ThisSlumgullionIsSoVapid

This could be because those surveyed that have relationships (are in long term relationships) are older in age, more matured, and have less distractions as someone younger who is probably not in a relationship. It might just be that those later in life that decide to come back to school have a higher completion rate than someone entering after an undergrad. I have a hunch the relationship variable has a correlation with age.

Even though I didn't apply to Ohio State, this is now making me want to log into all of my application accounts to see if any other program posted something.

Congrats!

And, that dent you've made is called a Ph.D.: Of course, the world looks different to you now: So, don't forget the bigger picture: Keep pushing. via http://matt.might.ne...ol-in-pictures/

Imagine a circle that contains all of human knowledge: By the time you finish elementary school, you know a little: By the time you finish high school, you know a bit more: With a bachelor's degree, you gain a specialty: A master's degree deepens that specialty: Reading research papers takes you to the edge of human knowledge: Once you're at the boundary, you focus: You push at the boundary for a few years: Until one day, the boundary gives way:

I'm a little surprised that acceptance letters went out on a Saturday from UW

Me too

You'd be surprised. I'm at a university in California that some people on this board have applied to and I posted how the professors on the adcomm viewed that statement. It isn't always just a non-sense loop to jump through. Now this isn't saying it's the most important part of an application, because it's not, but it should be taken seriously too.

The two departments that I applied to that were venerated by my professors as up-and-commers were UCI and ND. Certainly there are others but this was feedback I received when I had two of my professors look over my program and POI list.

Anyone else have a possible break-up coming depending upon where you get into/choose for grad school? I've been in my relationship for over a year and am in this position. I'm wondering how many other people have this situation, and the conversations about the situation, looming as well. After all, misery loves company.

Why be depressed? You were wait listed at a top 10 university. This is quite the accomplishment on its own. Plus, it means you're competitive in the top-10 pool and therefore should give you some more confidence about the other programs you applied to. I would be ecstatic if I were even a contender for top 10's, let alone have an opportunity to get into one (as you most certainly have). Don't confuse wait list with rejection.

hahahahahaha. That's exactly how I picture it every time someone e-mails early and reports the details.

Congrats!!!

On the subject of personal background, one of my advisers who sits on my universities adcomm said it is important to have a well put together CV and background statement for a few reasons with one major reason being they don't want "spoiled brats" coming into the department. The adviser went on to say that by seeing that someone has actually held a position in the past that had some kind of responsibility goes to show that they are more likely to be able to handle the responsibility of being a grad student as well (as a researcher, ta, whatever). The adviser went on to continue talking about how someone with an affluent background is fine but they will want to make clear (especially to professional sociologists) in the statement that they are cognizant of their backgrounds and privileges, that they are not the typical person and don't just see life through the "spoiled brat" view. Someone who is from an affluent background, isn't cognizant of their SES, gendered, or racial privileges (or disadvantages) would lead to a hard wake up call once they come to grad school for both them and the students (and faculty) as they are going to have to work with them for the next 6-7 years. Like everything though, this just goes to show that people vary completely at how they look at applicants.

Winner /thread

Rice, while a new program (and I think also a private school?) has ridiculous funding. Yale's is pretty generous too.

While on this topic, on all of your admissions when it listed the GPA you were all putting your cumulative total GPA right? I only came across I think one or two applications that asked specifically what my last two years GPA was.

Oh, hah. Lesson to the world: don't squeeze in forum browsing in between note taking during a lecture.

The best tool is going to be using this site and clicking results survey at the top. Look for ones with the red diamond - hover over it and you'll see some peoples stats. You're going to find out that top programs, more times than not, have 1300+ GRE's and GPA's of 3.8-4.0. But, like everything in this process, there are things that outweigh that (work experience, publications, etc.)

Worst case scenario: If you move to Austin then try and familiarize yourself with UT's department. Volunteer in some labs and/or try publishing something else. Go to conferences as well! If you have to wait another year, or if you go the masters route, start attending and presenting at conferences (even if they're really small regional ones). I certainly agree this is quite premature still, as everyone else said, but I feel that if you have to re apply then you can strengthen your application in ways other than the gre. Your gre is enough to get pass most of the informal "cuts" (which tends to be 1200 in top 40 departments). In the future, if you're in constant contact with professors and you strengthen your application by demonstrating that you've already began your trek down the path of becoming a professional sociologist then I think you can sell yourself better than improving a gre by 100 points. Grad school is kind of job-training - if you demonstrate you're familiar with the job requirements (publishing, attending conferences, etc.) then I think that would benefit as well. Anywho, long story short, tell your girlfriend you're a nervous wreck and see if she can help calm you down with a massage or something. Or plan a little outing to get your mind off of it. On the plus side, at least you didn't break up with your girlfriend already right? haha

This is probably something you should contact the department about sometime soon. I wouldn't say you are that far in advance, especially since you're taking a unique route. I'd definitely take that up with the department. I'd also suggest applying to more than just one program if you're set on going into a sociology PhD. Nothings for certain in this admissions process, its quite ambiguous at times (as this forum demonstrates).

haha it gets under my skin whenever I hear someone refer to it as "Pop" just doesn't sound right

"According to research....." "Research shows....." "Well, that's not what research says...." Research is a very popular person in sociology, it's ears must be burning all day, every day.

Ya, from what I gathered from the other thread and from PMing the person with the experience is there are multiple interviews that are conducted. I'm told they do cover funding but i'm not sure on details yet. I just replied this morning confirming that I would like to attend it. I'll post up what kind of funding they give for it. They make arrangements so you can stay with current grad students as well. I'm pretty anxious and nervous. While it's not necessarily a high-ranked program, the chair of my department spoke with me about some programs and told me that ND is an up-and-coming program right now. They have a lot of young scholars that people are looking for big things to come out of. He said individualistically it is full of fantastic people to work with, but in terms of rankings which has to do with how the department on the whole outputs and functions, it's still unknown as to what it will coalesce into but there are a lot of positive things said about it. His veneration for the program makes me feel pretty good about it. Plus, there are a lot of people with interests in theory and religion (something a lot of my research is focused on around too). tl;dr Ya there are some interviews. They do fund. I'm excited about the program. Out of the schools I applied to that aren't in top 30 it is probably one of the better ones for my research.