brancan

These don't at all seem accurate, in terms of the actual scores programs receive. I have to agree with commguy that the people on this board seem to have higher scores. The average GRE scores for communication programs (the few that are listed) are all below the average scores here. And those are admitted candidates, not solely applicants. Obviously, this varies by field. I'm far happier with my 700V and 630Q than I would be the other way around, but I'd imagine that all of the science people feel the opposite.

Thanks! I appreciate the support. I saw someone posted a result about a letter/acceptance and I know that someone in this thread mentioned getting an e-mail. Sorry for forgetting your screen name, person from Korea. I'm too lazy to scroll back! I really don't like how much free time I have to freak out over here.

I also looked at this, but didn't let it influence me too much. There are just too many schools not on the list and it's also pretty old. But I did look at it.

I would also mention in. I have one fail on my record (in my first year of undergrad). I failed an exam the day after I came out of the closet, as I didn't come out under very good circumstances and completely broke down. Because I failed that exam badly, I failed the class by 2% (I was already having a LOT of trouble with the class). I was then not allowed to continue on in my program. Despite that, I worked my way back up into honors status in a different program. But I never mention this on my applications because it's only one mark. My other marks weren't fantastic, but they were average or just above average. If my mental state/circumstances had affected a whole term or more, I'd certainly mention it. So that's what I'd suggest you do. That said, I would frame it in a way that was straightforward, but did not harp on the sob story aspect. It sucked, I'm sure, but many people go through crappy things and you don't want the people reading your application to see you as exploiting the scenario. That's always my biggest fear when justifying my failed course. I also think it's awesome that you stayed in school throughout that ordeal. I know many people who have taken semesters off (or dropped out) for far less stressful reasons.

I think most schools provide funding here, don't they? I know that the Ryerson & York joint program in Comm & Culture does. As for SSHRC, you can still apply for one of the grants as a US-based student. So maybe in your second or third year of studies, it will work out for you.

@nullsymbol I also completely agree with your point about gender/women's studies programs. A lot of the programs I applied to allow for (and encourage) interdisciplinary work. Those departments were definitely on my radar, too, but more as a secondary focus of my studies. How much I can step out of the communications/media department all depends on where I get in - if I get in anywhere.

Edost, I wouldn't worry at all. I assume that you didn't get the e-mail because of your location. They pay for travel and I doubt they want to pay for you to come visit from Israel. BTW, I adore Israel! I'm thankful for Birthright, but a week and a half visit wasn't long enough to fulfill me. Anyway, that's my guess as to why you didn't get the e-mail. I'm also an international student, but I live in Canada and it's probably a cheap flight. I've never actually looked into it.

I just assumed it stood for "Professor of Interest." "Person of Interest" sounds like a crime scene investigation.

True, for the most part. But this particular school only sent the e-mail to recommenders once the ENTIRE application was submitted. And my former professor was adamant that he able submit asap (which is funny because, while he wrote some that night, he didn't submit others for weeks afterward). I held off on most of my other statements for a couple of extra weeks. But once I started with one, I just wanted them all done.

That comment made me LOL. You're right. All of my London apartments were carpeted!

I wouldn't say 3.0 is excessively low, BUT we tend to mark harder in Canada. I've been a student in Ontario and in New York, and it's absolutely more common to get As in the US. It depends on the discipline, of course, but I don't know many people who routinely got 90% on essays (in the social sciences). Our marking system definitely worked to my advantage when applying to school in the US. I truly think so. That said, a 3.0 average is going to go over better at some universities and worse at others. I'd avoid applying to the University of Toronto, UBC, McGill, or any other top school unless you have that as a "reach" school. But there are other institutions where a 3.0 won't immediately disqualify you. Check out the Maclean's rankings to get a list of schools.

I wouldn't sweat it. I had to rush an application so my recommender could submit his letter. This was way back in September. I ended up accidentally leaving in one reference to another school in a paragraph I cut and pasted. Yeah, I was that guy who mentioned the wrong school. That was my application nightmare from the start. Luckily, it was insanely early and I was still able to have the statement replaced. But I almost crapped my pants.

Clarisse, I also got that e-mail. I'm pretty sure they sent it to everyone. But I had the exact same reaction you did! They don't hate me yet.

I submitted all of my 11 applications by October 1. And all of my letters, test scores, and transcripts are in. It feels great, except... It hasn't been an easy road. Because one of my recommenders wanted to do his letters asap, I was forced to get the ball rolling super early. That was fine, but two of my applications wouldn't send out the electronic notification until I filled out the entire app. So I rushed through those two applications, including doing my resume and SoP. And I totally sent one school a SoP that had a mention of the other school's name. That was pretty much my nightmare from the start and it came true! In the end, it worked out. The school (supposedly) replaced my SoP when I told them it had a "small error." It wasn't one of my higher ranked choices, anyway. But it was definitely still mortifying and, since I'm not convinced I'm going to get in anywhere, every school counts. Basically, I wish I had been able to take more time for everything, but it just wasn't in the cards, with my professor wanting to write his letters (and the fact that I'm international and everything takes longer). And once I started, it was as if I had to finish them asap. I just got too nervous and needed them out of my life. But they're done - all ELEVEN applications. As you can imagine, I have no money left.

Hey everyone! So, I decided to join this forum in order to respond to this message. I have been reading posts for a while now but have put off signing up because it makes things feel very real. I'm not sure I'm going to get accepted anywhere (seriously) and a part of me is fearful that posting here will somehow jinx my chances. I'm not even a superstitious person...but this whole process has me going crazy. As for my interests, they are more on the television side of things, but also include film and print media. Needless to say, my applications run all over the map. After months of research, I applied to 11 schools. Exhausting, right? I'd definitely suggest writing to profs and programs. I wrote to people at nearly 20 schools and it helped narrow down my list. I also wrote to graduate students who study topics similar to what I'd like to explore. One rather lovely professor told me that her school was not a great fit for my interests, even though she personally was interested in my proposed areas of study. One other professor informed me she is leaving the school in December. Had I not e-mailed, I'd have mentioned her in my application and been at a disadvantage for wanting to work with departing faculty. A couple of students also revealed mixed feelings about their schools, which sent warning signals. One student actually ripped his apart and I ended up not applying there (I was already on the fence). But, given my anxiety, I'd have applied to 20 programs if I could afford it. My references would hate me, of course.