lyonessrampant

Not to contradict your advisors, but I wouldn't misrepresent myself, per se, because places may make you offers to work with particular advisors, but you may want to go to work with a different advisor and yet they brought in another applicant for that advisor and it could get confusing! It's true that a lot of people do switch their subfields, and that's okay, but I think if I were you and knew what I wanted my research interests to be, I'd focus on generating a writing sample in line with those stated interests. This is a lot of work, but it is really an AWESOME opportunity. You can craft your writing sample to invoke the work of scholars at all the schools you're applying to, and the fit between your SOP and writing sample will be PERFECT because it's something you're intentionally directing, not retroactively contriving. I think if I were you, I'd focus on that writing sample and SOP. I've got a couple publications, and they didn't get me in to my top reach schools like UChicago, Stanford, Harvard, and the schools who did give me offers (Minnesota, Oregon, Kansas, Utah) didn't say those lines on the CV had anything to do with it. I had conversations with the DGS at both UWashington and Duke, where I was very close, and their reasons for why I ultimately didn't get an offer were no apparent advisor (Washington) and in a handful of strong early modernists but could only take two (Duke) and it was more fit that determined the lucky two not objective qualifications like CV/GPA/GRE. I share all this only to say that I don't think having the publication will make a huge difference, but what will make a difference is a beautiful SOP and writing sample that match your interests and the institutions you are applying to. Best of luck!!!

Grrrr. . .I had this more thoughtful reply I was typing when my computer freaked out and it went away The gist of it was: 1) why is this paper and your MA thesis not in your proposed subfield? It seems like a radical change might necessitate some discussion in the SOP. I would also say that one's MA thesis usually generates the writing sample, since theoretically it is the best piece of scholarship produced in the MA. Your writing sample should be in your proposed subfield, so if you're having to signiciantly revise another piece of your writing, I think you might want to put your time into that. 2) If your conference presentation is a part of a longer paper (as mine have been), then you have a chapter-length paper that you could spend a bit of time on and submit. If that's the case, and IF you're happy with the conference paper and got good feedback, I certainly don't think the publication can hurt. You can always leave it off your CV if you decide later you don't like it. Best of luck on your applications!

Hi! Lots of questions I'll address a few and leave some for others. 1) Decide whether the new or old GRE style fits you better. If you decide the old, take it before August. If you decide the new, take it after August. 2) Get started on your apps now. Your apps for all US schools will be due anywhere from Dec 1-Jan 1, so that's really not a ton of time to get your apps together when you still need to take tests. A lot of the schools you apply to for a Ph.D. will require the subject test. It's kind of a bitch. If you want a high score, start studying now. They've changed (from what I can tell) so that there's more reading comprehension than random passage identification, which is easier in my opinion, so make sure you're preparing for all areas. There are a lot of net resources (hapax legomena is one) and prep books you can order from Amazon. 3) UK/EU universities: funding is a much more difficult issue. You need to get started applying for outside scholarships ASAP if you're not planning on paying for yourself. 4) Your chances. Objective numbers aren't really an indicator. You hear all kinds of stories about people with 4.0 GPAs and perfect GRE scores not getting in anywhere they apply and people with pretty low GPA and GRE scores getting into top 10 programs. It really is all about the subjective factors of your application and the ever illusive fit. Your SOP and writing sample MUST be amazing, and there needs to be a good fit between your research interests and the English department. You need to do your homework to find those people. Reading recent scholarship in your interest areas helps you do that. Based on your outlined areas, check out Mark Miller at the U of Chicago. Once you find the work of one person you really like, look at their works cited areas for other people and look them up. Pick schools to apply to largely based on who is there, though I would say that rank is somewhat important (just for the brand of your Ph.D. and job placement later). Write many drafts of your SOP. Go to that forum area and you'll get some good advice about what an SOP should look like, but basically, you need to outline your research interests and show why the school you're applying to is a good place for you to be (faculty, library resources, collaborative research groups, etc.). I'd individualize these statements for each school, at least the fit parts. Then have as many people as you can read these and give you feedback on everything from feedback to style. No typos or grammar errors in these documents! 5) LORs: It's great they'll be strong. Are any of your writers pretty well known in the field? That will help quite a bit. If not, encourage them to write specifically about your strengths, research background, ability to work independently, etc. 6) Language background: Unless you're studying continental Medieval lit, I'm not sure how helpful the Spanish will be. That said, at least having started Latin is great. Lots of people slip in original Latin bits into their writing samples and translate it themselves in the notes as a sort of gesture that they're competent at Latin. Schools don't really check what you say you're proficient in, so if your proficiency comes in ways not shown on transcripts, that's fine, but I'd say don't oversell yourself, as that could bite you later. Otherwise, your language background looks pretty strong, though you might want to focus on French as that is a pretty important Medieval/early modern language. Middle English isn't a language. . . so I wouldn't put that on the language forms. Most folks in Medieval/early modern are expected to be comfortable with reading Middle English. 7) Sounds like you're on track with thinking about your SOP and doing some good work with trying to build relationships. The main advice I'd share is that you need to get actively working on your apps NOW. You really don't have that much time to start from scratch and do everything. Apply for conferences and submit to publications NOW. It takes a really long time to hear back sometimes, though you can at least put that you've applied on your CV. Anyway, you seem like a strong candidate. Good luck!!!

