mandarin.orange

I can't speak from experience, but I would highly recommend an essay by Elena Evans called "My Little Comma," which is about having a baby while in grad school. Quick search online revealed some interesting commentary on the essay, but not the full text...I think you'll have to get the volume it was in, which was "Twentysomething Essays by Twentysomething Writers." I gave my copy to friend, while she was 8.5 months pregnant and in the first year of her PhD...she just finished this summer, posting a photo on the social medias labeled "what I did this summer" which showed her 2nd child, 2 months old, crawling atop her bound dissertation. Hmph, overachiever. Bottom line: it can be done, and anecdotally, I've known a few who were successful.

My honest first impression is that the language is WAY over-the-top. I feel you're trying to impress with how creatively you can write - there's lots unnecessary words, roundabout ways of saying things, the dramatic stand-alone single-sentence paragraph, precious words in your word count spent on emoting, and the overall effect is just strange. For example: "I've nursed an immense penchant." Even the opening two sentences: "It all began with the electron. For me, that is how it started." ...are redundant. Avoid colloquialisms - you've got quite a few ("bitten by the bug," "bagged third place," "packs a punch"). Speaking of which, if this 3rd place award is recorded on your CV, don't mention it in your SOP. Eliminate phrases like, "I was ecstatic to say the least" and "everything and more than I could ever hope for." You can still convey enthusiasm and direction without being overly emotive. I think this is especially important in sciences. I hope the above does not come across as so nit-picky and harsh to be off-putting. But, I do want to convey that the effort you've put into the language, the odd turns of phrase, the forced conversational feel, in order to "stand out"...may not have the desired effect. Look, part of the SOP is to demonstrate that you can write clearly, specifically, and persuasively. You're basically trying to build an argument as to why you should be admitted, and what makes you more unique, more driven, and more productive than other candidates - not necessarily the most passionate or ruminative about formative experiences. So much of our time as academics will be devoted to securing competitive fellowships and grants. I think most AdComms are going to have their radar out, even subconsciously, for writing that's going to construct a solid, persuasive, specific argument. They will hedge their bets on these types of writers, because those are the students likely to win awards, garner outside funding, and get published. Some resources I would recommend you check out and hopefully convey why I reacted so strongly to the writing style - these are good examples from the sciences: Katherine Sledge Moore's breakdown of writing a good SOP. Be sure to check out her own SOP example on the Downloads page. Forum member unlikelygrad's successful SOP Both, I feel, convey a great deal of specifics about their experience, a sense of career direction, and solid familiarity with the program they're applying for...while still being to-the-point. From the perspective of a professor: Female Science Professor's "My Grad School Application Essay" If you haven't seen this thread, it's been evolving for some time - pages and pages of great advice here: Good luck and hope this helps!

Good to know and thanks for the insight (I haven't read the Phoenix before).

On a more serious note: while the memes are great, the truth behind that "Binders" comment of Romney's downright frightens me. While "frightening and off-base" could be said about EITHER candidate when one delves deep into the fact-checking, the particular misogyny of that one was, I think, especially revealing: http://blog.thephoenix.com/blogs/talkingpolitics/archive/2012/10/16/mind-the-binder.aspx

A faculty perspective on how to craft these emails: Writing to Me

And...another debate. Another tumblr is born.

I too found that teaching high school science was less about super cool lessons and labs, and really more about how to manage 120+ people, manage frustrations with broken technology, and staying on top of a vast amount of paperwork: grading, supply orders, Learning Support documentation, grading, reimbursement forms, the Inbox, grading, documenting parent contact, recommendations, documenting proof of my continuing ed and required workshops to admin...

Check out the sociology board - there's a thorough discussion of this question there, and I posted some links and resources on emailing profs. Search function could reveal good responses, too - I know I've seen other, concurrent threads on the topic of emailing profs in the past couple weeks. I'll point out that a well-focused SOP could give you an edge in the applicant pool.

