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Just thought I'd put my $0.02 in here- I go to the school in question (although not to the English department), and I really would suggest visiting and meeting with professors. Email the graduate coordinator for the department and ask if there are any events (colloquium and such) that you could attend, or graduate students that you could talk to. If you have POIs, email them and see if you could meet with them while you're visiting. It can be really helpful for you to meet them, if only to put a face to your name on your applications. Futhermore, it gives you a chance to ask about their research, or funding, or special things they like about being in the department (which is great information for you personally, and for your SoPs). I'm not in the same department, but I don't think that the professors look down on you for visiting as being cocky about getting in, they realize that it is important for you to get the feel of the school and the department. That being said, they might be very busy this weekend as it is midterm season (this week and next) across campus, just an fyi.

I asked a professor about this recently, and he said definitely no descriptions (apparently no one on the admissions committee wants to/will read them. It wasn't exactly the answer I was looking for, but at least it was an answer.

Hey bachr1989- from what I've been told, the writing sample is one of the most important parts of the application. Essentially, the admissions committees want to know that you're capable of intelligent arguments based on original research (which, ideally, would include both extensive primary and secondary materials), since a big part of grad school is completing a dissertation (aka a big walloping research/writing project). If you have a senior thesis, that might be the paper to pick, but it sounds like you're stuck in a situation where you don't have one. If nothing you've written immediately springs out at you as "the piece of writing that will make you shine for the adcom", you can write something new. It sounds like you might be on the path to doing that. If you know that your research paper that you're writing right now absolutely will be done by mid-November, there's no reason why you can't complete the rest of your apps in the meantime and then submit them when you've got there paper done. If you're really worried about it, maybe think about editing through another paper you've written and are fond of. Some things to think about: -Primary and secondary research: show that you know how to work with primary sources and that you can familiarize yourself with the academic discourse on a specific topic -Target length abt 20-25 pages: Any longer and you end up running into page length limits (or having to excerpt), any shorter and you don't show off yourself to the best of your ability. Don't worry if your writing sample isn't necessarily on what you want to study in grad school . For example, you want to study the cultural impact of Otto van Bismarck, but your paper is on American political discourse in the 1890s- it should be okay (caveat: unless the program specifically requests a writing sample relevant to your proposed research, in which case, do what the nice people have asked). Definitely ask a professor (or two, or three) to read through your writing sample for you.

I get what you're saying about ranking being nonsense, but I'm not necessarily on your page with not wanting to go to a school because so-an-so works there. What I mean is that I've picked my schools based on finding an advisor who is going to be able and willing to support my interests (they don't necessarily have to do what I'm doing, but if they won't support the kind of research I want to do, I'm unlikely to get in- or if I did get in, I would have a difficult time completing). Thus, I think it is kind of important to pick a school because so-and-so works there. (But maybe I'm misinterpreting you- in which case, I apologize). As for funding, you can often find a lot of information about funding on the schools' websites. Generally at private universities (and most public universities now), they'll give everyone the same funding package. Again, look on the websites to see who gives summer funding. Also, take a look into university-wide resources for grad students- some schools (like I think UVA), have graduate centers which offer funding for things like traveling, research, conferences, etc.)

Do you have an advisor or trusted professor you can ask? I've never heard of an agent, but I think that you can get the help you're looking for from a professor who knows the field you'd like to go into. They're very willing to help, and because they know the field, they're excellent at guiding you to a school that is a good fit. If you are asking people for LORs, think about asking those people for their help and advice- they're usually more than willing to look over your supporting documents also. And since they're professors, they tend to be really familiar with the admissions/application process, and as a result, they give great advice.

Yep- it's open! Filled out half of it today!

Hey justanotherperson- I had a bit of the same problem: no senior thesis (stupid history department at my school wouldn't let me because they thought I "already had too much on my plate", no publications, etc. I've written a ton for classes though in the 10-30 page range, so I was advised by a pre-grad advisor at my school to add a section of "Seminar Papers", basically to prove that I am capable of research. If you're afraid that a straight CV or traditional resume wouldn't show you off to the best of your ability, then I'd go with a CV/resume hybrid (it's what I'm going with). So you can pick and choose elements of either that you can fill out. Feel free to add non-traditional sections that make you shine.

