nailbitingnmiserable

In stating my opinion, I didn't meant to imply that you shouldn't study for the GRE. Of course you should study. I was only stating that Prep courses and financial situation create an unfair bias. It is the kind of test you can get better at just by learning how to take the test. The writing section makes sense, though I prefer the old logic section, the quantitative is straightforward--and somewhat pointless for people in social sciences or humanities fields--but it is tough if you've been out of school for a while. The verbal section is just awful. I have an excellent vocabulary, and there were tons of words on there that not only didn't I know, but there was no way to reason out the answer. The test purposefully provides trick answers, that would make sense if you attempt to reason it out using the root or part of sentence/speech tactics. This is just silly in my opinion. Under these situations you are just testing the ability to memorize vocab lists, and not to reason or to understand the dynamics of language and word usage. I recognized this early on and memorized the word lists like a good little girl--hence my decent score on the verbal section--but I still think it is stupid. Speaking as someone who studied hard and did well on the GREs, I feel they measure very little about a student's ability to thrive in a doctoral program and should not be weighed heavily in admissions decisions.

I think the arguing over GRE scores and their importance or accuracy is never going to end. I tend to perform well on standardized tests, but I know plenty of smart, hard working, driven individuals who do not. A close friend of mine, whose GPA trumps mine, and who worked her tail off in college, is one of these people. Should she have her application tossed aside just because she doesn't perform well on standardized tests? The other issue is that of prep courses. Students with the time and money are able to invest big bucks into "practicing" for the GRE. These classes teach you how to perform well on the exam, and the knowledge they cram into you is generally lost within days of completing the test. These classes do work, but they are only available to an elite group of students.

I had a dream the other night that I got accepted to NYU. I was so happy I started to cry. I woke up completely disappointed that it had only been a dream, and convinced that if I checked my email it would still be there. Sadly, no email. : ( Is it bad that even my dreams are revolving around grad school?

I don't know when UPENN starts getting back to people, but I imagine around the same time as the others, mid - late Feb. That seems to be the make or break period for most Anthro programs.

My SO and I just got engaged last week, and he is planning to move with me wherever. I actually didn't apply to a few places cause I knew he wouldn't want to move there. The only problem is that he is planning to apply to business school next year, and could wind up many miles away anyway.

Try not to worry about it too much. I don' t think that is a make or break issue.

Thanks everyone...I'm feeling a little more relaxed right now, but I'd be even happier if they would update the websites to show that they rec'd all my materials. Two of the schools are still showing incomplete. I emailed and called, but no wants to talk to me. They keep sending these auto messages saying I should chill another week or so, and then worry. I thought getting all my material in over a month early would prevent this from happening. Silly me.

I've been reading over some of the anthro postings from 2006, and making myself even more nervous. I'm also terrified that I tried to pack too much information into my Statement. Reading over it, it seems disjointed, and I've found typos...typos! I must have looked it over a hundred times before I sent it in, how am I only now finding these typos? My original statement had a lot more of me in it, and was more organic. The one I sent in is crammed with name dropping and reads terribly. I made the changes based on the suggestions of my recommenders, but really it just seems awful. What if the one person I need to like it -- the head of the NYU grad admissions committee -- doesn't like the way it is written? Is that it for me? Do I lose any chance of getting in?

I'm trying to think positive thoughts but it isn't really working. I don't think I can make myself prepared for rejection though

I too was hoping to to stay too busy to notice, but sadly it isn't working. January must be the longest month ever.

I went straight from undergrad into an MA program in anthro, and then took a few years off. I've had some fieldwork experience, and research experience, but no publications. My MA program did not include writing a Thesis; instead I interned with the Smithsonian Institute in DC.

As far as I'm aware (was told this by a prof), the programs like to see that you had started taking the language of your research prior to entering school. I am in a similar boat as I'm learning Hindi, but I'm only at an intermediate level right now and far from fluent. I made sure to discuss the courses I have taken and will take on my app, and hopefully that will be enough.

So this wasn't an anthropology program, and they didn't notify you directly? I don't think any of the schools I applied to call applicants in for interviews? Do you know? Thanks, and I'm sorry about Emory. I would also say not to let it get you down too much. When applying to MA programs I had a similar experience, and was rejected by my safety but got into my top choice.

Me: Sociocultural, South Asia (India) and Indian Diaspora, gender studies and Immigration What about everyone else?

I also applied to NYU and UPENN. I don't know about UPENN, but NYU looks like they generally send out acceptances at the end of Feb and rejections at the end of March. what is your research focus?

I recently visited Brown, and spoke with some grad students there who commute from Boston. I took the train there myself and it wasn't too bad. Lots of time to sleep or catch up on reading, but a nice direct route overall. The walk wasn't bad from the train, and there are buses to campus. Providence seems a lot like Cambridge, just a little more quiet. The campus is lovely, old and walkable, the professors older mainly, but respected and friendly, and the students a mix - many of them seem kind of disenchanted with the school and the program, but I would prefer to form an opinion for myself.

Every day I promise myself I am just going to not think about it...and every day I find myself checking the school website, this forum and other sites, hoping to come across some news. I know nothing will be out till Feb...grrrr...I just can't help it.

Thanks for the web address. I don't know if is it better or worse knowing that if I'm in I will probably hear between Feb 14 and Feb 28, and if I'm rejected it will probably be sometime in March. It looks like all the anthro programs I applied to, except Penn which isn't listed, have late Feb notification for accepted students. If I go to Brown, I might end up of staying in Boston and commuting to Providence, though 5 years or more of that might actually be worse than just moving there. :|

Hey Guys, I was hoping to find some other Anthro applicants who might be out there and playing the waiting game. I'm miserably trying to survive the next couple of months while waiting on NYU, UPENN, UChicago, UVA, WashU and Brown. Has anyone heard anything about when we might start to be notified, and/or how notification will come? I keep seeing and hearing different things.

I enjoyed number 4, as I am in a similar boat - NYU is my top choice school. Out apartment in Boston is so small; I can't imagine fitting into an "affordable" apartment in NY. At least we have a cat who is good at catching mice and bugs.

Thank you to all the people who replied to my post with comforting words and humor. I can't wait till the end of March, and yet there is a part of me that knows that at least now there is still hope...by the end of March there may not be. I tried to only pick schools I would be a good fit at, so I'll keep hoping for now. 8)

I feel awful after reading all your posts. I screwed up a bit in the past, and my GPA is from my MA program is only a 3.4, but I did pretty well on my GREs, have amazing recommendations, and I think wrote a strong statement. The only other things I have going for me are my personal visits with professors, TA positions and intern/research experience. I feel like I'm in trouble. I want to grab the profs by the collar and scream at them, "Of course your should take me!" Too bad that would just get me thrown out of their offices. :cry:

My sig other is also getting mad at me, and keeps threatening to take away my laptop and hide it. Unfortunately that would still leave my work computer :| I just wish they would send me something...anything...All I need is one school

Hey Everyone, I'm waiting on 6 schools, and I know the results won't be out till at least Feb. but I can't stop checking the websites. I think I'm losing it. I applied to PhD programs in Anthro at NYU, UPENN, UChicago, UVA, Johns Hopkins, and Brown. Is anyone else in the same boat?