katemiddleton

nothing yet from any of my programs. except bad dreams about adcom meetings...lol

Thank you for your chivalrous defense! I took the GRE comment as a joke, not "trolling." But I really admire how kind most people are in this community! Alex

Thank you for that uplifting sentiment! (smile) At least I won't be on the streets, dancing for my supper. Which I've been thinking lately may be a possibility...

Hey guys! Wow, I'm crazy impressed by how amazing all of these stats are. I know that all of you will succeed in whatever you do! I'm definitely shaky in the confidence department right now, so here's hoping this helps. -3.92 GPA at #1 public university (summa cum laude, pbk) -GRE 800v 700q 6 AWA -national debate champion -published my research in 1 journal, presented at 2 conferences, won every research award offered at my university -translator/researcher at major institution -working knowledge of 6 languages -LOR writers: 2 superstars, one very well respected elder statesman. For superstar #1, he is alumnus of the first choice school, and he told me he wrote me one of the best letters of his career. for superstar #2, possibly the most famous scholar in the world in my sub-field, I forced the school to re-open the academic program of which he is the chair, which the school had closed. for elder statesman, I've done graduate work with him, and he is my research advisor, and I've had straight A's in all undergraduate, graduate, and research coursework with him. -I have a compelling 'interfaith' story which I wrote in my SOI's cons -no study abroad experience (looks good for my field) but will have it by this summer -least known of my 6 languages is the language for this field, only have 2 years, 3 by the time I start the program hopefully -very bad (2.9) gpa at my first school. then transferred to community college, did very well, and then straight A's in top public uni -I only really did 'fit' research at my top 4 schools, the other 4 were more 'meh' -My LORs all have the same very minor (but unprofessional) typo that it is too late to change Wish me luck!

Having exactly the same worries; can't sleep, can't work, but all of my friends and family. Just trying to take it one day at a time, though!

I'm going into the same field! Did you still want to swap?

If you still need it, I will if you will!

Do you still want to do a swap?

Martizzle, I admire you for your courage in speaking what the rest of us would probably only think to ourselves! Alex

Starmaker, Thank you for your insight! No, none of my friends are applying to graduate school. I've just been obsessing over it; but now that my applications are in and finals are done (and after talking to you fine folks) I'm realizing that I've done what I can, and I have to stop worrying about it. Happy holidays and good luck!

Professor X: Ok, good grades from top public school. Good GRE's, good publications, worked with good professors. So far, she looks great! we want her! Professor Y: Wait, what about the fact that she only has one year of arabic? Professor Z: Wait, and she's a sixth year senior? Take a look at her 2.9 from her first school! And she transferred twice! Why is she applying here? sigh.

Dear Tickelmepink, that's EXACTLY what I was asking. So basically, even if you are a well qualified applicant and the profs want you in, departmental politics might mean you are SOL. thank you! Alex

Hey guys! I took my GRE's in November, and the experience went like this: Essay questions were weird and difficult, and I didn't finish one of the essays on time. Math was easier than on the Powerprep Verbal was excruciating: On the reading passages, I kept getting science passages about volacanoes and bacteria, and I had to read them over and over again, because I had no idea what they were about. On the other hand, the vocabulary itself was not too difficult. The whole time I was doing the verbal, I thought I was failing it. But when I got my scores I did fine. My best advice would be-do the powerprep, study algebra and geometry, study vocab lists, and prepare especially hard for the science reading passages. Alex

Waddle- Thank you for your kind words! DB2290- I know I'm crazy right now, believe me. My family, friends, and fiance all put their hands in their ears and sing loudly when I talk about how I'm not going to get into any graduate school. But I work in college admissions with undergraduates, and I've seen so many outstanding students get rejected from schools like Georgetown-it makes me really wonder what kind of qualifications are 'good enough,' and I've never applied to graduate school, so I really have no idea what a great candidate is, versus a not-so-great one. My professional experience is that high schoolers with 4.5 gpa's, perfect SAT scores, and extracurriculars that would make your eyes cross routinely get rejected from top schools, so I suppose I'm a bit leery of the whole process. But thank you for your insight. In terms of the way that the director of the program worded her statement, she basically told me that she loves my research, wants to be my advisor, and will push for me during the committee session. However, one of my good friends told me that she recieved a similar assurance from someone at UVA, but that she was then rejected! Alex

Hey guys! Sorry if I came off as a troll, I'm not joking at all. Just worried and insecure, like I think alot of us applicants are. Also, I'm a girl! Thank you for the positive feedback. I'm worried because even though I'm applying to other programs, Georgetown is my dream school, and the director really got my hopes up. I'm just trying to be careful. Once again, thank you for your insights. I wish all of you luck in the application process! Alex

Hey all! I'm new to this forum, and I would love some feedback on my chances into the Georgetown MA in Arab studies I'm at a topic public school, with a 3.9 GPA, GRE 700 quant, 800 verbal, 6.0 awa. Published and presented my research (on women in Islamic law) at conferences, edit two academic journals, speak several languages, and have won several fellowships and awards for my research. I'm wondering how I stack up as an applicant. I visited the school in november, and I met with the director of the program. She basically told me I was in, she loves my work and wants to work with me-but does this verbal confirmation mean anything? It's my top choice school, and I really don't want to get my hopes up (and the hopes of my famlly) for nothing. Thanks, Alex