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The Lorax

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Everything posted by The Lorax

  1. Well put, Slaktivist. I took a similar route, and found working on a conference paper to be of immense value. My LORs came from profs who worked with me on the project - so i had an excuse to get close to them. My paper served as a great writing sample that BOTH demonstrated my ability to do original research, my writing ability, and that I have a high level of creativity in understanding what is cutting edge. But above all, I would recommend you do your research on programs FIRST. Reach out to profs you might want to work with, schedule phone appointments, talk with grad students, do much much more than just read the program website. Have a tight, focused understanding of what you're after, and pick the ACCESSIBLE profs working on that subject. I applied for PhD programs for the fall of 2009, and got straight rejections, but made it into an MPP program. I used the intervening two years to build my profile. this time, I have already been accepted to a top 30 program with a lovely funding package, and anticipate more good news. I think the greatest stride I made is achieving clarity and focus, and finding the profs who care about what I'm trying to do.
  2. you should post. especially if you get into an ivy. It should read something like "Yes, I was accepted to [XXX top school]. My self worth is officially validated. Suck it, world!" at least that's my plan. but then again, my friends probably consider me one of the asshats in their network, to use everygirl's word. *officially integrating asshat into vocabulary*
  3. Speaking as a current master's student about to go into a PhD program...I agree with Charlie2010. If you feel your quantitative skills are weak, then spend some time brushing up BEFORE grad school. I know mine are, and I wish I had. If you're entering a decent program, the competition will be hot, and you will busy. So Penolope Higgins and The Realist are right - don't kill yourself or anything, but maybe take your algebra/stats book with you to the coffee shop, or on the train as you backpack through Europe, or whatever it is you decide to do with your summer.
  4. All the Vonnegut I can get my hands on.
  5. I can very much relate to this post. I am currently in the last semester of my MPP, and have applied to and been accepted to a couple of PhD programs. So I know there is more school and more research on the horizon, and I am most definitely jazzed about that. BUT....i can't get motivated here, so close to the end. I jammed through my first three semesters, non-stop and now it takes a lot to drag my butt out of bed. Every morning takes much effort to get me out of the house into the world to deal with my responsibilities. I'm chalking it up to senioritus, pounding the coffee and doing a lot of yoga. Deep breaths. One day at a time.
  6. Got first rejection from Princeton....considered framing it to remind me of the LOADS of self-efficacy it took to apply in the first place....and then drank a bottle of wine, had raucous sex with my significant other and ordered chinese takeout. I felt better after.
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