GardeningGrad

Ah, I completely understand the angst of deciding about retaking the GRE. The change in test format is nerve-wracking, too. I don't know what admissions committees at your schools of interest think about old vs. new tests. However, here are a few tidbits of advice that I wish someone had told me earlier when I was hemming and hawing over whether or not to retake the GREs: 1. Ask the administrator of the program you're interested in. Don't whine about the GREs, just say, "here are my scores - would you advise me to retake the exam or are these sufficient to allow your admissions committee to further review my application package?" 2. Get a tutor. I found one on Craigslist and coughed up the money for a focused GRE math book and four tutoring sessions. It hurt, but my score improved 100 points. 3. Remember - the second time taking the test you'll be more confident and familiar with the setting AND there's a chance you'll get an 'easy' set of problems. 4. Study every day. 5. Yes, the standardized test format is dumb. But those numbers may change your application from an "average" to a "ooo, let's look into this candidate some more!" 6. Suck it up and retake the test. Good luck!

I'd suggest opening an account with ING or Ally - both reputable, online-based banks. After your first year, you may find it's more convenient to open a local bank that has a good reputation or a good deal for students. See for other options.

So, I went to accepted student day for my program. I'd set up an appointment to chat with a professor with common research interests to mine. He glanced at me and said, "tsk, tsk, you're the newbie right out of college, right? I really wish students would get more experience before coming to grad school." The prof had mistaken me for someone else - I graduated three year ago. Almost all successful candidates for my grad program worked/volunteered for at least one year before applying to grad school. In fact, some programs I applied to stated explicitly that successful applicants were ones with at least two years of applicable experience. Throughout my application process, I heard professors, administrators, and students iterate how important 'real life experience' was to the application process and - more importantly - to giving students perspective, humility, and direction in their graduate research. plus, who wants to go to grad school burnt out from four years of undergrad? Yes, yes, yes - take a gap year. Go do something you're interested in, volunteering if possible. Read, live life outside of academia. It will only help your application and your personal development!

Hey Madison friends. Anyone going to live with roommates you've never met? just got an offer to live with some folks - sounds like a sweet deal. But I'm torn... there's so much that can go wrong in roommate situations, particularly the first year of a new event in life... like grad school. after a long day of classes or intense thesis work, coming home to a quiet place - sans people - and a glass of wine sounds perfect. However, I've never lived alone and I'm worried that I might go a tad stir-crazy solo. Considering how safe Madison is, safety of living alone isn't an issue. but yet... thoughts?

I agree with the others - don't mention needing funding in your SOP. Of course you need funding - everyone does. Make your SOP stand out - show how you are interesting or different. Also, you should consider indicating that you want to go on to your PhD. There is more funding available for MA/PhD students than students just pursuing an MA. Typically, indicating that you're interested in pursuing your PhD after your masters is not a commitment - just a signal that you may be investing more the University of Awesome, so they might want to keep you there. Unless you are 100% sure you will not get your PhD at some point, check the box/include in SOP that you are "interested in pursuing your PhD." Final word of advice - take the GRE again, and work hard on those professor contacts at your top schools. As you make yourself rise above the crowd of sociology applicants, professors may work harder to find funding for you.

UEA has very good support for international students - I would suggest contacting the office of Int'l Students (http://www.uea.ac.uk/international) and asking them for assistance. You're a post-doc, not a freshman in college... I'd think they'd we willing to at least give you some advice (and at most, put you up somewhere for your first few weeks when you get there).

Good suggestions! I'm coming from a poli sci/ international development/ sustainability perspective... I had no pure sociology coursework in undergrad. Are there any good 'summary' resources out there? I'm not going to read entire texts this summer, but if there is a website that I should spend time pouring over, or articles, or journals... anything that will help me 'get it' faster the first semester! help!

Hip-hip-hurray for the making of your Stressful and Life-Changing decision... where to go to grad school! While I am out-of-my-mind-excited about the upcoming years studying my passions and being trained to better contribute to to world, I admit the move is bittersweet. My mid-August transition to the midwest - alone - from my comfortable life with friends and family nearby is a bit unnerving. While my life isn't changing immediately - I will continue at my 8-5 job until July - I've wondered how to make the most of now. Do some pre-grad school reading? buy a computer? get my finances in order? sleep... a lot? hike the Appalachian trail? visit friends? How are you planning on making the most of this summer of expectation. How will you say goodbye to places, people, and seasons of life? or prepare for your new life as a student (again)? what's your Spring/Summer 2011 pre-grad school bucket list?

