GreenEyedTrombonist

Going MA first was definitely helpful in my case. It greatly increased my research experience, theoretical background, and helped me really figure out what I want to do. In addition, I did much better in my MA as compared to my BA (in terms of grades and commitment) because it was a choice I had fully made for myself (like many teenagers in my situation, I felt like college was just the next step-something everyone does).

Ok, OP, I'm going to give my opinion on what this essay would get on the GRE. Remember that this is just my opinion and I'm providing it to (hopefully) help you identify ways to improve on the actual GRE. Ok, on with the grading. Most likely I would give this essay a 2. According to ETS: A typical paper in this category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics: does not present a critique based on logical analysis, but may instead present the writer's own views on the subject does not develop ideas or is disorganized and illogical provides little if any relevant or reasonable support has serious problems in the use of language and in sentence structure that frequently interfere with meaning contains serious errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that frequently obscure meaning The bolded points are the two biggest problems with your essay. There are multiple errors in grammar and sentence structure that ultimately obscured your point and evidence. I had to read the essay multiple times and, although I think I know which things you're trying to bring up, I still don't fully understand what you're saying. I also felt like the essay was lacking nuance and development on your ideas. Your paragraphs are short and bring up points without backing them up with several concrete examples. For example, you mention that current technology isn't advanced enough to eliminate the production of carbon dioxide when burning fossil fuels for energy. However, you never mention why this is dangerous. I don't need you to speak towards what carbon dioxide does to the atmosphere on a molecular level, but I'm hoping for something more than you gave to make it clear why carbon dioxide is dangerous to the environment. Again, this might be due to the issues in grammar and sentence structure, but it's worth bringing up on its own. In short, if I was grading essays based on this prompt, I would expect good/great essays to: 1. Start with an introduction and state an opinion (imo the safe development of alternative energy sources should absolutely be a top priority) 2. Provide a minimum of two points backed up by concrete examples to support this opinion (aka, at least two paragraphs in support of your argument). 3. Allow at least a paragraph to acknowledge reasons for an alternative opinion (ex. the complexity of changing from an energy consumption system that has depended on fossil fuels since at least the Industrial Revolution, especially in the United States where we use more energy per person than anywhere else, may not be realistic. Instead, the focus should be on developing clean-burning technologies that will help us transition in a manageable way). 4. A conclusion if there is time. It doesn't have to be amazing, but I would like to have something that creates a clear end to the essay. 5. Transitions at the start of each paragraph and only minor (or no) grammar and structure issues. For you, focus on transitions, correct tense forms, and not writing in sentence fragments. At the very least, the errors should be minor enough that I still understand what you're trying to say without having to read multiple times (as a grader, I read at least twice, but I should still feel like I understand your point after the first read). Hopefully, this has been helpful. I would like to note that I did grade this as if you are a native English speaker and, given I'm from the US, I mentioned the US in my example. I do not know if English is your first language or what country you're from, nor if the GRE alters grading based on this information. Not sure if that changes how you view my feedback, but I did want to provide the context, just in case. Oh, also to note, you can play a bit with the order of points 2 and 3. I sometimes like to do argument paragraph, counter-argument paragraph, counter-counter argument. Sometimes I do my two in favor paragraphs and then my dissent paragraph. Ultimately, do whichever order makes sense to you. Outlining before writing the essay can help with this, if you have the time.

So this is not someone who you've ever met in person or talk to, she threw a fit before because you didn't boost her socials, and now she's out of the blue saying she has a problem with your success. Don't respond. This could be a tactic to get a sympathy boost (I'm sorry you aren't happy. Here, let me help you become more successful) or it could be an attempt to start drama or simply an attempt to bring you down. In all of these scenarios, she is not your friend and is trying to use or manipulate you. There is the offchance that she honestly views the relationship as closer than you do. If you don't want a close relationship with them, I'd also not respond. It sounds mean, but ultimately you need to put your own mental health and business first. Being more successful than another person, unless you are outright stealing customers or something from them, is not harmful to that person. They need to put on their grown-up pants and learn how to deal or confide in someone who can help them get over it (aka a family member, friend, or professional, but not you or random professional people they follow on the internet).

