amlobo

My Pandora is just kind of permanently on a mix station I created of a few artists - A Fine Frenzy, Adele, Missy Higgins, Christina Perri, and Ed Sheeran. It has been the perfect mellow backdrop for filling out applications. Lol.

I had a few schools where there were quite a few faculty in my area, especially for larger or more focused departments. I usually used a rule of thumb of not mentioning more than 3, even if there were more than that. I basically did a "general fit" paragraph for the program, then mentioned a few profressors. I always liked to start it out with "The quality of the faculty at X is impressive, and I believe that a number of professors could contribute to my studies, blah blah blah" to where it was me saying there are more than these, but here are some specific ones.

Rice and Notre Dame do in-person interviews (and not for just marginal applicants). I think schools that do in-person interviews are for "all top applicants", but phone interviews are probably more for deciding between a few similar applicants for the last spot or something.

I am applying to Sociology programs, and I know some will do phone interviews if they are trying to decide between a few people. And, I am applying to two programs that always conduct in-person interviews for top applicants (fly you there, etc.). Many of the programs also have a non-competitive "visit" weekend for admitted students. I would look at your subject's forum on here from last year's cycle to get an idea of what was going on.

I don't answer when it's a number I don't recognize, so I'm hoping I just get a voicemail if anyone calls. Ha. I guess that only delays a conversation, but it would at least give me time to collect myself (scream, jump, cry, etc.). I hope they just spout off a ton of information on funding and visit weekends, etc. and tell me to contact them with any questions. Then I can say, "Thank you so much for calling me to let me know. Your program is one of my top choices, and I will definitely be in touch with any questions I have." I kind of figure that if I get ANY acceptance, I will be so beside myself I will probably act like a complete lunatic, but at that point, they've already accepted me, right?! Lol.

I actually just told someone "I am sure that no one has actually ever died of anticipation... but, right now, I feel like it's possible."

My friend asked me today how applications were going, and I just replied "vomitous." She changed the subject.

I seriously look for House Hunters or other shows on cities for schools I'm applying to... or search for houses/apartments in various areas online to entice hubby into seeing the wonderful options that await. And, I point out his friends that live close to certain schools...

Well, I had planned to apply in 2 years (for Fall 2015)... and it was actually my husband's job situation that led to me applying much sooner than anticipated. Right now, he has a one-year term position, so he will have to start a new job in August anyway. He told me I might as well apply now and see what happens. He hopes that I find out where I'm attending by March so he can start job searching in the new city to start by August. We also are saving up money in the event we have to live off of savings for a few months. I had to relocate a few years ago for his schooling, and we lived on my part-time income for 9 months until I found a full-time job, so we are no strangers to pinching pennies. The big thing for us was really discussing what we both needed. We made the decisions together. We agreed that I would apply only to fully-funded programs, in cities large enough for him to find a job. One of the top programs in my field is in one of his least favorite options, but he has already said that if I get in, I can't turn it down. He was skeptical at first, but he eventually realized how miserable I was at my job and how perfect a career in academia and in my particular discipline would be for me. It kind of took me being intolerably unhappy and providing him with endless information on funding, career prospects, etc. for him to see this as a viable option. I encouraged him to research on his own, and he did... and he eventually got very excited about it. I also threw in a few schools that are not perfect fits but are in areas he wants to live (and that I would still happily attend), to appease him. Lol.

I had quite a few programs request hard copies of transcripts. Most had no requirements beyond "mail official transcripts to X address." Some said "in a sealed envelope" or something similar. I had 4 transcripts, so this was a logistical nightmare that terrified me to no end. I ended up requesting copies from each school, then mailing the sealed, official envelopes all together in one big envelope to each program. The programs show my transcripts as "received," so I assume there were no issues. If you only have one transcript, I would think requesting that the school send it directly would be much quicker. My alma mater also allows "rush delivery" for an extra charge, so you might want to look into that if it worries you. Most universities have online transcript ordering now, too.

I got an email yesterday with the headline "This e-mail contains a link to important information regarding your application". The body then said "You have a new electronic notice from Graduate Admissions! To open, click here to log in to your account, and click the Messaging link." And... it was a message saying the deadline had been extended. Grrrrr! Can't they put that in the email heading... instead of sending an email directing you to your application status site... directing you to a message!? I imagine the graduate admissions office laughing thinking about how many panic attacks they caused with that one email.

I have a similar story to some of you, and it's good to know there are a few of us out there My husband and I will have to sell our house and move across the country (most of the programs are over a day's drive away, easily). Luckily, we only have a cat... though she hates to travel, which should make it fun. I love our house, and I know we will be downsizing but paying more wherever I end up. My husband will have to find a job in a new city... and he's an attorney, so he will have to take the bar exam in that state, too (he's rooting for different schools based on that state's exam, lol). We will be moving away from my family, and we will have no family within driving distance wherever we end up. I haven't even told my family that I'm applying because my mother would stage an intervention, I'm pretty sure. I will break the news to her if I get in. I will have to quit my job (also as an attorney), but I think that is what I am most looking forward to. The idea of getting in nowhere is scary, but mostly because I would have to stay at my job for another year! I am glad to have steady employment, though... even if it's kind of miserable.

