Moose#@1%$

oh woah... that really isn't. But, I'm sure it's doable.. like the others have been saying you'd just have to be frugal. But, then again I'm sure I won't have to worry about CUNY or living in NY... unlikely I'd get in. haha

Yea this is more of what I was getting at. Thanks for saying it properly.. lol.. I feel like if there is a difference then it is unintended. Unfortunately, intended or unintended it won't make a difference for the applicant. Hopefully, there isn't any, I'm just curious because 2-3 of my applicants were submitted on the day of or the day before.

I agree but what are these reasons?

hmm yea this makes sense.

Has anyone ever heard or knows whether grad applications that are submitted earlier are preferred over ones that are not? I ask because I had an interesting email correspondence with a department admin at a school and the language made it seem like earlier applications have a leg up. I don't know though, so i thought I ask the grad cafe community. Don't ask me the school name or admin name, I'm obviously not going to put any department or individual on the spot because of the "feelings" that I got from reading an email. That would be pretty unfair and crappy. lol

Unless you absolutely cannot see yourself doing anything other than academic philosophy, you are better off going to grad school for your other major - Math. Your job prospects are going to be drastically better. If math is something you can see yourself doing at the grad or phd level, then go for that. Or, Carnegie Mellon has an amazing philosophy/math/logic grad program, you should look into that. They are very tough to get in but it might be worth it. PS. Carnegie Mellon's grads get jobs all over the place and not just in academia.

Hmm that’s encouraging! Hah but the only place I applied to in NYC is CUNY and have been looking around there. And that area was expensive as hell. Granted I’m coming from Okc haha so the mind set is slightly different on rent. Also, this is good info!

Where are you in NYC that your rent is that low? Also, how do you net 1993 at 25,000? What’s the tax rate there? Isn’t it 24% on avg? You should be betting around 1750.. ? That doesn’t leave much income for food electric, car insurance (if you own a car), gas, internet... idk much about nyc but that doesn’t seem enough?

Yes, but even then... the best placement records (Berkeley and U of Virginia) aren't that great. And yes I'm in adjunct hell atm haha and it's pretty terrible. But, from what I hear around my current department and last... it's becoming increasingly common for departments to hire adjuncts. I've seen and heard retiring faculty to be replaced by adjuncts or non-TT positions. It sucks. But I'm hopeful.

Ha true. I wouldn't worry about it that much (easier said than done, I know). It's completely out of our control at this point. Try your best to totally forget about it. Worst case scenario, we get shut out and apply again but I've heard this being a blessing in disguise. I've had professors tell me that happening to them and they applied the next year and got better offers. I know I'm too positive for a philosopher. ha

Right? Even thought I would love to go to Berkeley (if accepted) but I don't know whether that's a good idea. Especially, if I i'd have to take loans... Philosophy is just not worth going into debt for, even though I love it but at some point one must be pragmatic.

Wow that is interesting and lucky. What school did you end up going to?

100 % accurate. Because from just simple calculations it seems places like places like Berkeley are impossible to afford. For instance, the rule of thumb for rent is that it should be around 30% of your income. Berkeley the average rent seems to be around 1500 (if not higher). This would mean that the stipend should be 50000 a year and I just can't imagine that being the case. So, I'm thinking for one to attend Berkeley, either you must be rich, or take on loans or live with 5+ people and barley have a life. Which makes me wonder whether it's worth it. I can imagine a life style like that will have an negative impact on your schooling.

This was good. Thanks. Just wish it was more extensive.

I don't know how others feel about this or whether it's even okay to do but, I was wondering if someone (people smarter than me), would want to create a thread with stipend, fees etc. information about programs around the country. I mean something structured like the acceptance and rejection thread? Where all the people on here already at schools or have the info about schools can submit information? Hopefully this makes some sense. I just think it could really help people make informed decisions. One of the biggest surprise that I had at my MA (funded) program was the "fees" that we had to pay. At that time I thought, "man I wish I knew that I would've picked somewhere else." Anyway, hopefully others agree and we can start something like that.

Yea this is what I was worried about. I'm a very frugal person luckily, so, I was hoping that'd help. Well, I have to be frugal because I currently live on an adjunct salary hah soo.. going out for me is when I go to a friends house. Also, after doing some googling it seems like their stipend might not even cover rent and food.

Does anyone know what their stipend is? I was just looking at apartments over there and... holy mother they are expensive. For example, 150 sq feet room.. *drumroll* 850 bucks!! And no I’m not accepted there but I’m just gathering as much info about the location, school and stuff. since, some of the schools tell you so late that you don’t have time to make an informed decision.

This could hurt you. From what I've heard, if you decide to submit two papers (when allowed of course) they better be of the same caliber. Otherwise, that's going to raise some red flags. Besides, the selection committees barley have time to read one, I can't imagine them reading 2 properly. Also, in my personal opinion it can be interpreted as a lack of confidence and like you're trying to hedge your bets. Most people and advice I've receive is negative on this regard.

Just as a side note: if you can help it do NOT take any debt for an MA or PhD in philosophy. It is simply not worth it. I'm currently an adjunct and it pays shit. I have friends who are teaching 6-7 classes (adjuncts) to make ends meet. I can't imagine having a loan payment on an adjunct salary. And full time professors aren't dong any better. With the exception of some top programs which are really well funded but getting a job there is virtually impossible.

Anybody else want to trade sample papers.?

I'm not even going to be begin to start checking for emails until March. haha good luck everybody

Are you coming from a B.A or M.A program?

Oh man... ? Well, Idk if this makes a difference but I'm coming from an MA program and I'm an adjunct, so I've been doing a bit research with fellow faculty (trying to get published). So, I've kinda talk about all these things briefly.. and my last paragraph is pretty customized for the university. Which I guess it's what is making it long. But, now I'm worried. lol

Hmm.. dang. Mine is around 1100. And do you mean 2 pages double spaced or single?

How long are all yours SOPs (like word count). I can't decide if mine is to long ?