John_TheClimber

Here you go: (1) Did you submit the same writing sample with all your applications, or do you think it's generally bad advice to submit different writing samples? I submitted my thesis to all but three programs. To those three I submitted a sharp condensed argument paper. I had positive responses from three schools, guess which ones? Do not submit your thesis, regardless of what anyone says. Even if the DoGS says you can, do not do it, it is a trap. (2) Do you have any strategies for helping earn strong GRE scores? Buy every vocabulary app on the app store and start trudging through. Vocabulary is the most time consuming aspect of GRE prep. Buy, beg, borrow or steal as many practice tests as possible. Use practice tests to monitor your progress and shortcomings. You need to think of the GRE as a meta-test where specific sorts of logic questions are asked concerning two huge seas of information. Learn the information, then learn how to answer the questions. Learning the questions or having all the knowledge are insufficient on their own. (3) Is it bad that at least 3 students from my department are applying to the same school? Not if you're the best of the three. (4) Anyone have experience placing in a phd with a no-name undergrad but a known MA program? N/A (5) How much detail did you go into regarding your research interests on your SOP? Is it good to be specific or vague? That is to say, for those of us who know our main area of interest, is it detrimental you think to be specific? The SoPs I have read, from people with the best luck (yes, part of this is luck), have gone pretty deep. I found that going deep on something outside of the purview of your writing sample added the scent of something greater lurking beyond the application. Think big, write particulars! (6) Did anyone contact professors in their AOI before the application season? Did you feel this is bad or good? I contacted John Heil at WashU. Didn't get in. It was worth it to talk to John Heil. Feel free to answer any or none of these questions. Any advice or general encouragement is good. I'm already freaking out over all the rejections (securing a funded MA was stressful enough!) The only advice I would give (apart from what has already been stated) is to always strive to be the best in everything you do. Most, if not all, of the time you will fall short of this goal. However, how can you be the best if you never try? Good luck out there. JtC

Very cool. Now I am more interested.

Does anyone have a great article on the institutionalization of the 15th of April as the deadline by the APA? I think that would be an interesting read.