socguy

You have to provide much more information regarding your application before anyone can give you useful advice. GPA GRE Score Quality of Letters of Rec (e.g., how gushing, fame of writers) Writing Sample (original research/theory) Interests Other relevant skills/background

Hi All, There's a very interesting discussion over at orgtheory regarding what members of grad admittance committees look for. The post itself is helpful but read the comments because a number of prominent sociologists weigh in. Check it out! http://orgtheory.wordpress.com/2011/05/06/how-i-pick-grad-students/

Reading methods, stats, and intro books sounds like a fate worse than death. If you're a stats person, then that may help. But, for most students, the stats you'll get in your program will be a good enough start. In contrast, I would suggest reading review articles that synthesize your subfield. Review articles (like those in the Annual Review of Sociology) are usually very boring and dense but they provide good overviews to a subfield, highlight current debates, and point to other works that might be helpful. From there you can find stuff that is both currently relevant and more fun to read. Also, I think reading things written by your new faculty is helpful. It will help you talk with them and will give you an idea of who's doing what in your department.

I have a friend who went through the DASA program. She really liked it and now does statistical analysis for a non-profit. She said it was very intense and very stats heavy. If that's your bag, it might be the right program for you.

Just declined an offer from Indiana and was informed that they're going to make an offer to someone on the waitlist. Good luck, it sounds like a great school.

Just a note for people considering UCSD- Steve Epstein has left the program for Northwestern. Although they still have his name up on the website, he's definitely leaving. I just thought you science studies folks would like to know...