Perhaps you do know already what you want to do in an MA program, but if you still have two years to go at undergrad, I'd focus on building relationships with 3 profs whom you want to be letter of recommendation writers. There are undergrad conferences and publications; find those, apply, and work to get accepted (if you don't make it the first time). Read broadly in your potential research area so you can start to better define the conversation in your field as it is happening now and what the history (no pun intended of that conversation is. Most people who go the MA route generally don't have a super well-defined subfield/group of interests, but are looking to build a postBA record, hone interests, etc. If you finish undergrad with a very well-defined set of interests, strong credentials, and have contacted potential POIs, then I'd recommend applying to Ph.D. and MA programs. If you are unsure if you want to commit to a Ph.D. program, then definitely also apply to MA programs. Really the key here is to apply quite broadly. As for contacting POIs, like I said, you're a bit too far out to contact them about studying with them, I think, but if someone is doing work on an area really helpful to a paper you're writing (potential BA thesis?), then by all means email that person about their work. Before sending a lengthy list of questions, briefly introduce yourself, your paper topic, identify their work (books/articles) that you've read that are helpful, and say you have some questions about the intersections between their work and yours and ask if it might be okay to send those questions. Some profs will say no but most will say yes. This gives you research materials, and it lays the foundation for future interactions about being a POI for graduate work when you get close to your senior year. Good job thinking so far ahead!

Congratulations!!!!

I would echo those saying that the grades shouldn't matter as much as your actual work. If you did well on the comps, love doing what you're doing, and are producing good scholarship, I wouldn't worry so much about the grades. I've talked to lots of people on search committees, and grades have never come up as an important part of how they make hiring decisions for profs. Publications, classes taught, how the interviews went, and, most importantly, how the guest teaching experience went were the only things that seemed to weigh heavily.

I'd be careful relying too heavily on a lot of the books out there (Kaplan, Princeton, etc.) since the old GRE emphasized geometry A LOT, and I've heard the new one has more trig (I think?). Anyway, I'd still use the old books, but try to find out more about the new material and do some work on those areas too.

I email my profs/advisors from undergrad and my MA, and it was 2006 when I graduated from undergrad and 2008 for MA. I email randomly, monthly or every few months, and since I'm quite close with my undergrad advisors, have dinner/coffee when I'm in town. I think emails every once in a while is not only fine but a good idea. That's how you network, and networking is realy important in academia.

I don't mean this to be mean, and I'm in a different field (English), but your Quant score is just a tad over mine. . .so I think someone in the sciences should have a higher score, especially when your GPA is pretty low. From what I understand, the objective factors of an application (GPA, GRE score, subject score) are more important in the sciences, so I think if I were you, I'd retake the GRE, especially if you've graduated already and can't improve your GPA. If your field requires a subject test, you really need to rock that test to show that you know your field, even if maybe your GPA isn't very high. Do you have research experience, lab time, references from respected profs in your field? Yes to the previous questions can overcome GPA/GRE scores, but if you have time and think you can boost your quant score, I'd retake it. Good luck!

By your handle it looks like you're in an MA. If I were you, I'd stick it out. It also looks like your field is education, and if you're looking at going back into the secondary system or administration, your GPA in the MA won't matter, just that you have the degree. I'm confident that you're better qualified than a lot of high school teachers I had!!! Chin up, do your best, and push on through. You've got, what, one year max left?

Congrats all! I actually feel a little sad about falling out of the top ten ;P

We don't have a place yet, but we've contracted a realtor to find a place for us, and I've pretty much said no farther away from campus than a max 30 minute commute on a direct transportation line (bus, train, etc.) and ideally about 10 minutes from campus. I do think living close is important for research, energy, and socialization.

I'd work it into the first paragraph identifying your interests and showing how your ongoing individual work (mention some specifics) has helped you hone those interests. I wouldn't spend more than a couple of sentences on it, but I do think that putting it in your first paragraph is a good idea.

3.0 is a pretty standard required minimum BUT since you're switching fields pretty dramatically, I'd really recommend that you take some film courses and comm courses, get all A's in those, and then address this GPA issue in your SOP, pointing out that you have a 4.0 in relevant courses. You might also contact the DGS for the MA program at BU and explain the grade issue, asking for any recommendations about how to offset the GPA. Good luck!

We're paying to have a realtor look for rental properties matching a list of our specifications and then record vids and pictures of each place. We'll select from the list. We have a contract specifying our satisfaction, and I know lots of other people who have used services like this. For us, it is cheaper to do this than to fly one of us out to visit and look for places. If you're already going out, try to be there for a few days. Look at a TON of places. Try to find multiple listings through a single property management company. If you see pics and stuff of places you like, it might be best to submit background checks and app fees before you go so that if you find a place, you can secure it while you visit. It can take quite a while to get through the app process, so I'd really recommend getting started on all that before you actually head out.

