DustSNK

Oh I have. Also my mentor was from Argentina, I'm aware of this situation ( not this term dispute but of identity and so on). I like how you add the division is a social construction, cause it is. But I have to say if you are educated in North America, or most parts of the world from the people I have talked to, you understand the distinctiveness in geography and cultural spectrum between North,Central, and South. Maybe there are areas in certain South American countries where there is a confusion amongst the general public on identity in connection with the term. But I would say most North Americans,Europeans, and Asians who are educated don't have this issue and understand what is what, and when they want to refer to All parts they say the Americas, plural. I wish I could get into it more but I have never seen your example before. This is an Academic forum 99% based on North American institutions. I appreciate you bringing a South American issue into this context of language use, but I don't think it has any place here for this situation. I bet it sux if there is a term confusion in a community else where, but most of the people who post here are European,Asian,North American and I would say it is safe to assume when you say America, they know it is the USA and are not thinking of South America. PS: Ok forgot to add. If you are talking about subtle power dynamics in the language, which I'm guessing you're trying to say, in using America I get ya, but I don't think it is a good argument. Most people understand and say North, Central, or South. Now is there some power dynamic in the use of America to refer to the USA? Sure there damn well is, I get ya. But we both have no control over that, at all. I really don't know so I'm going on a limb here, but if you look at the USA's history, it became famous for the perception immigrants at home and abroad had of the country and its ability to provide a "better life". Haha I am NOT getting into a USA USA is the best match, no way. Personally I'm happy to be moving abroad again for good, and America has been in a shit slump lately But the fact remains, the USA was seen historically as a place of prosperity and hope. I would imagine that this is the reason why the USA started to just be called AMERICA around the world. It has nothing to do with a power dynamic between America and its control over the Latin cultures (we can talk about the USA's take over of Ecuador currency for that). The term America, just became synonymous with the USA around the world at some point. Great discussion, but I guess we can go on for days about the epistemological of language.

Ok ok you added some context into your response. I can see being from south America, why you have your stance. Honestly, I have never encountered anyone who says America to refer to all parts of the continent. I don't even think it is correct to do so. People say "The Americas", it is plural and refers to North,South,Central. And I agree there is very subtle power dynamics that go into language, and it is your duty as an academic (esp a sociologist) to correct them. I've never encountered anywhere the situation you are referring to about people who use America to refer to everything, I've always seen is plural when used in that way. Not saying it hasn't/doesn't happen, I just haven't been exposed to that situation. So really we don't disagree about anything. Lets be friends now

Lol. Uhg I don't want to get into a trolling match, but I have a pet peeve about people who have language pet peeves. When you want to refer to the continent, you say North America, Central, South, or the Americas. Saying America, referring to the USA, has entered our lexicon for idk how long. Do you fight with people who say pop when they are referring to a soda? I think controlling peoples language is a dangerous thing to do, esp if there is no intrinsic motivation for "goodness". If you kept calling a Korean person Chinese, sure that is a thing you should fix quickly because you limit someones ability to express their own identity. Getting into semantics over this example I personally don't think represents any upholding of "goodness" and anyone who evokes your stance on the argument is essentially using it as an outlet for control and "intellectual" assertion, which I find a dangerous way to use and understand culture/language. Personally I have lived and traveled in about 11 countries, where English is not the first language 98% of the time, and in EVERY ONE, USA and America is used interchangeably. Especially in the USA (hope you liked that) and Canada. I think that language is culture, as most do, and seeing how the use of America to refer to the USA is globally a relevant term to use, it is keeping in line with a progressive attitude towards global language use. Now you have to ask, which stance is more in line with the spirit of knowledge and inclusiveness? Sorry I have to get in attack mode, but I think anytime anyone writes your first response (as I'm sure you can guess it is something I've encountered before) you were asking for me to say something back. If the collective had this attitude towards language, we all would be saying other antiquated words in the language from Shakespeare times.

