CNDSoc
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Posts posted by CNDSoc
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In case anyone comes across this post in the future:
I visited Cleveland over the weekend and it was much better than I expected! I heard a lot of terrible things about Cleveland before visiting ("It's a sh** hole, it's just like Hamilton", etc.), but it's actually quite nice! The downtown area is exceptionally clean and feels safe (cleaner than Toronto, though I'd say it's probably just as safe). Case Western campus was nice. There are good theaters, a great symphony, and a lot of other cultural activities to enjoy. The surrounding suburbs were great, and some were stunning! I visited the East suburb (i.e. the rough area of the city), just to see what all the fuss is about, and I really have seen worse (i.e. more ghetto) areas in the UK.
Overall, a decent city!
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Thanks! I'm heading there this Sunday so we'll see how it goes.
I know very little about Ontario, despite having family up there.
Anyway: Parts of Cleveland are a bit grimy, but not where you're probably going to be living. The campus itself is in sort of a "cultural" area--the art and natural history museums are
almost immediately off the part of campus you're going to be concerned with, as is Severance Hall (Cleveland orchestra's home). I didn't make a habit of walking around at night, but I never had a problem doing so if I needed. They've been improving police presence recently, which has certainly helped. (Granted, this was in response to quite a serious incident, but we've been getting fewer security alerts since.) Just use common sense and you should be okay. There are also free evening shuttles to take you around campus and to some of the surrounding areas, so you can avoid walking if you want to.
Surrounding campus: If you go off the southern end of campus, you'll be in Cleveland Heights (where I'm living at the moment). It's pretty safe. Little Italy is also pretty safe, and lots of restaurants if you like Italian food. (Also, gelato. This is in fact a major selling point!) Cleveland Heights also has "Coventry", actually a segment of Coventry Rd that has a ton of affordable bars and restaurants, plus some odd little shops.
There are some sketchy spots near campus, but there's nothing of interest there. There's also a bit of a buffer zone in the form of Little Italy and undergrad dorms (so lots of cops) on one side, and a school/Children's museum on the other.
Feel free to ask if you've got any more questions!
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Thanks for your responses!
I grew up in Ontario, so I'm not worried about the winter. I have a parka and snow boots
I am a bit worried about the city. Is it grimy? My housemate said "Cleveland is similar to Hamilton" and that worried me quite a bit! Is there a nice area surrounding the campus? Is it safe to walk around at night?
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Well, I received my first acceptance with a great financial package. Does anyone have any experience/know of someone who has experience with Case Western?
What about the city of Cleveland?
Much appreciated!
Edit: I did a quick search on this forum and found a former Case Western student who complained about how awful Cleveland is. Is it true? I can handle the winter ..
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Alas, I believe it does. I was rejected last year and didn't hear anything. I received an e-mail with my rejection letter attached on Feb 24 (last year). Sorry! And I am sure you'll receive good news from some other great programs. Who wants to go to Penn anyway!
Ah well! Too bad..
I'm anticipating a rejection from Harvard too (this was my obvious long shot from the start), so Vandy, Case Western, & UBC are left!
UBC said they weren't sending out acceptance letters until March or April, just in case anyone else is waiting to hear from them.
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I wonder if, like Texas-Austin, no news = bad news.
sigh
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You were right, sarauwani. I called Evelyn and she was super-nice. She went through my application and was extremely complementary but indicated that they had no one to mentor me. Since Chris Ellison has left and Woodberry is preparing to leave (which I didn't know) Regnerus is the only religion guy available and apparently he's overbooked as it is with current grad students. Alas, no admissions offer for me. Looking back it was a lousy fit anyways. Stings a little bit, but I couldn't hope for a nicer rejection. To anyone still waiting, Evelyn said she would try finish rendering notifications soon, but the decisions have been made. If you didn't receive an offer, you probably didn't get in. Sorry to be another bearer of bad news.
Yes, her response to my application was similar. It was nice to hear that in terms of stats I'm okay, but I was so hopeful that they'd admit me. Oh well. Here's hoping for another acceptance, though I've already started looking into plans B & C.
It looks like you have some offers! I hope Princeton works out!
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ahh, bummer
Thanks for responding, though!I hope I'm wrong and you get in!
You can always call her to double check! She's super friendly.
