ZeeMore21

Barrons GRE Verbal Wordlist, just made my own flashcards

I think consulting professors would be the best choice...I think they would be more in tune with the application process.

I definitely would apply to way more schools next time around. I applied to 14 this year...I probably did go overboard though. But I think at least 10 schools would be reasonable given how competitive the admissions process is. Last time around, I only applied to one school and didn't get in. I ended up doing a post-bacc fellowship program just to stay grounded in academia and develop more in my field before I started applying. You might want to look into post-bacc programs which are funded, it might prove helpful.

There is no on-campus housing for graduate students, you would have to live on-campus. I am planning on going down in June to look for a place, but I have yet to find out what neighborhoods I would be interested in living in.

I would try again! Last year I applied to one school, which was definitely silly on my part. I made sure that this time around, I applied to a lot more schools (applied to 14, which was crazy) and made sure I had a lot more professors look over my personal statement and writing sample. My advisor said that the SOP is probably the most important document among all of the other application materials,so relying on LORS and GRE scores alone is definitely not going to cut it.

Zouzax's template looks good too. But if you don't want to write out a detailed-specific letter it is fine, at the meeting with your rec writer I am sure you would be able to go into specifics.

Hi dream2be, you shouldn't be embarrassed at all, writing recommendations is part of a professor's job. Plus, you did do well in this professor's class, so I am pretty sure he or she would be more than happy to write you a recommendation. The following template may help you....I said something like this in my emails to my rec people: Hi Dr.__________ I have decided to apply to graduate programs this fall and wanted to know if you would be comfortable writing a recommendation on my behalf. If so, please let me know when would be a convenient time to meet with you to discuss the admissions process and what materials you would like to see before writing the letter. Thanks for your help and looking forward to hearing from you. Best, _________

I will be going to Vanderbilt in the fall, but for English! I will be coming from Pennsylvania, how about you? And congratulations by the way!

Congrats wayfaerer! I'm at Pitt right now, great school. I would try looking at the Pitt housing website. If you click on off-campus living, you will find posts from pitt grad students who are looking for roommates. Or, you can put up your own post if you find a place and are looking for a roommate.

I live in Pittsburgh currently and my best advice is LAYER LAYER LAYER! : ) You should be fine

Did the school you are wait-listed at tell you what number you are on their waiting-list or how many admittees would have to decline for them to start looking at the wait list? It may help you make your decision to wait/not wait. In my case, the school I was wait-listed at told me that 8 people, essentially, would have to decline their offers before they turned to the wait-list. Therefore, I didn't bother waiting until April since it would be highly unlikely that that number of admittees would decline. However, since April 15th is just around the corner, it definitely wouldn't hurt waiting for the final result. Good luck!

I do see where you are getting at, but I still am having trouble understanding what your goal is academic wise, perhaps others will chime in. It seems as though you are looking short-term. You are not sure you will be able to live as an English professor...yet you would choose to do the English PhD track because it is funded. But the thing is, if you do the English PhD track, you will only be qualified to teach English courses, not Public Policy.

I won't worry about it too much Brandt...I think you were being smart in your application process. I applied to 14 schools. Given how competitive it is to get into PhD programs, and that there really isn't any such thing as having a "safety school", it only makes sense to increase your odds by applying to a lot more programs. And although I did have top choices when it came to my list, I do feel like I honestly would have been happy at any of the schools I applied to. Also, the quality of your applications do not really have to decrease because one is applying to 10+ schools...it only means you have to start your applications way earlier than other folks. It definitely is possible.

This question is sort of difficult, since you are comparing apples to oranges here...either you want to teach English when you complete a Phd, or you want to teach Public Policy after you complete your PhD. I am not quite sure funding has anything to do with this issue.

It might be cold feet, like others have suggested. I definitely would wait until April 15th to make your final decision...and in the meantime, ask people (i.e professors, advisors, mentors, family, friends) for any advice they can give to help guide you to the best decision. Wish you luck! I'm sure you will do the right thing.

Declined CUNY (English), Pittsburgh(English), and UMassAmherst (Af Am Studies)

I think it is best to make the decision based on the strength of the departments rather than the overall rankings of the school. I attended a school with a relatively new English program for my Masters. However, the faculty at this school were pretty established, so the program was taken seriously.

Congrats on Vanderbilt! Is your open house also this Thursday? I will be visiting Vandy as well. Looking forward to reading the responses for this post.

Sorry to hear about this...but what problems are you having with your program exactly? I am just trying to get a better picture.

Honestly, I'm tired of rankings.

I'm also glad to help anyone reapplying....also applied last admissions cycle and didn't get in so I understand. Just PM me.

Probably the wrong place to post your kind of depression red bull...I think you could get help on the Decisions board. To everyone on the thread, I am wishing you the best...know how you feel since I was in the same situation last admissions cycle.

Interesting, I was almost certain UC Riverside was a top phd program? Are you talking about sub-fields? Knowing how competitive graduate admissions is (and it probably will continue to be so for quite some time) I would do the PhD program. Would you be fully funded?

Maybe race isn't the only requirement for the diversity fellowship? It could possible be gender as well. You shouldn't feel anxious about it!

I don't think you would have any type of advantage over someone who would need funding...the admissions committee are looking for fit primarily...and they don't mind forking over money to students who they think best fit the program.