avee

I think I am going to try. I have new insights into tying medical sociology with demography for my topic. There is just so much to explore and being that I'm a good fit for my program, I am sure I will be able to. Hope it works out for you too!

I am considering whether I want to continue with my thesis topic for my dissertation. I am wondering if others are considering using their master's thesis work toward their dissertation. If you are coming fresh from your bachelor's and conducted a senior thesis, are you thinking about pursuing this topic for your dissertation? Thoughts? For myself, I am interested really in two areas within the sociology of reproduction: cesarean sections (I looked at women who choose CS delivery without medical reason for my master's) and selection criteria for surrogate mothers in the U.S. I have much I want to expand upon with CS deliveries, and of course I still hold so much interest in U.S. commercial surrogacy. We'll likely change and get influenced during the first few years of our PhD, but I am just wondering whether anyone has thought about keeping their current topics.

Dizzi!! You should have come to my defense! It's so funny we are both on this forum together

I think you're chalking it up too much. Write the letter with plenty of humility and gratitude, and get excited about the program you ARE going to attend this Fall.

That's interesting. Our program is different in terms of format. I think it will be 30 minutes for my presentation and then Q&A with some interruption questions throughout the presentation. I know I'll have to leave the room in the end for their deliberation. Our program is very small and I am the only one defending a thesis this year, but will be an "example" for the 8 thesis-track students who came in Fall 2011. So, a little bit of pressure and I am just hoping to deliver well.

You are in the WRONG field, kid.

Chair has been e-mailed and that is good to go. I just want to hear more about others' experiences and what they might recommend based upon their successes and failures during their presentations.

So as much as I am happy to move on to the PhD, I still need to finish my M.S. this semester. I am defending my thesis April 18th, and am looking for any advice I can receive on how to go about planning for the presentation. I have seen faculty candidate research presentations at my university, and have also done one conference presentation on my own research. How long should I be expecting to do my initial presentation before q&a... and give me as much advice as you possibly can. Did many of you stick to your PowerPoint and do the exhaustive explanations, or did you have a charismatic approach to presenting? I find myself always in the middle somewhere and just want to ensure I do this the right way. Any suggestions are MUCH appreciated. I guess I feel a bit nervous because I will not only have sociologists in the room, but people from social and behavioral health, political science, and gender studies departments. My thesis grounds a theoretical argument, which may be awkward for the more pragmatic audience members. For those who have defended: please chime in here.

Out of curiosity, do you do a thesis in that one year? That would seem impossible.

Thank you felicidad. I am shocked by what you wrote, nwebb. I think you need to change your attitude and reevaluate the experience for all of those applying. Being waitlisted does not have much to do with "not being good enough"-- I can't believe you would even say that! Good luck in your academic career. I am sure your attitude toward your future colleagues will get you far.

I am finishing my M.S. this semester, and it has been one of the best routes I have taken not only for my academic career, but for my own personal growth. I think your question needs to reposition itself not with just getting into a program, and whether a master's will aid you in appearing as a more competitive applicant, but rather what you can gain academically from a master's program. I think first and foremost, a strong sense of commitment and desire to be in sociology is key, and is reflected in your statement of purpose, previous research, conference attendance, teaching in the field, service (academically and maybe even publicly), and so on. If a master's can help you solidify your sentiments toward staying in the field, and impassion you to conduct meaningful sociological research, then you should certainly enter a master's program. Personally, though I went to a theoretical- and research intensive private university for my undergrad, I still think the master's--for myself and many--aids in truly understanding where to position yourself within the field. I personally wouldn't feel ready for the PhD right after my undergrad. But that is just me. So I think you really need to make this question to attend a master's program as what you will gain from attending, regardless of how it makes you look on paper. In a perfect world, how it makes you look to a PhD acceptance committee is an afterthought Good luck!

You are in the boat I've been in for a long time. It's incredibly stressful and full of anxiety, but hang in there!

Thank you, thank you!

Well, we may still need to open this smoothie stand... we got plans. Thanks all!! I'm happy, and yet sad to say goodbye to the place I now call home. I guess I'll move along to the thread addressing the emotions regarding relocating...

FINALLY! Brandeis accepted! 5 years fully funded.