Rad

I have had this exact problem, I wrote to 2 professors after being away from university for about 12 years, reminded them of who I am, gave them a brief synopsis of my work since graduating and asked for help. One wrote back they didnt remember who I am, and the other saying he would be glad to help in principal but unsure how? I wrote back asking what they needed to write a good letter and offering any assistance, and it has been 2 weeks of silence. I have pretty much decided to move on and ask for a work reference.

kalapocska: you have definitely given me something to think about, applying to the Phd program in history or I did some investigation on MIchigan's website, and their Near East Studies department also offers a degree which the area of the world I wanted to do research on.

Hatem this is what I am trying to find out from the schools, how long they are willing to wait for GRE scores, I didnt even bother sending those scores when my test finished because I knew I had to retake them anyways. I am applying for political science with a historical approach so the math score is of little consequence but that verbal score is just way too low, I am seriously leaning towards the side of leaving applying till the next cycle, studying my butt off and getting into where I want to.

that's exactly what I suspected kalapocska, a highly competitive field in a top 5 university a score a like that will get an application just tossed out. I didnt even make the cut off minimum for Wayne State (1000 combined) and I have no idea what Michigan State's requirements are as they never responded to an email I sent. I am not giving up, I will see what Michigan says about retake and focus the anger and disappointment into something positive, even if it means waiting another year.

One of the upsides of my application is that the undergrad courses related to political science all had excellent grades (A's and a B+) and the school I did my masters program in is fairly well known in the sphere of the area I want to do research in, also I have research experience through an internship I did overseas in a think tank. But I know this is all pointless when the application wont even be looked at with such a low overall score. I have contacted Michigan via email and asked their policy about retakes and timing.

I have a masters degree from a university in Britain that used a pass or fail system, I am in my late 30's so university and high school math was a long time ago, no other real circumstances besides usual nervousness, it was the Kaplan tutoring and their books and also the Princeton book.

So I took my first run at the GRE and I am in an absolute shock and disheartened by the results, I am wanting to get into a Phd in political science program; V: 480-580, Q: 310-410 I knew the math was my weakest point, so I studied like hell the past 3 months, got tutoring and my latest score was around the high 600's in both areas, I am definitely doing this test again but I fear that as one of the schools I am applying to has a mid December application and the earliest available next testing date is January, that they will not accept the application. I am really wanting to get into this program, (Michigan is the dream school) but I am realistic enough to realize that at this point a score like that they wouldn't even bother looking at my application. Trying to decide whether to forgo applying this year and try again next year, or buckle down, study and try to defeat the evil that is the GRE again? any advice or rants would be appreciated.

I am one of those that has been studying for months did the Kaplan course, the verbal is pretty good but my math is weak although my intention is to go into political science Phd. Perhaps I am worrying too much as I have it in 2 days/

this is some great advice, I really thought this was a wasted opportunity, I could provide another reference letter from another department head from work but I felt an academic one would be stronger, and factor in it has been 12 years and that professor must see hundreds of students a year, one can begin to understand his situation. Has anyone else been in this situation before or know of anyone that has?

Macchiato that's a good start, I did send him a copy of my resume and an excerpt from the dissertation he supervised, so what you are saying is that give him an outline of what I have done and what I want to do?

I discovered this site recently and it is a great one and I have learned so much, so here is the Readers Digest version of my story, in my late 30's and decided to go back to university in order to acquire a Phd in political science. I have a masters and I am currently working as a high school teacher, I have contacted the schools I am interested in to inquire about who is an appropriate writer for a letter of recommendation. I was told that a work supervisor is fine, so the principal at my school and department all have told me they are glad to give me one. This is where the problem starts, a 3rd one. Now I thought that an academic reference from a former professor would be advantageous to have, I have contacted an undergrad professor and my masters dissertation supervisor, and both have vague memory of me because I graduated in 1999, with the supervisor saying he would be glad to help in principal but not sure how. This is where I turn to anyone for advice here, what would you do? I did research in Russia in a think tank but that supervisor is nowhere to be found. I am upset and unsure of what to do.