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.

I'm still waiting on Loyola-Chicago. I also haven't heard from UC-Boulder or Emory... I'm 99% certain these are rejections, but I wish they would tell me, at least!

I told myself last year that I wouldn't cut my hair till I got an acceptance... I've only cut it once since then. Hopefully I'll have an acceptance so I can finally pay someone to fix it! Also, definitely getting a tattoo and considering putting my nose piercing back in. And buying a sweatshirt from whatever school accepts me. [Hopefully this will happen soooon!]

I can completely empathize. My boyfriend is so opposed to this site and refuses to let me check it whenever we're together (though I manage to get around him usually - can you say "obsession?"). I think it's nice to know that other people are going through the same thing and share information about schools we have in common. I've considered giving it up for Lent, though, to be honest. We'll see!

@Slum - that was one of the first CDs I ever owned, too! First ever was Spice Girls. And I'm not ashamed of it!

Hey... Here's another "for fun" topic meant to distract us from the waiting we're all doing... If you were to make a mix tape/playlist for yourself of songs to listen to while waiting on schools, as well as receiving acceptances/rejections, what songs would be on it? Mine would have to include some Grateful Dead and Regina Spektor.

Hey, I thought I would revive this topic... Who applied here this year? What have people heard?

Boston College's admit days are March 12-14 - Monday through Wednesday. I'm on the waitlist, and I'm a teacher so taking days off, especially three in a row, is a big no-no. How important is it that I go? Would it be bad if I didn't? I don't want to take days off from school unless it's really necessary. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Darn... I REALLY thought we'd hear something today since the visit day is so soon! Now we have to wait until Tuesday... So far away!

I hate how schools do the "trickle out" of acceptances and rejections! I know that I'm not in at Emory, because I wasn't invited to their weekend, but I still haven't gotten my rejection email. Send it already!!

Boston College waitlist! First news I've gotten and last year I was rejected everywhere, so this is good news for me!!