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Thanks! - U of T is one of my top, top choices - I may get back to you with some questions actually.
Goldsmiths is the "creative" college of the University of London, I'm not sure about Sociology there but have a vague recollection that it is quite strong - my sister did her M.A. there and enjoyed it a lot, it's in a fairly gritty part of the city and has a very arty and alternative vibe.
Also - Oxford is not really known for Sociology... I think that's somewhat down to it being a more modern subject which was picked up by the modern universities earlier, it's not necessarily a bad department - I did my undergrad' there, in another subject, and know people doingthe DPhil there in Social Policy (which is its own little department ..but somewhat tied in with Sociology) who find the department plenty rigorous and the experience rewarding - but it's not known as a powerhouse of Sociology research. I would say that Cambridge is probably thought of more as the social sciences place.
In the U.K. you apply and are accepted first, and then you apply for funding separately. There's not a lot available at all - hence my looking to North America (among other reasons). At Essex, most PhD students become graduate teaching assistants, and similar is available (to those who search it out) at other universities, but this is by no means a given, or mandated, part of doing a PhD here.
I did my MPhil with Cambridge and my fit with the department wasn't perfect, though my supervisor was and continues to be exceptionally supportive of my career.
That's good news! I'd actually prefer becoming a TA; I expect it to be a rewarding experience and it adds to the CV.
Thanks again
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Essex has one of the best, if not the best, Sociology departments in the U.K.... but the university as a whole has little name recognition outside the country. It may be worth looking into... I did my M.A. there (partly within the Soc department - in a research centre housed within it) - the campus and facilities are tired and depressing but the faculty are both brilliant and supportive and the research is top notch.
Excellent, thanks!
What about funding? As far as I'm aware I'll need to apply to the department and submit separate applications for funding.
Also, what is your perception of Goldsmiths?
Best of luck with your applications (especially the Canadian universities! I attended U of Toronto for my BA hons, so let me know if you have any questions).
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I did my MPhil at a UK university, but decided to return to NA for my PhD. Unfortunately my PhD applications to American depts were unsuccessful (I'm assuming that UPenn's & Harvard's silence = bad news), so I'm reconsidering the UK.
At the moment I'm considering Edinburgh, Warwick, York, Goldsmiths, and maybe Oxford (though from what I understand Edinburgh, Warwick, and York all have stronger depts than Oxford).
Any suggestions regarding departments or persons known for their research in the Sociology of Health & Mental Illness would be appreciated (I focused on the Sociology of Employment for my MPhil, so health is a new area for me)
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When I spoke to Evelyn on Friday regarding the status of my application she said "well, the acceptance letters and the wait-list notifications have already been sent out, but would you like me to check your application?"
I think if you haven't received a notification for an acceptance or a position on the waitlist then it may be bad news.
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If you're anxious to be enrolled in a PhD program come fall, but your top choices have fallen through, why not give a lower-ranked program a shot? Many of them (including my own) have rolling deadlines and are still admitting students (although funding decision deadlines may have already passed). You always have the option to continue applying for other programs once you are there, or after the MA.
Lower-ranked programs have a number of great things going for them. 1) Many are populated by faculty who got their PhDs from all the great programs you are looking at. Dying to work with Gary Alan Fine at Northwestern, but you didn't get in? Why not work with one of his students instead? 2) It's really easy to stand out as a star student at a lower-ranked program and a lot of opportunities (money, research, etc.) will come your way.
It seems like most of the conversation on this board focuses on the most elite programs, but there are amazing programs and stellar faculty all over the place!
I think this is good advice, as long as you push yourself while in the program (i.e. seek opportunities to present at conferences etc.). I met a professor recently who graduated from a low-ranked Sociology Dept, but found a place in a top department because he had plenty of publications in good journals. He actually advised me to apply to some lower-ranked programs; I now regret not taking his advice. Oh well, live and learn.
Does anyone know of some good faculty at low-ranked departments that focus on the Sociology of Health & Mental Health? I'm still waiting to hear from Case Western. Any thoughts on this department?
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Rejected at Ohio State. Very sad.
You are wait listed at Indiana though! There is hope
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Ah, I asked a similar question to this one on the Sociology board.
