limonchello

I think these scores are plenty great! But if you're worried about it, maybe go through the recent admits at universities you're interested in on whatever tab that is here on grad cafe and see how you compare. A 4.0 with a background in data science and CS is going to give you a major leg up, and I don't hear any red flags at all.

Marginally reminds me of Daniel Faas (Trinity College Dublin), which may not help much, but could provide a jumping off point. I think most of this research you won't find in soc, but instead in the college of education.

Your scores seem fine and I think you have high odds of getting in somewhere. I would recommend not going to the same phd program as undergrad, as that can have a negative connotation, but I understand that this might be unavoidable. No phd programs can reasonably expect publications, even top 5 programs. Don't worry about lack of those. Same with research experience - you get different opportunities at a SLAC than an R1, and so make your application shine as best as you can and they'll understand these things.

As someone who has pushed through the PhD with a lack of motivation, i think if you don't want to be a professor or have a job that requires a PhD, it's not worth it. Do what's best for you, which i think you already know what you're leaning towards. Don't get a PhD just to get a PhD.

You'll be fine / a good fit with your MA. Most PhDs don't have anything explicit because soc departments are a balance of qual and quant research. From my understanding, there is no set requirement and you will have a required stats class or two as part of the curriculum.

I agree that school B is the better option. You're much more likely to get into a great PhD program if you have collaborated with some faculty (whether or not it's published) and this sounds much more likely at B. Plus, it sounds like it's cheaper and you'll have some funding which is a definite plus. Program A sounds like it's probably a cash cow.

Is this for an MA or a PhD? I've never heard of either of their programs...

https://s-michael-gaddis.medium.com/new-graduate-rankings-in-sociology-a25a59e81d57 I liked this blog post discussion on it

Look at their recent graduates - what were their research interests and placements like? I can't think of any computational sociologists from UNC, but I can from Cornell. But UNC is higher ranked which can lead to other extra resources. Do professors have labs? What about RA opportunities? Other places on canvas that sociology works with?

I'd go with the latter.

Your research interests really remind me of Melanie Wallendorf at the University of Arizona who actually teaches in Marketing. Because of the super tough time sociology is having now and will continue to have going forward (said as a current sociology grad student), I'd actually recommend you check out programs like that and either minor in soc or push for a dual degree. Pure soc just isn't going to cut it anymore.

Top env soc departments off the top of my head could be Oregon, Colorado and Brown (even University of Utah, though this isn't my area). However, environment + political screams andrew jorgenson at Boston College. If you're thinking macroeconomic political sociology, check this annual review out: https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.soc.012809.102639

I can promise y'all that universities were being hurt and facing cuts because of the baby-bust (smaller population of 18 year olds) before the whole covid-19, and now my department isn't going to dip into our waitlist at all and just a smaller cohort. I bet the same will happen for next year as well, so everyone considering that ( @SocAnth_Lou , @annetod ) keep that in mind.

Grad student lurking: If there's any delay and it's not random, it could be due to funding cuts. I know a lot of public universities are experiencing historic low undergraduate enrollments and therefore budget crises, so they may be delaying notifications in case they have major funding cuts or something. Also, feel free to reach out if you want a grad student's lay of the land while you're making decisions. I know some of the drama and reputations better now than when I applied.

Came across this on twitter and thought it would good advice for y'all on your upcoming campus visits. Read the whole threat & enjoy!