If the people you describe are not the majority, don't worry about them. And, don't take it personally...social awkwardness or preoccupation with one's work could come off as aloof, without any deliberate intent on their part. There's a few in my program -- a guy who always seems to have an embittered comment, officemate that says little else besides "hi" and "bye," and a couple who don't even look up from the monitor when I enter the computer lab. There's plenty of other great, friendly, intelligent, funny students, staff, and profs alike in my program...that's what I recommend focusing on!

What are your intro emails like? There is good advice at this profs blog - she breaks down the different "levels" of response she'll use, and how to craft a good intro email. Not sure if all profs are this systematic or care this much, but valuable insight. Other faculty/profs have chimed in, in the comments section, with their approach. Writing to me

People still read yahoo?

False. Hopefully you will get alternate, more positive, perspectives from other profs. However, keep in mind that professors who have been life-long academics really only can advise you on how to become like them, and may fall short on a myriad of other careers one can go with a History PhD. A good college friend went to a top tier History PhD program, and now has a very successful translating business. The following is a great resource, started by a woman with her doctorate in History. She wrote a Chronicle article about how she tried, and eventually left, the seemingly-tailored-for-her academic job. It feels a much-needed void for PhD's on the job market, in my opinion. Beyond Academe And if interested - The Chronicle Article

Not sure if hejduk is still active in these fora, but I remember him/her starting a few topics in this vein a little over a year ago. I got the impression this person ultimately wanted to seek college-level teaching position, however. You might find some good advice here: There's a fair number of fled-to-academia former HS teachers kicking around here Grad Cafe, myself included...total opposite trajectory to what you are seeking. Historically the tenor of our conversations is more like this and I think you're likely to find a lot of disillusionment here from members who've had HS teaching experience. What sort of school do you want to teach in? That will have a lot to do with how appreciative teens are of the teacher-scholar model you envision. I.e., if you're aiming a position at a private academy, school with repute for academic rigor, and/or AP curriculum, you're more likely to be a good fit.

I realize this is probably confusing...I thought I was in another thread at the time of posting. Here is the link I mentioned.

For SOP format: I'd recommend the link I posted p. 4 to a prof's blog about this question. She's targeting science applicants with her advice, but I think it's more broadly applicable. I highly recommend an internet search for Katherine Moore Sledge's SOP example. She's got a great ending paragraph about who she wants to work with, been in contact with, and why she's a good fit. It's not pandering at all; instead she conveys a sense of really having done her homework (familiarizing herself with prof's work and communicating with them), and a clear vision of what she wants to do.

First off, I am very sorry for your loss. I will add my own anecdotal evidence to the above: after I finished my M.S., I planned to take 3-4 months off and spend with family. My aunt died suddenly at the beginning of this. Despite how long it ended up taking me afterwards to find a steady job and eventually go back to school, I will always be grateful for that time I was able to spend with family, esp. my grandparents. Income and savings can ultimately be replaced, but not quality time with your loved ones when it's most needed (g'parents have since passed away). In contrast, one of my best friends' lost her mom quite suddenly, with whom she was extremely close. Her corporate job had just transferred her to a new dept., so to please them, she decided to "buck up" and keep working, while having autoimmune problems of her own and settling her mom's affairs. This took it's toll mentally and physically; she ended up having a stroke from the stress and not allowing the time to properly grieve. You will find your way back to an academic setting. The suggestions above to stay current with your field through reading are good ones. It's something you can do while at home, but also will take your mind off heavy emotional stuff and remind you of why you're excited about your chosen field. A "Nature" subscription is doable at $39/year, as well as keeping current with society memberships and their publications. Right now make the best decision for your health, well-being, and your family.

I've linked a few of her other blog posts in various Grad Cafe threads, but I really like the advice and insight of FSP into the admit process. Here's one post where she mentions do's/don'ts (reiterating many of the points made on p. 1 of this thread), followed by a hilarious example of a really, really bad (not real) SoP. http://science-professor.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-grad-school-application-essay.html

Awesome. This is great, b/c the Big Bird comment was the only thing I coherently heard during the debate...it was on while we were at a bar during a rather rousing happy hour. As I don't live in a swing state, and it's clear as day which way this state will go, I promised myself not to get riled up about the pres. race - my energy's better spent on my work, and reading up on all the CA props that will be on the ballot.

