ewurgler

I meant "they didn't interview everyone" to mean that I don't think they interviewed everyone on the short list. I didn't have a soc background, and I think they wanted to make sure I was committed to it. They say explicitly on their site that they don't interview. don't worry!!!

She said their target cohort size is 12-14. I don't think they interviewed everyone, and it wasn't much of an interview, mainly making sure it was the right program for me.

Talked to the DGS this morning...said they will be making decisions this week!!

SLothy--whether its legally binding or not, all of the programs go with april 15th as the deadline. All of their websites say that. Don't worry.

Nick--no one does want religion anymore We are screwed

Well, I'm not sure about sociology, the department I was talking about was communication (my significant other is a grad there). Sociology is a bigger department overall, and their strategy may be different. In Communcation, they decided that they would limit it to one international student rather than cut down the overall size of the cohort, as they are committed to fully funding each student they admit. I'm not sure about soc, but I would imagine the UCs and other public schools where state budgets are in trouble is where international applicants will get shafted. I don't have any info about the soc department, but there are major cuts all around...they just axed the senior seminar program for undergrads, one of the only opportunities to have a course that is under 80 people. Very sad. I'm sorry for the bummer news....good luck!!! If you do get in, they really have a ton of great people there and the other departments are incredibly strong as well! I cannot say enough good things about it.

Yep, same here. My research interests were clear, but I too think they want to know "why soc?" Good luck with yours!!! When you have it, send me a PM and tell me what they asked you, and I will do the same.

Nope, no word. I've been a wreck all week waiting for it! Yay! You have one too...I don't think they do it for everyone, so why do you think they want to talk to you? I didn't major in soc and didn't have time in the 500 words to address why it's the discipline for me. Anything like that for you? Maybe its our research interests? Mine are religion and political sociology...you?

You are less than 1 year out of school, I bet they still remember you, and do NOT get employer recommendations for a psychology program. My suggestion: email them saying you are applying to grad school, know you only took one class with them, attach some of your work from those courses or a senior thesis, and ask if they would feel comfortable writing you a letter. If they don't, they will say no. But it is absolutely important, especially going for a PhD, that you have professors (those with a PhD) to write your letters, NOT EMPLOYERS!!!!

Slothy--most PhD programs have around 50% attrition---only like 40% of those who start a PhD finish. Though I'm not holding out for berkeley and probably wouldn't go, I think there is a chance admissions may still trickle out, as they really figure out how many students they can support. I've heard of programs sending out acceptances to those they all know they want, and they going back, figuring out how many more they can fund, and unfortunately picking people who are domestic, or even california residents so the funding burden would be considerably less. To international: I am afraid to say that yes, I think international applicants will be the ones who really feel it this year. My undergrad institution (one department) said they were only taking 1 international student, no matter how great the other ones were.

Don't freak out--I had a honors thesis from another discipline, basically a theoretical analysis of a contemporary issue. The writing sample is going to vary HUGELY in substance--what they are looking for is 1) that you can form and argument and carry it throughout the whole thing 2) that you can write at a level they can build on 3) have a basic understanding of sociological principles and methodologies. Remember, they want moldable clay, not a finished product.

Damn beeswax, you have really cleaned up this week!! CONGRATS!!! and i hope you are right that there are more acceptances to come

I surely hope you are right, though another acceptance just popped up on the results page.

Ugh...berkeley soc sent out a generic acceptance. I am so sad.

CONGRATS!!! But, NOOOOO!!! I'm so sad!

Wow!! Congrats!!! Personalized, generic, etc?? Sorry, but I'm mega anxious about berkeley

I would say sure to brining her along, but a BIG NO to bringing her to any events organized by the department. 1) she would feel weird, out of place 2) you will be worrying too much about her comfort rather than getting to know the department and asking the right questions. Perhaps you could suggest she go explore, see if she likes the area, and meet back when you are down with department stuff, or, don't take her and when you have narrowed down to 2 or 3 possibilities (based purely on what is best for your education), you guys can go together to the last few and make the final decision together. FOr me, who has a partner that will be moving with me, I will go on visits alone, and when I make the final decision, or have 2 I am deciding between, he will come with me and explore, help me make the last decision, and look for neighborhoods we would want to live in.

Very true, and very sucky.

tryffelgris: I don't think its "more" important than anything else after one makes the first cut. If you are able to do that (which would need around 1300 total at most top schools) it won't matter much after that. Your writing (SOP + writing sample) and LOR take over from there. I doubt someone who nails GRE and GPA but fails to have solid writing or anyone cheering for them would get far at all.

Sparkle, if you do end up reapplying and taking the GRE again, take to reading really, really complex stuff and look up the words as you go. This gives you a much better contextual understanding of word usage. Also, though I wouldn't recommend addressing lower-than-average scores in your SOP, perhaps you could ask your LOR writers to address it. I had a friend you did not great as well, but is very able, had a LOR address the scores, and he has gotten into 2 very top programs in his field. Additionally: I've noticed many of my posts are missing words or have the wrong word--sorry for the sucky grammar and such, I write them quickly and usually fail to read over them. Please forgive me (as I wrote this, I caught that I put "fail to read 'other' them." Imagine what my in-class essay tests are like )

I don't think anyone has those numbers...this would mean that somehow everyone who applies to gradschool would have disclosed how many apps, and their results. I can't think of any outlet that would have these numbers. It would also vary greatly from discipline to discipline. Plus, you would be comparing yourself to people with wildly different qualifications and wildly different schools applied to.

Wow, thank you so much for those questions and the links! I have an interview in the coming days and was really struggling with what to ask.

Sparkle: Don't lose hope yet!! You still have several schools to hear from, and Minnesota was tough for everyone this year, regardless of GRE scores!!! Plus, I looked into a few good schools in Canada, and it seems that the majority of them require a MA before you apply for a PhD. Something to think about. Anyone who knows more about Canadian schools, please correct me if I am wrong.

GRE scores are definitely not the end all be all, but they definitely use them as a first round cut gauge. Plus, there are quantitative methods courses you have to pass--they do take that score into consideration. Question: Did you study for it? Go through word lists, go over the math review and practice? This is really important and can really make your score jump quite a bit. Also, I was waitlisted at Minnesota (with scores well above their averages) and have since been accepted to UNC chapel hill, a better ranked program. Don't fret--they took a very small cohort and this is not a sign of things to come. If you do end up in a masters program and want to eventually try again for a PhD, study, study, study for the GRE and take it again. I'm sure you can get them up with some practice.

I'm on one waitlist, but I also know a bit about it at various schools. Sometimes, they don't tell you your on the waitlist, they just don't give you a decision until way late. Sometimes, they tell you, and basically, you wait until some accepted people decline, and then the department notifies you that you are in. Sometimes before april 15, sometimes after. Basically, they don't want to give more offers than they can fund, so they accept a minimum, and then pull people off the waitlist as admits decline.