we learn. Most of my courses produce at least one professional-level piece for a portfolio, which is amazing. We are also encouraged to pursue our own interests and develop materials to support projects we are working on outside of school. 2. With very few exceptions, the faculty are fantastic. They always have time for you; always remember you after your class has ended; are always happy to help, offer guidance, etc. 3. I had a 3.87 coming out of my undergrad plus 10+ years of professional experience in my field, including significant international work. Zero funding. Not a thing. And tuition is EXPENSIVE. About $15,000 per semester before books and other materials. Plus, the cost of living in (or near) NYC. 4. Frankly, a lot of people don't know about The New School. But then, a lot of people do and are very impressed by it. Most people I speak with know it as an arts school. Many see it as up-and-coming and avant-garde: a response to more classical art and film schools. I'm not sure that I would compare The New School's reputation to that of Pepperdine, but it does seem to be respected in the right circles. I am currently talking to a few potential schools for PhD schools, and they all know The New School and seem to respect it. 5. My biggest complaint about The New School is that the admin has a tendency to be disorganized, so something that should take one email takes five. But it has never impacted my actual education or class selection. My favorite thing about The New School is the strong emphasis on practical skills. Yes, you learn theory; but you will also learn to apply it.

This is a bit different than what you've suggested, but I'd recommend checking out some Master's programs in Media Studies, Media Arts, etc., to see if they interest you. Many offer broad curriculum in things like screenwriting, aesthetics, lighting, and business aspects of entertainment/arts; and also help you find internships in casting, development, writing, and that sort of thing. Just a thought, since your interests in the field seem quite broad.

I am applying to an interdisciplinary PhD program that combines creative fields, the humanities, and traditional academic research. The program stresses applied research and requires professional experience in the field. I am doing very well in my graduate program (4.0 GPA going into my final year of grad school); but have not become particularly close with many profs, as I have been working in my field while in school. The PhD program requires three LORs for admissions... would it be acceptable to include one from a professional colleague/supervisor in the field if the other two are from profs?

I am applying for Fall 2019 PhD programs and have already reached out to potential advisors and received responses.

Sorry, I originally replied not realizing that this was in the Public Health forum. And now I can't figure out how to delete my reply!

Thanks everyone for your replies! I have a follow-up question. I emailed the department regarding a visit but haven't heard anything back yet. It hasn't been that long, but my availability is very soon, and I don't want to miss my opportunity to visit (my schedule is very hectic, so arranging another time to visit would be difficult). Should I contact the potential advisor I've been in contact with? I don't want him to feel obligated to give me a personal tour or anything like that. I'm not sure what the appropriate amount of contact is for a prospective PhD student.

It depends a bit on which arts you're interested in. I am in my final year of grad studies at The New School. My program is highly interdisciplinary, but it does depend a bit on which department you're in. I recommend you check out the programs at www.newschool.edu. Course offerings are at http://courses.newschool.edu.

Hi Dark Chocolate Mocha! I relocated to the U.S. in 2016 and had some similar questions/struggles. I will try to answer as best I can. BANKS Which bank(s) do you think is/are the best according to their quality of service? I had A LOT of problems with Chase when dealing with sending money internationally (I still have a bank account in my home country). I have liked TD Bank, but have not been with them for very long. Note that I tried to sign up with an online bank (Ally) but they were unable to verify my I.D. because my SSN was so new. Likewise, you will probably not be able to open a bank account with TD, Chase, etc., using their website if you are using a new SSN -- you will probably have to go in to a branch. What are the requirements for a foreign national to open a bank account in the US? Is it straightforward, or do I need to deal with some legal issues that U.S. citizens are exempt from? See above. You will need to go in to a branch with your passport, visa, and SSN. I'd recommend calling the branch ahead of time to see if you need any other documentation. Do you pay annual fees for credit cards in the US? I might consider getting a credit card from the bank where I will have an account, as I find having a credit card handy for making online transactions. That being said, I will be on a tight budget as a grad student, and if getting a credit card means that I will have to pay some kind of annual fee for it, I'd rather not have one. You may have trouble getting a credit card if using a new SSN. There are cards made for people with no credit. They have very low limits ($200-$500) and require you to make a security deposit covering that amount. I think they are beneficial for people new to the U.S. as they help you build your credit. Finally, I am asking these questions assuming that I will have freedom to choose my bank, but do schools sometimes force you to open your account in a certain bank because they have a deal with them or something? I have never heard of this happening. GSM OPERATORS Since I will mostly communicate with my friends and family members in my home country via Skype, Hangouts, and similar apps, I will not be using my old phone number. I will switch to an American GSM operator and get a new number to communicate with my new contacts in the US. Which GSM operator would you recommend based on your personal experiences? If you are going to have ready access to wi-fi, I would look in to Cricket. They are owned and powered by AT&T but have much slower data plans. Wi-fi should work fine on them, though. They are prepaid plans so don't require established credit, and are also significantly cheaper than typical AT&T and other plans. HAIR DRESSERS Now, I will be living in Boston and I checked the prices at some hair salons, and they sounded terrifying! Even the "cheapest" hair salons (those with a single dollar sign next to their names) could charge $75 for a simple haircut. I don't know how much a hair-dying procedure costs, but I anticipate that it will be expensive as well. So I need a life hack for that. How do I get a cheap hair dye in the Boston area? Is there a good way of doing that? I live in the NYC area and decent hair dressers are just plain expensive. They start around $80 for a low-maintenance woman's haircut. If this is too much for you, you can seek out reputable hair dressing schools -- they often offer discounted haircuts from students. But keep in mind that they are students, and a risk does come with that. HOME TEXTILES IKEA or Amazon are fine. I tend to get my textiles from Target and am very happy with them.

I will be graduating with my Master’s in Spring 2019 and plan to apply for PhD admissions for Fall 2019. My top-choice school is on the other side of the country, and I have already been in contact with a potential advisor and the department head. Going to this school would mean relocating my family. I have some time off this summer, and my partner and I would like to go check out the city. Is it acceptable for me to request a campus visit, or do I need to wait for an invite?

I am going in to the final year of my Bachelor of Arts program, which I have done by distance (the program is through a public university and is considered the same as an on-campus program, just lectures are streamed instead of requiring on-campus attendance). I have a 3.67 GPA on a 4.0 scale and have worked full-time while completing my degree. I have done well in my profession, but am hoping to switch fields after graduating. Extracurriculars have been virtually non-existent as a distance student, but I do volunteer regularly and took part in a short-term exchange program through my university. I would really like to do an on-campus Master's degree. Do I have any change of getting in to a good school, or any school, having completed my Bachelor's degree via distance learning? I am especially concerned about any science requirements for Master's admissions, since lab work is impossible through distance learning. Thank you in advance for your help.