amlobo

I decided to apply to Sociology programs and no Education programs. Ultimately, I felt like an Education degree would be too limiting for my interests. And, I noticed that even professors within Education schools that are doing sociological work often have Sociology degrees. I just tailored my focus on schools to include only those with a strong concentration of faculty researching educational issues.

I did some summer classes at different universities, and I am just submitting all transcripts for everything I did, even though my credit got transferred. It means submitting 4 transcripts to every school, but it seemed like most schools wanted transcripts for even non-degree institutions.

I don't particularly think it's reasonable to "assume" anything, especially with women who are in demanding careers like academia. I am currently an attorney, and the same type of stigma exists for female attorneys, who are not "expected" to have children until their careers are firmly established because "the best attorneys" are also working 24/7. However, I think highly educated women, especially, are much more likely to be able to balance their responsibilities and to have a partner with whom they share relatively equal responsibility for parenting. Even incredibly accomplished female academics have children, and I don't think it is fair to assume that their work suffers much more than that of male academics who have children. Whether male or female, a person's parenting approach is just that: personal. So, I don't think you can assume anything simply because a parent is female versus male. That said, there are obviously some women who choose to or are forced to take a larger role in the parenting, and I think it's naive to imply that it won't affect some women's work. I am a woman, and I will probably have children some day. I like to think that my children will be "planned," that I will juggle my responsibilities accordingly, and that it won't have any impact on my career. But, really, no one knows what will happen until you are in the situation. So, if even *I* can't predict the effect of motherhood on my career, how can a prospective employer feign to do the same? Just my opinion. I'm interested to hear what others think... and hope no one attacks you for posing a valid query.

I thought I'd add a quick update to my original post. I contacted a professor at one of my top choices, since she is one of the only professors I could work with at the small program, and I got what I think is a positive response. I simply asked if she was taking students and a little bit about her research, and I attached my CV. She said she was taking students and would encourage me to apply and gave me info on her research "team". So, at least it confirms my desire to apply to that school, and I know I'm not wasting my time in putting her name in my SOP. I think that is what I want to "get" out of my POI contact, so I feel like it was worth contacting her. Not sure if that will "help" me in the admissions process, but I felt good to get a positive response, nonetheless.

Well, I emailed my LOR writers, but I do live far away. I worried about contacting my undergrad professor because I have been out of school for six years, so it felt a little odd to be emailing him out of the blue to ask for a recommendation. In my email, I gave a quick update on my life, explained my reasons for applying, disclosed how many schools I was applying to, and asked if he could write me a letter. I attached a copy of my CV and offered to send my old papers from his class and my statement of purpose if he agreed to write the letter. My subject heading was "Inquiry from a Former Student." My professor responded enthusiastically, and I actually liked being able to explain everything to him in one fell swoop instead of having a face-to-face conversation. I really don't think asking in person is necessary if you are no longer attending the university, and I personally wanted to secure a commitment as soon as possible so I could find another person if he couldn't do it. Letting the professors know early is good, as well, because then they can write the letter when it's convenient for them (which, obviously, may not be in late November when finals are approaching). I say just lay it all out in one email, but that is simply what worked best for my situation. You can always ask in the email, then offer to meet up to discuss it further. Good luck!

I have a full time job, but teach part-time, so I actually made two headings: Professional Experience and then Teaching and University Service (where I put teaching and an editor position on an academic journal). So, that's one option.

Ok, what does everyone think about whether to contact POIs? I know people have been successful with contacting POIs and without, and I just wonder whether it really makes any difference. I feel like, with most schools, I picked them specifically because I could fit with multiple people and my research interests fit well with the program as a whole. Of course, there are a couple where I am specifically interested in one or two people, and I can see the possible benefit of contacting those professors directly. But, in general, what are your thoughts on contacting POIs? If anyone has insight into specific programs' guidelines or preferences, please feel free to include that information, as well. I know some programs may specifically encourage or discourage interaction with professors.

I think, if they ask for a "CV", attach a CV. If they say "resume or CV", then you could get away with a regular resume. I, too, have more work experience than anything else, so I was afraid of what my CV would look like. Just put headings on your CV for the areas in which you actually have qualifications, and if you have no research experience or publications, just leave those off. I'm sure there are plenty of people with no research or publications. I looked at a few current grad students' CVs in programs I'm applying to, and some of theirs were pretty sparse, so I would not stress out too much about it. A lot of programs don't even ask for a CV, at least in my field.

I also think it's worth sprinkling a few higher-ranked programs in, if they fit well with your research interests. Your quant score may hinder you in some quant-heavy programs, but there are many schools out there that don't place the emphasis on quant. And, if you raise it even 5 points or so, it won't be a hindrance. So much depends on the whim of the adcomm in what they are placing emphasis on in any given admissions cycle, and with your overall background and qualifications, I think you would be considered at some higher-ranked programs. And, you'd probably have a good shot at 30-60 ranked programs.

Thanks! I try to be helpful if I can I'll PM you.

I am going to customize each one to discuss each different school, but I am not going to extend the length for the longer ones. I feel good about my SOP as it is now, at 2 pages, so I figure I will stick with it and not try to add in more "just because I can." And, the 2500 limit is the only one anywhere close to that long; most fall around 2-3 pages.

I wrote my SOP to fit my "shortest" length requirement of 2 double-spaced pages, so it is about 900 words or so. I second looking at your program requirements. Mine ranged from the 2 double-spaced pages to 2500 words. I was having trouble cutting mine down, but I had one of my LOR writers look at it, and she was able to help me pinpoint where I could be more concise. So, maybe have someone look it over... outside input is always helpful!

I figure if I'm willing to put in the time and can afford the fees, why not just apply to as many as I want? PhD programs are so competitive, too! Believe it or not, that IS the pared-down list. Lol. Where are you looking?

