Communication/Mass Comm/Journalism

[skiergirl24]

I am also applying to PhD programs in Mass Comm. currently at Miami U (Ohio). GPA of 3.87 graduate. 3.74 undergrad GPA. Presentations in 4 conferences. Working on publishing a piece with a former professor...will be "in review" when I apply. i teach (not TA) 2 courses a semester of Public Speaking...which, I am told gives me an advantage since I have teaching experience. This summer I secured an Internship in the press office for a Congressman on Capitol Hill who told me he would write me reccs if I needed them. Best GRE score was 1180 (610 v, 570Q ) and 5 writing. The math doesn't bother me much because my focus is film studies. Am applying to UMD, UMass, Georgia, Arizona, Florida, Florida State, Rutgers, Alabama, Brown (film studies), univ of Miami (Florida), Syracuse, Penn State, Temple, Wayne State and Uni of Pittsburgh.

I am super nervous about the application process. I just want to know I will get in somewhere! Oh God the anxiety is killing me!

[naptown]

skiergirl24: Your experiences and GPAs all look amazing. If you're applying to programs that are very qualitative, your GRE scores are fine (but I'm no expert). Has your focus always been film studies (i.e. does your experience most reflect that interest?) Also, in your other post, you say that you have classmates with much lower scores and less experience that are incredibly confident about their Ph.D. applications... is that right? Where are they applying, and in what? Last year and this year are especially competitive for grad school applications, from what I'm reading on this forum and elsewhere. Do you have a preferred programs you'd like to get accepted into? Welcome to the forum!

[PRguy101]

I agree Naptown, it is going to come down to research interests and fit with the department. GRE scores and GPA aside, that will be a major deciding factor. I have friends applying to schools they think it would be "cool to go to" without really thinking about if there are people there who have their research interests and could guide them through the next 4 years. I was told that some programs rank based on research interest. Say for example one's interest is "media & politics" well the program may only admit 2 with those interests. I am finding this process to be a little intimidating. I also have a ton of industry friends who can't work in the media anymore (mostly newspaper/journalism types) and they are looking for a place to "hide out" for a while. However, I have faith in my ability to at least "show up to the ball game." If I win or not is a different story

Skiergirl, I have friends like that here too. They are doing everything but moving into their apartments in Chicago so they can go to Northewestern lol Hey..more power to them! I wish I had that type of boldness. but let's stay encouraged and start this process with a healthy amount of confidence.

[skiergirl24]

I am definitely applying to programs where qualitative research is emphasized. Quant is NOT my bag. I won't go somewhere where stats are a major component of the curriculum. My research has been in Mass Media (Feminist studies and the convergence with mass/global media) and Film, but I don't want to limit myself to one specific area. My profs tell my to apply to a "flexible" grad program where I can chart my own course per se. I go to Miami which, I am told, has a highly regarded MA program in Comm. My peers, save for one, all have lower GPAs and GREs than mine. I think that some of them don't know what they want to do so they are thinking of a PhD but are uncertain. One girl is applying to tier 2 and 3 schools because she knows her limitations. Another barely cracked 900 on her GREs, has a 3.5 GPA and no conference presentations but is applying to Ivy League schools I agree about the fit....I think that is most important and I need to tailor my apps to each department...emphasizing what research I have used from XYZ faculty member at a particular institution. God I hope the economy picks uo so less people will be applying!!!

[skiergirl24]

Hey everyone,

Who here is applying for Fall 2010 admissions, what are your stats and where are you applying?

I've narrowed my list a bit.

UMass

UConn

UNC

Rutgers

Syracuse

Pittsburgh

Penn State

UMD

U of FL

Miami University

UGA

Temple

I've started my apps. I agree with what some others said...a FIT is key. You need to know what you want to study and with which professors you would like to work. I think that is a major deciding factor.

As I said, I have some kids in my program applying to PhDs with GPAs and GREs lower than mine BUT they are not applying to top tier schools...

[PRguy101]

Skiergirl24,

What is your idea of a "top tier" school? Just curious, and do u mean in mass communication or communication in general? Many of my schools aren't top tier per se, but they are solid in my research area. My friend got into U of Iowa with full funding (mass comm) with between a 900-960 GRE. It was his research interest that snagged it for him. I am finding it difficult to narrow down my research interest for application purposes. I am also trying to make it general enough as not to be alienating and specific enough as not to sound ridiculously unfocused. This process is a tight rope! I am going to spend a lot of time on my personal statement and I am starting now (some of my deadlines are Dec 1! That is a little crazy). :shock:

[skiergirl24]

When I say top tier I mean the mass comm department has a very high reputation. My profs told me that when applying for jobs in academia the name and reputation of the department are most important. But there are some schools (those that have a lesser reputation, have a relatively new program etc.) that are still good schools but might be considered "second tier."