Hey guys, Wanted to let you all know that I have submitted my apps. Although I won't be doing swaps anymore, I can still review SoPs. Just DM me

Take a breath and relax. All faculty are different. I had one this season who finished all of her letters within 2 weeks of request (in September) because she had to have all her stuff done by Dec 15th (for personal reasons). Another writer is super busy and did them all over a series of 4 weeks (usually on the weekend). My third likes to turn them in on the day they're due. I just send her reminders a couple weeks from the deadline and it's all good.

I'm down to look at it @bananabear . Probably won't be able to look until next week though.

@bananabear for my MA, the program did not assign advisors at the very start. They assumed interests would change so it was more a process of taking the first courses and spending time in them to identify what you truly want to do. For them, the letter of intent is more about articulating that you are thinking of a project, how it fits in the field, and how it could be done. Secondly, they wanted a balance between the subfields for admitted students (broadly: cultural, physical, and archaeology) so, although I greatly changed my focus, I was still operating within my designated subfield (cultural) and didn't effect the balance of the cohort. The first semester was also used as a time to identify potential advisors and committee members. I was lucky in that I knew after getting accepted but before starting that I intended to refocus on digital anthropology (I'd just started getting traction in online communities and my writing was taking off so it made sense to continue in this field). I was also lucky that my MA was at the same school I did my BA, so I had a good relationship with a prof who does work in emerging technology and was open to a digitally focused project.

You as well @firefoxquantum ! I'm actually at my two-week mark for my first deadline so I'll be emailing my writer tomorrow.

@firefoxquantum many programs will not penalize a student for a late LoR. I don't think it's something they advertise, but it seems to be a fairly common practice to still accept LoRs after the official deadline if the rest of the application is complete. That being said, it's always best to not assume this is the practice and to ask the programs if you end up in such a situation (and also do your best to not end up in this situation if you can help it). I, personally, requested LoRs well in advance and have a schedule for reminding my writers 2 weeks before the deadline if they have yet to submit. From previous applications, I know one of my writers likes to submit on the deadline so I don't stress too much about this stuff. Confirming she has what she needs 2 weeks out helps with my anxiety and gives us the opportunity to address any issues before it's too late.

I wrote a letter of intent for my MA that spoke of working with alzheimer's and dementia patients. I ended up doing a project on digital communication and online communities. Things change and it's expected. No one ever mentioned the change or was upset with me about it.

Probably the best way to thank everyone who helped you on this forum would be to join their ranks and help out future applicants. Pay it forward and all that. <3

Honestly, I find the article concerning. There are many emotional arguments being made (made especially clear by the author's contempt of the accused's allegedly privileged background) and those arguments are masqueraded as fact. Ultimately, there isn't enough evidence presented to condemn the professor (and I think TakeruK presents a nice alternative interpretation of how this "attempt to deceive" could have just been a far less egregious infraction of sloppy records-keeping). There could be, however, enough evidence in this "article" for a nice case of libel should the accused choose to go that route. Investigative reporters work to uncover hidden fact and, in the best case scenario, keep us safe from immoral and illegal practices. However, they can't just accuse people without evidence. The wording in this article is accusatory without enough evidence to back up its assertions, which could lead the author to be in much more trouble than they are trying to get the accused in.

I submitted mine, but I'm willing to read it over.

Is this an application you can't submit before the last LoR is in? If it is, definitely go by their office next week. If it's not, submit the app as is and see if they submit the letter by the deadline. You've sent two reminder emails already, but one more (say Thursday or Friday before it's due) wouldn't be a bad thing if you haven't heard back by then.

A lot of this can come down to your own goals and priorities. However, I would stress that you should not give up your academic and career goals for a relationship that doesn't exist yet. If you eventually are in a relationship that you prioritize over your education or career, that's nobodies business but your own. Do what's best for you. Just don't give up what you want for what might be, if that makes sense.

1. I freelance as a writer and word counts are extremely important in this area. In addition, I've worked as a TA and it's very easy to tell when someone has written more or less than the set amount. Yes, my courses have all graded down for something like this. Although no one will probably spend the time counting your words if they print out the document, it's easy enough to search for a word count in a digital document. In addition, even if they don't count the words, it's easy to tell when someone goes more than 50 words over the limit. 5 words is probably something they'd let slide, but if they put a word limit, I'd follow the word limit (save the wiggle room writing for after you get in and can work with a prof to determine if you actually should write more or less). 2. Be wary of judging someone's tone on the internet. Tone misinterpretation is one of the biggest reasons for arguments (that I've seen) in forums and chat rooms (and I moderate quite a few forums and chat rooms so I've seen a lot). Although if someone is actually attacking you, you should stand up for yourself, context matters. Fuzzy has been around a long time and has a lot of positive cred on this forum (easily seen with the 4.5k+ upvotes and the senior moderator status). They've spent time to give you advice that is probably the safest for an applicant. Please don't discredit the advice because you didn't like the perceived tone or it wasn't what you wanted to hear.

