Randomhouseplant

You might be waitlisted. I might reject my offer by the end of the month. But heads up, you might want to ask the grad students at this program and see how fit you are.

Thanks for replying I assume we come from the same country and Canada is probably the most immigrant-friendly atm. Hope I'll be your cohort this year.

Hey folks, I've been waiting for UToronto's waitlist result until someone posted their acceptance of waitlist today. I was deciding between top25 U.S. program, top30 program with half of the faculty sharing similar research interest, and UToronto (immigration purpose). Now, I want your take on my situation because UToronto is out of the play. If I choose the top program, I will have a hard time finding advisors beyond the 2 ppl on admission committees who recommended me. If I choose the less prestige program, I'm afraid of their terrible placement record (not updated since 2019, and maybe only one of 5 PhD graduate went to a prestige school for postdoc). How do I PICK?!

Anyone heard from UBC/McGill yet? Really want to live in Vancouver.

Usually the professor contacting you is on the admission committee.

I honestly have no idea right now. I’ve talked to two programs’ admission committees and they have completely different reason behind their decision.

I’ve had an additional research experience with strong recommendation letter (this might do it). I used to have 1 very strong letter from my close friend and ex-supervisor and 2 mediocre letters from MEDIOCRE professors (I call them mediocre because they really didn’t try to help me with my struggle). My research interest (SOP) also evolved quite a lot, thanks to my PhD friends who only invested in me to be their chauffeur in future road trips.

I honestly thought maybe I only had a shot in Top 50 programs. UCD/Toronto/Rutgers/UMD/Iowa/Arizona right now I’m in a pickle. I don’t want to face book burning crowd, but the trucker convoy crowd isn’t any better…

This is actually my 4th attempt at PhD in Sociology programs as an international student. The first 3 years I was not admitted to any programs (qualitative/political sociology). But this year I got admitted to 6 programs so far! Just sharing this to let everyone know rejection isn’t end of the world. Someone will eventually appreciate your idea (as it evolves, ofc).