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DeadAccount

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  1. Hello all,

    I'm hoping for some advice from fellow grad students/to-be grad students. My intentions this year were to go into an MA program in sociology, with hopes of getting into a PhD program the following year. (Long story short, I want a MA in one field, PhD in another, this is why I chose this route, among other reasons.) I got into MAPSS at UChicago and was very excited to go. However, I was very apprehensive about taking out such large loans in the first place (I only received a partial scholarship). I was hoping the experience, opportunities, and networking I would gain there would make it worth the debt. Now, due to coronavirus, classes will be offered via a mix of online and in-person instruction. In-person seats sound very limited, and I won't really know until a week or two before classes begin if I'll manage to get an in-person class or not. (I also do not like online classes and just don't feel I learn very well in them. I learn best when I can feel really engaged with my instructor and classmates face-to-face.) I also have a feeling that as universities return to campus, outbreaks will be inevitable and will result in campuses closing and going fully online again. 

    With all these uncertainties, in general and specifically related to classes/classwork, on top of the fact I just don't feel like I will gain the same experiences/connections that I would have during a normal year, I just don't know if I can justify taking out such a huge chunk of loans right now.

    Currently I'm in a very lucky position. I work for a university and can take classes to keep myself in the habit of school work over the next year, should I take an additional gap year. I could also use the free classes I'm allowed as an employee to add some relevant certifications to my resume. I'm hopeful that if I decide to withdraw from MAPSS I can take advantage of some resources at work, and attempt to improve my overall application, GRE scores, etc. over the next year. I'm also considering just applying directly to PhD programs next time (hopefully fully funded programs). 

    I feel like a failure if I postpone going to grad school for another year, but I'm very scared of taking on such debt. Especially knowing that the future of the economy in the US looks so gloomy, and that I'll probably be deferring payments for 4-7 years while I work on a PhD anyway. 

    Basically, does anyone have any thoughts/recommendations/advice? If I have a stable environment to take another gap year and continue to improve my applications, is it a bad idea? Is taking a second gap year after grad school going to hurt me? I'm so very conflicted right now, because I was so excited for this program, but now I'm not sure. I worry that if I don't go, I'll regret it, but if I do go, that I'll regret it.

    TIA. 

  2. I will say, I tried getting research-related jobs during my gap year, and despite having good experience (conducted an independent research study during undergrad in which I collected original quantitative data on my own, presented my findings at an academic conference, and am currently working towards publication) I couldn't get anyone to even give me a chance (no calls, emails, or interviews)..That was very depressing and the job I have now isn't bad, but it's not really related to what I want to do.

  3. Hello! I don't have much advice to offer. But I'm kind of in the same boat. I want to go for my PhD ultimately, but didn't apply right out of undergrad because I'm not sure which of the two fields I studied in undergrad would be more appropriate for my long term goals when it comes to PhD programs. Instead I took a gap year and applied to MAPSS because I thought this would give me additional training, plus a chance to take some more classes to determine which path I want to take (I'm actually becoming more interested in switching to social psychology, as well, despite being in sociology and anthropology as an undergrad.) I'm a bit apprehensive, because of the loans I would need to take out. I am also nervous because there seems to be a lot of negativity about MAPSS online and I'm not sure if that is to be believed or not...

  4. If I knew then what I know now, I would have gotten it together and applied to 10 or more PhD programs this cycle and been more intent on it. (aka, I would have gotten my sh*t together sooner)....I also hate the idea of taking out a lot of loans for the MA I got into, but with everything going on right now, I think it may be worth it. I'm hoping that if I can get an MA it will help improve my application for the next round of PhD applications. And if I don't get into a PhD program next cycle, I'm hoping the MA can help me get a more relevant job, hopefully some sort of research job, until I can fight my way into a PhD program...idk. This is all so stressful.

  5. I'm very nervous how things will play out now. Just before things started getting really bad I submitted a petition to have my funding increased, and I haven't heard back yet. I'm afraid with everything going on they may not increase my funding at all, or it may be a while yet before I hear back. I'm definitely regretting a lot of things right now and am worried about every little detail in my emails I sent. The longer it takes the more I over-analyze everything ? I'm also afraid how this will affect PhD applications next year or the following year, as I'm only going for a MA right now.

