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lorenzen

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Everything posted by lorenzen

  1. Choose the funded option. Even if the MA is funded, I'd go with a PhD. You can always leave with the master's on the way if you don't like the program.
  2. I see! Have you heard of any acceptances yet? And thank you.
  3. Invited to a recruitment weekend. What can I expect? How can I prepare? Thank you!
  4. In my first semester at a phd program, they got rid of my specialization and people whom I wanted to work with left. As a result of these changes, I only completed one semester and left. Some have told me to not mention this on my SOP and let the transcripts do the talking. Others have told me to explain myself. If I opt for the latter (and if you agree that I should include a reference to the situation on my SOP), how does this sound: After explaining my undergrad and master's experience (two different institutions), I touch upon my time in the PhD in this paragraph: During this past semester at ABC University's program, I have gained valuable ABC research experience through working with the statistical package ABC and by designing and administering ABCs. While these experiences have helped prepare me to conduct rigorous research, the program eradicated its specialization in ABC shortly after my arrival, which also coincided with the departure of a number of faculty I had been greatly interested in learning from and collaborating with on research. ( I then go on to re-state how a PhD from the new institution fits my research goals, and present my broad career goals, and state briefly again my dissertation goal at the new university).
  5. Hello! I have an interview for a doctoral position tied to a very specific research project. It would involve qualitative research on an environmental issue in the global south. What are your thoughts on conducting preliminary research on the topic to present in the interview? For example, conducting an in-depth interview, transcribing it, and writing up a memo?
  6. Sorry for my late response. Thank you so, so much for your comment. It is extremely helpful.
  7. So do not mention the current school at all? Did you send your transcripts from the previous school you left?
  8. How wonderful that you are happy in your new program. And thanks for this thoughtful and super helpful reply. Could you discuss your SOP and how you discussed the transfer situation? Did you mention it? Some people are telling me to avoid discussing the current place I'm trying to leave. Others disagree, suggesting I should certainly discuss the reasons for leaving in an appropriate and diplomatic way.
  9. Sorry you are in the same position, but it sounds like you know what you're doing. Are you mentioning your current institution in the SOP? And if so, how will you mention that? Thanks!
  10. Thank you, Ikaitlyn. You brought up a topic I had not really considered. What I am curious about is how the people you mentioned went about getting those letters. I imagine it would be very awkward, and what if you do not get accepted into the new program and stay at your current place? Wouldn't you be a persona non grata, and perhaps even be kicked out?
  11. I qualify for most application fee waivers because of my income. However, I worry that asking for one could create a bad impression among the graduate committee. What do you think?
  12. Hello all, I first posted in this forum nearly 5 years ago as I was attempting to gain entrance to a funded master's program. The advice I received here was invaluable and I still feel grateful. Since those early gradcafe days, I graduated with a master's, taught undergraduates for a year, and recently started a PHD program in sociology. Now I find myself crawling back here to ask you all about a dilemma I'm experiencing. The program I'm in was my "safety school." I wrote a terrible statement of purpose (cringey is what I'll call it) and got rejected from some top 30-50 programs. This current program is nowhere even close to top 50, and it really shows. I have been shocked by the quality of instruction PhD students receive here. The faculty display little to no passion for the subject they teach. One colleague in my cohort noted that "it seems like they all hate their jobs and no one wants to be here." My master's program was so incredibly different! There was true curiosity and all, students and professors alike, took this whole business of sociology very seriously indeed. On top of it all, the program changed one of their specialty areas right after I accepted and joined the program. It will be hard to pursue my research interests now. While I enjoy living in this little town, I am desperate to apply elsewhere. I would like to apply this cycle to better programs. But I know this could look quite bad to graduate committees. What do you think? Would a highly ranked program discard my application once they see I am attempting to transfer, even if I explain that the research emphasis of the school changed after I joined the program?
  13. You all are probably sick of my posts. I've been a board hog these past months. Please forgive me..!!!! However, I think this topic may be of help to people in the future. Couldn't find another one like it in the database. I got into two programs that I am still deciding on. Problem: After writing strong statements of purpose (each with different research proposals), my thesis "goals" have changed. Not DRASTICALLY - I still want to research something in rural sociology in one, and technology in the other -- but my ideas have definitely changed. I had told one program I wanted to research rural violence, but now I want to do something in rural conservation, for example. Am I tied down? I am panicking because I realized that I REALLY do not want to research the specific projects I mentioned in my purpose statement .
  14. Thank you for all of your answers. I cannot get over how helpful this forum is. Mostly I hate the internet and "technology", but I'll be darned if this forum is not a veritable boon to prospective graduate students in sociology.
  15. Thank you! And I am feeling hopeful after reading the life advice! Haha! I guess I really need to ask about the nature of the grant I've been invited to work on. Do you think they normally would have included this information in my offer letter?
  16. Okay, I see. Thanks for this. I'm quite nervous now! Goodness gracious, I don't have a stats course under my belt ( I only minored in sociology ) and they gave me the only GRA position in the department. Apparently I'd be working with the program director on a grant. Gulp. Do you have experience with working on a grant? She wrote, "As you will be working on a grant, your duties will include assisting me with evaluation and planning, collecting and analyzing data, and assisting with reporting and logistics. I found a free introductory class to SPSS, but I don't know if this will prepare me in time. I imagine I'd have to invest in a real class to actually learn SPSS well. Geez... should I ask if they can give me a TA position instead? But I really would like to accept this position....! Assisting in research would be ideal, but I just don't know if I have the knowledge at this point to start right away!!!
  17. I suppose I should ask about the nature of the research, and the amount of statistical ability requires to perform well in the role of a RA? Could I be overthinking this? Could it be more administrative and data entry?
  18. Hello! Can anyone help this frazzled person out? I received two funded offers. The first was a TA position, the second a Research Assistant position. Now, let me be straight. Math is not my strength; I aim to do qualitative work. I also do not have experience with SPSS or other similar tools. This will be my first time doing research. Will I be way unprepared for this?
  19. Forgive me for abusing this forum with my questions. This is the last, I hope! I am choosing between two different master's programs. One requires "Analytics for Social and Behavioral Sciences", and the other requires "Social Statistics." Now, I passed general math in undergrad by doing it online and spending afternoons with tutors. I would have failed otherwise. Now I have this obstacle to enter into the field of Sociology. Which of those two classes may require less actual math? My impression is that Analytics is more about methods of using statistics, while social statistics are more about learning the actual math. How foolish is this notion of mine? Thank you in advance, Lorenzen
  20. As usual, I am turning to this forum for advice. Thank you in advance for taking a look at thus topic. I was offered an assistantship position in a Sociology Master's program that provides tuition and a stipend. It is stated that this has been granted for 2018-2019, and then I would have to apply for it again. If my performance is not good enough as a student and TA, it may not be renewed. If a department gives you funding the first year, how likely is it to be renewed the second year if you are a good TA and student? I am nervous to commit to a program and then have the "carpet" pulled out from under me. Sincerely, AfraidOfDebt
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