breaks0

I'm gonna be the cynic, b/c that's what I've been reduced to. Because I've applied 2 years in a row and your fear is what's happened to me. I'm not gonna go into how it's screwed up every area of my life. But be prepared, it's so competitive your fears may be realized you may not get in. That's just the reality.  That said, you're on this board and asking early and you're a talented undegrad. It's very common for people in your shoes to fear  that and after a stressful year of doing all the bs that goes into the apps, they end up fine. That'll probably be you as long as you work hard and take the good advice offered on this board and other boards on grad cafe. Good luck. 

Hi All, I am writing with some GREAT news! Over the Easter weekend I sent a note to the Grad Coordinator at Wilfrid Laurier enquiring as to when applicants would be notified of results.The next working day I received 3 emails one after the other.
 
The first notifying me that I was accepted to the PhD Geography programme!
The second the letter to provide to the High Commission to obtain the study permit.
The third...CONGRATS on my award of the Ontario Trillium Scholarship!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I'm thrilled beyond words!!!!!!!!

Why is that again? At least 1 of the places I applied said the opposite, they cared more about my ma and other grad school grades than undergrad ones, otherwise why ask for the transcripts from any grad level coursework? Fine, maybe they are "inflated" and of little use to you, but I wouldn't just dismiss them as "unreal." Plenty of undergrad programs have grade inflation as well (see Harvard for ex). And ultimately, at least if I was on an adcomm, I'd be more interested in someone's numbers if they have previous grad level coursework since it's frankly more likely to be closer to the type of work my dept would expect of them than what they've done at the undergrad level (at least hypothetically speaking). I'm not saying how many adcomms in sociology or other social sciences operate that way, nor that it should necessarily exclude those w/good gpa's who only have bachelor's degrees, but you're argument seems to go too far.

Why is that again? At least 1 of the places I applied said the opposite, they cared more about my ma and other grad school grades than undergrad ones, otherwise why ask for the transcripts from any grad level coursework? Fine, maybe they are "inflated" and of little use to you, but I wouldn't just dismiss them as "unreal." Plenty of undergrad programs have grade inflation as well (see Harvard for ex). And ultimately, at least if I was on an adcomm, I'd be more interested in someone's numbers if they have previous grad level coursework since it's frankly more likely to be closer to the type of work my dept would expect of them than what they've done at the undergrad level (at least hypothetically speaking). I'm not saying how many adcomms in sociology or other social sciences operate that way, nor that it should necessarily exclude those w/good gpa's who only have bachelor's degrees, but you're argument seems to go too far.

I thought I got in and the situation is complicated, but basically I'm still siting on a waitlist, so I was wrong. The interview I had was confusing in that regard. IM me if you wanna know more.
 
 
 
Thanks, I appreciate all you've said and you're basically right. Sociology in the US isnt that field, w/a few exceptions, I've learned that the hard way. I've found the right field, sociology in Canada or elsewhere or some areas of human geography (for my interests anyway) but then the cost becomes job market viability upon graduation and funding to get in. There's a mass student strike spreading across Canada atm which has held up my application, which has aggravated the situation. What it comes down to this is this, I can't do my research if I don't get that silly degree. At least then I'd have  the makings of the kind of manuscript in the dissertation that I want to write and hopefully publish somewhere eventually, b/c I know what I want to do, even if that means after the phd a non-academic career. And to me finishing my education is a big deal, key life goal. Anyway, now I don't know, such is life. Good luck to everyone who has gotten in somewhere.
 
 
Thanks, hugs and best of success to you as well!

I thought I got in and the situation is complicated, but basically I'm still siting on a waitlist, so I was wrong. The interview I had was confusing in that regard. IM me if you wanna know more.
 
 
 
Thanks, I appreciate all you've said and you're basically right. Sociology in the US isnt that field, w/a few exceptions, I've learned that the hard way. I've found the right field, sociology in Canada or elsewhere or some areas of human geography (for my interests anyway) but then the cost becomes job market viability upon graduation and funding to get in. There's a mass student strike spreading across Canada atm which has held up my application, which has aggravated the situation. What it comes down to this is this, I can't do my research if I don't get that silly degree. At least then I'd have  the makings of the kind of manuscript in the dissertation that I want to write and hopefully publish somewhere eventually, b/c I know what I want to do, even if that means after the phd a non-academic career. And to me finishing my education is a big deal, key life goal. Anyway, now I don't know, such is life. Good luck to everyone who has gotten in somewhere.
 
 
Thanks, hugs and best of success to you as well!

As the famed sociologist T. Swift would say, haters gonna hate, shake it off shake it off

Don't feel bad! I think you may have really dodged a bullet. I definitely would not feel supported with a passive aggressive advisor. It is your future and you have to do what is best for you. It sounds like you remained professional in the situation and that is all they can expect of you. Try not to let his negative attitude get to you!

I thought I got in and the situation is complicated, but basically I'm still siting on a waitlist, so I was wrong. The interview I had was confusing in that regard. IM me if you wanna know more.
 
