StudentAgain

Hi - I am in a similar yet very different situation. I graduate in 1992 and will be applying to PHD program for Fall 2010 and investigated the things I should do to try to gain admittance. While I am different in that my undergrad GPA was rather high, here is what I did/am doing that might prove useful. (I do not think you should worry about combining your GPA with current/future coursework but think of them as different processes. I do agree that you will be treated differently by those on an admission committee and since your experience relates to your grad interest, focus on that.) - I enrolled in a one year certificate program (undergrad level/professional) in a related field (only 5 courses). GPA: 4.0 I liked this option because it showed commitment to complete a program - even though it was only 5 courses. - I will begin a graduate certificate program this fall. I do not plan to complete it prior to beginning my PHD, but it will allow access to graduate classes which can be difficult to enroll in as a POST BA student. It also demonstrates continued interest and commitment. I hope to complete only 2 courses, but that's enough. - I enrolled/will enroll in 1 additional undergrad course and found a professor who allowed me to take one of her grad. courses as a visiting student this fall. She is the type of professor who I hope to "work with" (ad visor?) in a grad program and since my experience relates to her specialty area, she approved my enrollment. - (May not apply for MA student but) Go to all the conferences, presentations you can. Join whichever professional associations in your field. I did, and it has been more helpful than I imagined. I am volunteering at one of the professional conferences and have already met professors who have been wonderful to say the least. Warning - It has been extremely difficult to enroll in courses as a visiting student/open enrollment at Universities. It has taken an enormous amount of time and I often failed. But, I kept researching and through my effort, I succeeded. Hopefully you will have better luck then I did. (Many told me not to take undergrad courses, but I have found them useful to a point. Plus, you have to work on those recommendations.) By the time I apply, I will have been at this for a year and a half and enrolled in 2-3 classes per semester/over the summer. Good luck.

This reply is probably a little late considering you posted March 9th. I was previously in a soc. grad program but withdrew in the early 90's. I am finally applying again after working in what can best be described as applied sociology. I, and others I have met over the years, think highly of Toronto and believe it is greatly underrated and a strong choice for graduate school. If I was not intent on staying in CA, it would be on my short list.

Hi - saw your post. I am applying this fall for 2010 (got my BA is Soc in 1992 and withdrew from a phd program in soc in 1993). My first choice is Stanford and since I live in SF I went for a visit and picked up a bunch of literature but didn't talk with anyone. Their Urban Sociology program, especially for undergrads, seemed especially strong and had separate literature (one of my interests is Urban Stratification although not my primary focus). My guess is that you would have a good chance at a Soc program as long as you connect architecture and sociology with the aspects of the department(s) you're interested in. I do not know if anything I said is helpful, but I think you should explore Stanford closely.