[Duke University]

Hi!

I'm starting grad school in sociology. If anyone gets this, are any of you in town yet? I've been here for about 2 months, but just saw this post...

Any of you going to the bar night tonight? (Aug. 4)?

-Jon

[Advice for 2012 Sociology Applicants]

I thin someone mentioned this, but try to get recommendations from people who went to the schools you are applying to. Call it nepotism, but it works. It just makes sense a glowing recommendation from a known entity is better than a glowing recommendation from an unknown. When I was talking to DGSs at the various schools they specifically cited the recommendation of my professor that they knew, and I have to imagine that all three of my LORs said roughly similar things. Sociology is a small world. These guys meet at conferences, collaborate, and stay in touch, so a recommendation from someone they knew goes a long way.

[So have you decided where you are NOT going?]

Duke. Found out pretty late, but was able to squeeze a visit to all of them...

so what school did you end up going with? I thought you were leaning toward UNC? Just curious.

[So have you decided where you are NOT going?]

Turned down Irvine, UMD, and UNC. Hardest, and particularly with one school, saddest decision I've made in a long, long time. Hope it works out for me!

[UNC vs. UC Irvine vs. University of Maryland]

No one has anymore thoughts? It's a pretty concrete example of Rank vs. Person/Specialty...I know there must be some (strong) opinions out there..;

[UNC vs. UCI]

Thank you for the replies!

I hope I did not come across as ungrateful for my position. I'm very lucky. I have only great options. I'm just hoping that people on this board can help me think of some angles that I won't think of...consider it an exercise in the strength of weak ties...we do want to be sociologists don't we?

Thanks again!

Thanks for asking this question Fizzy. I'll be applying to programs in the fall and I'm focused on social movements/ urban space/ pubic sphere stuff. I too have been drawn to both UNC and UCI as departments with strong contingents of social movement people.

Let me first say congratulations to you on your acceptances and funding packages. Although you have a hard decision ahead of you, there are many who probably with they were in your shoes right now.

I have two questions for the board:

1) Previous posters have mentioned the importance of "tier" with regard to placement in academic positions. In that case, UNC has the obvious advantage. That being said, as a "top 25ish" school, UCI is no slouch. Does anyone on these boards have any sense about programs' potential for movement up/down tiers? That is, UCI is a very young program relative to UNC. Can we expect to see UCI move into the top 25 and forgo its current "top 25ish" ambiguity? And if not in USNWR rankings, perhaps at least in general prestige among professional academics in the field. I imagine there is some movement within tiers, but probably very little across tiers.

2) It's clear that UNC has a better placement record than UCI, especially among top tier programs. But, if in my professional career I am more concerned about tenure at an R1 university with decent funding than necessarily landing a job at a "top 10" program, then does it make a huge difference? Will a degree from UCI (or equivalently ranked program) doom one to a lifetime of post-doc positions and community college adjuncts? I know we talk a good deal about "fit" and "happiness," but long term professional satisfaction and productivity (not to mention job security and income) seem highly dependent on program prestige. Can anyone speculate as to the quality of life and work for an academic ten or twenty years out of school with a doctorate from a top 10-15 versus a top 25 program?

And again, congrats to you Fizzy for being in such a pickle!

[UNC vs. UC Irvine vs. University of Maryland]

Haha! Thanks goodmp,

Thanks for replying and the graph! UNC is absolutely a great program. And the people I've spoken to in the program love it. It's definitely going to be a tough choice, though, I suppose, it's something that, in the end, has to come down to just me. Still, I'm hoping that by posting, I'll get a lot of input and someone will bring something up that I hadn't thought of.

Thank you again for the response! And maybe I'll be seeing you next year in Chapel Hill

I pulled some data from the NRC using the tool that the Chronicle put together last year.

Carolina is definitely going to be more focused on the pursuit of an academic job following graduation, and will put you in a good position for that. I have no knowledge on how the non-academic job search works for Ph.D.'s in sociology, though there are a few on Carolina's alumni roster. Chapel Hill is definitely a "pro" unless you are dying to be in a city or something along those lines. I have no idea how it compares to College Park or Irvine though.

According to the faculty list of interests, http://sociology.unc...facinterestlist none of them specifically focus on Social Networks -- though I imagine aspects of it are found in other areas. Maybe. It hasn't been an interest of mine, so I am not sure. You may want to take a look through http://sociology.unc...rad/sochandbook to see if that gives you a better idea about the dept.

I am obviously biased in favor of UNC, I think it is a great program.

[UNC vs. UC Irvine vs. University of Maryland]

Sorry for the repost, but I just found out I got into University of Maryland as well as University of North Carolina Chapel Hill! Before that, I was set to go to UC Irvine.

I saw one poster mentioned UCI's strength in social networks. This is my main interest as well. I'm interested in social networks, social movements, radical groups. Along those lines. Right now, I'm leaning more towards something non-academic post graduation, and I saw someone mentioned that academic jobs are a bit tougher coming out of UCI...I don't think this will be a factor for me.

Here is my pro/con list

UCI:

Pro

-Probably the best in networks right now

-The faculty seems really collaborative both intra- and inter-departmentally

-Weather?

Con

-I'm an east-coaster, so far from home, friends, family

-Far from serious girlfriend who would like a job in DC

UNC

Pro

-Really highly ranked program

-Generally strong department

-Chapel Hill?

Con

-Not sure how much work is being done in social networks. Talked one professor, but not sure how much is actually going on

-Still far from friends, family, etc.

-Chapel Hill?

UMD

Pro

-Ties to government and proximity to DC, where I can see myself working after graduating-Close to friends, family, girlfriend etc.-Seems to have growing faculty in social networks. Spoke to a few professors. There's a network group on campus, data visualization lab, etc.

Con

-Not as known for networks as UCI-Not as highly ranked as UNC I want to make a decision as soon as possible to give others a chance to get off the wait-list. I would be grateful for any input! Tough calls, though I can't complain.

Thank you!

[UNC vs. UCI]

Hi Dr. Jimmy,

Thanks for the reply. I'm trying to cast a wide net on opinions for this one. It's a tough call for me because of the work Carter Butts is doing at UCI. Also, you were right on the Cost of Living between CH and Irvine. The funding is roughly the same...

Any body else want to take a shot?

THANKS AGAIN!

I'm not all that familiar with the particular strengths of each program. However, as overall programs: UNC is always ranked as a Top 10 program (and actually currently tied for 5th). It is one of the best sociology departments in the country. Unless you feel very strongly about UCI... I think UNC is the clear choice. (But make sure to consider me only one opinion. I'm interested to hear what others think)

And as far as the funding package. Try using a cost-of living calculator. My inclination is that the UNC package will be equal when you factor in how much more expensive California will be. ( http://www.bestplaces.net/col/ one to try )

[UNC vs. UCI]

Sorry about that. University of California-Irvine & University of North Carolina- Chapel-Hill

University of California-Irvine & University of North Carolina- Chapel-Hill? Not sure which exact schools you are referring to.

[UNC vs. UCI]

I just found out I got into University of North Carolina Chapel Hill! Before that, I was set to go to UC Irvine.

I saw one poster mentioned UCI's strength in social networks. This is my main interest as well. I'm interested in social networks, social movements, radical groups. Along those lines. Right now, I'm leaning more towards something non-academic post graduation, and I saw someone mentioned that academic jobs are a bit tougher coming out of UCI...I don't think this will be a factor for me. Also, my funding offer was higher for UCI (~30%), but part of that could be living expenses? Not sure.

Does anyone have any thoughts??? I never thought I was going to be in a position of choosing between schools!

Thank you!

________

Edited the names of the schools