TeaGirl
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Posts posted by TeaGirl
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well good luck to you. But why didn't you apply for the spring semester? That's what I would've done. The only thing that would stop me is if the spring is actually more selective than the fall.
Thanks. I thought about Spring, but a several of the programs I wanted to apply to don't have Spring admission at all. Plus, getting rejected is grueling and I wasn't sure I would have better luck in the Spring because, as you said, it's more selective and there's no funding guarantee. I figured since I had a job, waiting a few months extra to start were worth me saving up some more money, figuring things out, and making better applications.
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So it says "round 2" on your footnote (or whatever you call it). Did you recycle a lot of information from last year's applications?
Only the basic stuff like transcripts. I changed a bit my CV format and updated it after asking the advice of a few business/academic friends. I made a few changes to my SOP and added what I've been doing this past year (teaching+research & publication). Finally, I also had new great GRE scores because my old ones (which were good, but not great) expired a few months ago.
Although, I didn't apply to the same schools I did last year. I really worked this year on finding great research fits and emailed POIs. I tailored each SOP to match the research of POIs in each school, and I named 2-3 profs in each school I would like to work with. Different from last year when I had everything a lot more vague.
I basically made a list this summer of everything that could have been a possible weakness in my applications which I could do something about, and then I set about trying to make it better.
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It's advantageous. I submitted one application as early (complete with LORs, transcripts, etc.) as Oct.31 and got a surprisingly early admit 6 days later. The university didn't even say that they did rolling admits, just had a deadline. I'm convinced that I got the decision so early because it was complete way before all the rush of holidays, finals, etc.
I also think it's better especially if you're a competitive applicant, they may review your application and decide to accept it before it gets lost in what is likely to be dozens of other likewise competitive applications around the deadline time, which may give one an edge.
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I applied to 5 tough programs the first time and didn't get in. This year I'm applying to seven. Before I got one acceptance I was planning to do 2 more so 9 in total, but then it came and I scratched that plan.
I think it really depends how good you are and how hard to get into the programs are (I read that psychology programs are way more competitive than other fields which is why I think DarwinAG is applying to so many).
I think if you can afford it financially, have the energy to complete 10+ good applications, there's nothing really to lose. Depends on your field and finances. For me, I already felt like I did a million applications at only 7, especially as I'm reading about different POI research at each one, tailoring contact emails and SOPs.
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Thanks! My inclination was something similar. Although I did tailor it to most schools, I think with the added focus I gained, something more succinct will clearly be of benefit. How did you do in your reapplications, if you dont mind me asking (unless this is the year of reapplication?)
You're welcome. Actually this year is my current reapplication, but I've already got an acceptance (only 6 days after I completed my application so I was a little surprised and thrilled). It's rolling admission and I finished my application really early. I guess this is a sign I did something right, so I can now wait without the stress
One thing I did do different this year was contacting POI's by the way, which is important and I highly recommend it if you're applying for a PhD. But perhaps not so important for a Master's, depending on the field. Don't expect many replies, at least in my field that's how it was because out of 10+ thoughtful and tailored emails I sent, I got exactly 3 replies back. The one I was accepted in right away was one where the POI encouraged me to apply.
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The second one is better than the first. The first one dwells too much on some things that are not really important and seems to drag on a bit. The second got to the good stuff right away without wasting time or space. Add a conclusion and a somewhat better opening statement/intro (I wouldn't go with the 'as a child' route, though, personally), a few more details here and there, and it'll be good.
You should say though what exactly did the independent research in physics entailed and what did you accomplish from it. Also, expand a bit more on the research you did and presented in the conferences and mention the names of the conferences, especially if they're good ones.
Finally, some sentences are a little awkwardly phrased, ex. "My first experience in engineering research came on account of being selected..." A better wording for that may be "I first became engaged in research when I was selected..." The engineering is redundant since everyone reading this knows you are studying and applying for an engineering degree. You end up with a shorter sentence that delivers the same meaning in a straightforward but competent way. Another awkward phrase, "circumspect decision of doing graduate work in the direction of dynamics and controls" I don't think circumspect is the word you're looking for, as it has connotations of a well studied decision because one is trying to be discreet. Also "in the direction of" sounds a bit odd.
I really really suggest that you have someone who's really good at writing proof read your statement and make suggestions. Or take it to the writing center at your university if you have one.
