Willows

This is essentially what my school required; algebra/cal->then elementary stats-> then stats for soc majors -> then data analysis -> then methods.

Definitely. I just question the impact of taking non-credit courses (without even a grade?) in the hopes of it boosting your application when you have a 3.9 already with stats and microeconomics. It seems like that effort might be better spent on other methods, like developing independent research projects/RA's, which may have a greater impact on competitiveness than taking the above style of course. (Unless the OP already has a plethora of both, but this is unstated.) I don't see it as a bad thing; rather, I just wonder if there are better alternatives, if that makes sense.

Is there something utterly lacking in your applications? With a 3.9 GPA and considerably high GRE scores for the social sciences, it seems strange that you wouldn't be competitive anywhere. I could understand additional courses if you had a low GPA, but I'm not sure what you're compensating for by taking them.

I think we pretty much have identical GRE scores after my retake, but I admit.. I do struggle almost daily with how low I feel the quant is (again, compared to this board). I hope it isn't my Achilles' heel!

Your GPA is kind of low and so are both sections of your GRE. However, that can possibly be overlooked if you have substantial research experience assuming you meet any arbitrary cutoffs. I am only applying for 2-3 programs in the top 20, but it's a really random process in a lot of cases. You have some people with nearly perfect GRE scores who only get in one or two places with the same amount of research experience as someone who gets in multiple places with much lower GRE scores. So, fit and all those often under looked aspects are important. I would just apply really spread out if I were you; it's the same advice I've given myself. I have an A- GPA, high verbal/AW score, unimpressive quant score, but ran an independent research project. You just never know what they're looking for in any given application cycle.

I was told they're looking at how well you assess and apply to programs similar to theirs in terms of fit. I imagine for higher ranking institutions, they may be considering the prestige factor of other schools you apply to as well.

Those scores are almost 1400 if you use the conversion pdf on the ETS website. Your scores will not be trashed by the secretary, lol. Mine are around 1300, so definitely worse. http://www.ets.org/s...information.pdf

No one knows a definitive answer to this, but I will say it probably depends on the school where you are applying. I know from personal experience that there are cutoffs at some schools, and yes that means the rest of your application is never considered by an adcom if you don't meet their minimum score. Like I said before, I've never heard of a cutoff being more than 1200.

How abysmal are we talking? If you can score in the 80+ percentile, new score of 159, for verbal (usually translates to around 600 on the old scale), your quant score can be a little lower. The 50 percentile for quant is a 151 on the new system, which is supposedly somewhere between a 620-650. So, that's a 1220-1250 score, which I think is enough to get your application looked at anywhere. The minimum cut offs, if listed, are usually 1100, and I have heard the unwritten cutoffs are 1200.

I find it disheartening that sociologists are potentially propagating the ideas that women are bound to their children more so than men. Fortunately, I have much of my undergrad and current research to substantiate that I can, in fact, balance research and academics with a child. I believe Giddens has a lot to say about stereotypes from a sociological perspective. Women can't be kept at home anymore so there's a displacement for control now: to maintain that women are less productive in the workplace than men because they have to care for children. Certainly, the patriarchy is alive and well -- rampant within institutions, including academia, so I expect (begrudgingly) to hear asinine remarks about my womb and "reproductive rights."

I have a small (under 5) child and am planning another while writing my dissertation. I think many women accepted to programs are in their mid-to-late 20s, so it is probably a relatively common occurrence to have women become pregnant while they are spending 5-7 years in a program.

Cultural theory encompasses critical theory, which is an imperative if you're interested in women's studies/gender. Of course, that's my opinion, and someone else may have an equally valid counter point. I think it is the best choice to go with what your interests are, which is why I highly, highly recommend talking to someone who can advise you based on your past and future goals. I would email them even if you don't have an appointment for advising.

Most programs, if you look at their 5 year plan or whatever sort of plan they have, require a social theory course. So to directly answer your question, no - not required for admittance into the program in most cases. It's part of the program upon admittance (hence a background making your life easier). Although I do implore you to look at specific program requirements because they all vary. One program I was interested in required proficiency in a foreign language. I think cultural theory is important, particularly for my interests. I don't feel qualified to say that it is more important than a politics & sociology course if that fits your interests better, though.

I would take the first one. It's my opinion that a solid foundation in social theory will only help you as almost every school I've looked at has this as a required course in the PhD program. As for the rest, it's really your preference. Do you have a grad adviser you could talk to? I would bring it up with him/her and begin building a relationship there, especially since (around here) they tend to be active professors in the grad program. In the long run, he/she may give you more insight to your program, etc.

Are you looking at their current CVs? I mean, it would make sense that they have some those things (especially in regards to articles/books) now that they are active in grad school. Unless you are looking at their stats when they actually applied and entered grad school, I would not feel intimidated. Lots of people enter grad school with a MS/MA/JD, but a fair amount (maybe even more - I haven't looked at any stats) enter straight out of undergrad. Do you have RA experience or have you conducted an independent research project? Either of these things are note-worthy when applying straight from undergrad.

Which program are you using to gauge scores? Every single program/test underestimated what my score in both sections would be. So, you may be surprised on test day.

ETS was the closest to my actual scores as compared to the other online exams I took. However, I scored several points higher on the real test on the verbal and a few higher on the quant. Princeton Review was the least accurate in predicting my scores -- underestimating my score by 8-10 points on the new scale (which is a fair amount).

No, I have taken it before so I can send my last scores to each school for like $20 or so.

Yeah, I saw that a while ago and replied, but that was prior to reading some universities have hard cut off dates. I might just spend the $20 for piece of mind. My first scores aren't amazing, but they aren't bad.

I sent my score to several schools on test day. Those scores showed delivered to my schools of choice a little less than 2 weeks later. I'm retaking the exam on 11/3. However, a program or two that I've come across says that it takes 4-6 weeks to get test scores from ETS to them. Anyone know if this information is valid? That's cutting it uncomfortably close for 12/1 deadlines. So, I'm hesitantly considering sending my first scores now in case the second ones don't make it in time.

I wrote nonstop until I had finished what I needed to say. That left me with :11 seconds on the issue essay and 3:30-ish on the argument essay. I scored in the 90+ percentile. I type around 100wpm, but of course you are pausing to think, organize, and edit on the exam so I would hardly say fast typing is a requirement so long as you aren't a turtle. I don't really know how reading novels would aid you in supporting evidence for the issue essay (unless you're referring to non-fiction). Are you in the humanities? If not.. I know the AW section is usually considered one of the least important things in your entire application.

I'm retaking on this date and have the same 12/1 deadlines. In my portal, they do ask you to self report GRE scores. So, I would assume that even if the scores were a day or two late, the application would still be looked at. Otherwise, what's the point of asking to self-report GRE scores? Anyway, hope that helps!

I registered for another GRE exam slot roughly a week after my first attempt. I ensured there was a 30 day gap at minimum, like you. So, there should not be a problem with that.

I would focus on memorizing the geometry formulas. Geometry questions don't often lend themselves to the plugging in method unlike Algebra ones.

I have thought about this a lot, and I've decided to contact very few, if any, POIs. I know some probably view that as risky, but I'm only applying to schools that have multiple people in the department researching in my interests. I think in that case, it is less likely that none of them are accepting students, although it is certainly possible.