  6. On 2/19/2020 at 1:24 AM, RepatMan said:

    I know that in my case, it was much better to have a faculty member that wanted you there and was willing to contact the MAPSS director to ask for the best offer possible. My understanding was that a lot of students in my cohort (2015-2016) were offered 1/3 tuition waivers and that many of them negotiated to get to 2/3 waivers. Some were offered 2/3 waivers out of the gate. But I really can't speak to numbers. Funding in a program like that is a bit taboo for people that don't want to flaunt (or expose) their offers and make the scene more competitive. I can only speak really for close friends I learned about over time.

    That said, I do know there are people that are not offered funding, which I do not think is worth it at all, despite my positive reviews of MAPSS you can find in other posts.

    I got accepted!!! I only received 1/3 tuition...I'm not sure who to contact to try and negotiate it and when I should begin trying to do that...

  7. Hi!

    I actually applied for the MAPSS with a concentration in Sociology for this coming fall. I'm super nervous because I'm thinking we should hear back today or tomorrow. So, I can't answer your questions, but was curious if you did end up applying and if you've heard anything yet!

  8. 3 hours ago, asamsoc said:

    Hi! Congrats to all the admits! For those like me who have received rejections, are you asking for feedback on your application? If so, who would you recommend asking specifically (committee chair, general department contact, POI, etc)? 

    I would like to, but am in the same boat of not knowing who to ask. Also, with how many applications they received, I'm not sure if any of them will be able to give any feed back and I'll just look silly for asking.

  9. 14 hours ago, RepatMan said:

    I know that in my case, it was much better to have a faculty member that wanted you there and was willing to contact the MAPSS director to ask for the best offer possible. My understanding was that a lot of students in my cohort (2015-2016) were offered 1/3 tuition waivers and that many of them negotiated to get to 2/3 waivers. Some were offered 2/3 waivers out of the gate. But I really can't speak to numbers. Funding in a program like that is a bit taboo for people that don't want to flaunt (or expose) their offers and make the scene more competitive. I can only speak really for close friends I learned about over time.

    That said, I do know there are people that are not offered funding, which I do not think is worth it at all, despite my positive reviews of MAPSS you can find in other posts.

    Thank you! I really appreciate this information. These next two weeks of waiting are going to kill me.

  10. On 2/17/2020 at 11:04 AM, socsocssoc said:

    Congrats who got admitted UMich! This was one of a few schools I applied this year. It seems like they have distributed the acceptance letter already, now I'm waiting for the rejection letter haha. Trying to pretend all good, but you guys know what it feels. Hope get over sooner than not too late. 

    I was just rejected from my fourth and final PhD application so I feel ya. ? 

  11. 10 hours ago, RepatMan said:

    I received a full tuition waver and I know at least one other student in my cohort did, as well. When I received it, they indicated that 4-5 people get them each year and that perhaps each department can essentially ask for one, respectively. That was all very unofficial and I heard it through my PI at the time who is no longer there.

    Do you possibly know approximately how many individuals receive at least 2/3 tuition? I was a direct applicant to MAPSS with a concentration in sociology this year for Fall 2020. I am currently waiting on my admission decision, but am incredibly nervous about funding. I really would love to go here if I'm accepted, but I'm not sure I can swing it without full or at least 2/3 tuition being funded, so I want to be prepared. 

    Also, are you aware if people can/have successfully negotiated better funding? 

  12. 3 hours ago, 0102030405 said:

    Hi all! 
    A non-admissions question but was wondering if anybody had any reading suggestions on social networks? I’ve got quite a lot of free time for the next few months and I’m starting to become more interested in this research area so wanted to do some reading to see if I want to take this area further.

    I'm taking a Social Networks class right now for fun and we are using the 4th addition of Social Network Analysis by John Scott as our textbook. It covers the history, main theories, and research techniques of SNA pretty well and serves as a good introduction to the field. I don't think it's a bad book at all, especially if you're into reading textbooks like me ? (plus it's a lot cheaper than some alternatives, although probably not quite as good as those)

  13. 14 hours ago, Sosci3 said:

    I agree with your advice, it really helps to keep busy. I just wanted to add generally to people that might be frantically checking their email and the results search every so often that sometimes we have to accept what we can't control and trust the process. I say this as someone who has applied in 3 application cycles, finally got my first acceptance this time (waiting to hear back from 4). We have to remember that there are a lot of really qualified candidates fighting for the same limited spots so sometimes these decisions can be arbitrary. The entire application process isn't easy by any stretch of the imagination, regardless of the admission decision, the amount of work (that im assuming) folks put in to get to this point is commendable and I hope that bring you all a little peace of mind as you wait to hear back.    