I'll just put my thoughts about this in here. I've talked to several professors, in America and Canada, and I'm under the impression that being in a top 20 and so on is semi-arbitrary. Now why semi? Well all the people I talked to said your mentor is actually THE most important factor in you getting a job. Example: You could go to Harvard, specialize in Social inequality, and work under prof Y. Another person goes to a 50-100 school, works under prof X. If prof X is more known and respected in the field of social inequality than prof Y, a student with equal qualifications will most likely get the job over the Harvard graduate. At a school I went to, one of my professors was excited about a new department hire because they worked under a famous guy in the field of family and the life course. As has been said before, there are LOTS and LOTS of very talented amazing academics who work all over the place, lots of them in 50-100 schools. Finding a very good person to work under in my opinion, is better than going to a top 10 and not getting someone who fits you well. Now that being said, there are things obviously at top 10 schools that make them a top 10. Name does have an impact, especially outside of academia. I have a friend that just landed a 60k+$ high school teaching job in a VERY VERY flooded NY market. The person who hired him said they got him specifically because he went to Columbia. I recall seeing what he had to do for his degree, albeit it was an MA in education, and it was a complete joke. His senior thesis was 4 pages, got an A. Alternatively, I have another mutual friend who is getting the SAME degree as the Columbia graduate, at a 200-300 lv school (it's in Staten Island) and the amount of work he has to do for the same degree is impressive. I would have to say 800% more work than the Columbia degree. I digress from the point, but just trying to find a personal, but vivid, example where just a name will get you a job despite what you have actually done at the school. Now back to Sociology lol. I bet the ability to network at a top 10 school helps also. But to summarize myself, not being in a top 10,20,30 school from what I have heard from people is not too much to worry about. Finding a person known in your specialization is.

I've seen the waitlist status being said a bit. Have those of you waitlisted gotten your status update from a university email, or did you call to find out?

Wow there is a healthy amount of replies here! Tried to get one of these going on the Sociology board, nothing. If any of you want to see whats up with CAN programs in general, share your experiences/thoughts on this thread.....

Thank ya Yea I spent about a sentence saying taking grad classes helped me out, then the rest when talking about the course I talked about the research I did. I would say of that paragraph, I mentioned how it will help me in general as a future researcher having those experiences. The other half I would say did the same but 50% tied into direct future research. I basically spent a good amount of the SOP talking about my past and most recent research experience, a job abroad that contributed to my current research agenda, then explaining why I would like to work with certain faculty. We will see >_< Thanks for replying!

Hmnm looks like I missed the chance to write on this forum, as it seems people look at it once a year :/ Anyway , I will try! Soo I got rejected last cycle, and leading up to another round of apps for 2012, I took some non-degree graduate courses. In one I did a lit review and facilitated a undergraduate course lecture for a day, and in another did a research essay. I spent a good paragraph talking about my graduate level experience (I am applying for only MA programs, in sociology), what I did in those classes, and how I felt it gave me an advantage over others who apply from a BA as I got into a rhythm already and can pick up where I left off. Anyone care to share their opinions about what I did to gain a bit more experience for applications and/or my decision to include this in my SOP? Thank ya.

2nd that. The admin in the department, despite how nice they are, I would say it would not effect you to piss them off a bit by asking too early. They have 0% decision making in the selection process and the worst they could say is "No, you have to wait".

Congrats!!! Care to share any of your stats? Like what you did during your BA & MA? Ya know, GPA - publishing - conference talks- ect.

Wow that was quick!?! Last year I applied and got rejected, and they sent an email around March 11th.

Yeaaaa it is a real bitch getting into a Canadian school, but much more worth it in my opinion. Do not feel bad though about the funding. FASFA does not tie over into graduate studies, so you can't even get it if you were to apply to an American school. The big problem I have seen is that as international students from America, it is hard to compete with others and you are put into a special pool when the departments needs to decide who to pick (again all I know is Sociology programs). Like our BA degree is the = of Canadian Honors degree, at least on paper. What hurts us American applicants in this situation is that we don't have to do an honor thesis for many programs in the arts. Take a British applicant, they have to do an honor thesis which then they could submit for publication and do a conference on. It is VERYYYYYY hard to compete with an applicant like that where to do that in the states, you have to go that extra mile. My back story, I went to a community college then to university. I was only at my university for 3 semesters (minus summer courses and study abroad). I didn't get a chance to get close to professors or take time to write a big paper that could be published. Just a heads up, if you haven't already done those things that make you stand out and show you are serious I would if applications don't go your way this time around. Now for the scary warning that was said about getting into Canada lol. It is true, drastic but very true. I have a friend who had a ticket for whatever is below a DUI in California. Happened years ago, he was really stupid and young. I wanted him to come visit me and my fiance but he was told he wont be allowed into the country, just for a visit! Even if you have speeding tickets, it could create problems driving into the country or around it. They take it seriously. Also you have to prove you have enough money for your studies. I think you need about 25-30k in a bank account before you apply. That is a big deal for a lot of people to have that much. What you can do is if you get accepted and apply for the visa,you can get one of your parents to sponsor you and then show their copies of bank account and work stubs. Also if you get a funding package, make sure you also get it in writing and you can factor that in as well. All in all it is worth it in my opinion. Lots of hoops but to live and study in Ontario I think it is fine to do all that. PM me is you have any questions, I have been researching this for the last year >_<

Anyone with a Jan17th-Feb1st application deadline for a McMaster program hear back from them?

