ewurgler

I won't mind either. I've been waitlisted one place and have been emailed a few times, where they explain that they are taking a reduced cohort this year, want to fund everyone, and are therefore being very cautious with admits. My stats are good but not mindblowing--so I understand how there could be a "better" batch ahead of me. Plus, who knows, there could have been one on the adcom who was pushing hard for you, but there were circumstances (prof X really needs students/wants students) which pushed someone else just barely ahead of you.

Migration dude did--he sent me a PM saying he received a personalized email from a prof, not a mass acceptance. I looked through the archives and saw that admits are usually spread out over a couple days. Since migrationdude's was so personalized, i'm guessing they are taking some time, perhaps sending emails from possible advisors or various people on the adcom. I think we're ok, and they just haven't got around to everyone.

usually somewhere around 400--less than 40 admitted. Last year it was like 38 admitted, something like that. 10% acceptance.

OH FUCKING SHIT THANK YOU! WHo was it from?

This is really terrible. I'm guessing someone emailed the department and posted on results. I'm going to be sick all week hoping for some news.

Who are you and what kind of email was it? From department chair? Grad coordinator? Prospective advisor? Generic Email, personalized? God, I really want to hear from berkeley!!!

HAHA! Perfect.

Yeah, this is so terrible! Schools are seriously going to suffer. I am so sorry!! Have you heard from any programs? That way any sucky new job you get you know will only be very temporary.

That is terrible!! Are you in california? Sounds like something Arnold would do.

NO WAY!!! I'm so sorry!!! What type of work were you doing?

I read it as very passive aggressive toward those who work in government, education, etc--have the education and knowledge to make big bucks but choose not to. I found it incredibly shameless and filled with contempt.

So, link to another appalling David Brooks column: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/opini ... .html?_r=1 It's as if he is becoming more and more douchey and conservative to make up for Bill Kristol's glorious departure. Thoughts?

Oh man, the office was funny last night. Best part: andy saying "jim and pam are like movie geniuses!"

http://www.ucop.edu/acadadv/acadpers/tab0405/table1.pdf I'm sure many technical department augment salary with other pay, but I know that social sciences and humanities assistant professor 1 does not make 80. The link is from 04 and 05 but I doubt it has gone up much.

Be wary--Over-qualification may be a problem for you. If the job requires a BA or MA, they may think you will be bored and leave relatively quickly.

No, it was from the director of graduate study. It was personalized in that it had my name at the top, but it seemed like they may want clarification, or perhaps talk about why sociology (because it wasn't my undergrad major). I can paste the actual email in a PM for you...i understand your anxiety

Thanks for the advice!! I too had to present my thesis and that was fine, mainly because I knew my stuff so well. I just get freaked out by the thought of getting caught off guard or quizzing me on stuff related to my research interests.

So, Indiana emailed to set up a time to talk. I AM FREAKED OUT!! I get super anxious and sometimes seriously stumble over my sentences. Any tips from those who have had phone interviews? Advice on what to highlight?

t_ruth: that was in no way directed to you. I know your grad school intentions are pure It was just a general statement for the uninitiated grad school aspirant who reads this thread.

That is a good question. There are two schools on my list that I would have to visit, talk with current grads and a potential advisor before I would go. The thing is, I know I could improve my app for next year and get into a better fit school--it would probably be worth the wait for me as I tend to be miserable in places where academic ethics or 'aims" are not in line with mine.

I couldn't open the michigan info, but I saw the chronicle stuff, and those are definitely higher than the UCs. UC assistant professor (across disciplines, I think) is around 42-46k. If you make it distinguished prof, you will see 6 figures. Pretty dismal, considering the staff usually make more than that after a couple of years. It is bad pay, but departments can often offset this by offering you other cool things once you are established and sough after: no teaching for a few years, a lab of your own, lots of grad student minions, pay your mortgage for a while, a hefty relocation allowance. No one goes into academia for money. If that is what you want, get out now.

I clicked the wrong one...should be 1000+. Didn't realize it was that much until I calculated it. My main costs were ETS (two tests + four extra reports) and the application fee of each school. If I have to do this again next year, I will be SO ANGRY!!

First thing, Berkeley only allows you to apply to one grad program, so you would have to choose. Secondly, research "fit" is very much a factor in admissions, so make sure there is faculty doing something similar to what you hope to study at all of the schools you apply to. Otherwise, your stats won't matter. Your GPA is within the "range" admitted students at most of the schools you list, so just make sure you are a good fit before you apply. Do your research of all schools. Other than that, study for the GRE and try to get your quantitative score up...sociology does have a math-like component, thus you will benefit from a higher score. That is my advice.

Slothy---WAY TO GO!!! How high on your list is UNC? Also, was the call from the prof you want to work with? Department head? etc? I applied to UNC and though not super invested in it, I am very curious to hear!! CONGRATS AGAIN!

definitely one of those! The weekend will fly by and you'll be ready for whatever next week brings!