Btw, this is all just my opinion. You should also have a look at this about SOP mistakes to avoid
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For schools that specifically say they have a rolling admission you may get away with it. Depends on the school. Most schools, especially more competitive ones, simply will not consider incomplete applications after the deadline and that will be that.
Some schools can be lenient, but really you have email the school and confirm because you don't want to risk your application not being considered after all the effort you've put in to it.
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Adding my vote to B. Huge name with a just fine letter doesn't say as much as a super LOR from your thesis advisor.
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I kept my statement mostly similar. What I did change was the part where I talked about what I wanted to study exactly. I made it more focused and tailored to the particular school and professors I was interested. I named the POI's I was interested in working with rather than remaining vague like last year. I moved some things around, cut out some repetitions, etc. I also added my teaching experience that I've been doing this past year and the research I was working on. I ended up with an even shorter essay, only 1 page long. It's got a ton of stuff all packed into 1 page (spent a couple of weeks just trying out sentences and thinking about the best way to say things in fewer words while keeping the flow nice). But it reads like it's a lot more impressive than the spread out 2 pages I had before. At least that's what a few people who read it have told me.
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Good publications with a lot of collaboration can really help. Can't hurt to have an excellent SOP that shows academic maturity and background (this is where you need to highlight past research experience), and has focus on what you want to study. And of course, recommendation letters saying you're the best thing since sliced bread
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I wouldn't say you're too far off behind. However, I think you should focus on getting your SOP and CV done in the next week or two, so you can get something to your recommenders. Finish the CV first, even if it starts out as an uninspired list of things you've done, it'll give you something to work with and refer to when writing your SOP.
As far as POIs, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Contacting professors can often be an exercise in weirdness. I've had some reply with a thoughtful encouraging reply, some with a "sure apply" one liner, and some telling me they weren't taking on students. Some don't reply at all and some you don't contact (they never reply to emails), they contact you if they're interested. It's frustrating, but I don't think it's the end-all in applying. It's just improving your admission chances by applying to places where a POI at least thinks you've got a shot. Make sure you ask in your email if they're taking on students to clear that out from the beginning. As far as talking with them, know something about their work prior to going there so you can chat about it. If you end up in a similar scenario of talking to a prof. who isn't taking students, you could simply talk a bit about what interested you in their work in the first place and in the program in general, and what you hope to do in the future. If they don't pick up the conversational cue, there's nothing really that you can do, so thank them for their time and say bye.
I would just send those emails. Nothing to lose really. Worst case scenario, they say no, and that'll be that. But don't put the rest of you applications on hold for this. Get them done and worry about contacting POI's later.
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I wouldn't spend money on classes until you've got a definite idea of what you want to do, especially since money is an issue.
I think what would be really helpful is research. Not just superficial I may be interested in this stuff, but actually look up what people study for such a degree, course listings and topics included, kinds of projects they work on, and what they end up working in for each of those programs you're interested in. Make a list of all the possibilities that interest you, and spend a couple of weeks tackling each idea and listing all related details, including what possible additional classes you may need to take, or if you need a second degree, need to apply to graduate degree etc. It may be easier to start with what careers interest you, and work backwards from there. I think when you have it all laid out in details in front of you and having done all the related research, it would make making the decision of what you actually want a lot easier and clearer.
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I'd say you've got some time. She may be really busy or trying to get some things done before Thanksgiving. Give it a weeks or 10 days then try again. If you can't get to her by December I'd start looking for back up.
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An SOP should not list everything you ever did in your professional background. The point is to highlight important works or accomplishments.
I had a similar problem. If I'd wanted to expand on everything I'd done I would have easily ended up with 2 plus pages. Then one university asked for one and only one page when I had almost 2 pages, and I'd already thought that I had to skip a lot of things. I started ruthlessly cutting things out, and trying to find sentence structures that would say what I want without taking up a ton of space to say it. You have to get rid of all repetitions and winding phrases that don't get to the point. I probably rewrote my SOP 3 times to get there.
Just as an example, I had touched on my Master's thesis in one paragraph and then revisited the topic later in more detail. I ended up cutting everything out and kept exactly 2 really good sentences about it: one sentence summarizing the topic and what I did, and one discussing the publications that resulted and presenting the work in a conference. I phrased them as impressively as I could, and placed them in the opening paragraph to highlight their importance.
