Dialectica

@maxhgns I never meant to suggest that one should break any would-be guidlines for samples. I was asking what might be a preferred format, given that the program in question doesn't have any explicit guidlines other than for general length requirements. And I certainly didn't mean to suggest one could or should single-space to stay within the page limit. That said, I'm still not sure regarding what's more readable. I've heard from more than a few folks that single-spaced papers are *more* readable. So I'm not sure what to make of this.

Well, they say it's a reasonable length. Many programs state that as a measure of how long they prefer samples to be, but less as a stringent requirement for format (though, some, of course, do have such requirements). And from my limited experience, I've seen a good handful of successful samples formatted differently, many single-spaced. Though, I think you're right that double-spaced is standard.

Does any one have a preferred format for their sample? Anyone think one format is better than another with respect to adcoms? I've heard some advice that says one should offer something readable, and for that reason should opt for single-spacing or at least 1.5. What do you think? Margins? Font? This assumes there aren't specific requirements for the application in question. Though, I realize some applications require that you have a certain format. Does anyone think flouting that for paper-quality/time reasons can be reasonable?

These are great questions. Regarding the SOP: I've been told by many that you can only give yourself more rope to hang yourself with (especially when trying to mention specifics about the program in question). For this reason, I've opted for (1). There are a variety of reasons why naming a philosopher you'd like to work with might hurt you. They could be on leave, not interested in that topic anymore, not taking students at the moment, they might retire soon, and so on. So (1) is safe, but that isn't to say (2) can't be beneficial, I just think that it isn't reliably so. Of course, you have places like Michigan that ask you to state specifics about who you'd like to work with, in which case you have no choice. But that's rare. I think it's helpful to write an abstract in general. But I think it's especially important if your sample is long. That way the adcoms can navigate your paper much easier. That's my take anyway.

Thank you, @Glasperlenspieler for that information. I'm certainly finding it is by no means uniform what programs keep, if anything. I had another question. For the statement of purpose, does anyone think it is a good or bad idea to mention what you've been up to in the time since graduating? My initial worry is that this only highlights that one was shutout the year before (obviously I'm assuming the applicant in question is reapplying here as a result of being shut out the year prior). Any thoughts on this? Relatedly, I'd also like to hear what anyone thinks is worth putting in such a section; what activities outside of your program are worth noting?

@wandajune & @MentalEngineer : thank you for your responses. I think they are helpful. @Ms. V : I think what has been in mind is something like what @dgswaim suggests; something like providing evidence that you've done work in this area—really show some intellectual engagement with your interests. The problem is this: I'm not sure what a nice concise way of doing that looks like, or at least I haven't seen a nice example of that. But, I suppose my original question just is what all this talk of 'doing philosophy' amounts to in an SOP.

I apologize for inundating the forum with so many questions lately, but I think it's helpful in at least two ways: likely some questions will be asked that others want asked, but don't want to take the time to look at what applicants have said in years past. Secondly, it keeps this forum active, which, at times, is difficult, but beneficial. So, what makes for a successful statement of purpose? What has worked in the past (if you have reason to think it played a role at all in your success)? I've heard that one should try and "do some philosophy" in the statement. Not only have I not seen great examples of this, but I'm not entirely clear what is meant by it. If someone has any such examples, I'd be interested to see them. I think the problem of "doing philosophy"—depending on how one interprets it—is especially acute given concerns regarding word count.

I've got two questions pertinent here. i. Regarding those that have reapplied in the past—whether you've had success or not in reapplying—I'm curious what, if anything, you changed in your file. Did you get different letter writers? Rewrite/polish your sample from the previous year(s)? Write a completely new sample? Increase your GRE scores? I'm curious to know what you think is best to spend time on, what changed, and, given the things changed, what the results were. and ii. What do those who are reapplying this round plan to change? What considerations played a role in prioritizing the things you did? (and please, if you still have anecdotes relevant to the question that started this thread (re: programs keeping transcripts and the like), still feel free to keep them coming.)

That's really interesting! I'm hoping this generalizes. If you don't mind my asking, how did you find out they had some of the old elements of your file? And, @MentalEngineer, I totally agree: this would be a tremendous money-saving effort given that enough schools save GRE scores and transcripts; applying would be much less of a headache as a result. If anyone else has any anecdotes like @dgswaim's, please, feel free to post them here.

I wanted to create a thread dedicated to folks that have reapplied and those that are reapplying this year. In addition to being a place where we can simply commiserate, I was hoping this would serve as a place to not only give advice regarding reapplying, but also a place where we can discuss any potential issues and worries about doing so. So please, have at it. I'll start with a quick question. Is it reasonable to assume that one will have to re-send materials such as the GRE and transcripts (assuming they haven't changed)? That is, is it reasonable to assume that departments to which you have previously applied will not have any such material saved? My knee-jerk reaction here is to think they will not, but I'm hoping to be disabused of this.

Lurk *harder*

Struck out last year. Applying again this Fall. At some point I think I might create a seperate thread for reapplying folks; I'm thinking something could be gained by doing so.

It's official. Shut out. Rejected off the Syracuse waitlist earlier today.

Waiting very anxiously to here some good news from Syracuse. If you are planning on declining their offer or taking yourself off the waitlist, please do so at your earliest convenience. Edit: @R614 Just saw your post. Thank you and congrats!

Also just rejected from IU off the waitlist.

Gotcha. Thanks for clarifying. Hoping the best for you.

That would make much more sense.

Maybe you didn't mean to state this, but it sounds as though you are indicating that everyone has accepted their offers, leaving only one spot left for admissions. Is this what you are saying? If so, then it seems a lot has changed within the last 24 hours or less.

If you don't feel comfortable answering, I completely understand. But, I'm curious: what are your choices at this point? Do you have an option other than ND, in case that falls through?

That's all I've got; all my hope rests on my waitlists. Not a fun position to be in at all. Really hoping for some significant movement soon.

That was my worry initially, and I suspect that's true of a good handful of programs. But what makes it especially puzzling is that there has been movement on some waitlists already, but not recently despite some recent rejected offers; that doesn't make sense to me if they admitted more than they can accept. I hope what I've said is clear. I'm sort of shooting from the hip here.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure either of these replies gets at my original question, though I appreciate the input. @Davidspring You make a good point. However, I was specifically interested in the lack of movement from programs where some of their initial offers have been declined; and what makes it more mysterious to me, at least in the cases of Indiana and Syracuse, is that there has been movement on some waitlists already this season, but not recently, despite some recent rejected offers from those programs. @psm1580b That's very interesting about Indiana (HPS), though I'm interested in the non-HPS program at Indiana, where their process seems to clearly differ.

Anyone care to speculate why some waitlsts aren't seeming to move as the result of recent applicants declining their offers? I know that some folks have been admitted off both the Indiana and Syracuse waitlists this season, yet, after some recent offer rejections, there seems to be nothing by way of offers made off the waitlists. Should we just chalk this up to people not having a presence on GradCafe?

Thank you, both, for these updates. They certainly are encouraging. And despite my being in the middle of these waitlists, your declining your offers can only serve to help.

Well. I've recieved the rest of my rejections (assuming Stanford doesn't reply to my solicitation with a miraculous offer). Looks like I'm dependent on getting in off the waitlists at Indiana and Syracuse; so, please, if you can free up a spot for me, I'd greatly appreciate it. This was an incredibly rough year for folks coming out of MA programs—seemingly unprecedented.