grad2B

Is anyone else thinking of pursuing a non-academic career with their Sociology PhD? Just wondering what kind of careers others might be thinking about... research institutes, think tanks, NGOs, government agencies, etc? Also, what programs did you apply to? How well do you think they will prepare you for a non-academic career?

I got the same email. Doesn't sound good at all. Do they really expect people to come there with no funding and pay tuition and fees and insurance. It would be really hard to choose fighting for funding every year over guaranteed funding. Oh well. Guess UW's off the list. Seattle's too cloudy for me anyway. Congrats to those who did secure funding at UW, because it sounds like there were very few this year. Quite an achievement.

I emailed the DGS, as well. Hopefully, I'll hear something back soon...

I got the same letter, waitinginohio. Have you contacted anyone about funding possibilities? I'm wondering if we will be offered funding if the funded applicants decline the offer, or are we basically SOL for the whole first year no matter what? Also, it doesn't sound like they're offering to pay for the visitation weekend either.

Lots of good ones already! Many things come to mind. "Applications submitted, I wait and wait." "Silence in my inbox is deafening."

Thanks for the info, waitinginohio. I guess I'll wait for that "dear applicant" letter. Why don't they just send emails, like the rejections and acceptances? I don't get it. I think admissions committees must be closet sadists. :twisted: So mean!

I keep hitting the "Check Mail" button on my Yahoo. Even, like, one second after I just clicked it, as if that will be the critical second when the notification will come through. The bad thing is the time gap between when you get your first notifications and when you get your last. I wasn't even expecting to hear anything until March, but then I heard back end of January on an interview and beginning of February on acceptance. Now, nothing! Why can't they just tell you you're on a waitlist? I have to just assume by other people's postings in the results page. Do they really think that if they notify us later, after their first choices drop out, that we'll believe we were on the acceptance list all along? Wtf? It's like hearing that someone's going to ask you to prom, then finding out they asked someone else and you're their second choice.

Do you know if they're still making offers? I haven't heard anything yet. Hmmm....maybe that means I'm waitlisted.

If your mentor is a top professor at Rutgers, then s/he might have some influence on admissions or be a member of the admissions committee. Would you feel comfortable contacting this person to discuss your concerns? If you have maintained contact, you could just express your strong interest in the program and the fact that you were disappointed in your GRE scores, you want to apply, but don't want to hurt your chances of being accepted. And, just ask if s/he would recommend applying this year or waiting until you can retest. I would guess that the professor will recommend that you apply. The advantage of contact is that you get to show how interested you are in the program, sort of explain the low test scores, and put your name in the professor's mind. Really, don't distress too much about scores. I know it's disappointing, but everyone has good and bad things about their application. And, you have a lot going for you. You have a solid GPA, good recs, and great publication experience! I think you have a really good shot. We'll be rooting for you! Let us know how it goes.

Hi ejuliast, I'm not sure if I'd qualify for grad housing. I think often you have to be either single (i.e., living alone) or married, and I'm in between the two. Plus, since my SO may be doing a medical residency in the near future, I can't count on an extra working-level salary. We'll both be poor at that point! Oh, well. It's part of the grad school experience, right? That's true, though. There are affordable places a bit farther out, and NYC has such a great public transportation system. I think you and slothy are right - in academia NYU and UW might be more competitive in the job market. I'm considering non-academic research careers, though. Do you all think the public would make that distinction? I

Thanks for the feedback and info, Slothy. Where did you hear about UW's funding? Are people getting offers yet? If so, that may mean I'm not accepted, in which case it's a moot point. Sparkle, Yeah, cost of living is a big consideration for me. My sig-o will be working from home, so both of us living and working in a small one-bedroom in NYC would be a challenge. Not impossible, but something to consider, especially since I could afford a three bedroom in Nashville!

I haven