I'm working on finishing up my first SoP- for art history and I'd love to exchange. PM me and we can exchange!

I agree about Marc Bloch- always a good one to read! I enjoyed King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild (okay, maybe more journalism than history). I also love The Making of England to 1399 by C.W. Hollister (8th Edition is best!). Currently reading primary sources only for classes and purely fictional books for fun!

Sigaba- Do you think the "sizing you up" thing counts for pre-application visits? I'm visiting a few places this month, and of course, I know I'm applying there, but until I submit my application, they don't have any official information on me (aka I don't exist). I've contacted POIs and arranged to meet with them, in the hopes that face time will work in my favor, but I can't imagine I'll get any cues about being admitted. For me I definitely view visiting early as something I can do to help my chances of finding a school that fits and will accept me. I figure that it can't hurt to visit. In the cases where I've contacted POIs and been invited to check out the departments, if I turn down the opportunity, then it may work against my favor/application.

I've mostly just received spam from it But maybe that's because my field is smaller?

Congrats cokohlik! Don't be anxious- think about it this way, you're ahead of the game. I'm applying to 8 schools and I'm somewhere in that gross middle slog, where' I've filled out all the easy stuff but have yet to do any of the hard stuff (SoP aaaagh). If you're afraid that you'll look back and see something you don't like (haha, kind of like that feeling you get when you read back over an old paper), just put them away when you're done and force yourself not to look at it. File away all the computer files to do with the done apps in their own separate folder so you can't think of them, take the links to the apps you've finished out of your site, so you have to go digging to find them (and maybe can catch yourself before you give in to the temptation?) Still you should feel great that you've already finished a few! I'm envious! I'm hoping to get my first one submitted around November (have to set the bar low enough that I can get over it).

A lot of the schools that I'm applying to have an optional diversity statement section. I'm all for giving them whatever information they want from me.....but I'm not terribly diverse? Their instructions are rather vague ("how would you add to the diversity of our academic community?")- do they mean me? I mean, I get that I'm a unique person and all, but I'm not exactly sure I'm the type of diverse they're referring to?? Will it hurt my application that I don't upload anything here?

Haha yep! Also, it makes me feel immensely better to be able to check something off, even if its my own arbitrary, invented goal.

I'm interested!

It's...slightly more open than before? No error message, and you can get into the Message Center. There's just no link for the "click link to Graduate Admission". Any progress is good?

Just something more "fun". Okay, maybe not normal people fun, but people-who-are-obsessing-about-apps-fun: So, in order to channel my obsessing about applications into something helpful/good, I have created an intense Excel spreadsheet (a place to put my color-coding skills to use!). It is a nifty place where I can keep everything handy (login codes, ETS codes, max page limits for writing samples, and also part checklist (Part 1 of App X? Done. Check. I get the satisfaction of highlighting it a different color). Anyone else have a crazed organizational system? Sharing organization schemes? If you want one, I can share!

@Safferz - Huh, that's a thought. We might have to. AT least it isn't hard to make a new account (easiest part of a the application process?) Has anyone emailed them about it? Hate to admit it, but I'm secretly afraid to email and pester them (Please like me Columbia! Pleeeease like me!) That being said, it might be a faster way to find out about it haha.

Thanks guys!

It let me register an account, but still says it won't open until "early fall". I've been checking it obsessively every day so I can get my application started. I don't know if the department/college/division effects it, but I'm doing Art History.

Most of the programs I'm applying to ask for three LORs, but some only ask for two. Do you think this is a minimum? Should I send them three (for some totally unfounded reason, I thought three was standard)? I had a professor offer to be an "extra" fourth recommender, so I'm wondering if it is commonplace (commonplace enough that she offered) to submit more recommendations than the minimum. What to do?

I liked Kaplan's book and all the online stuff it came with it (besides, it was on sale when I bought it). Definitely do practice tests. If you're worried about vocab, dictionary.com has a whole section of GRE online "flashcards" (yay for free study materials!) that are actually fairly in line with what you see on the test.