tryffelgris

have the mass rejections gone out yet?

In a word: no. One of my undergrad profs basically told me he has absolutely no opinion on UCLA. Which somehow seems like a bad thing. I know there are definitely reasons UCLA is ranked well-- strong demography people, etc-- but it doesn't seem to have an easily palatable "reputation" like other top schools.

are you really considering JHU, ejuliast? seems like the odd one out given your other choices. i'm on the waiting list...can you tell? other people who might not be interested in their spots at JHU...when do you think you might tell the department?

*

...and, more specifically, how old are people in most soc cohorts? Do you think age matters? Why/why not? Just thought I'd try a diversion, since it appears that the schools I'm still waiting to hear from are taking their sweet time.

31K? WOW. I guess that school has finances in order. Meanwhile, I was offered $15K fellowship and 2 years of TA/RAship at similar amount for Sociology at a public school with a very high COL and 23K for 5 years (2 TA) at a private school, also high COL (maybe even higher). I want to go to the public school, but the funding really seems inadequate for the city. What to do?

I must say I'm torn about this. On the one had, if this was a regular employer (and considering the age of most graduate students and the duration of the programs, I largely see graduate school as employment) I would definitely say it would be foolish not to negotiate, even if you are the only one. Employers will give you as little as they think they can; it's up to you to ask for more in this system. On the other hand, graduate schools are also obviously providing us with a service-- education and credentials. I just don't know. Also, would you accept a funding offer that was only for 3 years?

Based on last year's results on this site, I'd say it's probably over. Two people were admitted one day and then everyone else was rejected the next day, it seems. Sadly.

good god. that string of acceptances makes all kinds of sense now. i sure pity the person who gets read after your application (including myself, for our few overlaps)

$1800 rent?! That's totally outrageous on what UCLA is offering ($15,000). Has anyone had experience with asking for more funding?

holy shit. i thought maybe UCLA had to cut back because of the budget crisis. but that wouldn't make sense if cal is being so generous. why the major discrepancy?

low-ball as in i should negotiate?? clearly, i don't know what i'm doing. any advice?

I'm a sociology applicant, but I can't help but notice poli sci results. I also can't help but gawk at your HUGE stipends. I'm new to this, but I figured that the two departments would be relatively similar. My UCLA funding package begs to differ. Are those 22-25k fellowships for 5 years? Pure fellowships-- you don't have TA or RA? Congrats to you all!

*

If you don't mind my asking, what kind of funding do these fancy pants private institutions offer? I'm mourning my humble public school offer...

Hmmm...I just saw that UC Berkeley is giving $25,000 stipends for Poli Sci. So much for the budget excuse? Not that I'm going into Sociology for the money (ha), but that's a huge difference. $15,000 in LA means you have to choose between rent (very high in fancy Westwood, where UCLA is) or food. Has any one else received a funding offer for UCLA?

The $23,229 per year stipend from U of Maryland (just posted on results) makes me feel like maybe they just don't want me very much...

*

i completely agree. after the first cut, i think the other components are much more important. but, unfortunately, none of the other stuff matters if you can't get your foot in the door.

Speaking from personal (disappointing) experience, I have to say that the GRE matters a lot. Probably more than anything else. I applied last year with a very bad quant score (from what I hear, for top programs anything under a 600 is not going to cut it). My ego was inflated by my undergrad profs who told me not to worry, that my application other than that was solid. I didn't get funded anywhere. Nice and humbling. I spoke to a prof from Stanford at a conference and she basically said that everyone is initially ranked based on their GREs and if you don't make a certain cut-off, they just don't look at you period. Pretty shocking, considering how much our discipline rails against standardized testing... So that's the bad news. The good news is that it's a standardized test and you CAN study for it. My recommendation is just take as many practice tests using the actual computer software as possible. Make that your priority and raise your score. Sorry if that was harsh. I REALLY hope you get in and don't have to spend any more time on that god awful exam! But if you do, know that you're not alone!

i got in?!? oh, wow, i'm so shocked and excited i can hardly breathe. or type. or think straight. congrats to everyone and good luck! if anyone hears about their funding, please let us know (i think i got the standard email...funding to be decided in feb).

yeah, maybe i uploaded that twice or some other mix-up. a bit unnerving no matter how you look it, though. also, i'm fairly certain that i'm addicted to this forum.

freaked me out. said that what they have is an "essay" not a writing sample. i'm pretty sure i sent them my undergraduate thesis, and if that's not a real writing sample in their eyes, i'm clearly screwed. the secretary told me that i needed to email it to them THAT day. i re-sent my thesis and was told that that was what they needed. which makes me think they didn't have the right paper to begin with, but for the life of my i can't figure out what they actually had. i guess this means that they're reviewing now, since the secretary said that what the "committee has in front of them is an essay." (whatever the hell that means???). guess i'll keep twiddling my thumbs and panicking whenever the phone rings. a truly sad state...

This might be a little low, but would those of you who got into Madison mind sharing some of your stats?

don't be sorry! i'm just being dramatic. this forum is too addictive.