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orst11

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Everything posted by orst11

  1. I just wanted to point out something Kitkat noted about your score on the GRE, the middle of the range of scores puts you around the 1000 range. I would say with that you could easily apply to a few programs with 1000 cutoffs and probably get accepted somewhere. You could easily get a MA in a lower ranked program and then apply to a program that is much better. This is actually quite common at some places. One thing you can typically find out, either from a programs website or NRC data, is a typical first year students GRE Q scores, so you can find out your competitiveness for a given program. Also, since you noted your financial resources, I would say there are ways you can save a little money with the whole process. If you decide to retake you can easily borrow material from people that have already taken the test. I borrowed flash cards for the 500 most common words, which actually were ones for the old test, but they helped me feel a lot more comfortable with the verbal portion of the test. I used the net to my full advantage with getting free test prep materials. Another thing you will want to do is use your campus resources to your full advantage, this I can tell you has saved me at least a few hundred dollars. When applying, you can typically request fee waivers from some programs, $50+ may not seem like a lot to some people, but trust me it helps when you have other bills and such to pay. While some of these things may seem difficult at times and require more paperwork, grad schools do like diversity and try to provide opportunities to those with less money so always consider contacting departments before applying. Finally, I think the site is sometimes a little discouraging, so I wouldn't get too anxious, a lot of the people on the site do given excellent advice as you can see so don't take things to seriously.
  2. I would say ask sooner than later just so you can get everything in on time. You can easily tell profs that you will be submitting apps in Nov and to expect links then. I always send a reminder when I send links just because certain things may end up in their spam. Given you are in contact with these profs regularly, it makes the process easier when reminding them about filling things out. I know all three of my professors typically do this sort of thing last minute so if you want it done by a certain time frame just be aware and send kindly reminders.
  3. I would typically agree with ktel in this instance. Professors do have lives and are busy at times, so email does usually work when setting up meetings to discuss recommendations. As far as doing the whole process via email, it can be done, but I would recommend it only if you feel you both know each other fairly well both in and out of the classroom.
  4. I will comment on funding for a few of the places I have researched. Boston College: Funding is usually provided to the few PhD students they accept. So if you are offered a spot for the PhD program they typically will fund you but like other schools in the Boston area they like to offer consolation masters with little or no funding. Brandeis College: Funding is provided to all people admitted into the PhD program. Listed on their website it says the typical stipend is $20,000. Chicago: Funding is provided to most people accepted for the PhD. The typical stipend is $21,000 which is pretty good when comparing it to other schools in the Midwest. U of Illinois Chicago: Funding is provided for the majority of students through fellowships, assistantships, and tuition and fee waivers. I think the last time I heard the stipend was between 14,000-16,000. Typically not all of the grad students are funded especially within the first year. John Hopkins: Funding typically is provided. Last years stipend was $19,900. Northwestern: Funding is provided to admitted applicants. The current stipend level is $19,620. U of Washington (esp keen to hear any thoughts on funding here): In the past couple years, they have only been offering funding to just a few top applicants. Also, lately it has been hard to come by and people have received funding one quarter but not the next. Stipend is usually $4,575 per quarter but if you receive assistantships your stipend typically will increase every year. Also they are known to provide summer funding for a few students. Penn State: All admitted students receive funding.
  5. Your GRE scores are good enough for top programs, of course this does depend on how well you did on the quant. portion. Your GPA is mediocre, and while it meets requirements for a lot of top programs with no research experience it will be a battle to get into some top programs. Have you tried to secure some work experience that could help? With some programs this often is a huge plus. With all that said, most adcoms know the difficulty of getting a high GPA in engineering at many top programs and a 3.25 is not that bad. I would say check out the engineering forum: http://forum.thegradcafe.com/forum/32-engineering/. You may get better advice on your chances and what programs to apply to there.
  6. definit If distance is an issue, send an email or call first. I know this all to well as my recs are not only far from where I currently live but all of them live far away from each other. Truthfully, reminder emails or phone calls are important as well because with some professors the emails just get lost in their mailbox. This can be good. I know I have 4 people willing to write recs possibly a 5th if I would ask. The thing is some people have more connections to given programs which can be useful. Also, any way you can help reduce stress both for you and your recs during the admission cycle is a good option. .
