kphd

That is impression I had too. In fact the typical SoP advice says something like.... Since grad schools do not typically interview you must try to reveal your personality and strengths in the SoP...or something along those lines. Several schools have mentioned on their websites that interviews are not a part of the admission process but they may be conducted when need is felt. Moreover, I think interviews have become more common in recent years. Many people who got admitted about 4-5 years ago tell me that they weren't interviewed at all. The few who were interviewed..internationals....said that it was just a 5-10 min call inquiring about other offers and discussing the amount of funding they may be able to provide and if that is would be sufficient etc..and perhaps to check how comfortable they are speaking english I think it will become more common in the coming years...as the good ol profs become more comfortable with Skype..

It could probably mean that you are on a shortlist! because the rejected ones received emails informing that a decision has been made and we could access it by logging on.

Hi! sorry I dint check my email all weekend. I also got an email for interview. seems like u are the only other person who got it. Since they said they may take as few as 5 and a max of 8 across the sub-fields...no wonder there aren't many others. I think they will take a max of 2 ppl with interests socio-cultural. Fingers crossed...interview in a few hours!

Dude! my heart skipped a beat!! I dint get an interview call or anything....What did you apply to? Any news on Anthro? are they interviewing? do they normally? Its my top realistic choice! thanks,

first rejection from Duke. It was also my first application.

Thanks socanth!! Guys please gives university names and interview details if possible. I would consider any kind of chat or meeting with faculty, if requested by the university, dept or faculty as an interview. As for me, there is no chance of visiting...... I'm interested in info on UCLA, Umich, NYU, Harvard, Columbia and UPenn Thanks,

That brings me to another worrying issue...I am not very confident about interviewing. I may have given the impression (in my application) that I have done a lot more preparation than I actually did. Does anyone know which schools usually conduct/not conduct interviews?

This is bad for me.... This means I definitely din't make it to the shortlist, Have I? Anyways it was my first application and the mistakes I noticed in my SoP later made me cringe...

In case it is still an issue...after PhDreams directions. go here http://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/gradadmissions/applying/start check box and click start application. select review your activity under the head "manage your account" log in and there you should have the details of your application here you can review all the applications you have submitted using collegenet.

Hi! UCLA does not show the status of materials received etc... can someone tell me if there is a way to check? Also does anyone know when they are expected to start contacting students? Do they normally conduct interviews?/ Thanks,

I wrote to a professor there who replied saying that the department can take just two candidates for 2013..that too only likely to guarantee 3 years of funding..

Hi! same uncertainty here. Does not seem like there is a lot I can do with the email.. Btw do you know if UMich usually interviews?

When Duke and Emory say they will invite us to visit the university before the final selections, at the universities expense, does that also apply to internationals? Has it been done before? still being done with all the funding cuts?

Hi! which one?? I have applied to all your schools and more!

Wasn't the deadline for PhD anthro Dec 1? are u applying for a terminal masters?

Hi! thanks for the reply. You have pointed put an important question that I need to ask myself. My reasons in order of importance: 1) I am assuming the Professor who encouraged me to apply thinks that my work is well-suited to the department. 2) It is YALE - my first preference and the best response I received. 3) I am sure there are more than 3 faculty members who can advise me...just that they may or may not be interested. However, there are many in other departments whose work is more closely related to mine. I don't mind spending an extra 150 bucks rather than regretting not having applied. so what do you think? Thanks,

But what about the fact that I have only Prof in the department whose interests match mine. That too it is broad overlap and not a great match. But it is Yale university and the Prof was really interested in my work. I need to show that there are a wide range of resources that attract me to the university.

Thanks guys!! seems obvious now..why take the risk.. I will keep it below the limit.

Several schools have said do not exceed 1000 words or maximum 1000 or 500-1000 words. I am left with choosing between deleting one or two important ideas or good lines and meeting the exact word limit. What should I do? Is it OK to go up to 1100 words? 1050? Thanks,

Hi! there is only one professor whose interests overlaps with mine in the Anthro Dept to which I am applying for PhD. He has encouraged me to apply. Is it OK to mention people from the socio department in my application as those whose expertise would be important to me. The department says that students are encouraged to use resources from throughout the university across disciplines. I am worried about mentioning just one Prof. from ANthro and more from other department. Also is it OK to mention Anthropologists from other departments within the university? but those who are only teaching undergrads? Any help will be highly appreciated. My deadline is 2nd Jan.

Hey! Thanks!! PhDreams The grad school replied saying it would be okay . Thanks for letting me know the deadline. I would not have noticed that otherwise!! UMich application is still accessible though an FAQ section on the website says it would close down after deadline...so I guess I wont know until I pay the fee. I would call and ask but I don't want to draw attention to it of there is any chance it may go unnoticed. I see you are applying to the best of the best...and seem to have put NYU in the same league! Did you get good responses from faculty at all these places? I din't get any response from some of the big names....will I still stand a decent chance or will I have to be exceptional? Thanks

Hi Guys!! I am trying to take a last min call on applying to NYU. The deadline is today - 18th December. My recommendations are likely to reach in a week to ten days after deadline...I am yet to inform the profs...is it worth applying??? Secondly, what is the funding situation there. Site says McCraken fellowship gives tuition + health + 9 months stipend + 1,000 bucks initial but the stipend amount is not mentioned. It also says teaching is not required but optional; again what amount would one get while teaching?? UMich: I couldn't submit the application before deadline - 15th, is it still worth submitting it? My recos have already been submitted...yet to send GRE and Toefl. Also for all applications I have ordered the GRE and Toefl scores after submitting application...so it will reach 5 days later. Is that alrite. I will be really grateful for a quick response to any of the above. Thanks,

Hi Like I said in my previous posts I received positive responses from several profs. For example "your interests sound interesting and I would urge you to apply" There are a couple of things I need to know in order to take some decisions. Do most people who apply to a program get positive responses? eg about 150-200 people apply to Duke how many must have gotten positive responses? I have much except positive responses and an SoP based the ideas that got positive responses to go on. So I am not sure how many places to apply to. I just cannot take the chance of waiting another year!

Hey! wish I had posted earlier...the deadline has passed and I haven't applied to UCSB - funding worries. Perhaps you may know about the funding situation in UCLA. 1) What are the odds of getting full funding (I think the department fellowships are about 22k). 2) There are other awards of about 18k..will that be enough? Thanks

Hi! thanks for the reply. I have a "B" I guess most universities would consider that equivalent to 3.0. and yes I am an international...but won't that be an advantage? Since one may place more emphasis on GRE scores rather an grades from foreign universities? By any chance are you implying that the Public universities may place less emphasis on grades than private? Thanks