Brace yourself... I'm applying WIDE. I'm basically applying to all of the schools that fit my interests and are in places where I can live (I need a decent-sized town for the hubby to find a job). Ok, here it is: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Harvard, Princeton, NYU, Penn, Yale, Texas, Rice, UCSD, UCLA, UC-Irvine, Stanford, Berkeley, Notre Dame. All are Sociology PhD apps, except Harvard and Princeton, where I am applying to dual Sociology/Social Policy PhD programs. Yeah, that's 15 schools... yikes!

I had a similar problem with my SOP - I wanted to use an example but worried someone might have a personal connection to it and be offended. So, I just generalized it a bit and took out the more specific references I had originally planned to make. The good thing is that I think the example still serves the purpose and conveys the message I wanted, but without any chance of offending someone. Good luck!

I went to an undergrad on the quarter system, and you could transfer to a semester school, and your credits would get translated into credit hours. Are you wanting to transfer at the end of this quarter? I would think if you're only one quarter in, you might have a couple of classes to make up since quarters generally have one or two classes less than a semester. Talk to the prospective school where you want to transfer and see if it's doable.

I really think it depends on how you phrase it. I think an introduction like the one you mentioned can be a good way to delve into your interests and give a real-life example of the kind of work you want to do. I think it's a matter of keeping your tone more "objective" and academic rather than "politically charged" in some way. You may be passionately against this practice of the Red Cross, but I think it would serve you well to discuss it in a more formal approach. Basically, discuss the subject in a detached manner and not as if you are writing a personal essay imposing "your" views on the matter. Just frame it as you said - as an example of institutionalized homophobia - and relate it to the kind of research or work you want to accomplish with your degree. It's not like you are applying for an English program and talking about a political issue - I see that you are applying to MSW programs, which are inherently concerned with social justice. Basically, just approach it as an issue of academic inquiry and not as a "pundit" might. I hope that makes sense.

I'm going to a local university that has public access during certain hours. I called ahead to make sure I could access online journal databases. Also, I have seen some people mention on here that they contacted the professor directly to ask for a copy of their article, and the professor was happy to provide it.

Is there a part of your SOP where you are discussing your qualifications/background? You could add in a quick reference to the bad semester and "gap" semester without spending too much time going into detail. It could be as simple as: "Due to medical issues in my X year, my grades suffered tremendously, and I made the difficult decision to take some time off from my studies to address these issues. The next year, I was able to come back and return to my previous level of achievement, attaining X and Y...." You don't need much space to point out that you had an issue that had a very acute effect.

I worried about this too... and then decided to cut out all of my "backup" schools because I didn't really want to go to them. I figure I would rather re-apply next year than go somewhere just to go *somewhere*. The better schools just happen to fit my research interests better, so we'll see what happens!

I have already asked all of my LOR writers just so I felt secure that I had them committed. I think 3 months is a good amount of time because you may encounter someone who is unresponsive, or someone you had counted on may decline, leaving you to find another person to fill that spot. Also, some professors have a lot of letters to write and a busy course load, so they might appreciate the advanced notice so they can plan their schedule for the semester and allot enough time to handle your letters. Just be sure to provide them with information on the deadlines, so they can plan accordingly.

I second the "no salutations necessary" advice. I think, really, the SOP has to be what works for you, as you were correct that there is conflicting advice from everyone. I have a friend who is finishing his dissertation, and I was complaining about getting all of this conflicting information on how to write my SOP, and he simply told me "Don't crowdsource your SOP." And, he's right. Everyone has different circumstances, and a format that works for one person might not work for another. I also think it's somewhat program-specific... like, maybe a humanities program has more tolerance for or expectation of creativity than a sciences program. I think it's all so subjective, it's impossible to say there is any "right" way to do it. That said, my opening was creative and didn't just launch right into discussing my qualifications and basic research interests. I introduced my research interests in a creative way without using the cliche "Ever since I did X as a child, I have wanted to be X." I think that's the format you want to avoid. A creative intro that pertains to the topic is a good way to start, if you can make it work for you. Mine starts out with a bit of a discussion on a factoid that relates to my research interests and my background in the subject. I am switching disciplines/careers, so the focus on my progression is a bit more important for my SOP than it would be for someone who has a strong background in their discipline. I will add that one of my LOR writers has reviewed my SOP and loves it (now, after many revisions, ha). She said you want something that adcomms will want to keep reading. I am kind of led by advice I read from two professors. One said that he likes to "learn something" when he reads an SOP... which is what sparked my idea to lead with my little factoid (it's about a specific regional practice). Another said that you shouldn't try to educate him on his own field... because he's an expert, and you're not. Basically, just sell yourself in the best way that you can. Have a professor (or multiple professors) look over it and give you feedback. I'm so glad I had someone who has read hundreds of SOPs look over mine because it was incredibly helpful to get that kind of perspective.

Would your dissertation supervisor be willing to give them some tips? I would think that, as a lecturer, he might be more used to writing the letters and could provide at least a basic format or perhaps a past letter with the specifics redacted.

If you are in physical proximity, meet with him. If not, drop him an email or a call to explain your plans. I contacted a professor I haven't seen in 6 years to write a letter for me, and I just sent him a lengthy email updating him on my life and plans... and then asked if he would write a letter at the end of the email and offered to send my SOP, previous papers from his class, etc. He was more than happy to write a letter and has offered to go over whatever documents I'd like help with. I was pleasantly surprised that he both remembered me and is so enthusiastic about helping me with applications, 6 years after graduating. So, I would say that one communication of some sort "catching him up" is sufficient, and you wouldn't need to contact him under the guise of asking for help on the SOP. He will probably assume that you want a letter of rec if you do that, anyway