Thanks for the very through response ^__^ I like reading as much as I can about others opinions who have been through it all so I appreciate you taking the time. Yeaaa everyone in the states just goes into PhD. Personally I don't get that, and looking at how most of academia is outside the USA others don't get it also. Like you said, getting the MA is standard in CAN... I don't think I have ever seen a program that accepts anyone without an MA into PhD. I'm glad you like York, I REALLLY want to go there. I hear they have some faculty that are into the reflexive social theory thing which I would love to learn from. It was too bad their deadline was really early because I didn't have my "make up" semester grades posted yet. I'm also glad you like Trent. If I get rejected from everywhere I might see if they have spots open for the Canadian Studies MA.

I doubt they do funding levels based on GPA. And if a school ever did, I would not wanna be in that department.

Congrats!!! I'm gunna assume you had your MA before getting into the PhD? If so, would you care to share some of your stats before you got into an MA program? Like undergrad GPA, did you publish anything do any conferences? I'm an international applicant and it is just too damn competitive in Ontario, just would like to hear what others were up to when they got accepted into an MA in case I need to do a bit more if I get rejected. As it stands I went back for a semester to make up for a shotty BA gpa (B-). Got a 4.0 GPA in 2 grad classes and 2 undergrad classes, hoping they see I'm serious. Did some research essays and lit reviews, and am going to present at a conference (but not in soc, Canadian studies) soon. Got any advice???

I don't think you can? If I'm correct, Guelph just linked you to the general Ontario app system. They don't have their own system like Waterloo,Mcmaster or U of T does where you get your UN and PW to check stuff. When I applied to Guelph, the grad secretary emailed me when they got all my app material.

American trying to get into a Sociology MA Mcmaster - Sociology MA Waterloo - Sociology MA Brock - Sociology MA Guelph - Sociology MA WLU - Sociology MA Got denied from McMaster last year, was the only program I applied to. Deff put all my eggs in one basket. A year later did some graduate courses and gained a lot of experience with research. G'luck to all you guys and esp you Soc applicants!!! If any of you have gotten your MA already at any of the universities I said pleasssssssssse MSG me I would love to hear how it was for you, thanks

I only know what is up for a sociology program, so don't take what I say as the word of God. I'm an American applying to only Ontario Universities. Being an international app in Ontario is NUTTY NUTTY NUTTY insane. Most programs only admit 2, yes two, international students. They typically do not admit students they can not give funding to. So, literally you are fighting for two spots. The funding? For sociology the highest I have seen it has been at like 15k$ a year that is a combo of department funding and TAships. Average tuition cost for a MA in one year is around 16k+$ a year. Not too much funding for international students, but you can apply for various scholarships. No FASFA or something like that for us >_<

Thank ya

I don't see too much talk about applications for Canada here, thought it would be good to make a topic so anyone applying to programs in Ontario or other provinces can share their experiences.

At SUNY Stony Brook, Auyero's good friend was Tim Moran. I forgot if he is political, but I know he has had a lot fo focus on Latin America too. Reallly good guy and is the star of the department.

This isn't to say though that it is all dead for critical theorist in America, but there has been a HUGEEEEEEE shift in the feild over the last decade. For instance most all American soc PhD's I've have talk to generally accept cultural sociology as a "fad" that happened in the 90's. One prof. I had when giving me advise on getting into grad school said I would have a better chance getting in if I took geography classes over cross-cultural analysis! Now that's one guy but he has a C.V that is 50 somthing pages (not exagerating) and has seen it all. As you said Hege-money, American soc is getting way way too detached from the actual subject of study. And while this shift may be needed to develop the study in different ways, one has to ask what good will it produce?

I agree. It's good to have a balance, and the recent American brand of Socioogy has a need and purpose. Esp in recent models of network thoery over the last few years. But critical, reflexive, brands of thinking are very much a thing of the past from what I have seen. Which is a shame! That brand is more or less the International model of current soc. I'm from NY, but am applying to all Canadian schools. It is a nice mix up there. You have the accesability (of faculty) and freedom that North American Uni's are prasied for, but have a very solid base of critical-reflexive theorists like our euro cousins, all within a multicultural society.

Nope. I wish, but no in my oppinion. At least in the USA. Abroad their is much more of an enviornment for this. I'm more of a fan for using the study for actual social change, somthing useful. My hero is Pierre Bourdieu. I say the big wigs in American soc have a sowrd showing contest with the hard sciences, and want to gain more respect from this community. Almost every issue this year of the ASA journal has been filled with a lot of ivory tower articles @__@