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Hi, everyone! I am a international student from China. I am currently working on my Bachelor's degree in Sociology in a top-2 university in China. I am planning for applying for Ph.D/MS programs in sociology in U.S for 2009 fall. My background is as followings: GPA Overall 85, Major 90 (since we don't have a 4-scale GPA system) GRE Verbal 560, Quantitative 790 (also with a good quantitative background) AW.3.5 (terrible!!) TOEFL 108 (Reading 28, Listening 29, Speaking 23, Writing 28) Research experience: paticipated a funded project with my undgrad advisor. Some fieldwork experiences. Some honor and award from the university I'm writing my PS now.... Interest: Health, Life Course, Public Policy I'm planning to apply for: PhDs: Chicago, Yale, Princeton, Duke, Minnesota, Brown, Cornell, Emory MSs: Columbia QMSS, Florida, Fordham, McGill, Michigan (survey methodology), USC Since I have to fund my graduate study all by myself, I am looking for schools who have good financial resource for international students... That's why I prefer private schools so much... Would you please give me any suggestions? Is my stragety too risky? Any changes should be made in my school list? All replys are strongly appreciated. Thank you!!!