kbirch

One of the major purposes of these letters is to show how your committee will support you throughout the research process (how did they hp shape your thinking up to now? What's the plan for in the field? After you return to the US?). The committee wants to see that you will be supported in case anything weird happens. So my thought is all 3 letters should be closely tied to your scholarly development, but you could maybe have 2 members and 1 outside. They also should touch on the other things you've mentioned (academic record, past experience/research abroad). I always give my rec writers my proposal and some bullet points of what to include/highlight which helps. Have you looked at the points breakdown? That helped me formulate my proposal a lot. Obviously I'm no expert but this is my interpretation of the expectations. Good luck!

Does anyone know anything about the job market in East Lansing? My boyfriend is moving with me and I want to make sure he'll be able to find something. Specifically, what's the job market for teachers & those in the education field?

I'm officially decided on Michigan State! (Not a challenging decision, since it was my only option, but pretty exciting nonetheless!) Anyone else joining me?

A rejection for me, as well... :-(

@Princesspi, I just got my email letter... It says I have a TAship for $628 every 2 weeks. They fund year-to-year but it's renewable as long as you keep your grades up. Have you heard anything yet?

I had asked last week or the week before if we'd be emailed or called and she said "probably email" over the phone. And she asked my name today and told me I'd be getting a letter in about a week. : / We were told that we'd be getting letters regardless though, in the original application. I dunno, hopefully we'll both get some good luck this week!!!

I just called about Loyola... The decisions have been made and letters will be going out at the end of the week. I think that accepted students may be getting emails, though, so it looks like Chicago's out for me. :-( Has anyone heard anything else?

No... It's driving me crazy!!

Congrats, Princesspi! I am still waiting on my snail-mail letter and last I heard funding was undecided. My POI said we should be getting at least 3 years, though. Who is your advisor? Are you planning on going to visit?

@Sbboe, argh! That's an awful reason to not be accepted. Sorry to hear that!

Hey, I'm pretty sure that Loyola hasn't sent out acceptances yet, but, for those of you applying, do you already have a Masters in sociology? I know they prefer people come in with one but I'm wondering what the applicant pool looks like.

Age: 24 Gender: Female Race/ethnicity: Caucasian Location: Chicago Sexual orientation: Hetero Occupation: elementary teacher

@476, I don't know if they have but I wouldn't be surprised at all if they haven't. I was told initially they would send out acceptances on March 1st, so maybe they just got a head start? Good luck! Who's your POI there?

Lexicana & Sbboe, I also applied to LU-Chicago for applied sociology. I heard that we might not find out till mid- to late-March. I hope we hear sooner!

I'm accepted at Michigan State! I got my "unofficial news" last week from my POI and then the email from Dr. Gold came today. Yayayay! First acceptance in two years. They haven't figured out funding yet but should be able to give everyone accepted 3 years.