If you are looking at salary as the absolute "value" of a job, there are a ton of jobs that don't require degrees that would be "better" than getting a PhD. Truck drivers can make 6 figures if they take "good" jobs. I know a few people with zero college experience who are making close to $200,000 per year - one selling medical software, the other as a lineman for electrical companies. But, then I think... would I want those jobs? No. When I decided to apply for PhD programs, I asked myself... "If, at the end of this, I get my PhD and cannot find a job in academia, will I regret doing it?" Again, the answer was no. If you read all of those "why you shouldn't get a PhD" lists, one of the things they always say is "If you can think of anything else that you would be happy doing instead of getting a PhD, do it." So, I figure that if I was seriously considering any other option, I would not be applying to PhD programs. But, that's just me.

I will add to the "don't worry about it" column. Many schools even explicitly acknowledge that LORs can be late - I have seen a few say within 2 weeks of the deadline or so. I would just contact your LOR writer and ask him to please submit ASAP for those schools, then contact the school to let them know that you have the LOR, but that he is submitting a few days late. If you get it in within a reasonable amount of time, I'm sure there will be no problem.

I had a school with very similar requirements. I had to give a one-paragraph summary of my goals, then I had to separately submit a 1000 word SOP. In the one paragraph, I very succinctly stated my areas of interest and relayed that I wanted to pursue a career in academia. I would say that perhaps the 100 words is asking for your "career goals" in pursuing the degree, and the 400 words is asking for specifically your research interests. That would be my assumption if I saw this on one of my applications, anyway.

I am also applying to the JDP, and I have been wondering the same thing. Technically, we are applying to be students of both the Sociology program and the Social Policy program... so, I am assuming that any dissertation committee could be made up from people within either program (which includes faculty from all of the disciplines). The thing about the JDP is that it is an interdisciplinary program, and the whole point in applying to the JDP instead of the "regular" Sociology program is that you will have the chance to work with other disciplines. I am taking the approach that it's best to discuss not only why I am a good fit for Sociology but also why my interests fit with the dual program, which necessarily includes discussing how my research would benefit from the other faculty/disciplines. I think it's important to remember that you are *not* applying to the regular Sociology program, and you are choosing this joint program because it is a better fit... so I think a big part is explaining why that is. That's my feeling, anyway. For the JDP program, I think it would be fine to mention affiliated faculty from any discipline or any Sociology faculty (even those not affiliated). The Sociology faculty member I am most interested in working with is not part of the teaching faculty in the JDP, and I don't think it really matters. I agree - nervous about applying to JDP, but for me, it really is a much better fit. Might as well apply to the program you are most interested in, right?

I am really hoping adcomms understand that the curve in law school is incredibly different than the grades in MA programs. I am an attorney who is applying to PhD programs, so I have the whole 3 years of law school grades... which are "worse" than my undergrad grades. I am hoping they understand that at most law schools, a 3.4 is top 10% of the class... but I really don't know. In your case, if you only have one semester of grades, I wouldn't be worried about the grades so much as explaining why you are switching programs. Obviously, it's more than just "I didn't like law school," but be sure to articulate why *this* course of study appeals to you and show that you are serious about finishing.

I second all of the above. Stressed, paranoid, freaking myself out. I have been avoiding GradCafe for the most part for that very reason - it provided more stress at this point than anything, lol. Still trying to decide whether to check the results forum over the next few months or just await my own results, blissfully ignorant of others' statuses... Good luck to all!

Minnesota has now been dropped and Hopkins added. Prof I was interested in at Minnesota moved schools. Good thing I checked! Also, I guess since others are throwing stats up, I'll join in: 165V / 165Q / 5.0AW. ~3.5 UGPA + J.D.

I was thinking about this too... because when it's "optional" to list other schools, I'm wondering if there is an advantage or disadvantage to list the schools. I decided to go ahead and list all schools on the application I've encountered that asked about it. I am assuming it's for data collection purposes... to see what kinds of schools they share applicants with or perhaps, to some extent, to assess the chances of an applicant accepting so they can gauge how many offers to make.

I opted not to mention my mediocre GPA in my SOP. It's not ridiculously low (3.43, from a top 15 university), so I thought it better just not to bring any kind of attention to it. It's not "low" for my university, so I just hope the adcomm knows that. I did have some pretty good reasons, but they sounded trite when I tried writing them down, even if they were true. The SOP is the place to sell yourself, so just show them how awesome you are and don't focus on negatives unless there is a VERY good explanation. In my case, I scored well on the GRE, so I am trying not to worry about my GPA. Few people have perfect stats, and perfect stats aren't the key to admission anyway. That's what I keep telling myself...

I am applying to 15 schools. Obviously, the more schools you apply to, the more work you must put into it. If you are willing to put in the work to make these applications "worthwhile," there is no reason to limit yourself. Though, I am glad my application deadlines are spaced out, so I can devote time accordingly. I did choose these 15 schools because they are all a good fit and are all places I would be excited to attend... as I think anything less is not worth the time or money. I say if you can handle the application process and would be happy with any of these schools, apply to as many as you like.

I think it may be worth mentioning in passing to perhaps show the strength of your resolve to pursue graduate studies, especially on those statements where the school requests that you discuss any adversities you have overcome or how you are "diverse" in some way. Also, if your qualifications/preparedness suffered in some way as a result of the lack of support/opportunities, it might help to explain it. Some adcomms might not care, but if you can weave it in easily, it can't hurt.

Ok, this isn't free but if you buy Kaplan's Premiere GRE book, you can get a free electronic copy on your iPad. It also has an awesome online component.

Some of the programs I'm looking at specifically say that the writing sample limit applies to "substantive text." But, it might be worth checking with the program to verify if you are worried.