peppermint.beatnik

I agree with Unlikely Grad. I don't think it's worth mentioning. I was on academic probation after my first year too (extenuating circumstances). I spent 5.5 years in undergrad making-up for it. Then I did an MA. I can't imagine them focusing on something that happened so long ago.

I applied to Religion Ph.D. at Columbia last year. I followed-up with them. Their percentage admit is 3% (one per sub-field). I would image it's similar in other dept. in the GSAS.

I got a 6.0. I used the Kaplan method + I recommend using active voice.

It's only one statement. Thanks everyone for your replies; I will treat it as another statement of purpose.

McMaster has an excellent biblical studies sub-field. It has one of the 2 foremost experts on dead sea scrolls in the world. McGill doesn't have the best funding, but they do love Americans. Kloppenburg, at UofT, might interest you. Look at UBC, too, though I'm not as familiar with their program

Yeah, that's why I don't like to get into it. In humanities/social sciences, it essentially boils down to life experience/emotional maturity. I have a lot of thoughts about this, but I refrain from commenting.

I applied last year. My first reply was at the beginning of March, the last at the beginning of April.

I was listening to "orange blossom special" the other night while doing my sop. Apropos of application time, if you like oldies you might like "Break It To Me Gently" (Brenda Lee). I'm a huge Mad Men fan; the song is on one of the soundtracks.

Being Canadian is not an advantage, even though we are still classified as "international students."

I am writing a "personal statement" for the first time. All of my other applications have been "statements of purpose," which are more like a research proposal (in terms of what is required by the departments). Here is the prompt: A personal statement describing the applicant's personal and intellectual interests that have led him or her to the proposed field of study, and what directions those interests will take at [university], preferably with reference to the specific faculty with whom he or she hopes to work. I feel really uncomfortable writing stuff like this. Are there any general guidelines (Things to do/Things NOT to do)? Is it strictly school stuff, or should you also discuss your life experience?

I will be 28 when I start a PhD. I think early twenties is too young to do a PhD in the humanities/social sciences (I have several reasons for feeling that way, which I won't get into). If you're in sciences, early twenties is fine.

Leave out the "is" on your last revision. It sounds better + active writing over passive always better.

I would send a double-spaced, 12pt font, copy, if it was me. I think it would be extremely irritating to read font that small.

University of Florida good for ss. Syracuse; Columbia; UNC; Indiana. UCSB is great, but maybe only if you're a resident of California (re: funding) In Canada-McMaster has a Religion and Politics sub-field. You can do a program search on the AAR site (American Academy of Religion)

Yup, I didn't know "write" was a British thing. Canadians tend to mix US and UK spelling, punctuation, etc. I always write with a u, though-colour, not color.

Back Bay is closer to Harvard, but there's a direct subway to Harvard from the South Station.

I agree. The first is better but I don't like the "launch my career" part.

I put them on, i.e. AAR (American Academy of Religion) AAA (American Anthropological Association) etc etc

If it was me I would rent a car. For me it would be less of a hassle. It can be difficult to get out of NYC, to get to the 95, mostly because of the traffic, but I've never had a problem other than the delay. You can take the amtrack from Penn Station to the Back Bay Station (or South Station if you want to go downtown, but you said you were visiting Harvard in Cambridge). The price will vary depending upon the time of day you leave and return. You also said you want to stop in New Haven, so that would be an added cost. You also have to consider local transportation. I think the train would be just as, or more expensive, than renting a car. If you're not used to driving in winter weather, the train might be better. I don't know anything about the bus, because I hate travelling by bus.

I have to disagree that the job market in Religious Studies is pitiful. I'm Canadian, but it's fairly good on both sides of the border. However, I am in a drastically different area of Reli Stud, so maybe that has something to with it. Having gone through this process last year, I wouldn't worry about "what-ifs." Just do whatever you have to do to give yourself the best chance possible; hopefully the rest will fall into place.

From Dec.5, 2009 New York Times: New Look for Graduate Entrance Test Could be good or bad. Hope I'm not writing it!

I think that a lot of people find themselves in this position after first term. When I did my MA, first term was really hard. I realize it's a PhD program, and 10 times more work, but don't loose heart. I didn't meet my best friend ever until second term of my first year. First term is hard because of the work load and people are just getting to know one another. Try talking to some other people in your program; I'm sure they feel the same way.

I would re-take the GREs, if you can, especially since you're GPA is low. The issue with these schools is that there is no shortage of competition. I applied to Columbia (Ph.D.) last year and followed-up on my application: 3% chance of admission-1 per field. Same for this year. Economy was cited reason. I went through this experience last year as an international. Applied to 4 US and went 0/4. My apps were all due a month earlier than domestic and by the time I knew the gravitas of the recession, it was too late. I didn't apply to any schools in my home country, which was a mistake. Am hoping others can benefit from my agony.

I'm in the same position. So far I've put my thesis abstract on the cover page, along with "This paper is a excerpt from my Masters thesis, which I completed in 2008." I didn't want to put too much unnecessary explanation as I thought the paper should stand on its own.

My research is interdisciplinary. Mostly anthro of religion, I guess, since my MA was based on a ethnography, and have that planned for PhD too. I did my MA in Religious Studies, and I am applying solely to Reli Stud. programs. I like the discipline, it's flexible, and the job market is good. I did give considerable thought to programs such as Cultural Studies, American Studies, etc, but the app is a whole different ball game.