Yep, I have a couple friends from my M.S. program (which I did straight out of undergrad) who are now professors, and one just got tenure.

I was visiting my family and partner 6 hours (on a good day) away, roughly once a month, throughout my first year. I found this to be too much. It was very stressful on me, my finances, and car. Maintaining the car, insurance, its payments, and parking/traffic tickets (!!!) has been a huge stretch, financially, so I am working on selling the car. Once this is done, I should be able to afford flights every other month and will try Amtrak (though this doubles travel time) for longer trips over the holidays and breaks, and still save more money. Plus, despite lots of driving experience on my part, I grow increasingly concerned about safety. I believe the vast majority of motorists are never going to give up their need to fuss with cell phones while driving. During my MS, I had an LDR with my college sweetie who was in a city 2 hours away. The r'ship dissolved for other reasons, but while it was going strong, we could generally make a visit work out 2-3 weekends out of each month, and it was much more doable than the current 6-hour situation I'm in.

A few similar threads about this from the past week: - I was the only one who replied to it, but included links I thought were useful for how to draft such an email, and discussed expectations. - Interesting discussion about this for Sociology. I said "Yes, definitely!" while other posters more familiar with the discipline made a good case for why it's not essential. I think contacting ahead of time is more common (and recommended) in the sciences. If there is someone specific you want to work with, I think an email's a really good idea to find out if they're even able to take students the next year. Could save you time and trouble if they're not. But if there's a variety of faculty you could work with, perhaps it's not so crucial.

This is very interesting. I'm in a department that falls under the "Social Sciences" umbrella at a top university, and admit discussions of who you work with and assigning an advisor is expected from the get-go. Another example of how YMMV in different departments and subfields.

YES it can make a huge difference. If you have an enthusiastic reply from a prof and seem a good match, they can really be an advocate for you on the inside when the adcom convenes, and push to get you admitted. Developing correspondence may also reveal things not reflected on departmental webpages - such as who is on sabbatical, not taking students, or perhaps has moved in a completely different research trajectory. I replied to a similar thread this week, where I discussed this further. I also included a few links I'd found helpful:

I'm in my 30s too. There are several us in our 30s and 40s in my program, but a few have kids or demanding work schedules, plus people are really spread out and fragmented in my city...we don't get together often on spur-of-the-moment. I joined a hiking club and met others that way; one activity was a series of several high-peak hikes where many of the same people kept showing up. They were fun, and organizing camping/hiking gear gave me something to focus on, a way to explore my area, interact with fun people, and an athletic goal. I'm still not at the point with them where we get together outside of scheduled events, but having something on the calendar outside my program was hugely beneficial. I've been in my program for a year now, and learned to fill my off-time with reading, cooking, trying new recipes and exercise. I have actually come to look forward to returning to town after visits with my family or partner, because I want to re-establish my healthy routine. Here's a recent thread called " with some good suggestions.

I don't know if this is common or not; that would depend on your field. Also, while my dept. prefers candidates that match with several different profs' interests (they don't want anyone super-specialized), we typically identified one primary advisor we wanted from the start, thus sending only one email. My only advice would be that if you do contact a swath of profs at one school, remember they will be talking to each other as they evaluate applications in meetings, so frame your queries and SOP accordingly. At this website - an amazing resource in its own rite -you can download an example of an SOP where I think she (rather smartly) makes it clear that she's very familiar with the work of several different profs and has been communicating with them. I wouldn't think October is "too late," but the earlier you can, the better. That gives you time to re-send if you don't get a response right away, correspond a little bit, and really evaluate if it's for you. Also the # of inquiry emails these profs get seems to increase as the deadline approaches. I didn't contact my now-advisor until early November. I also (ashamed to admit) sent out a hasty email to one prof mid-December, mere days before that school's app due date. I didn't hear back from that one.