Against my well-meaning-but-over-involved mother's repeated counsel, I took 2 years off before starting grad school. I am so, so glad that I did. Not only did it give me better perspective on academia and a better understanding of what I want to do in my life, but time working overseas gave me real-life heroes whose stories will fuel my graduate research. Plus, looking for a real-life job I loved and ending up in a dead-end I don't gave me more fuel for my fires... to get outa here and be paid to learn Additionally, several programs I applied to required or strongly advised time off - 'successful applicants typically have 2 or more years of experience in non-profits or government agencies....' When I went to UW's accepted student day, I noticed that folks who had some experience in the real world got a lot more 'street cred' than the young'uns. I think my mom's coming around I'll still be a young one (graduated young, like chesirequeen), but I'm very happy with the experiences of the past few years. I'm treasuring this year of a boring, dead-end job as 'rest' - the last time for a long time I can do *nothing* in the evenings

Ogopo - your post in the Madison city forum was really helpful! that forum in general is helpful. when are you (all of you) planning on moving to Madison?

Ack, a really touch decision! So will you be in greater debt if you go to Fordham? I cannot speak to your field directly, but I was talking about loans vs. experience with some Columbia-bound friends last night... loans are a huge burden. But if going to a specific school will put you firmly on the path you wish to be on, the loans will be 'worth it.' Where can you picture yourself in a year?

I think two days is sufficient! A few thoughts from my experience apartment hunting in March... 1. Landlords in Madison are required to provide 24-hour notice to tenants that they will be coming by for a tour, so it pays to arrange your visits ahead of time. 2. I visited 7 apartments in a few hours when I was visiting... it was tiring, but do-able. However, the apartment I am going to rent I found after my visit. 3. Make sure the rent INCLUDES HEAT. I heard horror stories from older students about their $1500 heat bills. Most places do include the heat costs, and they will advertise so. 4. Neighborhoods: the west side of Madison is suburban and has little character. The Vilas neighborhood (south) is very quiet - lots of faculty and families. I'd avoid W Johnson St and near the capitol west of S Blair St. East of S Blair is the 'Near East Side,' and is very lovely. After walking through Vilas, downtown, and Mansion Hill (near campus - lots of fraternities), I was smitten with the balance of quirky charm and quietness in the Williamson St/Jenifer St/Spaight St neighborhood. That's the Willy st/Marquette Neighborhood. Near Tenny Park is also very nice. 5. Bike paths are everywhere, and car-drivers are bike-aware - so no fear about that! And all students get a free bus pass, just in case you're like me and can't bear biking in a blizzard. Hope that's helpful! you know about http://campusareahousing.wisc.edu/ right? very helpful resource... also, avoid Madison Property Management; Mullins is a bit grody, too. Whew - that's all! good luck.

Single cell and renster are correct - the biggest changes that most grad students will see will be a slight increase in UW's phenomenal health care deal. When I was visiting in March, I learned about two things: my program and Scott Walker ;-) Single cell - good luck finding apartments! where are you looking? who else has housing lined up? I *should* be signing a lease this week :-) Very excited to have my own place in an old victorian house near Willy St.

I agree with Psyk - find a 'keystone article' that contains a lot of information pertinent to your research interests. Then look up every reference in its' bibliography/works cited. Don't be discouraged - through experienced you'll develop your own research methods. Since you're an undergrad, don't by shy about asking a reference librarian at your university's library or a friendly professor who is publishing something right now. People love to share tricks of the research trade.

Happy Official Decision Day! Hurray for already-made decisions for grad school - Wisconsin here we come! Cupoftea, if you've any questions, let me know. I certainly don't claim to be an expert on Madison or UW - I've only been there twice! Perhaps because of that (and a combination of my curious and planning-ahead personality and a boring desk job), I've done a ton of research on the city and the school. I also have a few friends in Madison who are so, so helpful.

Older sister: "Now you have a future!"

There's already a nice Madison city discussion going on, but I'd love to chat with other new Badgers out there about the school, programs, moving, etc. Sharing ideas and passing the time until I move to the fair city and start my MS/PhD program! Fall 2011, here we come!

an addendum... keep records of who you emailed, who responded, and who recommended that you talk to who. Many professors asked who else I'd already communicated with, and I was saved some embarrassment by pulling up my handy dandy excel spreadsheet. Also, I totally would've sent repeat emails or forgotten to reply to someone otherwise... absentminded? yep! contacted 40-50 profs? yes!

