JessicaLange

Most schools will allow a spot to address inconsistencies in your academics. Your GPA is only one aspect of the application, but it's still important. So, just keep working to get it up.

Alright, I got a 4.5 on the writing portion of the GRE, which isn't amazing, but it's still alright. I noticed a lot of grammatical errors in both samples. The first sample had errors in the all three sentences of the first paragraph. What you're saying is fine, but make sure you go back and edit once you've completed your writing. Also, it always helps to draw on very specific historical events, especially for the more vague questions.

I would just be concerned about how much space I'm using in my SOP for POIs. You don't want to spend 450 words out of 1000 explaining why you want to work with those professors. Well, I can imagine a few situations where this might work, but your SOP is about you so make it about you. Personally, I let it happen organically. There are some schools I'm applying to that have familiar names. I refresh myself on their writing and mention them in my SOPs. Some programs have no professors I recognize, so I use that extra space to talk about the strength of their program, job placement, yada yada.

So, I'm an undergrad here, but I know some of the admission committee members pretty well. Be interesting in your SOP. I know that's pretty general advice, but they are definitely looking for interesting people that will enrich their program, so show your personality. Also, I don't know this for a fact, but I'm pretty sure they have some cutoffs for your GPA and GRE. So, check on that. But overall, it's a really great school and they are interested in a wide breadth of knowledge. I would contact Judith Brown. She's very cool, and I bet she'll reply to your questions.

So, I applied to UC Santa Barbara, and they required a statement of academic purpose and a statement of achievement which was supposed to be more of a diversity statement.

First of all, I don;t think that a 3.65 is all that bad. But, I might talk to the instructor and ask if they could mention that in your letter. Also, I talked to a representative from NYU that told me the most important aspects are your writing sample and the letters of rec. I would focus on those portions.

Well, I think that you should definitely try to rework a new writing sample. You don't want them to remember you and think that you're a one trick pony. However, if you revamp the new sample and you don't think it isn't strong enough, just go with the original one.

Alright guys, I'm just finishing up my application for a PhD program (at 5 am on December 1st, because I'm the worst), and I'm having a problem. So, three days ago I was on the application site and I saw that they want a writing sample that's 20-25 pages. I was kind of blindsided by this, because I had compiled a list of the programs I was applying to and all of their deadlines and application specifics. Well for this program, I had 15-20 pages down. My writing sample was only about 13 and a half pages, and I knew I'd have to buff it up. I was just planning on adding in a conclusion and fluffing out a few paragraphs. Suddenly, I had to 'fluff' 6 new pages. I wasn't able to do it. So, I am going to submit it with just the 15 (14 and a half). Do you think this is an automatic rejection? Should I email them and explain? (I think that's a bad idea, but if it helps, I'd consider it) Hope your applications are going well and you didn't screw up like I did.