NoMoreABD

My recommender is testing my nerves. I'm telling you, he's doing a research on the effect of postponing LORs to the last minute on 29y/o mails who apply to PhD programs! The deadline is in 4 days. Why can't he just get it over with?! It's not that hard and it really doesn't take too long, I've seen another recommender doing it. I'm anxious that I'm gonna miss the deadline because a recommender can't find the time to submit his LORs

I'd definitely email them to let them know my application is submitted. That way, in case they already forgot about you, they can remember what you talked about and more importantly have a fresh memory of your name when the apps are reviewed. The best thing to do is to find something new to say or ask in this email, to continue the dialogue. Unfortunately, in my case, every time I wrote these emails I was exhausted from submitting the application, and all I wrote was a quick thank you. Still got some nice responses, like "I'll be looking out for your application". But I'm hoping to do better in the emails I'll write to the POIs in the programs I haven't submitted yet. (3/10 left!)

I envy you so much. I have a recommender who's really stretching it. It's now 5(!) days to the first deadline and he still hasn't sent his LOR. He keeps saying he's "on it". It's an awful feeling, when it's not up to me and I can't control it. On the bright side, I've just submitted my 7 out of 10 app last night.

Hey all, this might sound like a stupid question, but as an international applicant I need some clarification: I am requested in my app form to calculate my Jr/Sr GPA. My school is on a 0-100 scale, so I emailed the school I'm applying to and they said to convert it. Never mind, I did that. The thing is that their example on the program's website shows an undergrad GPA. But I already have my MA. Should I calculate my MA GPA? I mean, when they ask for Jr/Sr, do they simply mean the last two years of my degree - in this case in graduate school? Thanks for helping me get this tiny step of the application. I feel insecure.

Since I applied to Berkeley I keep having nightmares that there's something wrong with my app, or I forgot something, or something like that. I'm trying not to think about it and concentrate on the apps I'm still finalizing. But the fact that the deadline is in 9 days and 2/3 of my LORs haven't been submitted yet also doesn't help...

My deadlines are Dec 1 (UBC - already submitted a long time ago) and Jan 10 (York - will submit next week). I'm also trying for American programs, but really really hope to get into one of the Canadians. This is my second year, too. Last time I was waitlisted in York.

I'm also applying to Berkeley. After consulting with some professors who have experience in this, and since I don't have anything too special in my personal background, I used the Personal History paper to describe a specific volunteering experience that had a personal impact and led me to choose my field. I made sure I don't repeat any academic stuff that appear on the SOP, and added some more past experience to give a whole picture of my own personal perspective on the field. Although I didn't really have to overcome any special barriers (well, it's not that my education was given to me on a silver spoon, I had to work hard for it, but so do most people...), I did emphasize my political activities in my home country, since it's a big deal for me, and described it in a way that helped me to make a general point: That I engage in struggles for the betterment of other people, in ways that may also relate to my field, and that definitely coincide with Berkeley's mission to promote equality etc... Good luck!

Just submitted to Berkeley the other day. Feels weird. I'm moving between feeling hopeful and wondering why did I ever think I stand a chance... Trying to concentrate on all the other apps I'm about to submit, and on the referees who only have two weeks to send their recommendations and haven't done it yet.

"Please submit a detailed biographical outline, including your employment history and explanation of work responsibilities, any publications, honors, awards, professional registration and societies, foreign language and computer skills, extra-curricular collegiate activities as well as avocations, hobbies, places traveled." I mean, I know what a CV is, and how it's different from a resume, but it didn't occur to me to put in computer skills, hobbies and places traveled. How important do you think these things are, in comparison to all the other stuff in the CV? ok, maybe computer skills make sense, but how are "places traveled" relevant? I'd appreciate any advice before I start major revisions in my well-thought-of CV... Thanks!

Yea, it is usually recommended to name people you're writing about. It sounds more concrete. And, who knows, the reader might know or at least have heard of this person.

You are right. This is exactly the way I'll be thinking about it today, when I'm submitting my application to this program.

The contents of my statement was tailored exactly for that program, or at least I though it was. That's what I worked hard for. The POI said that I need to revise the way I present my ideas for future research to make them much more specific - and that was a bit weird to me. But of course, I'm following his advice, since it's obviously going to improve my chances. I'm applying to that program because I honestly think it's a great fit, not just because it's competitive. But now I'm doing it with less hope in my mind... But then again, the advice I got is supposed to make my statement work better for them, so I'm trying to find hope in that.

I'm not sure, but I'd consult with the program's administrative assistant, or the Graduate School where you're applying. Ask what might help them get your scores on time. Is it possible it was sent to the Graduate School but not the right department? Can they do anything about it? Do they recommend you send the scores again? Write them an email. They might even say they already got them and just neglected to update the app website (that actually happened to me once)... I'm afraid I read some bad things about ETS here, and how useless they are in dealing with problems. So I'd first try with the university.

