AnxiousBeaver

I was just wondering, if an applicant is invited to interview, what are some "Dont's" that could cost them admission? If someone answers all of the questions and articulates their research and interests clearly... it seems like a no brainer right?

those types of interviews seem so stressful, I hate questions like that omg! I just did my best to ask what I was genuinely worried about, like training. the department I want to join at Stanford does a lot of outreach work, so I asked questions like "how does the training of new research students work" or like "when I can expect to start actively contributing the projects" stuff like that!

ill be applying next year. Good luck everyone!!!

I'm making the same choice but between graduate schools (UC Berkley vs Northwestern) !

this mistake seems very small, I am sure you are fine! I literally sent in the wrong transcript (unofficial vs official) and they contacted me and ended up admitting me!

During my first two years of undergrad I also had a very low GPA because of medical issues (I had several surgeries during my first couple of semesters)... but I've managed to get it up to about a 3.4 and I ended up also getting into several doctoral programs! Don't lose hope or count yourself out! The admissions process is definitely a lot more holistic than most ppl (including myself) expect!

Stanford applicant im pretty sure we'll hear decisions this week...

This exact thing happened to me! Don't beat yourself up about it all, its a very difficult year to be applying to graduate and a lot of tough decisions are being made ?

I would definitely address your difficult first couple of semesters! Ive also suffered from medical issues in college (have had several surgeries my first year alone) and applying to different programs and fellowships have just made me realize that admissions committees only know what you tell them. It doesn't hurt to overshare (when comfortable) because they really will only consider the different factors presented in front of them. I dont think theyre giving any of us the benefit of the doubt so I would really encourage you to address you concerns in either your personal statement or in whatever additional spaces they give you! I would only write an additional statement if they have an additional info box, otherwise I'd just put it in the statement. With all the applications they read, I don't think they'd appreciate someone providing extra materials. I've also never taken the GRE but I am assuming that it could only help you to take several times, unless you have to report all of your scores or something. I know nothing about the GRE.... Good luck, I am sure you'll be a competitive applicant!

not an expert just an applicant... but I dont think so. I received a couple of acceptances in January but turned in my apps very close in to the December deadline. I really think it just depends on individual admissions committees and how fast they convene/get through apps. This is just a guess!

actually some programs do it, I was accepted in November to Northwestern through their EADP program!

Program Applied To (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): PhD in Linguistics Schools Applied To: Stanford, U Michigan, UC Berkley, Ohio State, Northwestern Schools Admitted To: UC Berkley, Ohio State, Northwestern Schools Rejected From: Still Waiting: Stanford, U Michigan Undergraduate Institution: Top 10 in the uC Undergraduate GPA: <3.5 Undergraduate Major: Linguistics-ish GRE Quantitative/Verbal/AW Scores: Not taken Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): Years of Work Experience: Describe Relevant Work Experience: Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Had clear research interests, one publication, lots of research experience Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Unsure, asked recommenders who knew me well and how much of a hard worker I am. Other:

Congrats! I also got semifinalist! Does anyone know if this is already like an honor, my friend said shes putting the fact that she got semi-finalist on her CV, whether she gets the award or not.

I do the 3rd option

Only speak in English for at least 30 minutes to an hour a day! And don't be afraid to sound incorrect or make mistakes, you'll get better overtime

Amazing thread, also I am Interested in hearing people's experiences in the social sciences (linguistics) @ Stanford, Northwestern and UC Berkley!

I only applied to 5 places as well. Apps are expensive

dilution formula

Also wanna second this! I was very clear about my research interests and topic in my SoP, like super clear I already had ideas what types of studies I wanted to pursue. I also have a publication coming out BUT my GPA is very low so I want to stress that the process is very holistic.

While COVID has caused so many schools to stop requiring it, how long do yall think this will last?

Yep! I only applied to 5 schools this year and I've gotten into 3 of them!