dhg

My tips for the GRE Verbal (don't ask me about Quantitative): Go through the the Magoosh flashcard app and create a personal list of words you don't know. This should probably take between 1hr-2hrs, depending on how many words you don't know. It is tedious; do it anyway. Once you've created your list, go through about three words each day. I would to add to that https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9oqR-C-E_E&list=PL0BE1A07536688372. Watch about three videos a day. Finally, to further strengthen vocab, read some articles on aldaily.com each day. For the text completion and sentence equivalencies, I used to cover the answer options, fill them in with my words, then reveal my possible choices. I'd then match the word options to the words I came up with. Once you expand your vocabulary with your list, this method should lead you to the correct answer about 90% of the time. For the RC questions (the toughest in my opinion), I would read the article first and take notes. The simple act of taking notes forces you actually work with what your reading, rather than just sitting there and taking it in passively. They don't have to be fancy notes. Most of my notes were just jumbles of several words. Once you get to the questions, it's basically process of elimination. If you see anything slightly wrong with an answer, chuck it. If you see something wrong with all your choices, the correct answer is the one that is least wrong. Finally, timing is key. Those who do well on the GRE usually do the sentence equivalency questions and text completion first within about 10 minutes (give or take a few seconds), leaving the rest of the time to be spent on RC. Covering your answers will help you get to that point with SE and TC. This strategy led me to a 98% (168) score in Verbal.

Hello, When I applied to PhD programs last year, I was unaware that funding packages varied so much from school to school. I found a program (and got into said program) that I thought was a good fit for me, but I'm starting to think that I should have focused less on fit and more on the financial packages each program offers. I opted to not apply to some programs with more robust financial packages because they did not fit as well with my research, even though they were programs where I thought I might have a decent shot and could have made (with a lot of stretching) my topic fit. I'm set to begin my program next month, but I am a bit worried about the amount of money I am getting in relation to other programs. It makes me think that I will not be able to create competitive publications. The program offers a 9 month stipend for five years, with years one and five on fellowship. The other years I have to TA or get a fellowship that exempts me. I have summer funding for one summer and about $800 each year to be used on conferences. I also have the typical insurance, fees paid, etc., that come with most packages. The two biggest things making me doubt my decision are the amount of TAing I might have to do as well as the lack of summer funding. I learned after applying and accepting that some programs don't require TAing or give summer funding for more than one summer. Some of the programs I opted to not apply to offer these perks. I'm satisfied with the department, my future advisors, the stipend amount, and course offerings. The job placement rate at the program I'm set to attend compared to other programs I looked at is about the same. It's the financial perks (or lack thereof) that are making me think that maybe I should not attend. It seems like it would be a more difficult route to attend and possibly switch. Thoughts?

Do all schools find out at once? I just went to a visit day the other day for one of my options, and they said it had been renewed for them. As long as it pays for tuition, I'm happy. I've lived off very little money for my whole life, and another year doesn't worry me.

The thing is we must accept by the 15th and we won't know until mid-July if we will we get FLAS funding or not :/. The master's programs have given me some funding, but not enough to feel secure if FLAS falls through.

Deciding on a school (that will arguably impact our future careers) without having all of our financial information feels unfair. I have offers from two master's programs and a PhD program. I would like to go the master's route, and I am a finalist for FLAS at both master's programs, but, as is, I cannot choose the master's programs because I might not get FLAS, which would result in big tuition bills at both master's programs. That means I have to go with the safer route, the PhD, despite preferring the other schools. I've asked for extensions from the schools, but none of them want to offer one. I don't want to say yes to all three, as that seems dirty, but it's just such a weird year for funding.

Thank you for responding. The first thing that comes to my mind is "letters of recommendation" for future applications if I decide to switch programs. How would that work? We've actually been together for many (many) years now. Two of those years have been apart, so I think we will manage. We've decided to alternate visiting months, as they need to stay where we currently are for the next year and a half for work.

Hello, I'm considering three programs: 2 MAs and 1 PhD. I am unsure whether to just dive into the PhD or do an MA first, as I'm taking my PhD admission without an MA as a sign that I might be able do even better after an MA and I don't want to sell myself short. UC Davis-PhD (History) Pros: 5 years of funding Some summer travel money Some conference travel money Some big names in my field to work with. Cons: Worried about job prospects coming out of Davis. The feeling of regret that I could have maybe done an MA and avoided underunemployment. UMichigan MA (Area studies) Pros: Get to work on some of my languages Get to take more classes in my area FLAS (possibly) first year Get to stay with my partner Get to reapply to PhD programs. Cons: Might not get FLAS (I won't know until after I commit), which will cause me to take out loans. Might not get funding the second year I don't know if my MA project will be done in the first semester of my second year (in time to move uninterruptedly from MA to PhD) Might not get into a PhD program after the MA The feeling that I'm spinning my wheels (I'm already pretty focused in my area). UT Austin MA (Area studies) Pros: Get to work on some of my languages Get to take more classes in my area Half of my first year is paid Get to reapply to PhD programs. Cons: Might have to take loans of if I do no not get FLAS Might not get funding the second year I don't know if my MA project will be done in the first semester of my second year (in time to move uninterruptedly from MA to PhD) Might not get into a PhD program after the MA The feeling that I'm spinning my wheels (I'm already pretty focused in my area). Side question: I guess the big question here is what do those people who get hired from the slightly-less-than-top schools do during their time in the PhD that makes them stand out? I think the answer to this side question will help me out. *Some schools names have been changed for privacy.

Great info!

Hello everyone, I was wondering if the more experienced posters could comment on whether the two paths are treated differently in any noticeable way on the job market? When I say BA-->PhD I don't mean necessarily direct. I'm also including people who may have worked before entering their doctoral programs but did not do an MA.