Alyanumbers

Don't panic; they see that sort of thing all the time! Just email them.

I honestly don't think your GPA is cause for worry. It will not be computed as a 2.8. I'll give you the same insight I received the first time I posted on this forum: if you're worried about your GPA, having a strong GRE score will be good as a nice standardized number they can easily understand. But again, as a non-native English speaker, you're not really held at the same standards as American students. Yale's Comp Lit FAQ, for example, states: "We understand that the GREs offer particulate challenges for test-takers with a first language other than English." I will also give you the same advice I was given then: instead of worrying about your GPA and GRE, which are now pretty much beyond your control, focus on the parts of your application you actually control, like the SoP and writing sample, which are already the most important elements. If these two, in addition to the LoRs are strong enough to make the department want you as a student, your numbers won't matter. Btw, there are several persons on these fora who got into top-10 humanities programs with low GREs and GPAs.

International GPAs are not computed by simply setting them to a 4.0 scale. Big research unis such as MIT will have experts who can tell what your grades actually mean. They might even have people from your country in the department, who understand how your grading system works. Take a look at WES guidelines, btw. I don't expect them to be very accurate, but it'll give you a good idea what to expect. I would advise you, however, to work on your GRE Verbal... You want to shoot for over 600. You have more leeway than an American applicant there, because English is not your first language, but it's still good to have it high enough to convince the adcomm you'll adapt to American academia quite well. In any case, as has been repeated in this forum over and over, research experience, LoRs, the SoP and writing sample (if one is required) are by far the most important elements of your application. ETA: Be sure to mention the scholarships somewhere in your app (awards section, CV, whatever), noting the amount and the fact it was the maximum amount available. You're sending transcripts, right? Does your diploma grade appear on your transcript? Does your MA entrance exam appear on that program's transcript?

A week before the deadline is a good time to call or send a (personal, not the automated reminder) email.

Unfinished writing sample: Procrastination always wins.

Pea soup. (... Man, the cold is getting to me.)

Is it all your recommenders or 1 or 2 out of the 3? Anyway, I would swing by/call/email just after the deadline (because deadlines are for students, not professors), and try to sound like, "Hey, I've just submitted that application! I just need to make sure it's complete by next week."

I don't know how many schools you're applying to, but yes, it is really difficult to juggle all the deadlines and things to do (especially if you've been preparing your app in the summer and forgot to keep track of possible changes after September). Also, I'm not sure why you think Harvard & Princeton are out for you, but if it's about the Subject GRE, it's far from the most important part of your application, especially considering your research interests. Take heart! I think we tend to forget that we're not alone in our application troubles. I'm sure plenty of people sent off unpolished Writing Samples, especially for schools that have deadlines in December--lots of us are writing a paper from scratch, or using a first draft of a senior thesis, etc.

I'm also applying to Columbia and my statement is just shy of 600 words! I won't make it any longer, though. I figure, if it's well-written and interesting, shorter sounds more focused. ETA: Btw, the breakdown: ~230 words on my interests and proposed research project, ~220 on past research and academics, ~150 on fit.

Coat lining.

Erik Satie - Classical - his Gymnopédies are pretty famous, but my favourite is Gnossienne n.5 Delius - Classical - Koanga - La Calinda Tchaikovsky - Classical - The Nutcracker Ballet Suite - March Bach - Classical - Violin Concerto in A Minor - 1st movement Manu Chao - Latin-fusion/world music - everything ever, but especially the album called "Proxima Estacion: Esperanza" Poco - Country? I don't know - Keep On Trying Fastball - Alt rock - The Way I listen to a lot of Beatles, as well, but I expect everyone does.

You have no idea how reassuring your words are. As I've said above, I live in a very warm country, and while I would love the chance to live somewhere different, even dealing with cold and snow, having applied only to schools in the Northeast (and in the UK), I'm terrified I'll get SAD and be unable to do my best work.

I'm only applying to cold states/cities because that's where the programs I like and the funding are, but I am worried... I come from a hot country, and the last time I've dealt with snow/hail/constant rain, I was 5! I wish the UCs had better funding.

waddle, if I could give you a +2, I would. OP, you sound like a very strong candidate, but do apply to more than one program, because even strong applicants sometimes get rejected by departments who feel they/their research interests wouldn't 'fit in'.

Charm bracelet.

If I were you, I'd stay within 1000 words, as that is the longest I've seen specified... Anyway, shortening your statement will help make it crisper and more powerful.

*Looks at transcript* "Huh, Cairo University? Is that even a real school? We have no idea how strict or lenient their grading system is, but her GPA isn't that high and her record is spotty. Graduated in 5 years. Her GRE scores are average, too." *Looks at SoP* "She says she wants to study contemporary Egyptian lit, but she barely passed her Arabic courses... And what is this crap about France in the 60s? We have like 10 other applicants who want to study that!" *Sees LoRs* "Who ARE these people?!" *And now for the writing sample* "I... I have no idea. What is she even talking about?"

Okay, I'll be honest: this is pretty problematic, as we hear a lot about GRE cutoffs for schools... Generally speaking, you want to have a combined score of at least 1000 to get past the first round of application. Not saying it's impossible to get in with your scores, but it'll be pretty hard indeed, and you may also find difficulty in getting funding (since fellowships also often need a minimum GRE score)... Good luck anyway!

Me too! Well, I'm only going to the UK if I can find funding, and I'm not accepted anywhere in the US (because US programs are funded, and I absolutely can't afford the UK). But I would absolutely love to go to Edinburgh!

Thanks. I'm just panicking a little, because I'm wrestling with my writing sample right now. Hopefully I won't even need to submit right on the deadline.

Agreed! Columbia is the same way! IME, the ApplyYourself system is better than Embark.

It's hard to tell, but I did it like this: Paragraph 1: "Why this thing I want to research is totally awesome and interesting!" Paragraph 2: "How I want to research it and what this has to do with your program." Paragraph 3: "Why I am totally qualified to do this." Paragraph 4: "No, really. I even did some research in the area!" Paragraph 5: "Your school is awesome and I want to be there!" So, basically, one paragraph (about 100-120 words out of ~550) detailing my research plans, but in pretty general terms. After all, I expect, and so do adcomms, my research interests to evolve after 4 semesters of coursework.