AaronM

that ones mine, its actually 3.52. hope I didn't do that on any apps, lol

Lemme give a +1 to Fabio's Grad Skool Rulz ebook. It's a great list of sober, reasonable tips for students that I wish I'd had before my first admissions cycle. 

its not real until someone claims it right?

its not real until someone claims it right?

I am one of the Irvine acceptances

got in too! yay Texas!

got in too! yay Texas!

Accepted to UT-Austin!  I am looking forward to the day I quit my job...as it is now a certainty!  

When you post stats, you become identifiable to adcomms (via GPA, GRE, school, city, research interests, etc.).  If you are not worried about being identified, post whatever you want.  I know a curious adcomm could identify me based on my posts on gradcafe.  However, I do not post anything anonymously that I would be afraid to have associated with me publicly, so I don't care if I'm identifiable.  I agree that a certain level of openness on the forum is incredibly helpful to its purpose.  But, some people are hesitant to risk identifying themselves, which is why private messages exist

During one visit day, a POI took me out for a cup of coffee to chat. He asked if I had any questions or concerns, and I said, "Well I'm worried my math might not be up to par for the stats sequence." He paused for a moment and said "I thought you were doing all this social network stuff?" 
 
 Luckily I was already accepted. Feel bad for the social network guy with a similar name as me who got rejected though... 

At the non-interview schools, I think you only really need to say "Well, I'm primarily interested in Sociology of ____ (or "social networks" or whatever).  I'm not sure exactly about thesis topics, but..." and then you can have an option of saying  "I'm kind of interested in ___, but you know how it is.  I'm open to other ideas." They know your topics are going to change, don't sweat it.
 
At interview schools, you might want to say "I'm primarily interested in Sociology of_____ (or better yet, briding ______ and _______).  I wrote my statement of purpose on _____." You have an option of saying "But I'm also interested in ____ and ____", or waiting for them to ask you about it.
 
I'm in a third year class where I see what all my colleagues are actually writing their dissertations on.  I obviously don't know what people wrote in their statements, but I think a maximum of 1/3 of the kids are doing something that closely resembles what they wrote in their statements.  Maximum.  One kid moved from video games to medical sociology (social networks approach so same adviser).  One kid moved from education to historical sociology (again, methodologically the same adviser).  One kid moved from class in a specific foreign country to science and technology in the same country.  One kid moved from globalization and gender to science/technology and gender.  My own project moved from something that mostly historical to something that is primarily ethnographic and possibly statistical, but still "sociology of religion" and in Turkey.  In all those cases there was something that stayed the same, but most of it changed.  Professors know that will happen.  Your statement of purpose is about coming up with an interesting, plausible research idea, and a general research area.  None of it is a binding contract.  Don't sweat it.  Just be interesting and charming, but once you're in, they're not going to not let you in.  I always mention, my first post-visit day meeting with my adviser went horribly, and I believe she thought I was a chauvanistic, ultra-nationalist.  She loves me now.  It's all good.  Don't worry about it (with interviews, be a little more careful, but still).

Accepted to Penn State. 

Yeah, its just an issue of finding the right balance. Having your own agenda is impressive and much needed to create your own voice as a scholar, but you are at grad school to learn, so you need to take advantage of already established scholars and work with them as much as possible. Finding the right balance is probably one of the main tricks of graduate school.

I was talking to one of my profs about it and he said you have to find a balance. Its problematic if you already have a research agenda (ie having your dissertation already planned going into grad school), but its also problematic if you have no idea what you want to do. My plan going in is saying that I'm interested in studying racial minorities in higher education (or whatever semi-broad topic), but I'm also interested in broadening my interests, and then ask what projects they have coming up and follow up hardcore on that. That shows you have an agenda, but are flexible. It also gives you insight into what profs will be working and by expressing interest early, it might increase the probability of having an RAship rather than a TAship (if thats your thing)

Accepted at Penn State!

Accepted at Penn State!

Accepted at Penn State!

Accepted at Penn State!

Accepted at Penn State!

Accepted at Penn State!

Accepted at Penn State!

Congrats!
 
Yes, I was invited to the visit day last year. Here's how it goes:
 
They invite you out the day before all the "festivities." So, you'll end up there on a Thursday afternoon/evening. After you're all settled, you'll probably head out to the local pub/grille with grad students (to which some faculty might attend). It's a mingle night at a bar with a bunch of prospectives (~18-20). Very informal. You're trying to meet the grad students and "feel them out" (and vice versa). 
 
The next morning is the 8-hour formal visit day. I would dress semi-professional (business casual) as you will be meeting with at least 3 faculty members (based on your interests). First there's an info session for about an hour or two (DGS and Chair). Next, a campus tour. Then a lunch-series talk with all graduate students and faculty. Next, you meet with faculty to get to know each member (with whom your interests align). Finally, you'll meet with one of the members of the adcom about your reasons and interests in the dept. 
 
That night, after all your hard work, there will likely be a grad student (only) party. 
 
Be yourself. Let your interests shine. Don't be pretentious/arrogant. No one likes that! Remember, this is only an invite. You're not in yet!

Good luck all!

Accepted University of Georgia and attending recruitment weekend.