butterfingers2010

Well just for an update..I was finally able to secure a third LOR. What I did was send out e-mails to all the psych profs who I had for class who I thought might remember me reasonably well, and two responded. One kind of flaked out, which is fine because I don't need 4 LOR's anyway. The other requested that I write my own LOR and submit it to him to edit and send out, which is pretty much a dream come true for any grad school applicant. Keep trying KitKat. I was surprised that this professor agreed to write my letter, considering, as you mentioned, I only had one class with him, and on top of that he is a super busy person (probably why he asked me to write my own). Just think of all your possibilities and keep trying until you get a "yes" answer. I would definitely go the professor route first, since grad school seems to prefer that over work references, etc. Good luck!

Excellent answers, thank you! I have several days of vacation coming up next week so I think I will wait until then and review everything and then submit it..what a way to spend vacation time right

The example I used was an introductory sentence of a paragraph..I suppose I should have used a better example. I think I further explained in this paragraph that I plan to work as a counselor in an urban area after graduation, therefore multi cultural counseling skills are very important to me. As KitKat implied you should directly address how the program fits your goals and interests. I think you are on the right track mentioning your need to take specific language courses and background courses that the school offers. For a master's program you do not have to specify specific research interests or mention particular faculty, but you should definitely discuss your general career goals and interests, as well as demonstrate how said interests fit into the program to which you're applying.

DancesWithDogs-Have you thought about asking colleagues in your field or past supervisors? I've never heard of asking somebody in a lower rank to provide a recommendation, and it does seem odd. I think it's fine to ask co-workers for letters, but only as a last resort. I would rule out all other options first including past professors and supervisors. I was having trouble finding a third letter and was going to ask co-workers, but I thought better of it and decided to ask a few more professors first, thinking a letter from one of them would carry more weight. One of my old psychology professors agreed and I am much happier with this recommendation than I would have been with one from a colleague. So if you're having trouble, don't give up yet! I sat down and made a list of all the professors who could possibly write on my behalf, and just started sending out e-mails. I thought they wouldn't remember me that well but I turned out to be pleasantly surprised there.

Seeing as your potential letter writers are related to your field, I think it's fine to ask them. When they state that they want an "academic" letter they mean that they want a letter that attests to your ability to excel in your chosen field. It helps that you at least got 1 recommendation from a professor, and I think they adcomms will be understanding considering how long you have been out of school ,which they can tell based on your application.

So I have everything together for the most part. LOR's are all lined up, took the GRE, wrote killer SOP's, and basically have everything I need to apply. The thing is, I am having trouble letting go! I have been essentially slaving away at this for over a month now, and I feel like there's something I am missing or something else I should be doing before I submit everything. I am going to review each application VERY closely before submitting it, but is there anything I should look at specifically? Has anyone else been through this? I know I am ready to wrap things up and move onto something else (thank god, because this has taken over pretty much all of my free time) but for some reason I can't. Is it a sign I should be spending more time on my apps, or am I just freaking out?

I second Immuno's advice. For some of the programs I am applying to it says directly in the application instructions that you must submit an application before any additional materials are mailed, including letters. Essentially, the school needs to have a file open for you before they are able to keep track of these things. If you are not sure what a program's policy is you should either look over the application directions or give them a call. Your application is way too important to have them lose an essential piece of it!

If you are worried about the amount of work LOR writers have to do, you can always tell them that they can write the same letter for all the schools, provided the letter is addressed correctly. It also helps to be organized and make their life easier by provided stamped envelopes for the schools who want hard copies. For my letter writers I wrote a chart listing the program name, due date, and whether it should be sent by e-mail or postal mail. I would say that since PhD programs are competitive you should apply to as many as you can afford to and as many as you can handle logistically speaking. Don't apply to so many schools that you end up submitting medicore apps just because you needed to get them all submitted. I originally had about 12 programs on my list. I narrowed them down based on location and then price of tuition vs. quality of the program. I am applying to master's programs, though, and if I were applying to PhD programs I would definitely cast a wider net by applying to more programs. I don't think a dozen schools is totally unreasonable, so long as you manage to do quality work on all of your applications.

I honestly don't think you're behind, if you're on the traditional timeline of apps being due in January/February. I have not submitted any apps yet but plan to do so by the end of the month, now that I have all my SOP's ready to go. It's better to take your time and turn in quality applications than to rush through the process just to get it done. And as EduPolicy says, submitting this early just makes the wait so much longer

Very well stated!

