Hi everyone!
Firstly my thanks to this wonderful community for helping me with my application last year. I have been lurking since last year's round of applications and my doubts were answered by many contributions here
Anyway, I've decided to give it another shot after last year's dismal attempt (got into 1 out of 8, and without funding). While it was a top 3 program, I had to decline because I simply couldn't afford it as an international applicant with no resources. :cry:
Please help me evaluate my chances this year for admissions with some form of financial aid:
- GPA (on 5 point scale) : BA (hons): 4.39, MA: 4.50 (both in sociology), some university level awards
- TOEFL: exempted
- GRE: V640/Q740/AW5.5 (an improved second attempt)
- 1 monograph under review for a small publisher, 2 articles in refereed journals under review, 3 regional conference papers & 4 book reviews
- 1 year of research experience in external think tank, and 1 year of overseas fieldwork experience
- strong LORs from faculty who are recent graduates from 3 of the schools I'm applying to
- leadership role in NGO advocacy work and active in student organisations
- good teaching feedback
- some prospective faculty members have expressed "polite" interest in my application
Applying to the following sociology phd programs, which I've deemed to be a good match with my interests in comparative and historical sociology, postcolonialism, class and labor politics:
Berkeley, Michigan, New School, NYU, UCLA, Yale
I know it's gonna be tough for an international applicant this year, especially with the fiscal cuts within my choice of schools, but I'm still quietly hopeful that something might just work out.
Your honest views will be appreciated!