KevinJHa
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Posts posted by KevinJHa
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17 hours ago, qualsoc2018 said:
I remind myself that right now (January 8) is still super early to hear back from most sociology programs (as we can see on the survey, most of the latest entries are from the sciences and psychology), so I'm just anxious in the sense that I don't want to wait anymore. But that could change if I still haven't heard anything by March or something (or if I've only gotten rejections).
I agree -- I DONT WANT TO WAIT ANYMORE. I feel like a baby.
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12 hours ago, pinoysoc said:
I'm in the same boat. To be quite honest, even if I have an MA, I still feel doubt. I was super cocky the first time I applied for 2014 application cycle. After lowering my expectations and "discovering" my true research interests after, I found the courage to apply for 2015 and got in. I thought that finishing my MA and going to a PhD program was going to happen, but I realized that this might be the last time I can take a break between degrees..especially the fact that I want to start my career after getting the PhD.
What brings all these doubts (in my case) is not believing in myself and the work I've done. Partially, there's also my untreated anxiety & depression since losing insurance after graduation. So it's a double whammy. I came in this application season trying to be confident. I ended up deleting all my application things (i.e. SOPs, drafts, etc.) in December 2016 thinking I wasn't going to go for my PhD anymore; then used July through September to research what programs I was going to apply to, rewrite SOPs, and contact my professors who I told months earlier that I was going to do a Pre-Med Post-Bacc after graduation.
I'm also freaking out because my GRE scores are expiring...(Sorry for the long rant). But at the end of the day, I know I have the initiative, work ethic, and research agenda to do something for my adoptive home. But it gets tiring being told that I was good enough, but not good enough to get an admission offer.
T_T
I hate how this year it seems that a lot of the interview invites or potential talks. I feel like they switch up the way they do things yearly. But I'm just really anxious about this whole "WAITING TO HEAR IF WE'RE GOOD ENOUGH" period.
Damn that's incredible -- it sounds like you've been through a lot with these graduate apps. I don't know if I would have the heart to keep reapplying but it sounds like you know what you want. Though in the end, I think whats meant to happen will always happen.
I haven't heard about these interviews, it sounds like these invites come out really early though.
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Unrelated but the more time passes the more anxious and doubtful I'm becoming. I put my heart and soul into these applications and prepared for them for about two years, but now that the app process is over and I can't 'control' anything anymore, I keep getting these recurring doubts. Huge change from when I thought I was a shoe-in during the application process.
Anyone experiencing something similar?
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On 1/4/2018 at 6:46 PM, MintChocoChip said:
I'm doing the same with my video games (cool selection by the way). I'm trying to catch up on the Pokemon series, so I've been working on Pokemon Diamond, XD, and later on Omega Ruby. I'm also playing Mario Party while my sister's back from school. I was originally working on Kingdom Hearts 1.5, but then my Playstation 3 got YLOD.
Also, finally done with my apps (finished before the new year)! Been trying not to think about accept/reject just yet but I'm sure reality is going to catch up soon.
Haha that's great -- I used to be a huge pokemon fan, but fell off after the DS. I still remember my ruby party ='(
And congrats on finishing your apps!
3 hours ago, Madelene said:Does anyone know which programs do interviews? I don't think any of mine do, since I don't think they mention interviews on their websites, but what do I know?
I applied to 8 schools and nowhere on their site do they mention interviews at all!
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27 minutes ago, Madelene said:
This is so cool! Would anyone be interested in group goals? Like working towards something with another person/a group to sort of keep each other accountable? I'm trying to get back to strength training, learn the guitar, and make more art. Anyone interested in similar things?
I've been playing guitar for about 11 years but over the past year -- due to career and graduate applications -- have fallen off. Over the next few months I plan on really getting back into songwriting, working out, and reading more fiction
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24 minutes ago, Madelene said:
KevinJHa I've seen your posts and thought the same thing about you! Honestly, fit is what I'm most worried about. I know I'm qualified to be somewhere--my big fear is that I chose the wrong places at the wrong time, and there's just no way to know if that's the case.
Yes absolutely -- the uncontrollable factors are the most terrifying
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2 hours ago, Madelene said:
Hi all!
