Safferz

I believe the limit is 1000 words (that's what it was for my history application, at least)

Wow! Here's another site you guys would love: http://bookshelfporn.com/

You guys are all so organized! I don't use software, but I'd like to look into it... I don't think my current ways will cut it in grad school.

I actually had to read it for a gender studies class, and I assumed it would be awful teen fiction along the lines of Twilight. But it really surprised me -- read it in one night because I couldn't put it down, and I've been recommending it to everyone I know since

The Hunger Games. I hope this doesn't mean I've been banned from visiting the literature forum...

Funny, I think I may have read the entire "It Has Begun" thread on admissions decisions tonight February is really not too far off. Until then, do what you gotta do! I like checking in regularly for the support, but I can see how it's stressful to always have applications on your mind and be reminded of the process. We'll see you soon!

Interesting... a few of my applications don't have a status page to check whether they've received your materials (ie. GRE score, official transcript), and I was wondering how I'd get confirmation.

I can tell you that Berkeley does, and the application closed 30 minutes ago.

I would assume so. I doubt it's a decisive factor like the SOP and writing sample can be, but I don't see why they'd require a piece of writing they won't read. Berkeley only asks for a 10 page writing sample as well, so all things considered (writing sample, SOP, personal history, CV), that's no more than 15-16 pages or so per applicant.

So my Berkeley personal history statement is awful. Well, perhaps not 'awful,' but this sort of personal narrative makes me cringe a little. WHY didn't they just leave it at the SOP?

University of Pennsylvania history, Dec.15th deadline... I should stop posting in the English forum, huh?

When you log in to the Berkeley application, it has a countdown at the top: "Your application must be submitted in X days and X hours." I was under the impression it was due when it hit December 1st when I started working on my statement yesterday, but I logged in and saw that I had one day and X amount of hours (I thought I only had the 7-8 hours or so to get it done). Right now it's telling me that I have 13 hours and 15 minutes left to submit for my December 1st deadline. Schools are different though -- I've seen others on here that want applications in at 4 or 5pm, when their offices close. Don't worry yourself with checking now, just hammer it out and get your apps in as soon as possible. Good luck.

I'm in Toronto... Berkeley's Dec.1st deadline is 11:59 pm PST, which is 2:59 am EST (Dec.2nd).

My submitted Penn application did this -- it said 'not received' under the 'transcript' heading on the main status page, as though they were waiting for me to mail in my transcript. But when I logged in again today, that heading was gone and it listed 'unofficial transcript received' under the 'supporting documents' heading.

If they say there's no limit, then 3.5 is fine. I find that with applications that don't specify length on the department website, there's usually something about it on the graduate school's website or the application itself. 1000 words seems to be the most common length, so I'd stick to that. I've had to put my Berkeley (History!) application aside for the day, since I have an exam at 5pm. I went to bed at 5am with not much actual writing done for the personal history statement, but I have an intro and I've mostly worked out how I'll craft my narrative, which is always the most difficult part. I'll be home by 9pm, and frantically writing right up until the deadline (3am for me).

I'm sure it'll work out. He has likely seen your email, and most professors are aware that Dec.1st is a common application deadline. LORs also seem to be the most flexible aspect of the application process in terms of deadlines, so I wouldn't worry too much about when he submits the letter. The important thing is that you get your part of the application in by the deadline.

I was freaking out until a moment ago when I received notification that my professor uploaded his letter. How long ago did you send a reminder? Can you call or drop by his office in person?

I'm a history student who wandered into the English forum, so my deadline is different! Unfortunately that means this horrid task needs to be done in time to submit by 11:59 pm PST.

baha I watched that again just to cheer myself up. It gets me every time! I'm working on Berkeley's awful personal history statement right now. Good luck everyone!

o/

I hear you! I've been mostly on top of things with my applications (7/9 in at this point), but Berkeley is not one of them. SOP and writing sample are ready, but I'm just starting the personal history statement now. Good luck!

I was naming what I hope was a subtle comment intended to provoke a reaction from other applicants, because I refuse to believe that anyone could be so oblivious to their unethical behaviour that they would broadcast it on a forum like this. So I'll ask again -- seriously?

I'm quite sure HaruNoKaze is trolling. (I had to)

Seriously?