t_ruth

You didn't say if you had done this, but I think an important part of applying for a PhD program is to match research interests with one or more professors at the program and possibly even to contact them once you have found a good match. Your GRE is strong, and your GPA isn't horrible, a lot is going to come down to your SOP, LORs and especially to research match, which you will want to highlight in your SOP. I don't believe Columbia gives much funding, do they? Another thing you might want to consider...

Thanks for those! I know there are a few more out there that are targeted to or at least include the humanities as well... Will see what I can dig up and hope others add more also.

Those of you who have time and/or experience re: outside funding: It would be great if we could create a sticky with names of, basic info for and links to outside funding sources/fellowships like GRFP, etc. Would any of you with the time like to add to this thread so we could compile this information for grad cafe members? Thanks!

That's a tough call. The verbal can be so hit or miss that I'd be nervous about losing your 770. I agree with what has been stated about the AWA being a poor measure of good writers, but that's little consolation at this point. If you've been in contact with the schools you are interested in, maybe give them an email or a call and ask what impact the AWA has on their decisions for admission and funding. Hopefully your writing ability will shine through in your SOP, but if they use arbitrary cut-offs for certain awards you could still be screwed. No fun at all.

verbal was lower than on the practice tests (just about every practice I took I got high 700s and ended up with 650 on the real one). Verbal is so darn variable! Quant was pretty close...I'd generally get mid 700s and I ended up w/760. I do have to say though the quant on the actual test was so much harder to do than on the practices - I was really sweating!

I found The Ultimate Math Refresher for the GRE, GMAT and SAT excellent. However, my friend, who was not as strong in math found she needed something a bit more. If you used to know the stuff and just need a reminder/refresher, I haven't found a better book (and I tried a bunch of others).

I don't think that's true at all. You may need something else to make your application stand out: high GRE scores, good undergrad or Masters institution and GPA, etc. I was accepted to many programs, including some top-ranked ones and I don't really have a long-term teaching background (I have lots of short assignments in varied subjects).

It's a little too late now (for both of us)!

I think I'm just going to try to be blindly optimistic, because at this point, there isn't much else for me to do

agree w/Serric. Before emailing professors, I read their bios, abstracts on a bunch of papers and usually at least one paper and then I sent them an email introducing myself, saying what I was interested in and why I thought it would match what they were researching and then asked if they were accepting graduate students. Most wrote back, and a few asked if I'd like to chat on the phone. For the phone calls, I read 3-4 more papers and took good notes and had prepared questions.

I'm sure you must be missing some! I know my school has day classes and an Ed Policy PhD, but it is on the west coast...

There is a little grocer right on the corner by the BC T stop. The next closest store on the T is the Shaws about halfway into Kenmore. I've actually walked from there to the BC T plenty of times when I didn't feel like waiting for a train, so it isn't that far. You can also do zipcar or something like that for shopping trips if you didn't want to do Peapod. And if you are a bike rider, you can go away from the city into Watertown and there is a grocery store there (or there was - I'm not sure if it is still there).

I think you have a strong application, but it will all likely hinge on your SOP. Have you started looking into where you would like to study? Have you made contact with any professors at these places? The lack of publications shouldn't really be a concern at this stage.

This is the easiest section to improve quickly. Just practice, practice, practice. I really recommend: http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Math-Ref ... 498&sr=8-5 as a good solid math refresher.

writing in Michigan.

I've long thought that many professional women wait too long to have children. For me, my career would always be possible (even if I had to work a little harder as an older student or applicant), but the biological clock is very real. I've known so many women who have spent small fortunes trying to get pregnant or adopt because they went the career route first and then family was almost an afterthought. I think it is very wise to consider these things ahead of time, but not very easy if you don't already have a partner. fwiw, I already have two young children and will be starting my PhD now (in my early 30s). When I'm finishing and ready to put nose to the grindstone for a tenure-track position they will be in school and I will hopefully have a little more freedom from demands of motherhood (and more practice at it too!). eta: I have a J.D. as well and got that before having children, but in the end life as a lawyer wasn't conducive to having a family (or a life). I understand academics put in a lot of work as well, but I haven't seen the hair-pulling stress among most professors that I have among lawyers (maybe in part because they are do something for work that they are also emotionally invested in). I know I didn't really answer your question, but thought I'd respond to let you know there are many routes to a family and career and thinking about all these things now will help insure that you get there somehow. Good luck!

yay! I was wondering if no one else was joining me I'm from a warm place originally, but after 8 years of snow I'm ready to get back to constant summer again! Are you going to live on or off campus? We will be off...probably renting a house.

The important thing will be to find out exactly where and with whom you would like to study and then tailor your SOP specifically to that school and person(s). You can google to find some SOP examples, but they won't help you as much as just doing as much research as possible into your specific case (read everything you can get your hands on that your POI has written). Also, try to make contact with POIs before the application season and then you can tailor things even better to them. As for the quant score, it is super easy to raise - it's just a matter of starting at the beginning and making sure to fill all the holes. That said, the actual test was a lot harder than I expected(!) so pacing yourself and not panicking probably plays a large role as well.

social psych seems to be among the most competitive, but I think you've helped your app by getting some research experience. I think your GRE will seriously hurt you though - you want to be above 700 quant at a minimum. It will be key to find good research matches and write a kick @ss statement of purpose. *fwiw, I have a law degree (w/similar stats to yours) and a fairly solid GRE score of 1410, but I don't think I would have had a chance for social psych programs mostly because of my lack of recent relevant research experience (or publications).

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I hope it works out for you! I decided to go elsewhere - a large part of my decision was having multi-year funding since I am moving my husband and children with me...

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Most of the schools I've been to and profs I've talked to don't like to hire their own (especially right after grad school) - and yes, look at the placement rates, but also look at the CVs and bios of professors at schools in the top 25 (or anywhere else you'd like to work)...there are plenty that aren't from the top 5. I plan to be an Ed. Psych. professor, and yes, money isn't everything, but it isn't as dire a picture sono paints - there are perks you can negotiate for and there are schools that pay all their profs on the same level (at least to start).

education might not be the only indicator, but it can be one... also, if we are talking about someone who attempts school but just can't be bothered, like I said, that could be indicative of a larger problem. I was not interested in dating someone in my field, so I'm all for non-traditional methods of meeting people!