dubitocogito

Sorry, Boston University. Apparently, decisions are by mail.

BU History has made decisions on many applications. Including mine. No idea what the word is. I'm shaking as I type this. Wow, so nervous. Good luck everyone who has applied. Hopefully, you'll get good news soon.

Thanks so much for this information. And congratulations - interviews at Yale and Princeton, wow. Looks like you might have a tough, though enviable, choice ahead of you. Best of luck.

Ok, Ok - what is up with these interviews? I find it suspicious when people post only on the results page, but then do not post in the forums. Does anyone have good word on these Yale and Princeton interviews?

What's up with these Yale interviews? Are these for real?

Yeah, I have to say I find this little comment very offensive. And surprising, as I thought the poster was a decently bright person. Maybe it was a bad attempt at humor. That happens. For the record, I'm at Harvard now and white men seem to be getting into the treehouse just fine. That includes me. So, you'll have to find another excuse.

What?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! So happy for you! Here we go...Good luck everyone!

LOL. That's too funny. I know I'm a little late with a response to this post, but I had the same experience with the history program. BC people, on the other hand, are extremely warm and helpful. They really went out of their way to respond to my messages.

So, how is everyone holding up? I'm applying for African at NYU, Columbia, Harvard, WUSTL, Brown, BC, and BU. The waiting is terrible. I can't wait to see the first acceptance, just to know things are moving, that this limbo is limited. Maybe we'll start hearing late this week/early next? Here's to hoping.

Wow! Congratulations! As I am also applying for history, would you mind sharing the name of the institution? Best on your interview!

The GRE is a standardized test. Standardized means that it is administered and graded uniformly for all test takers. Obviously, not all institutions are created equally and not all institutions grade equally. Thus, the standardized test. Standardized does not mean that it is, or should be, a freestyle. Standardized is not synonymous with aptitude. It is also important to recognize that the GRE is not, and does not claim to be, an aptitude test. As we all know, ETS provides review products and practice tests for preparation. If you choose not to study for the test, which may include memorization (I certainly did not know a priori the definition of avuncular), do not blame the test. Also, if there is redundancy in the system, doesn't that tell you something? Maybe something you shouldn't quickly dismiss. Like Canuck wrote earlier, maybe studying might actually be important for getting a doctorate.

I think I fluxed through these on a weekly basis before deciding to study for a year. I think I'm on Bargaining for the whole application - just let me get into one school... Five Stages of GRE Grief Denial: Why would the GRE matter? It's not like the schools ask for it. Ok, well, maybe they do. But that's just a formality. That Harvard (admissions) study (on admissions) is meaningless. What the hell do they know? Stupid elitists and their lampooning and their make-out parties. If they cut by GRE during the first round, then why ask for 300 15-page writing samples? I'm sure the committee is going to read all 4500 pages. Together. Aloud. On a Sunday. Well, certainly the admissions committee will spend more time on my nursing home work with the Spirit Singers than on a stupid four hour test. I mean, they ask for a resume, too, duh! Anger: Why me? Why a test? I'm a student! I don't understand! It's not fair that people who study do well! That's just straight bullshit, son. Studying isn't ballin'. Studying isn't keepin it real. Real scholars do real things, beeyotch. Bargaining: How much does the verbal/quantitative/awa really matter? I mean, they didn't expect us to try on that section, did they? You know, Einstein failed math - and I'm sure the committee will take that into account as they review my application. They'll probably think I'm just like him! Maybe if I attach a Chicken Soup for the Soul-style explanation of my scores...Yeah, they'll never be able to resist my story about my great-grandmother's ex-life partner's death. That makes me seem unique - and stronger! My mother's best friend told me that "these things have a way of working out" and that "it's all part of God's plan for me." Who am I to argue? Her latest marriage is going really well! Depression: I put in an application to Barnes and Noble today. My section of specialization is Star Wars Cross-Sections and my section of competence is Relationships. I'm trying to make myself as broad as possible. Acceptance: ?

Um...What? Why is it fair that someone is rewarded for hard work? Yeah, I don't know. What a cruel cosmos. Next thing you know, people will study for exams and revise papers before submission. These crazy kids and their "planning ahead"-always looking for the easy way out.

The admissions officer at Boston University emphatically told me that quantitative does not matter. However, it seems to definitely matter at more competitive programs. Some schools post this information. Here are some links I have gathered: -UC Berkeley (http://history.berkeley.edu/graduate/faq.html): "For 2007, the average GRE scores were 91% verbal; 78% quantitative; and 5.5 analytical writing on a scale of 1 to 6." -Duke University (http://www.gradschool.duke.edu/about_us ... ithist.htm): 646V, 623Q. -University of Virginia (http://www.virginia.edu/history/graduat ... cation.php): "The average scores of applicants who were offered admission for the Fall of 2007 were 666 Verbal, 644 Quantitative, and 5.3 Analytic Writing." -William and Mary (http://www.wm.edu/history/grad/faqs.php): "The students admitted for the fall of 2007 had an average verbal score of 653 and an average quantitative score of 630." -University of Maryland (http://www.history.umd.edu/graduate/adm ... lines.html): "The average GRE scores, expressed as percentiles, were: Verbal: 87%; Quantitative: 59%; Analytical: 74%." -University of Minnesota (http://www.grad.umn.edu/data/stats/ad/1038000.html#gre): 645.6V, 664.7Q for 2006-2007. -Princeton also posts their applicant and admit GRE information (http://www.princeton.edu/pr/facts/profile/07/graduate/). Best of luck. I'm applying for History as well.

Canadianpolsci mentioned "The Science of Political Science Graduate Admissions" article. For those who have not read it, here is a link to a pdf of the document: http://gking.harvard.edu/files/PS93.pdf.