What was the application process like for you? (i.e. how long did it take you? what kind of road-bumps did you run into?)
For me, the statement of purpose and recommendations were the most time consuming aspects of the application process. Everything was pretty straightforward, though.
Besides my transcript from Mexico never arriving (see below), I'd say letters of rec were kind of tricky for me. I had to switch two of the three at the last minute because I wasn't getting responses to my emails.
As you might guess from the many posts on this forum, the "waiting game" is the most agonizing part.
Was there anything that surprised you about the process?
Not really.
Anything would have done differently?
1. Study for the GRE. I took the test sort of on a whim a year ago, and my scores reflected (V:530, Q: 320). I'm pretty sure that's why I was only admitted to 2 of the 6 schools I applied to.
2. Request transcripts from foreign schools now. I never actually received the transcripts I requested in early November of last year. Fortunately, admissions officials were very understanding.
3. Had I done number one, I probably would have applied to a few more schools.
What advice can you give regarding SOPs, GREs, gaining work experience, etc?
Take some time to think about why you want to grad school at all. In writing my SOP I basically made up a bunch of "goals" that probably weren't very convincing because I didn't have an idea of what I wanted to do after grad school. I still don't.
Volunteer experience is great, but, as my former supervisor once advised: "You have to think about how to distinguish yourself from the other people who served in the peace corps."
If a school has rolling admissions, apply well before the deadline. By "early" I mean November-December of the year before you plan to attend. In my experience, this goes doubly for IU-SPEA.
Get commitments on letters of rec early.