     

     

    Yes! It's so important not to forget our worth in this process! Many amazing, talented, and skilled students get rejected from amazing programs for arbitrary reasons.

  14. Just now, Sosci3 said:


    Interesting. So maybe I can delay my panic until next week. This delay could mean that they have a lot of strong applicants this year, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I don’t think they would send rejections before acceptances, so we’re safe this week. Maybe we’ll get some good news early next week. 

    Hopefully! I'm waiting on another decision that may come late next week or early the following. I'm so sick of waiting. Maybe next week will be a good one for both of us! 

  15. 20 hours ago, Sosci3 said:

    I haven’t heard anything yet, I figured we would hear by today as well. Fingers crossed. 

    From the past few years results it looks like they usually send most acceptances on a Monday or Tuesday, then rejections on Wednesday and later. But since no one has even posted about an acceptance from Duke I wonder if it'll be next week before decisions come out...hmm...

  16. 1 hour ago, PoliticalSociology said:

    Hey all! What does everyone think of Chicago? I know the PhD program has attracted criticism in the past, perhaps because it runs AJS, but it has a good fit with my interests, and I'm not sure how much merit there is to the criticisms.

    1 hour ago, quietsoc said:

    So I cannot give specific information, but a person I worked with in the past did a soc program there recently, and was adamant I did not even apply there. Obviously that is only one opinion, but I trust it. From the vibe I got, they aren't the best to their students, at least in their experience and opinion. However, this is the only information I have, and I would be interested to hear if anyone has similar or opposite stories. 

    For your case, (if you were accepted, if so, congrats!) I would definitely take a school visit, and try to talk to graduate students. A department can change, and quickly too, but they would be the best source to go to to attempt to find some truth, I would think. 

    I actually applied to MAPSS at UChicago, with a concentration in sociology. (I missed the PhD application deadline - long story)

    Anywho, what's more relevant to your comments is that I visited UChicago in November 2019 as a prospective student. I scheduled appointments with two faculty members in sociology. The first appointment went horribly. The professor showed up 30 minutes late to our meeting which was only scheduled 30 minutes to begin with. He then rushed me in and out of his office in less than 5 minutes, and was completely uninterested and dismissive. He seemed annoyed because I had emailed him asking him if he still able to make our meeting (I was very polite) when he didn't show (he hadn't even sent me an email saying he would be late or had to cancel). The reason he was late, he told me, was because he just was enjoying his lunch with some other faculty too much.

    Suffice to say I left the first meeting almost in tears. I felt humiliated, especially because of how this prof treated me. I was exhausted and frustrated. I had driven over five hours, toured the campus (which was honestly beautiful and lovely imo), and was so looking forward to these meetings before driving five hours back home in less than 30 hours total. 

    Luckily my second meeting went much better. The professor I talked to seemed genuinely interested in visiting with me, discussing my research, and even introduced me to another faculty member. He told me he was looking forward to my application and hoped I would attend. We spent 45 minutes together and I left far more hopeful (and mentally stable) than I had left the first meeting.

    From my impression and research, faculty at UChicago can either be really involved and helpful with their students, or completely dismissive and uninterested in students, although this seems to be a bigger problem for MAPSS students than PhD students. 

    I was originally very excited to possibly attend UChicago for the MAPSS (and possibly the PhD program eventually)...my visit left me both really excited, yet apprehensive due to that bad meeting. After seeing some reviews of the university/program online I am a little more wary now, but am trying to take all opinions with a grain of salt. 

    I would definitely recommend visiting as well and seeing how you feel with the faculty and other students, the experience will be different for everyone! It is still a great program and highly respected/well known. Hope this helps!

  17. 44 minutes ago, sociology2020yikes said:

    Since one person posted they got a call from the IU director of graduate studies, think it's a bad sign if I didn't? ?

    Since it was a phone call, I definitely wouldn't worry yet! Could be a number of reasons you haven't heard yet. If they're exclusively making phone calls it could take a while to get through everyone, or maybe they're only calling a few individuals who they are trying to decide between...you never know, so don't give up! Good luck!

  18. 6 minutes ago, sosososoc said:

    did anyone else apply to the MA programs at toronto and mcgill and is still waiting to hear? i saw someone reported they were rejected over the phone which seems odd..

    I did not, but dang, I could not imagine being rejected over the phone. That would be so miserable in my opinion.

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