  7. I also will add that $150 for the test is probably equal to one or two apps depending on programs you may be applying to so if can maybe forgo one or two apps you can fit this into your budget. I say this because most of us don't really just come from wealth and have to budget for this whole process. You also could attempt the strategy of applying widely and to more programs and forgoing the revised GRE but again this will probably cost more than simply taking the test and scoring a little bit better on it. Also, I would mimic Lox26's statement in saying that just because it is a SLP program, doesn't mean they don't care about the quant portion., the same things goes for other fields that put a little more emphasis on one portion of the test. Just take a look at top programs in your field or any other field and you will see that most admitted applicants score well on both portions of the test. Overall, just make yourself as competitive as you possible can. If you decide not to retake the test make sure you have other parts of your application make up for it.
  8. I would say retake just because you may do a lot better on the revised test and be able to get into better programs. I think since you have taken the old test, you may not need to study as much as you think. For instance, I was originally scheduled to take the old test last year but ended up in the hospital while working abroad and having had studied for the test, I decided for the revised test all I was going to do was go over flash cards of the 500 most common words and take a few Powerprep practice tests. This strategy worked fairly well for me and I only did it a few days before my actual test. As far as minimums/cut offs, it is important at times to ask individual departments what average or acceptable scores are, because while some may say they have a minimum of 1000, the incoming student average may be a little higher. Also, when it comes to funding at some schools, university-wide fellowships use GRE scores to decide who gets what. Finally, with certain programs they do give a little more leeway when it comes to GRE scores if you have other aspects of your application that outshine it.
  9. I actually have 2 or 3 programs that ask me for POI in my app. plus then I have to mention them in my SOP as well. I am listing POI's in both spots because in your SOP you can add more things. For instance, if the program has various other resources that make the department unique to your research interests this I believe is something worthy of mentioning outside just simply putting names down.
  10. I actually love this thread, because it makes me feel like I am not the only one doing all of this prep work for my applications. I have gone as far as keeping a spreadsheet of when I notified recs., when I sent them reminder emails, and when I know recs are completed for each program. I am doing the same thing with transcripts, GRE scores, and misc. materials sent by mail and/or online. I think I am like everyone else on here and it makes me feel less stressed about the whole process. This is definitely one of numerous files I almost always have open on my computer.
  11. Last time I heard it was 3 days, but then again if you are in a location where a lot of people take the test you will have to register sooner, because most places only have so many spots for test takers.
  12. lollipop, the one thing I see with the info you provided was a lack of particular focus. You go from journalism to IR and then in a way seem to mention characteristics common in area studies programs. As far as the GRE, it is only one part of the application, so don't get too discouraged. As far as your options, you can apply out of the top 50. A lot of people actually do this. You being an international student this definitely may have an effect on where you want to apply, because like a lot of people noted scholarships and other funding is more difficult to come by at some places. I think your best bet maybe to get an MA in the field you are interested in and then apply for a PhD. You do have more options than just this though: 1) You can apply to a few programs in Europe or outside the US. 2) You can apply for outside funding which may help with the costs Really, I can go on and on. Truthfully, I think reading after your posts, you just want some realistic expectations on where you feel you have a good shot. I think maybe once you are sure what field in particular you want to study, some of us can recommend some options.
  13. Why not? I will volunteer.
  14. Well an upward trend is good, some would argue that it is better than just consistent okay grades across the board. If a PhD is your goal, you do have a few options: 1. You can pursue a MA somewhere and do well, then retake the GRE. 2. You can apply to lower ranked programs and hope to gain admission to a PhD program 3. You can retake the GRE now, score better and apply to higher ranked programs as well as the ones you listed 4. You can pursue a MA somewhere and do well, and hope that the experience will help you gain admission into a PhD program Really the list can go on and on. Just curious were you only looking at schools in a geographical area because there are quite a few similar ranked programs in the region you listed (UK, NCSU, Miss St, etc.) where you probably stand a shot at? Of course you will want to make sure you can find faculty that match your research interests. Also, if you are currently in TN and are unsure of your chances at a PhD at the moment there are quite a few MA programs it seems in the state. You always have options you just may need to apply to a few more programs than top applicants. Good luck.
