hopefulPhD2017

Guys, I am FREAKING OUT It's a long shot, but HGSE is one of my top choices. I just got onto the web site to see my application checklist and noticed that standardized test is in bold with no information, which leads me to believe that my GRE scores did not make it. Sure enough, I check ETS and I had them sent to HGSE instead of Harvard GSAS like the PhD app tells you to; I sent them right from the GRE testing room and we weren't allowed to have materials with us, so, without being able to look, I selected the Ed school as the logical choice, but no, it should've been the Harvard general code. So, am I screwed? I emailed both Harvard GSAS and HGSE to ask if it's possible for them to get my scores--I mean, despite numbers, I still sent them to Harvard, right? How hard could it be to connect scores to my name? 11 years ago I went for a master's program... I applied to 5 schools, including Harvard. As I was about to hit submit, I see that Harvard is the only one no longer accepting older GRE scores. My last test was well within the five year range, but the test had changed formats two years prior, and Harvard was the only program in the country to not honor old scores. By the time I realized that, it was too late, and I never finished my application. I did get into the other schools I applied to, so I wasn't super upset, but I was bummed that what felt like a small issue had kept me from applying. Now, on Dec. 15, when I spent countless hours winnowing my statement down to 984 words, and so much time and money on this process, I am concerned. Do you think that the wrong GRE code could essentially render my application invalid? I just quickly paid another $27 to send my GRE scores to the correct code, Harvard general, but it won't arrive of course until 3 weeks past the deadline. Is it over? Should I just assumed I'm screwed? Arghargh ripping my hair out over here... I was so careful and thoughtful through this whole process, yet never though to circle back to ensure I picked the right dang ETS code. Thanks for any truth telling or soul calming words you might have.

Congratulations! And good luck. I have not had any formal interviews, but I have been to Eugene and while it is small-ish, I'd consider it fairly queer friendly. A quick google found this: https://www.facebook.com/QueerEugeneWeb/

What happened in the end? 2017 Boulder applicabt here reading old threads to distract myself from anxiously waiting...

Hey there! I just found this table which might be of help... Looks like for HGSE at least you're right on target. Your quant score is awesome and the V and AWA look right in the average of what Harvard accepts. You might also look at the results search for "education" to see who posted their acceptances. Good luck! Did you end up applying at all of those places?

Somehow I didn't see this before, so in case you missed it too, here's a screen shot from the HGSE web site on scores. I swear I saw higher average scores somewhere...

I don't know. I know I worry about my test scores too! Have you reached out to Rutgers? You might ask them if they publish scores of their current doctoral students. Some do, some don't, some require a bit of digging around. I did see somewhere that a few places look for a writing score of 4 or above, but I don't know about Rutgers. Good luck, let us know what you find out! Did you apply to only one program? What part of Brazil do you live in? I was an exchange student in Caxias do Sul many moons ago...

I also got a 151 quant and was disappointed, but not surprised, since the last math class I took was my freshman year in college (and that was a longgg time ago). I also took the GRE in early November when it was just too late to retake it, and I'm not sure I would've anyhow. It was a huge investment of both my resources and time. I looked at the averages published for most schools in the top 20, and noticed that the very "top" schools like Stanford, Harvard, and Penn have very high averages, but most others seem within your/my reach. Although, many don't tease out PhD from MA/MEd applicants. Still, that was my take. I'm hoping that at least one school accepts me besides my poor GRE performance, as I think the other parts of the GRE and my application are competitive. If it makes you feel better, I took the GRE before and did worse, so with study I did improve by 9 percentile points. So, if you decide to reapply, a few months of study (I studied pretty hard, using Magoosh online and the full set of Manhattan Prep books) could pay off. Keep us posted on your results!

Wedding bells

Thank you for sharing that, @vulpix! Eases my nerves as I wait a bit...

Ah, very cool. I'm excited about research too. I had a lot of fun just researching programs and seeing the diversity of faculty research interests. I'm looking at similar programs: policy, inequality, talent pipelines, and large scale district/state initiatives and evaluation. Seems like we have a lot in common! Did you go to any of the HGSE on campus visits? Or have any contact with faculty? I went to two virtual sessions and emailed the professor I'd most be interested in working with, but he did not email me back.

Just reviewed your profile. I also applied to Stanford. I also only got a confirmation email from Peabody, so no, I didn't, but some other schools have let me see my materials and application process via unique identifier although now that I review my checklists, that's only 3/9. Sorry to freak you out! Wondering if you are also TFA alum? What program strands are you looking at?

Sorrry, yes, I got that one. Other schools have given me a unique ID and a link to another site so I can see which materials are still pending or the status of my application. I read all of the HGSE 16 thread and it looks like Harvard has something link that as well, but maybe it's in the works of being set up...

I think HGSE is the only school that hasn't sent me an email confirming all of my things are in and telling me how to follow-up. I've been the GSAS page it's pretty bare bones. Am I missing something? Anyone else seen how we can track application status? Thanks!

@DGD4L I hear you, I'm checking my email compulsively even though it's Dec. 9!!

@qt_dnvr That's a great idea! I'm also getting into other things. @MarineBluePsy Wow I really had no idea. Crazy!

Yep, added this up the day after I submitted 8 applications. I've spent somewhere between $900 and $1000 on GRE Prep (Manhattan Prep books + Magoosh), GRE, sending out additional GRE scores, application fees (ranged from free-$125), transcripts for only one school (Univ. of Michigan). Yikes!

Thanks everyone for weighing in! I am glad you all added your thoughts. What do you mean paying for interview weekends? Those come out of your own dime? What??

What a predicament. I can totally see myself doing something like that. I agree, you should call the other institution immediately. We're all allowed to make mistakes and change our minds. It's part of the human experience (and a curse of being overly analytical, I'm afraid).

Thanks for weighing in and your positive support! I just started a new thread in the Applications general forum about what to do after the applications are in... I had a great convo with a faculty member/POI last week, the day before applications were due. She asked me a number of pointed questions and now I realize... Was that an interview? Does that happen? She's doing so much great work and was such a pleasure to speak with that now I'm even more nervous. Other than that, no. I did circle back with every school and for all but one I can see that my application is "ready for review" or "under review." So that's something. Have you heard anything?

Greetings all! I submitted 8 applications last week and am working on turning a ninth, and final, here in a few days. I did reach out to 4 professors during my application process; two were very gracious and I was able to meet or speak with them. Two never returned my emails. I'm wondering if it is too late to contact the POIs I mentioned in my various SOPs? The application is in and done but I figure the admissions offices are preparing our applications for review and that now would be a perfect time... Or perfectly off-putting. I hesitate to bug or irritate anyone, however I recognize that my reluctance and discomfort with doing such may make me less competitive than my fellow applicants. Thoughts? Is there anything else you all are doing between Dec. 1/15 and January when we will start to hear admissions decisions? I'm having trouble feeling like it is all out of my hands at this point. I recognize that there are 2017 cycle threads started in various disciplines, but am interested in hearing from lots of folks on this awful waiting period, and would love advice on proactive things I can be doing.

Eek! I submitted to Stanford next week and cannot remember if I attached my CV at the end. Surely they can't punish applicants for not posting something they didn't explicitly ask for? If they're that picky, then we don't want them anyhow, do we? (just kidding, now I'm freaking out)

I just read through it, wow! Lots of information. Thank you!!

I assumed that's one of the reasons why they've waived their application fee, so that they can get more applicants and have a lower, more prestigious acceptance rate.

I applied to SHIPS but am sure my scores will result in rejection, as Stanford seems to have the highest bar of them all. 163V/151Q/6.0AWA