Uberwelt

Hey, Tuck. If you don't want to take the GRE again (I don't blame you! No, really, I don't), then you'll really have to shine in other parts of your application. One professor I spoke to from Northwestern said that I needed to take my GRE again while others said my GRE scores were fine (I scored above 80th %). In one particularly frustrating example, a Vanderbilt department recommended me for acceptance to the dean and the dean turned me down because of my GRE score. So, there's even debate about what is acceptable within school administrations. It's just so variable. Higher GRE scores certainly don't hurt your chances. You may want to think about taking it again. I do find that fit is the most important aspect of any competitive application. Of all the criteria, only fit will make you or break you (unless your GPA is 1.5 or your GRE is in the 140s). I have no idea what your stats are but I am willing to bet that they are competitive. So, I would focus more on really honing in your SOP for each school you apply to. I spoke to several chairs of SW PhD programs, and each and every one of them said the same thing: wholistic review of application materials but you have to show that you have really put thought into why a research degree in SW is rooted in both your personal history and career ambitions. Did your SOP describe exactly what you wanted to research, how that research could be supported by the faculty in the program based on their expertise, and how your research/career ambitions are deeply rooted in your SW worldview? Beyond the SOP, I don't see why some stats/research methods classes would hurt, especially if your GRE quant score is below the 60th-70th percentile. Do you have any publications? What was your writing sample like? The programs you applied to (If I remember correctly) get the most applicants. Applicants who have publications, above 80th percentile GRE scores, outstanding LORs, graduate school GPAs above 3.8, research experience in applied labs, and are racially/ethnically diverse. [Side note, both Upenn and Berekely professors asked me if I am a white male over the phone. When my answer was yes, they both followed up with, "well, what makes you diverse?". I explained that I am gay and they both (different phone calls) let out a collective sigh. This surely points to the pressure that these programs put on themselves to keep their student population "diverse", however they define diverse. It also points to the nature and status of the SW field. By the way, the professors were both white males. Oh, the irony.] This is to say that there are somethings in your "application" that you cannot change. Applying again also means the applicant pool will be different. Perhaps measured up against different applicants will help you, aside from the fact that you will be showing grit/determination/loyalty by applying again. But again, I really think it's about fit. I've received interviews from Columbia, BC, UW-Mad and I have to say that the overarching theme is that they would be a great fit for me out of the 11 programs I applied to. I don't know. Just my 2 cents.

Nope. Nothing. The result tracker history for the BC phd in social work program is all over the place with some hearing from admissions around now and others all the way to the end of March.

Hey, Tuck1. I was rejected today from UC Berk as well. I'm not convinced it was the best fit for me, but I was definitely hoping to get in and have the option. I also applied to Chicago and haven't heard a word.

I think that's a great plan, and not necessarily a back up one. If you don't get accepted this time around, and if these programs are right for you (align with your overarching interests and goals), then applying again is probably in your best interest. Applicant pools change every year. The people you're up against this year won't necessarily be the people you're up against next year, possibly increasing your chances (along with padding your resume over the next year). And if a PhD is required for what you want to do eventually, then it's also in your best interest to invest another year into this process, grueling as it is. I applied to 3 programs last year in psychology. I received two interviews that turned into two waitlists out of the three schools I applied to. I did not get accepted to any -> this gave me time to really probe my reasoning for applying to particular programs and justify my interests not just to admissions committees, POIs, peers, but to myself, too. Don't get me wrong; I was completely devastated. haha. But now I am much more satisfied with my decision to pursue social welfare work and work from a systems-change worldview than I would have been focusing on individual psychopathology. Already I am seeing a drastic difference in my acceptance/interview pile. Good luck! a/r/w/unknown 1/0/1/9

Looks like someone has heard back from the WashU/WUSTL admissions team this morning. I certainly applied there and haven't heard a word. I applied to three different types of programs and the Social Work/Social Welfare PhD programs are definitely taking the longest to get back to us. Yes, I know, February will be revealing. I'm tired of waiting.