  15. Yay, a little recognition!!!
  16. I think a lot of us would recommend that you retake the GRE, but given that you are just looking at an MA, some programs are more lenient when it comes to the GRE. I will note that while a program may say it recommends a 1000 on the GRE, actually averages for incoming students may be higher. I say this just so you can emphasize other parts of the application you can have more of an effect on, such as your SOP or recommendations. With that said, your major gpa will help you. How was your GPA your last 2 years in comparison to your first 2? Are you looking at continuing towards a PhD? As far as estimating your chances this is hard to say and maybe you will get a better reply from someone in the sociology forum: http://forum.thegradcafe.com/forum/46-sociology/ . I know that UNC is definitely a long shot given it is actually a top 10 program in sociology, UTK and Alabama are definitely possibilities. I think again maybe check out the sociology forum and they may be able to recommend a few more places as options. Just by doing a quick search via google you can see within the geographical area you listed schools in, there are quite a few options for an MA in sociology so don't get to discouraged on here. The majority of the people do give excellent advice.
  17. Since it is in a related field this shouldn't be too much of a problem. I would say it would work more so if you are interested in researching international law/organizations and conflict management of various groups than say subjects such as foreign policy or IR theory. Ultimately, just see how it fits with you research goals. It may be better than you think. You also must think about review time if you do decide to write something new. Will you have professors be willing to review it and have enough time to do a rewrite before you start submitting apps?
  18. degenerate art
  19. I am applying to 6 programs, and possibly adding a 7th, but I am going to wait and see. I plan on studying and researching similar topics at all the programs, but I will note have settled on 2 of them based on expertise within my thematic interests rather than area (geographical) interests that I have. I still would be happy attending these programs. As far as focus, you must realize that when you are in grad school some of your interests may change and who knows you may encounter other things that you find interesting. No matter what, you must be willing to attend each school you do apply to, so if you only have one program that interests you and are confident about your chances then go ahead only apply to that program. Why would you want t waste the time and money on other apps. With that said, one way you may want to expand your search is by looking at where various POIs and seeing where they studied. You may get a few more options just by doing this.
  20. I am pretty sure this is false, but even if it was true it wouldn't matter too much given that percentiles haven't been figured out yet. I note this because this year especially admission committees will probably rely more on percentiles to compare applicants who took the old test to those who took the revised test.
  21. I would say, of course instances like you mention exists in the actual test. I wouldn't say it is that common though. You will probably encounter 2-3 questions where you can simply eliminate some choices and better your chances, but this is often because of the topic of given sentences.
  22. First I recommend checking out the interdisciplinary forum where maybe you can get a better idea for Middle East programs and what it takes to be admitted to given programs, here is the link: http://forum.thegradcafe.com/forum/82-interdisciplinary-studies/. Also check out the History forum: http://forum.thegradcafe.com/forum/38-history/ Secondly, what type of programs are you looking at applying to? I think a lot of us would be able to give you a better idea if you said a few places you are considering. Also just consider all the possibilities with the scores, you could end up with below 500 in the verbal and in the low 600's for quant. although I find this unlikely. if you were to get means your quant. section may be slightly out of your desired range which would then make you consider a retake. Finally, the likelihood of scoring the lowest possible or highest possible in both ranges given by ETS is unlikely with the type of score you received. Overall, I think you may have to wait and see, because your desired scores are in the range given just currently there isn't a way to tell what you actually score. Trust me we all are hating the waiting process.
  23. I completely forgot to reply to your question, so I apologize for it taking me awhile but hopefully maybe this will help others. I mainly did this because I knew my strengths when it came to the verbal and knew my weaknesses. I think it helped both with time and my score. I still did lower than powerprep estimated my score to be, but I think that was because of nerves. I hope the test went well for you.
  24. Well it's always good to know especially for people that may be future applicants with similar circumstances. On a plus side for you, you do save some money by not having to retake.
  25. This topic makes me feel good and it's good to see I am not alone in being a. Like a lot of you, I included similar things in my packets: a copy of my CV a copy of my unofficial transcript a list of schools to which I'm applying, Reasons why I like to study in each particular dept., plus I included deadlines, addresses, and some other info a copy of my best work, and best work for one of their classes a rough draft of my sop GRE score estimates and explanations With this process i have been really organized. I have made spreadsheets listing when I sent emails to people, when they complete each online rec or when I hear programs received paper based recs, I have also estimated when I need to send reminder emails, etc. I really am not OCD, I just feel maybe my organization will be helpfully when it comes down to making a decision when I have to. One thing, I didn't include that gellert noted was envelopes with stamps, because I had asked about this prior and all my recommenders said since letters typically are addressed with a university department letterhead, so they cover this small cost. I have been extremely lucky in being able to have previously visited all the schools I am applying to and not have to pay for these visits. I definitely feel I am saving some time in that aspect where I can concentrate on things I think are my weak points.
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