@rheya19lol and understanding on the parental front. My parents haven't done comments quite like yours, but they did speculate that I'm asexual because I wasn't dating in high school and have told me that, until I told them I was engaged to a man, they assumed I'd one day come home on a harley with my girlfriend on the back. Actually, come to think of it, I have never told them which gender(s) I'm attracted to, so they're probably still taking bets on "how I'll turn out."

@galosh Yeah, even if you do an MA first its best to think about the field (and subfield and specific topics) you want to get into and make sure you apply to programs that will help get you there. Even doing an MA, your advisor needs to be on board with your intended project. And the rest of your committee

So real talk, I was married for a while. Though not the only contributing factor, I knew the marriage was over the second I started talking about going to grad school and his response was that I wasn't allowed to unless it paid us. I'm so happy to be divorced because I'm no longer anchored by someone keeping me from living the life I want to live. AKA I have dreams and aspirations and I'm not willing to give up on those for a partner (and a partner shouldn't ask you to, though there may be some situations where you choose to value the partner over the dream). I'm not gonna lie and say it'll be easy to find the right partner, because it honestly won't, but you should not have to compromise your values in such an extreme way for the chance at romantic fulfillment. I hope you find a partner who will make you happy and who values your passions and goals as much as you do. <3

@galosh It can be difficult to answer so broad a request. My advice would be to reach out to the DGS at each of the programs you're considering and ask them your questions. Yes, schools like to sell themselves, but the programs I've contacted have been quite honest about goodness of fit. For instance, the anthro programs I contacted all basically said "have you thought about comm/media studies?" As a result, I'm applying to 7 comm programs and no anthro. Ultimately, there are subtleties in what each of us is looking to study (and how) that may lead to our advice on which schools to check out to be incomplete. One of the things I did was pull up the NCA list of Comm programs and systematically go through each one, looking for what the profs are doing (both in terms of what is being researched and how) and decided to only apply to programs that were strong fits for my own interests. I did get recs from friends of where else to check out, but only after I had done this research and could tell them, in decent detail, exactly what I planned to study and the different methodologies I was considering. Furthermore, these friends were only able to give realistic recs for the schools they were currently attending or had visited and researched in depth as part of their own application season.

@Padma011 You'll probably need to fine-tune the area of study to each program. For instance, my interests lie at the intersection of new/digital media and political communication. So, at some schools I fall more into the rhetoric camp, at others in their media studies track, and at others in political communication. A lot of this can come down to methodology as well (for one of the schools to which I'm applying, I was informed my research interests would fit in 3 of 4 tracks, but that the specific track for me would depend on my methodology- qualitative vs. quantitative focus, for the most part).

One of my programs had an internal deadline for additional funding so I submitted all my apps early. I'm definitely in the "find something else to do" camp right now, haha.

This can depend on program and field. If your school has rolling deadlines, you might hear sooner. If, however, it's one deadline for the program and they state they do not look at apps early, expect to wait. Typically, what I've seen in the past is December deadlines will normally begin yielding results in Jan and Feb or early March (though sometimes as early as late December and sometimes as late as late March and April). Basically, try and find something to do to get your mind off of things. It'll probably be a while before you hear back. If any people in History have better insight as towards the field's typical response time, they may be a better source of info for your particular case.

Bring snacks, drinks, gum, whatever, and take your full break whenever available. Go to the bathroom, get up and walk around, stretch, etc. Do whatever you can to separate your mind from the test for a few minutes so that you can go back in refreshed. Remember to breathe between sections as well. A deep breath in and out is sometimes all I need to recenter myself.

@mintless It's a tabletop rpg show on Twitch set in the Breath of the Wild universe of Legend of Zelda. I may be a huge nerd, haha. So far, it seems to be doing pretty well and the audience is really enjoying what we're doing.