What to say to professors I've never met but who might hold my future in their hands was a quandary for me for some time. A few professors provided an outline of what they wanted to hear - they get dozens of prospective student emails every week. I always attached a PDF of my current CV. Below is something like what I wrote - note that I changed what I included significantly based on my research into the prof. If anyone recommended that you contact this person, mention that right away! connections are so important! obviously, form letters are lame, but I hope the structure is helpful. Keep it simple BUT remember that this is their first impression of you - make it count! Dear Dr. ____ I will be applying for admissions to _______ in fall 2012 and I am looking for a faculty mentor. I admire your ____ approach to addressing _____. Your research interests in _____ piqued my interest. I was particularly impressed, however, by your wealth of professional experience in ____. My passion is ________ Through academic and work experiences, I have developed an understanding and curiosity about ______. My three research interests are: I desire to _____ and I believe I can gain skills and knowledge to do so through graduate study. I am interested in continuing to a PhD. I would be happy to further explain my undergrad coursework and research, work experience, and career aims, but first I’d like to allow you to let me know if you can take on any more advisees for the 2011 school year. Since you are the (acknowledge what else the person is involved in - he or she is very busy!), I recognize that your mentoring time may be quite limited. I have attached my CV for your reference. I look forward to communicating with you further! Sincerely...

Ah, I've been making a mental list for months. I will not miss: - a forty-five minute commute through small towns, behind school busses, and through far too many stop signs - spending $50 a week on gas - dreading Mondays. the week is so much more fluid at school. - being a receptionist. I'm counting down the days until I can hang up my high heels and relearn how to answer a landline without saying, "Thank you for calling (my company name), how may I direct your call?" - being in transition I admit, the onward march of time is bittersweet... Though I am excited to be paid to learn things I find fascinating, I will miss much from this season of life. I love leaving work at work, having time to train for a triathlon, paying cheap rent, and most of all, movie nights with my beloved best friend and roommate of seven years. The bittersweet changes are the richest, though.

Your qualifications look great and I fully agree with everything in the above response! GRE = don't stress. The best programs look at the 'whole package,' so make sure that your personal statement shines. Also, work hard to connect with professors at your top-choice institutions - don't just rely on your recommendations. My season of emailing potential mentors and putting my name 'out there' was arduous (and felt a tad like online dating... "hi, we have SO much in common..." ;-p), but it's worth the stress. Many of these professors are on admissions committees! My only concern would be that you're going straight from undergrad to graduate school. There is growing enthusiasm for diversifying cohorts. Admissions committees seem to be looking for well-rounded candidates with some "life experience" to round out their sociology cohorts. Thus said, ask your potential programs what they would like to see emphasized, and if your rapid transition to grad school will be a help or hindrance. Your research will definitely mark you as 'grad school material' though Well done!

Same problem here. Perhaps online-only bank accounts, like ING or Ally, would be a good solution?

Middleton is SO much cheaper, but it's less convenient/cool. all of madison is bikeable and you can check out bus routes between potential apartments and your science building at: http://www.cityofmadison.com/metro/

Hi Whitman, I'm in the same pinch - I'm coming from out of state. I know what neighborhood I want to live in and I know (from other students' stories) that often the best places rent early. July may be too late to get a nice place. Check out the FAQs at http://campusareahousing.wisc.edu for guidelines of timing for your apartment search. Before you pull your hair out and resign yourself to signing a lease sight-unseen (which is dangerous, though I know people do it), ponder this: a few nice students from the cohort a year ahead of me volunteered to look at apartments on my behalf - other students did that for them and they're happy to pay it forward. I look for the apartments on cragislist/Madison campus rentals (http://campusareahousing.wisc.edu), I email/call with my basic questions and ask for digital photos, and when I narrow it down, I ask my new friend to look at the apartment with a few of my 'must-haves' in mind. Obviously, I don't want to squander my social capital before you get to campus, so I'm trying to be very selective before I ask for a "personal" tour. Check with the head of your department or even the resources at http://www.grad.wisc.edu/education/gsc/gradguide/index.html. Good luck!

I just came from visits to Wisconsin and Cornell (cold places!) and solid, cute, tall boots were 'in'. In fact, a friend at Cornell told me that if I invested in anything going into grad school, it should be warm boots! and another, coming from Florida to Wisconsin, said that once she bought boots, she wasn't desperately cold anymore... I'm going to find leather boots - likely Keen brand (google search Keen boots). oh, and I'll buy some cheap galloshes/wellies for wet days or days when I want to bring nice shoes with me to campus and put them on there. Hope that helps!