Finally time to post because it's too stressful waiting alone!
I applied to five schools (Stanford, UNC Chapel Hill, Princeton, UW Madison, and Michigan) and am concerned that 5 schools (all ranked highly) aren't enough. I have a very strong interest in the sociology of health and wrote an undergrad thesis on the topic with departmental awards and a 3.98 GPA (overall and in sociology major). My GRE scores weren't anything to write home about (V-162 and Q-159) but I'm hoping they'll be enough for one school. I feel pretty good about my writing sample (my thesis) but don't have any publications, as I went to a liberal arts college where professor research is secondary to teaching, although I did work as an RA for a publication yet to be completed. I also feel good about my letters of recommendation--three professors I've worked closely with and the president of my Alma mater, who I work for now as a data analyst. I'm also not sure about my statement of purpose. I felt really good about it but asked too many people for advice and heard contradictory things, so who knows! I'm just trying to breathe and remember that even rejection doesn't mean this isn't the right path.
Anyone have experience with these programs? I think Princeton is the odd one out in my list, as they are moving more towards urban sociology as far as I can tell.
I have no clue what to expect but would love to chat with you all and worry with others instead of alone!
Oh god seeing all the applicants come out of the woods is terrifying haha. I applied to very similar profile schools but definitely have lower GRE and GPAs than you. I feel you shouldn't worry too much, your general profile sounds very good and I believe it will come down to research fit.
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15 minutes ago, RoxieB said:
I received a letter of acceptance via email from University of Nebraska - Lincoln this morning, pending funding. I will fly in to visit in February. Y'all, I was so scared I would not get in anywhere I have been scream-crying happy for an hour.
Holy crap congratulations!!! Thats incredible -- I didn't know some programs responded that quickly.
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21 hours ago, pinoysoc said:
Damn! That's a lot.
I think what stresses me out is the fact that some schools I applied to usually contacts students right after the holidays/holiday break aka the week in between Christmas & new Years that makes everyone feel lost. LOL.
A lot of other academic departments have been active since even before Christmas came.
i. am. sweating. bullets.
Damn do programs really reach out that early?? What schools did you apply to?
18 hours ago, latemeg said:Holy holy. So many applications!
At least mine are turned in. I hated sitting and revising, and revising, and revising... Ugh. Now, if I could just get the accept/reject part out of the way.
Congrats! Yeah spending months revising over and over again gets so draining. I'm glad its over for most of us.
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I think its best to go in with the understanding that the process is pretty arbitrary, and there are lots of factors that we could not possibly control! Whatever happens happens, but I have a good feeling about all of yall <3
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1 hour ago, abenz said:
This was me! I worry that we might have delays because of this ... having said that I just checked the Yale stats page and in 2015 they had 225 applications and 4 admits, so maybe it’s not super unusual for top schools?
Hmm well I know Harvard and the CUNY Graduate Center are expected around 400 applications this year...
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31 minutes ago, CandideCoating said:
Enough that on January 24th if I still haven't heard anything I might just die. LOL.
If I don't get anything by January 24th my insane brain will assume I got rejected from everything now
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4 minutes ago, pinoysoc said:
Same here, buddy. I'm constantly refreshing my e-mail waiting for that notification or a phone call.
Whichever works for the adcomms. HAHAHAHAHA
Haha this can't keep happening for the next few months -- I think we need to change our habits or find an outlet.
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17 hours ago, qeta said:
I got a VPN service exclusively for the waiting period and have been marathoning Euro crime dramas on Channel 4 UK and SBS (Australia) On Demand sites. They are reasonably complex and entertaining, and reading subtitles also leaves less brain space for worrying.
That my friend, is fascinating haha.
Side note, I check my application pages every single morning around 10AM and I'm tired of seeing the green 'Submitted' status. I have to stop doing this.
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On 12/29/2017 at 3:14 PM, MintChocoChip said:
I'm still working on two more apps, but I'll be saving some money too and playing video games as well. Will probably be looking for plans B, C, D, E, F, G after I take a well deserved break once everything is done. What video games do you play (titles, series, or genres)?
