Sociograd

Wow-6% of 350 is only 21 people with acceptances. I heard that UW-Madison usually accepts around 15%-20% of applicants, but cohorts are about 15-20 people. Maybe they have gotten REALLY competitive since last year.

I saw this too....I think the person emailed the department first and they responded. I doubt they just contacted this person out of the blue.

And thanks for your stats BTW

elw4y8: Congratulations on the accept.

@SuperMOD....Thanks for your comment above. tt503, you obviously seem like a good candidate. I can only imagine how I would craft a statement with those kind of credentials.

Thanks everyone. This seems to be under control now. For future suggestion, to anybody reading this, I would strongly suggest that you meet with recommenders in person at least once shortly before the deadline and double-check to see if they are on board. Things can come up, and a professor not answering a few reminder emails does not necessarily mean they are just busy. Trust me, it's really scary when you are at the deadline and somebody is not there with you.

Yeah, here's the story. The professor very nicely agreed to serve as a recommender in September. I kept them informed throughout October and November, but did not hear from them. I called a week and a half into the deadline and left a message. Another call and email two days before. After no response, I called the department to see what was going on. They said this professor was unavailable and that they were sorry and many people have said they have not been hearing from them. So, I don't know what is going on, but I definitely kept this recommending "under control" (ridiculous suggestion) and reminded this person as I felt was appropriate. So, I did everything I should appropriately have done. Now, I'm hurrying to find a third recommender. I'm sharing this experience for others as well as to get some feedback whether others have heard of this type of situation. I didn't know anything about it, and it sounds like nobody else did either.

I have now only two recommendations for two programs due to one professor being on an extended leave of absence that I was unaware of until a day after the deadline. I've been hurrying to try and find a third recommender by the end of this week. As anybody ever heard about an application being dismissed because of one missing letter? Or do you think I could convince the departments to consider my application given the circumstances? Thanks!

I'm applying to Madison, Boulder, Montreal, Arizona, and Massachusetts, maybe a few more.

Hi everyone: I'd like to ask for your comments on my application profile: Undergraduate degree in Sociology and Philosophy (GPA 3.69, 3.71 in Major) Masters degree in Rehabilitation Psychology (GPA 3.88) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, CRCC Licensed Professional Counselor in Training Hospice Care Volunteer Usui Reiki Master, Member the Reiki Alliance (pending) Master's Thesis forthcoming (co-authored) in Journal, presented at professional conference in San Diego (Rehabilitation Psychology) Deans List last five semesters in undergraduate program GRE: 153 (680 quantitative 65%), 159 (589 verbal 84%) 4.5 AW (72%) I am interested in examining genetic social factors and health outcomes across the lifespan and with different populations/demographics. How does this sound for an applicant profile? Does anybody have any suggestions on which schools might accept me? Thanks....Joe

I will read it too..I'm applying for Sociology Phd programs

I think your post is hard to read, and its kind of lame to think that Princeton etc. won't think highly of a professor from a community college. If I was the professor reading your application and knew this, I would immediately dismiss it because it sounds totally arrogant. Anyways, I'd go with the community college professor, that way you have demonstrated an interest in E.E. in three valuable directions: publication, lab, and as a lecturer. Good luck.

They both sound good, but which one would be more likely to represent your interests? The first one does have more of a "research bent", but the second sounds more analytical. I don't think the number of sources matters as much as how you used and understood the sources. You might want someone in the department, a phd student or professor, to glance at them if they can. It might be a good way to approach for an LOR too, but do it in person for sure. Good luck: your dilemma sounds better than most.

Or one more thing, send the good and published papers together if you can, and explain in the SOP, since together these two papers would likely total about 15 pages. That's better than sending an average paper.

Don't lengthen the good paper. Why waste your time, and it might turn out just being average at the end. I'd send the published paper and explain the reason for doing so in your SOP. Or, send both an average and published paper if you can and explain that in your SOP. Schools want to see research potential, and getting a paper published shows potential, even if it is a little short.

I forgot to say too that I've heard if a professor wants to work with you, before or after reviewing your application, you can almost expect to be accepted. Apparently, your chances are best, even despite your application credentials to a certain extent, if the professor is interested in what you're doing or have done.

I've been emailing all the professors I'm interested in working with. I've heard its a really good idea. I've gotten some really uplifting responses and some that make me wonder if I said something wrong. After I sent the applications, I've thanked them for staying in contact with me and that I looked forward to working together in the future. I'm just leaving it at that. I don't know if it will increase my chances anywhere, but at least somebody maybe will remember me and take a little bit more time reviewing the application.

I am applying to a number of Sociology programs. One school, for example, receives about 150 applications and accepts about 20-30% of the applicants. This means between 30-45 applicants get acceptance letters. However, the cohorts are only between 8 and 12 students. How can these programs accept so many students, but admit so less? Are that many people declining offers? I don't understand how this can balance out over the nation. If about 20%-25% of the accepts actually go to that school, and this happens across a number of programs, what's happening to the others? Thanks for some clarification here.

Yeah, for marine science, I think you should retake. Your scores may work for a Master's program, but maybe not PhD. It depends on what programs you are applying to. In my opinion, math scores should be at the very minimum above the 50%, but perhaps closer to 65%. Anything above 75% is usually considered "good" unless your program is math heavy (physics, engineering, economics etc.), then its got to be above 90% really. The verbal's alright and the AW is fine, and the GPA is good. Your experience is good, you research experience and scholarships are good and you'll definitely want to highlight that. Focus more on your work and academic achievements, and be sure to be clear what your research goals are. Its highly recommended that you contact the professors in the departments who are interested in working in to see if they are available and to put your foot in the door so to speak. Good luck!

I heard from a graduate admissions counselor that grad programs are typically not as strict on the LOR deadline. She said, "Its usually okay if they are a few days late." Hope this helps, but you may want to check with the program.

Took the GRE revised 11/7/11. My ranges post-test were: Quant. 640-740 Verbal 580-680 Final scores were: Quant. 153 (680, 65%) Verbal 159 (590, 84%) AW 4.5 (72%) I am applying for PhD programs in Sociology. Do these sound like reasonable scores for admission? Thanks for any replies!