I also applied to some super competitive programs, so at the moment I'm left with a "low-ranked" university versus keeping my current job and working my way up the private sector.
I do love Sociology & academia, but I'm worried about the 'risk' of going to a low-ranked school, possibly accumulating debt, and not finding a job after graduating. My time in the private sector has definitely shown me that employers (at least in market research) seem to prefer work experience over the PhD.
I wish I could give you some advice but all I can think of is "confusion loves company".
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Rejected at Princeton, which breaks my streak. On the other hand, it has made the decision process way easier.
You have great options!
Well done
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After spending a few hours at my office desk zoning out, I decided to ask for some advice:
This is my background. Sorry it's so long!
I recently finished my MPhil at a good UK university but decided to take a year or so off from academic to refine my research interests. This worked out exceptionally well, because I gained some good research experience (I work with SPSS all day) and was able to read journal articles without the pressure of impending deadlines.
I applied to 8 depts this year, 6 of which are top-20 US sociology depts. The other two are Case Western and UBC. All but one application was sent to the US because my undergrad Canadian dept prefers to hire graduates from top American schools.
I was rejected today from my top choice (UT-Austin), was rejected from Indiana & Wisconsin (okay, Madison was a long shot), and expect to be rejected from the other top soc programs (also long shots). This was my second time applying. The first time I believe I was unsuccessful because I attempted to rush into graduate studies without a clear focus (I’m sure I came across as immature in my SOP). This time my stats were good, my SOP was “strong” (according to my mentor who is a prof at my undergraduate institution), but I still haven’t made it. According to Evelyn, my application was well received, but they didn't have room for another Sociology of Health student.
This is where I need your advice:
At what point do I give up on top-20 depts? In the past I’ve had good luck with Canadian and UK applications, but I’m much less likely to be given a job in a Canadian academic institution with these degrees -- you might disagree with me on this, but this is what profs at my undergraduate dept say.
Also, if my application to Case Western is successful, should I go (i.e. am I likely to find an academic position after graduating from Case)? Although my fit with Case is great, I'm not sure what the dept is like, or their reputation. Would it make more sense to go back to the UK or to a Canadian dept (or even to Asia with NUS, as my dad would prefer).
I suppose what I’m basically asking is... at what point do I stop?
I appreciate any advice or ideas.
Thanks
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That really stinks Sara, I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully things turn up from here though!
Yes, it really does feel like a crapshoot.
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Rejected at UT-Austin. Evelyn said,
"Your application was well-received but unfortunately there was no one to supervise your research.
This was my top choice, so this is a sad sad day.
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Ugh.. I'm dying.
Someone was notified by my top choice in mid-Feb, and since then I have been waiting for a response from UT-Austin. I finally gave in today and called the dept, but no one answered. I feel like I'm going to lose it.
Plus I'm super super unproductive and distracted at work. I'm actually considering taking a few of my vacation days over these next two weeks.
Please punch me in the head.
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The year I studied abroad in France during my undergrad, I made a pilgrimage to the grave of Emile Durkheim.
He's a good listener.
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rejected at UT Austin and Minnesota! here's hoping things turn up...
Hi Dogbert,
When exactly did you hear from UT Austin? I'm anxiously awaiting their decision
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I'm super unfocused at work and worried someone will notice that for the past 2 weeks I have been clicking refresh on my email inbox and browsing Grad Cafe.
ahhh!
There is just ONE school that I'm waiting to hear from. Just that one is all I need..
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My research interests are concrete, but in my SOP I mentioned that I'm open to other ideas and approaches.
I think a lot of people are not certain what exactly they want to do. For example, I rushed into my MPhil immediately after undergrad and ended up in a well-known school, but my fit with the department wasn't great (they were more qualitative oriented and I'm interested in quantitative). I also wasn't sure exactly what area I wanted to focus on, so following my MPhil graduation I took time off to look into specific areas. For my MPhil I focused on tenure and employment, but I realized I'm much more interested in the social determinants of health.
I hope your application to UMC is successful, but if not then I would definitely recommend taking a year to research areas. Usually a few good papers in one area will lead you to a bunch of departments, & then you can look at specific profs within each dept. It's also helpful to email the professors whose work interests you.
Case Western Reserve University
in Sociology Forum
Posted
Thanks! Haven't decided what I'll do with the offer though