Like the other posters, I think this is a good idea because it gives adcoms who may not be familiar with an applicant's undergrad perspective about the strength of their grades. Depending on the field, though, I don't know if this information will really strongly affect an applicant's chances at admission. I'm in English, and while good grades are, well, good, it tends to be the subjective components of the application (writing sample, SOP, recommendations) that matter A LOT more than the objective components (GPA, GRE scores, etc.).

It may be a little different with a trusted source to tell you about the city, but when I was visiting for my MA and then Ph.D., it wasn't the city I was going to visit but the department. Do you LIKE the people in the program you'll be working with? I don't know, but I wanted the feeling that I liked the advisors I'd be working with intimately for quite a few years. Some people are off putting in spite of brilliance. . .I don't want to be in that type of dynamic for 4-6 years, personally. I'd go visit, I think. In the States, you usually get at least all if not most of your visit paid for, even if you get reimbursed later rather than at the start. Can you talk to your program about some financial help? Good luck!

From what I know, yes, it will be taxed like a regular job income. You'll fill out paperwork about number of dependents, etc. However, it's likely that you'll get most if not all of that taxed amount (if you're a US citizen at a US school) back come tax season.

These are REALLY field-specific questions, so I'd recommend filling in some details (why UM? who do you want to work with? what is your background in terms of reserach/grades/scores? what is your thesis/writing sample about?) and then re-posting this in the relevant forum for your interest areas (lit/poli sci/math, etc.). That said, the first thing I'd do is research people you want to work with and select schools to apply to based on that list. Next, look at placement records for those schools and a VARIETY of rankings lists. Contact those people if that is common in your field. Study for the GRE and subject GRE. Prepare a WIDE list of schools. Apply to both Ph.D. and MA/MS programs so you have options. Contact LOR writers. Start working on your SOP now. If you have what will be your writing sample, revise and share with lots of people. Anyway, just a bit of introductory advice. With more specifics, I think we'd all be able to help you a lot more. Edited to add: OOPS! Just saw you ARE in the psych board. I got linked through the main boards. Anyway, I think a lot of the above advice is still relevant. Research away!!! Other psych folks will be able to give you program and people-specific recommendations. Good luck!

As a caveat, I am NOT your field, but I think that if I were you and going into a math-heavy field, I would take a relevant/upper level math course and get an A and perhaps address why your math grades were low and then improved later. Maybe it's just me or grade inflation, but C's seem pretty low in classes that may be relevant for your graduate work. I'd definitely make sure to get a high quant score and maybe do another math class or so to compensate. Good luck!

I feel like this sometimes too. I think we all do. I went through a small bout of depression about this a while back. I'm older to be starting a Ph.D. program (though not with teens! I so admire the second poster's story!!!), and through, well, just life and personal situations took 5 years to get my (multiple) BAs, then a year off, then an MA, then three years off, and I'll start my Ph.D. next fall. I have been involved in speech and debate for, well, over a decade, and some of the people I competed with (my own age) from high school are already doctors and have beautiful houses and lots of money. Some of the people I competed with in college got into the very top programs in their fields, even though I feel I am as strong of a candidate (may just be ego , and, both worse and great, some of the kids I've coached when they were in high school went to fabulous schools and will be at the same point on the academic track as me. At the same time, I'm enormously proud of them! Anyway, I've come to the realization that we all take our time to get where we want to be. Some people maybe "luck out" (or work or whatever) and get there faster. Some of us learn lots of other lessons along the way and have other "life" experiences that perhaps these younger success stories don't have. Anyway, try to find things you've done that you're proud about, things that aren't easily quantifiable on Facebook or something. I have an amazing partner and he, in many ways, is my success story (that sounds lame and antifeminist but I don't mean it like that). We have a great dog, I have amazing friends, I get to work with great students, I've climbed Kilimanjaro, I've had amazing travel experiences, etc. These things aren't tangible so much as "I held office at a young age. I graduated from Harvard. I make $250 K a year, etc." BUT these individual experiences, in my opinion, do as much if not more than those other things to make life meaningful. Remind yourself why you're lucky, what you've loved about your life, and it will give you more energy to start your Ph.D., work through it voraciously, and continue to succeed in your life (at least that's what I've been doing). Best of luck!

For some reason I can't edit my above post right now, but the bit in parentheses shouldn't be adult GRE or juvenile equivalent BUT IQ test like the Wechsler. .. sorry for any confusion. Anyway, the point is IQ test does not equal GRE at all. Don't be down on yourself!!

Good luck!!! I hope it works out!!!

Best of luck!!! I really do think you can make these type of programs work for you. They did for me and three of my best friends (one of whom had a choice betwen NYU and Columbia law, one who had a choice between CUNY and UTA, and one on whom had a choice between Brown and Cornell, and, well, me, who had a choice between numerous state programs. .. don't wait so long until you're my age!!! I recommened this based on my feedback from Princeon, UC, and UPenn when I was younger). Anywho, be aggressive and make the most of what you want from your MA, and then be more aggressive and more proactive when applying for your Ph.D., but know that local schools and your alma mater will likely be prejudiced against you for diversity's purposes, so apply broadly, really broadly. I would encoraage that for everyone.