I had only one paragraph about personal stuff to prevent the statement from being dry. It really forces you to boil it down to the important things, and I actually preferred the end result so much I ended up using the same 1 page format for all my applications.
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Agreed. It's a non-issue and I wouldn't bother mentioning or explaining it, especially considering that your credentials (high GPA and graduating with great distinction) are certainly more than enough to answer the question of how good you were in relation to grades.
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Writing is a major focus (in, I would think, all research fields but whatever) but cheap gimmicks are not. I'm going for a bit of intrigue in mine but not for distracting.
You're right. It's important to be able to communicate well and be able to write papers and articles all fields. I meant more along the lines of something like creative writing, or being able to write a novel or a history book, which requires more style or skill I think than the mostly dry, straight forward language of science papers.
In any case, that was me, I'm sure it would be great if someone used a more creative opening. I just couldn't figure it out at the time, and decided to just skip it and dive in
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I find it really bad that he's trying to dissuade you from reaching high. It seems weird for a professor who's a department head, and presumably experienced, to put those programs on some genius pedestal and not to know that all kinds of students will often try and apply to top programs. Or for him to not to know that while some professors may be "geniuses", hardly everyone there or their students are. I've never heard of an honest recommendation letter harming the reputation of a professor.
I would personally try to find someone less in awe of these schools and more grounded in reality, and who is willing to support you unreservedly in your ambitions. It seems like he's gonna write the letter but even if it is good there will be that reluctance, and it may come out when he's talking about whether he thinks you'll do well at the program there or not. You'd need to clear this out with him before you ask him to write it.
Either way you decide, make sure you apply to other programs as well besides those top choices. I don't know how it is in finance, but top programs can be really competitive and they often get more qualified applicants than they can accept.
- firstsight and flaniran
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After spending so much time writing personal statements, first for my Masters and then for my PhD and again this year, I found it best to get to the point. I went with,
"I'm a graduate from University X with a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering."
And it's worked. I think unless you are in some humanities field where writing is a major focus, professors don't really care for cool opening lines as long as you write well and have good grammar. In the end, the decision is going to come down your qualifications and not whether you found that perfect quote or not.
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Another note on the adaptive part of the test, it can vary depending what your random extra section is, verbal or quatitative. I did really badly on my first quantitative section (brain freeze) and was sure I was gonna have to take the GRE again. The second came super easy which only depressed me more, but I did my best and I'm sure I scored almost perfectly on it. My "extra" section turned out to be a quantitative section which I also did very well on. I ended up with a 168.
So all is not predictable at the actual exam.
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1. It may matter, but as long as she's not your master's thesis advisor which is generally required, I wouldn't say it's crucial.
2 and 3. I would track them down, apologize for the short notice, and let them know how much you would appreciate it if they could possibly help you out. Seeing as your supervisor seems unwilling to write a letter now, this is not something that is likely to change in the future.
Finally, if your undergrad grades are good and you've got good experience, then that can make up for the GRE (not sure what requirements are for your major, for engineering high Quant. scores are essential, while a 640 in Verbal would be way more than enough). Make sure you have an excellent and professional SOP and that your recommenders can write a really good letter for you.
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You should be technical enough so that you seem to know your stuff and so someone in your major will understand, but not too technical that either the big picture is lost in detail heavy sentences, or that someone in a somewhat different computer science area won't understand. SOP's are generally read by professors, and they may not be working in your direct area of interest.
You should definitely place each project in context, stating the goal, your role, and what was accomplished.
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I'm almost done with all 7 of my applications, just waiting on one more LOR for one of them. Of course this is my second time around, so I'm used to the routine stuff (filling out the apps, ordering transcripts and scores, etc.) and I was able to get done with quickly. I also got a bit of a head start and spent the summer doing all the research on universities and professors.
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I was planning to apply to around 12 schools. When it came down to it, I worked hard on 7 applications and decided to stick with that. I think 15 is fine if on the higher edge. The only downside is the money and time/effort. It can get pricey really quickly.
what to do in a year if you decide to delay applying for a year?
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I agree. Either get a job doing research, or if you can't, then do the research for free and get a regular job meanwhile to save some money. I would start right away, because if you have 10months of research, it's more impressive as an experience and you've got more time to get an actual result out of it, like a conference publication or an article.