As Nike says, "Just do it!" Seriously. Open up a Word processor document and just write down whatever thoughts come to mind. They don't have to be in the form of a coherent essay right now, it's just important that you get over your fear of writing and jump in, and the easiest way to do that is to simply start writing. Alternatively you could brainstorm a list of main ideas/points you want to cover and make an outline on a piece of scrap paper and start from there. I, too was really intimidated by the thought of writing my SOP, but it was easier once I came up with a plan and got started. Whatever you do start soon because you will want to have plenty of time to revise. I have revised my SOP at least a dozen times, maybe more than that.

I think it depends on the school, because each adcomm has it's own policy. Some schools will not even look at applications until a certain designated date, regardless of when they received the applications. On the other extreme some schools have "rolling admissions" and look at applications as soon as they receive them and make a relatively quick decision, filling spots until all the spots are filled for that year. I would say that generally speaking you should take your time, within reason. Definitely get in your applications before the due date, but don't rush into it because you want to present the best application that you are capable of. Submitting your applications early to show the school that you "have your stuff together" will not matter if your application is not high quality because you didn't put in enough time. Work diligently, be prompt, but make sure you cross your t's and dot your i's before you click "submit."

For most of my applications I am following the same general SOP format/main ideas, however I have made sure to include information about why I am qualified for each school as well as why I am interested in them. I've heard it said many times that you should absolutely address the school directly in your SOP as well as explain why you are applying there. By directly address, I mean use the program's name. For example; "There are several aspects of Northwestern’s M.A. in Counseling Psychology program that appeal to me; however the most appealing is the program’s emphasis on cultural diversity and social justice."

I took the GRE twice early this year, so that's already paid for. In total my application fees will add up to $350, not including GRE scores and transcripts. I went to two different schools for undergrad, so I have the enjoyment of requesting twice the number of transcripts as usual. I prefer not to think about how much the total cost for that is, as they say...ignorance is bliss!

Very cool...I love all the textures! I've been into collage for awhile and I love experimenting with different materials like you've done here. Honestly though, I don't know much about the world of professional art, so I don't know what advice to give you except keep following your dream. Awesome work.

Well to be blunt, because you don't want to bore the adcomm out of their skulls. Of course you should write about your research experiences, if that is what qualifies you for your program. Personal experiences just add an interesting touch and can be used to demonstrate your personality. To make it fit in with your overall SOP you should relate that experience to your field of study in some way. I read the SOP of the friend I just talked about. While she spoke about her lab experiences she also talked about an opportunity she had to mentor high school girls who were interested in science, and connected this to how she wants to set an example in her career as a woman in the sciences. In my SOP I discussed volunteering overseas in a setting related to my field, what I learned there and how it shaped my philosophy and interests in my field. Everybody has a story that goes beyond what they did in class or in the lab..what's yours?

Thank you : )

You can do what one of my dear friends did and just hold the envelope up to a bright light to take a sneak peak of what is inside But seriously...I doubt that a professor who gave you a good grade and said they would be "happy" to write your letter would choose to say bad things about you. Personally I would leave the envelope sealed as doing differently indicates a lack of integrity. I agreed with cliopatra...there is a certain level of trust that goes with LOR's, and if you don't trust this person to write a good letter, perhaps they were not the best choice. I would not, under any circumstances, ask the school to see the letter. If you waived your rights to see the letters, they would not be able to show you, anyway. Maybe you could drop your professor a line and ask something like "Just out of curiousity, why is it your policy not to show students copies of their letters?" You could also say that you are thinking really carefully about your decision to attend grad school and contemplating whether you should get more work experience first,etc. Then ask the prof if they think you are good grad school material, or if there's things you need to work on. Obviously you are probably not rethinking your decision to go to grad school, but it's a gentler way of weaseling out the truth.

It's too bad that you didn't do well on the GRE, because it sounds like you're a good candidate otherwise. It's been said that most schools consider the whole package when looking at applications, so don't not apply to your dream school just because of it. I don't know how competitive your field is, but maybe there's some "safety" schools you can apply to along with all the "top" schools. I am not saying don't apply to good schools, just apply to a good mixture of schools as far as competition goes. I didn't do well on the GRE either but I'm not letting that stop me from applying. I am, however applying to several schools that don't require the GRE, just in case.