I just had a phone conversation with one of my POIs at the most competitive program I'm applying to. He offered that I call to discuss my research statement. To make the story short, he didn't sound very impressed (if I can tell from his tone), and it sounded like he was in a hurry (although I called at the specific time he told me). He said that there were a few things "unclear" in my statement, although it was "good", and then he advised me on how to revise and refine it so it would match what they're looking for. He basically said it needs to be more specific. First, it kind of ruined my mood and motivation, to hear that the statement I worked so hard on wasn't good enough. After hearing his comments, I now need to find the energy to revise my statement, although I feel it's pointless cause I don't have a chance to get in to this program. Second, I'm confused. A POI from a different program said my statement (which was different in substance but similar in structure) was too specific and advised me to keep it more general. Obviously each place is looking for something different, but what do I do with the 9 other statements I need to submit?! The only thing I can think about is leave them as they are... I got some very good feedback on them from professors who have experience in this, so hopefully they're good...

Thanks guys! great advice. hopefully I'll have a choice...

So, if you were a gay couple and had to chose (leaving all other parameters aside for a moment, and focusing only on gay family life, liberal feeling, and places to go out to have fun): Clemson SC vs. ASU ?

Thanks for all the advice guys. I am trying not to over think it, which makes me think about it some more... you know the drill... Anyway, Runon, I think you're right about transcripts not being the most important thing, especially if my grades are good and one more wouldn't affect the GPA. So I've more or less decided to go ahead and send them to most of the places I'm applying to, except the ones whose deadlines are significantly further. Maeisenb, I might also write an email to a couple of them, asking what they prefer (trying to find out if there's any meaning to an early submission). ok, so I guess that means I'll be submitting 4-5 apps by Sunday. Kind of exciting... Thanks!

Hey all, Here's the deal: I'm still waiting on my MA thesis grade to come in. It's the last grade in my MA degree, and supposed to come in in about two weeks. But then I'll need to order transcripts and send them to the US. My current average is 93.5 (in a 100 scale). I expect to get over 95 on my thesis, which won't change the average much or at all, but will probably look impressive in itself. The question is: does it worth the wait? Isn't submitting as early as possible more important? Again, it won't affect my grade average, and I won't have my formal degree yet anyway. However, if I wait, my transcripts will note that I finished my degree, and I'll have a very high grade on my thesis to put on my CV and back my apps. On the other side, considering the technicalities of the app process, waiting means getting very close to some of my deadlines. I'm considering waiting only with the programs whose deadlines are a bit further away. Do you think programs that require only electronic copies would agree to accept updated transcripts after the deadline? Probably not... Would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks!

Standard equipment

I'm not sure how it works with MS, but I know that in SOP for PhD it is not only recommended, but sometimes required by the programs to mention both courses and professors. It's because you need to show that you're a good fit to the program. However, it's definitely a good idea to mention professors whose work is relevant to yours. And in regard to courses, well, I'd mention anything I have a choice in. If you need to take seminars or participate in lab work or anything like that, then there's a point in showing that the program offers things that fit your interests and goals.

Rain Check

Things are kind of stuck on my end... I'm going mad waiting for a grade on my MA thesis so I can order transcripts and finally submit the apps. I already submitted one app without that grade, and I might have to do it with some more universities. It doesn't really matter, my MA grade average is excellent without it, but it must look better if I have my thesis grade, right? On the bright side, I finished 9 out of 11 SOPs, and once my grade is in I can submit most of my apps. However, this is when the real stress begins... After submitting the apps, waiting for the LORs to come in withing the deadline... Don't feel bad about reminding your referees to submit their letters. It's part of their job, and they're used to it, and it takes them a long time because they're busy and forgetful, not because they don't like you. Having said that, I know I'll get completely freaked out once I submit my apps and start waiting for the LORs to come in...

Thanks guys. I think the abstract is a very good idea. After all, It's really not necessary that they understand every little detail of all the ideas in my thesis. I just need the context for the excerpt which in itself proves my writing skills. I plan to describe very, VERY, briefly the main argument of each chapter, and explain in this context the structure of the chapter I'm sending. Thanks for the advice although now I have more work to do.......

Hello everyone, I'd like to get some of your wise advice concerning a thesis excerpt. I'm submitting one chapter out of my thesis, which is translated into English. It's a chapter from the middle, and I chose it because it is written well and it's interesting. It has some references to other chapters, which I edited so they are understandable to someone who hasn't read the whole thing, so I think it's OK. It's still very obvious that it's something taken out of a larger academic work. Here are my dilemmas: Should I also include the table of contents for the whole thesis, so the reader can see what my thesis is about and the context of the sample chapter? I mean, it says "chapter 3: bla bla" in the headline so it seems weird not to have a list of all the chapters. Or should I just add a cover page or something explaining that? Or nothing at all - in which case I'll need to make a new table of contents just for this chapter (it's about 40 pages). Also, I attached the whole bibliography as it appears in the thesis, so the reader can see what my sources were. And I translated the front cover, with the name of the uni, my thesis adviser etc. Do you think it's the right thing to do, even though I'm submitting just one chapter? Would highly appreciate any advice. If anyone's willing to take a look at it (you don't need to actually read the whole thing... just see what it looks like), that could be great! Thanks

Hey all, I'm filling my Berkeley PhD Architecture app online , and they're asking for 2 minor fields in other Departments (including name of faculty member in each one) that I wish to work with in my research. Now, there's nothing on that in all the program and admission info, and I've been communicating with a couple of POIs and none of them implied anything I could use. I know one faculty member in Urban Planning I wish to work with, but I have no idea what to do with the second. Should I just randomly look for someone in any department whose research coincides with mine? I'm not sure what to do. Any thoughts? Thanks!