 
 
Thanks, I appreciate all you've said and you're basically right. Sociology in the US isnt that field, w/a few exceptions, I've learned that the hard way. I've found the right field, sociology in Canada or elsewhere or some areas of human geography (for my interests anyway) but then the cost becomes job market viability upon graduation and funding to get in. There's a mass student strike spreading across Canada atm which has held up my application, which has aggravated the situation. What it comes down to this is this, I can't do my research if I don't get that silly degree. At least then I'd have  the makings of the kind of manuscript in the dissertation that I want to write and hopefully publish somewhere eventually, b/c I know what I want to do, even if that means after the phd a non-academic career. And to me finishing my education is a big deal, key life goal. Anyway, now I don't know, such is life. Good luck to everyone who has gotten in somewhere.
 
 
Thanks, hugs and best of success to you as well!

Hi Breaks, thanks for the response.
 
Finance--It is quite worrisome when making these decisions. I have applied for a couple grants/scholarships--so i'm hoping there. If I have a choice though, I would choose Laurier simply because my potential supervisor's work is spot on with mine, and she's pretty well recognised all over. But then funding is the issue.
 
I wish you luck in making this decision. Please, let me know which direction you've taken.
 
Thanks!

I've gotten advice from some people who went through the program and there are definitely plenty of positive things to say about the experience and opportunities the MAs at places like Columbia and Chicago have to offer. With that said, I've concluded that I can't take $50k-$100k out in loans to finance a program that may lead me nowhere. Even if guaranteed success, I can't see how I could justify that much debt in addition to old undergrad debt and eventual doctoral debt that will surely come later. Perhaps things would be different if I had family that could help with the disgusting (and in my opinion, unethical) pricetag. But if that were the case, I'm sure I'd have more interest in pursuing some bourgeois field (pretending for a moment sociology isn't one). By no means am I trying to offend anyone who pursued an MA at a place like Columbia. They've always given me solid and helpful advice. As someone who contemplated doing it, I was just hoping to explain why some people can't.

Major congrats to all those admitted so far! Anyone have any updates on Temple University? It's been radio silence so far, and I don't see anything current on the results board :/ I've been in an anxiety riddled purgatory during this whole process! Argh. 

Hi, there is a link at the top of the search page to "submit your results."

yes it seems generally acceptable, based on other threads I've read on grad cafe. not all places seem to reply/divulge the info, but others seem to. good luck!

I totally understand! I used to be a business major and later switched. It was tough, but hang in there. Things will finally work out! You are doing something you really like and that's the point!

lol I don't mean  to sound snarky, but look @ this thread? What do they expect? I think most posters here have gotten in somewhere by now, w/funding, but many haven't or not into our preferred choice(s). If we have to sweat it out day after day not knowing how our futures are gonna turn out, I think they can put up w/some phonecalls, even alot of them. 
 

Yay yay yay I got into Santa Cruz!! I got an unofficial email a few hours ago. They gave me a Chancellor's Fellowship with guaranteed funding for three years, but haven't yet told me exactly how much money I'll get. Let me know if you have any questions! In years past it seems like they've trickled out acceptances all the way into March, so no worries if you don't hear today.

Edit: I'd love to talk to other folks who got in about funding and things. Pm me please!

I'm an undergrad there now. I've heard great things about Buroway.

Breaks, thanks for your response. But yeah, that's what I meant to say: low verbal, low GPA, but good research experience and pubs. What I am wondering right now if the big problem is not having a MA or the GRE and GPA grades.

At this point my options are the Master programs. Fingers crossed.

Got an acceptance to Kansas State today.  Still waiting on 2 programs.  I specialize in rural cultural geographies, so it is a great choice for me, but I still can't wait to see if there will be other options. So nice to know I have at least one.  

How is everyone else doing?

What do you guys do to relieve the anxiety? I'm definitely about to lose it, lol.

What will I do if I don't get anywhere again? 2nd year in a row of doing this. I don't think that'll happen, optimistic 1 specific program I applied to will let me in. My question's more why didn't I retake the GRE when I had the chance and get some more work experience or a publication last year when  I could have? And why didn't I apply to more top 20 or 30 schools in my field this time instead of overwhelming targetting schools that I thought were close to my interests and based on that where I thought I was a good fit? And lastly how to survive this wait? It's agonizing, I don't handle stress well @ all.

I hate to say it but WL is almost equal to rejection…

This is the prefect check your privilege moment.
 
Minorities often live in areas where the economic class is much lower than average, and thus, go to worse public schools. This might mean they have a weaker education in basic skills which is what the GRE tests. Though, If you are able to get a bachelors degree, one would think that you would be able to pick these skills up. 
 
I haven't looked up if there is a correlation between economic upbringing and and GRE score, but the SAT is a massacre with over half not meeting the minimum college readiness requirement. 
 
You might also argue that people who have less money in college also will have a harder time buying prep materials. But I think there are enough free online test prep stuff at this point (and at colleges depending on where you go) that you can adequately prepare. 
 
People study for the GRE like law students prepare for the bar: thats ridiculous. The Bar is a pass fail test that costs thousands of dollars to take and encompasses knowledge that you acquire doing an advanced degree. The GRE on the other hand can probably be taken by advanced HS students during sophmore or jr year without much trouble. 
 
Its a tricky thing, trying to make this fair. But lets all admit that we aren't trying to climb mount everest or K2. I don't think the GRE is responsible for keeping many qualified applicants out of graduate school. There are much deeper issues.

Accepted to UCSD!! What a day!