Just as the title implies, I am quickly burning through my options for LOR's. I already have 2 lined up, but for some of the schools I am applying to I need 3. I have already asked all the professors whom I feel know me well enough to write. One agreed to do so, but the others I never even heard back from. After a couple weeks of not hearing back I followed up with voice mails, and so far..no response. I don't understand why I can't even get a yes/no response. Is that so much to ask for? I know it's not because I am a bad student...on the contrary I have a 3.8 gpa and earned A's from all the professors in question. I seemed to have a good rapport with all of them, so I am really confused as to why they can't even respond to my messages. I have been out of school for almost 2 years so now I am leaning more toward professional references in my field. I already have one from my boss, and just recently asked an old co-worker if she would write one. This particular co-worker just graduated from the same program I am applying to so I am hoping that gives her letter at least a little more credibility than if I had just asked any co-worker, but I know I am grabbing at straws at this point. I work full time and this is what I have been doing for the last 2 years...I really can't think of any other realms of my life from which I could possibly get an LOR. The problem is that I can see her being a little flaky and/or not having the time. She enthusiastically agreed to review my SOP a month ago, and haven't heard back about that yet, so that doesn't give me much confidence that she could get my letter together for me. I know that people lead busy lives and sometimes it takes awhile to respond to emails, phone calls, etc. but I'm starting to feel a bit jaded and frustrated. I honestly can't think of any other quality LOR possibilities at this point, but I don't want a lack of LOR's to blow my chances. Three of the schools I am applying to only require 2 or no letters, but even one of my "safety" school requires three letters! I already have one strike against me, which is doing badly on the GRE, and now this. I am starting to think that I should just give up on the whole idea of grad school, or only apply to the schools that only ask for 2 letters. I like to be in control of things, and it really bothers me that this seems to be out of my control and potentially ruining my chances of grad school. Maybe I am prematurely anxious, but I am feeling super uptight about this right now. I honestly don't know what I did to deserve this predicament. I did everything I was supposed to...I got a degree, did extremely well in school, have lots of work experience in my field, and plan on submitting killer SOP's. I know I bombed the GRE and I was a fairly quiet student, but nobody is perfect and I just want a better future for myself. Advice? Encouragement? Anything? I can't be the only one who has been through this... : (.

Northwestern has one of the best counseling programs in the country, which is why I am taking a shot in the dark at applying, haha (I have great qualifications, but my GRE score is less than desirable). Its definitely a lot of work and is taking up more of my time than any other application is. They actually ask for 4 seperate essays in addition to the SOP, then additional essays if you are applying for scholarships. I figure it will be worth it if I get in!

I second the thought about getting the name of the school correct in the SOP....that would be a huge mistake! That's like calling your date by the wrong first name : ) : )

I have a similiar dilemma. I need a third LOR. So far, I have my boss and an undergraduate professor writing letters for me. I knew a couple of my other professors fairly well, but one is highly unreliable (and thus, I would not trust them with an LOR) and the other seems to be either ignoring my request or for some reason not getting my e-mails OR voicemails! I have pretty much given up on the idea of another professor as a reference, as I do not have any others that I would feel comfortable asking. So I decided to ask a co-worker (we worked together as counselors) who just graduated from the program I am applying to. I'm excited about the possibility of her writing a letter for me because she knows me very well ( a huge plus with LOR's) and we have a good rapport. Personally, I think it is better for you to get a letter from one of your bosses, since you said they know you better. A mediocre letter could ruin your chances of acceptance so don't take a chance on a professor who cannot come up with great things about you due to the fact that they hardly know you.

I am in the same boat as you. I have great grad school qualifications (sounds like you do too!) but I am really struggling to come up with the third LOR that I need. As a final shot I am asking a former co-worker of mine. I work in the field to which I am applying, and she recently graduated from the exact same type of program I hope to attend (master's in counseling). I realize that in some people's eyes this letter may not carry as much weight as one from an esteemed professor or even a supervisor, but I wanted to choose somebody who knows me well and knows that I am capable of excelling in my field. So this is my suggestion to you...think of either supervisors or co-workers (but preferably supervisors) with whom you worked with at a job/internship/lab related to your field. You mentioned the Ph.D researcher with whom you worked, and I think that's a great start. Personally I would not include people who would be solely "character" references, such as the friend/mentor you mentioned having as a teenager. You need somebody who will attest to your abilities in your field and who can provide solid examples of this in your letter, i.e. somebody you either worked with or take a class with. Best of luck. I can totally relate to how frustrating this particular aspect of grad school applications are, but know that you are smart and resourceful, and that there is a solution to this problem if you look for it!

An hour? Good grief! I may be in that situation next year though, as I am applying to a small school about an hour away from here and I don't think I'm willing to move there for grad school. I am a city girl at heart, plus there's no jobs there and I need some sort of income! I live in Wisconsin so that will be interesting with the snow, but you have to do what you have to do I guess.