I'm also thinking of reading some sociology books related to my interests. While tailoring the SOPs, I actually found some books I did want to read, but does anyone have any other recommendations? I'm interested in books related to sociology of health and medicine, mental health, social networks, sociology of knowledge, social psychology, and any combination of these topics.
I'm not too familiar with those subfields so couldn't suggest anything to you, but it's definitely a great time to read!
In terms of video games, lately I've been into Overwatch, PUBG, and Black Desert haha -- numbing my mind and avoiding thinking about academic/career plans.
How about you?
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16 hours ago, abenz said:
Unluckily I’m actually looking for jobs as well as waiting for PhD results so I’m in limbo for both! Just came back from nine months overseas though so seeing friends and family has been a lot of fun. I have to say that I spend more time than is wise thinking about all the “what ifs” ... I’m on holiday when most of my results are predicted to come out (based on previous years) which will either be a huge celebration or commiseration either way!
Damn that sounds stressful haha, best of luck to you! What kind of work are you looking for?
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16 minutes ago, CandideCoating said:
Same - going mostly crazy, at my 40/hr computer based job where I check GradCafe 2-5 times a day. I try to stay off of the school application pages (one of them changed statuses today and I almost fainted - all it says is it has been forwarded to the committee for review).
I'm definitely working out more, trying to save money to relocate for grad school, trying to work on my hobbies a little - but mostly failing. I spend a lot of time just fantasizing about the future.
I have been trying to formulate a Plan B lately, but I want to believe that that is a waste of mental energy. It is going to be a tough 25 days.
fantasizing about the future is right, god damn. I can almost taste it
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7 minutes ago, qualsoc2018 said:
I currently have a full time/40 hours a week job, so that takes up most of my time (though it involves sitting at a computer all day, so I'm checking GradCafe anyway lol), but other than that, mostly reading, writing, doing research, and trying to come up with Plan Bs in case nothing works out for me this time around
I'm lucky enough to have a full-time too (as you can probably surmise I'm on grad cafe at said job now) haha.
That's great, definitely good to keep doing research in the meantime!
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Well now that most applications are submitted and the waiting game is officially starting, I figure it would be good to figure out ways to occupy headspace while we wait for our lives to be determined by a committee of strangers. It's funny because most people who apply to graduate school are neurotic and anxious people in general.
Things I've been doing:
(1) I've been using this time to start saving money, considering i'd probably be broke in graduate school
(2) Going to the gym and trying to get the body I want
(3) Activism
(4) Video games
(5) Checking the application pages for each school I applied to every morning
What are you all doing to keep busy?
- kqmorgan and MintChocoChip
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13 minutes ago, pinoysoc said:
Well, I've been watching Netflix once I get home from work! And your mom is so wise! My mom told me something similar in previous years. But I think the pressure of feeling of not "being good enough" is weighing me down and I'm slowly working on it! Thank you for those kind words!
Netflix and video games have been my best friend as of late haha. I totally get that feeling and I cope with it constantly. Of course we're here to support each other!
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7 minutes ago, pinoysoc said:
I feel ya! I have melatonin at home, but it stopped working because I had a period where my anxiety/depression kept me so much I kept taking it! Lol. And i'm so close to throwing my phone way because I keep checking/refreshing it as if it'll magically appear out of nowhere!
Haha damn man you gotta find a way to keep yourself busy!!
Random tidbit my mother told me that make me feel better: 'You want this so bad, and you've been working hard to make your application perfect. If you don't get accepted, who will?'. It really made me less anxious about the upcoming decisions and if you want this as bad as I think you do, I'm sure this applies to you as well
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Also my profile says my role is an 'Analyst', and thats literally my job right now--thought that was funny.
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2 hours ago, CandideCoating said:
ENTJ-T "commander"
Woah 'commander' that's kind of badass.
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20 minutes ago, pinoysoc said:
That's good to hear! It seems this application season the way programs are contacting us is much slower! Usually, HSS @ UPenn sends out their invites then PSU professors start contacting students they want to interview! I'm SERIOUSLY getting anxiety attacks at night that I can't sleep!
This is why I've been taking nyquil or melatonin every night to sleep
Fall 2018 Applicants
in Sociology Forum
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