SocioEd

I claim the latest entry of UMinn sociology :-D This news really enables me to function normally again (eh, hopefully so, we'll see how I do tomorrow...).

Great information. Thanks everyone! I cannot help check this forum after two friends asked me "any news from your application?" today...lol

Thanks a lot! Does this mean these schools do not accept interfolio?

One of my letter writers said it would be great to do it through interfolio (because he's got many letters to write). It sounds like I still have a choice between interfolio and not-interfolio. I'm wondering if it would make a lot difference? And also, since most departments seem not to mention it, would interfolio works for all departments? Thanks for reading! : )

I have the same question-- on joint programs in Sociology and Public Policy. And yes, I'm interested in inequality and education too!

If you are referring to quantitative sociology (not mathematical sociology), maybe also look at Stephen Raudenbush (Hierarchical Linear Models, usu. applied in Educ), Yu Xie ("Demography: Past, Present, Future"). Urban/Social strat is a big big field. International comparison sounds popular recently (which I try to do too). To start with social strat, you may be interested in scanning Grusky's "Social Stratification", which includes most classic works in the field.

Now that most phd applications are closing, and I have started to consider Masters programs, in case not admitted into any phds. Sociology M.A. programs in US are rare in top 50 schools and are often very costly. At the same time Canadian schools seem to be cheaper. But I lack the information about where their M.A. graduates usually go, so I do not know if it makes sense to go to Canada for sociology M.A. program. Do you have any ideas? Thanks! And an early Merry Christmas.

Jacib, thanks for your explanation about SoP. I still have a question about it. Some universities (like University of Michigan) requires SoP and PS both. Does it mean that I should put research ideas into SoP, and biographical stories into PS? Do US professors actually distinguish between the two? Eh, you see that I am applying to schools in a country I know little about.

I am also trying to find some interesting social science master programs. I think the Quantitative Methods in Social Sociences at Columbia is also worth considering. But what is the program at berkeley you mentioned? I browsed berkeley's website and did not find any masters program in social sciences.

I have been working on the personal statement for several weeks--starting several drafts but could finish none. (Of course I have been doing other work also.) Here I feel I have got stuck in this question: is PhD really what I want? Put in other words: how can I be sure that I want to end up being a professor in this life, while I am still in early twenties? It seems that I still could not grasp what "commitment" needed in PhD application really means. Personally I have always thought a research career would fit into the lifestyle I like, and teaching at college looks like an enjoyable thing; but I feel that I am not fully ready to settle in an all predictable life course (of researching and teaching). I come to wonder, how does PhD in sociology make sense for other applicants, e.g. you? (You could not expect too much on career possibilities other than faculty when you apply for PhD, right?)