[PRguy101]

Ok skiergirl, I assumed that, just wanted to clarify!

[susangab]

Where are all the previously active posters in this thread (Fall 2009 applicants)?

Although I was accepted into some Communication PhD programs, I ended up accepting a late offer in a different--if related--field.

-Sue

[naptown]

I've submitted all my materials to my programs. :-D All I have to do is just make sure that everything was received properly... And, endure the miserable 4-5 month wait. :-(

[socialcomm]

I've submitted all my materials to my programs. :-D All I have to do is just make sure that everything was received properly... And, endure the miserable 4-5 month wait. :-(

So jealous you have everything submitted! I'm meeting with profs from two schools in the next two weeks and am waiting to submit everything until after that time.

[PRguy101]

Naptown, congrats!! Don't worry, we will be here with you going through the same thing. My first application deadline is Dec 15! :wink:

[StudyMom]

Where are all the previously active posters in this thread (Fall 2009 applicants)?

StudyMom, Stevie, CopperBoom and the rest, where did you finally decide to enroll? Would really appreciate it if you could check in from time to time and inform us PhD hopefuls of your experiences in grad school

Hi All,

Accepted U Florida. Great program. Currently in second year. I thought the application process, waiting and then waiting for funding were bad but they did not compare to the first semester of the PhD! Now in my second year and loving it. Here are a few things I've learned from my cohort: (1) Be true to yourself and your interests. (2) No-one can advocate for you better than yourself. (3) Be open to what the professors want to teach -- do not go into courses with pre-conceived ideas of what you will be learning and you will have a better experience. (4) Be quietly pro-active. (5) Make connections -- there will be someone in your college, if not your department, who thinks you have great potential and it may not be the person you thought it was going to be. (6) Make an aggressive research plan for yourself and try to stick to it. It helps to have the CV of someone you think is a "rock star" academic as your guide. You may not achieve their heights but it is best to set your standards high. (7) Take advice with a grain of salt, in other words, don't take it at face value that what a Prof. says is true -- at the end of the day you are responsible for knowing the rules and you are responsible for choosing the best options for where to send your papers or to which division to submit. This will not always be your stated specialty area.

Good luck! Hope to see some of you at UF next Fall!

StudyMom

[naptown]

It's terribly quiet around here! Sooooo ready for it to be February/March.

[PRguy101]

It's terribly quiet around here! Sooooo ready for it to be February/March.

I agree Naptown. I haven't even finished my applications or finished my SOP at this point, so if there are others like me then that explains the silence lol. This has been a bizarre semester for me, so I assume this will be an "interesting" application process this year. I hear Masters Degree apps will be super high compared to last year while PHD apps will be only slightly higher than last year (but more because people are applying to more schools as opposed to more people applying in general.) Most programs in comm and mass comm require a masters, so that helps us PHD applicants a little. I am sticking to six schools and not 10 or something like that. Oh well, nervous as heck!

[blingingbling]

hey everyone! i'm a newbie here another addition to the communications bandwagon.

i'm currently at GWU doing a bachelor's in english - i graduate this may!

i've been looking at USC and Pepperdine's MA in communication programs and have absolutely fallen in love with them!

anyone have any tips on applying? i know both schools have some time before the application deadline - but it would be sooo helpful if i could get some tips or information!

[naptown]

hey everyone! i'm a newbie here another addition to the communications bandwagon.

i'm currently at GWU doing a bachelor's in english - i graduate this may!

i've been looking at USC and Pepperdine's MA in communication programs and have absolutely fallen in love with them!

anyone have any tips on applying? i know both schools have some time before the application deadline - but it would be sooo helpful if i could get some tips or information!

Welcome, blingingbling! As far as tips, it might help if you shared more of your profile (test scores, interests, worries, strengths, etc.) and posed some specific questions. Definitely make use of the application forum threads and listen to your professors'/mentors'/advisors' advice.

Have you thought about applying to more programs? The amount of grad school applicants is going to be very heavy this year.

[blingingbling]

Welcome, blingingbling! As far as tips, it might help if you shared more of your profile (test scores, interests, worries, strengths, etc.) and posed some specific questions. Definitely make use of the application forum threads and listen to your professors'/mentors'/advisors' advice.

Have you thought about applying to more programs? The amount of grad school applicants is going to be very heavy this year.

Thanks naptown for your response and advice!

Okay so my academic profile as of now is (and wow people's profiles here are amazing i'm almost embarassed!):

GPA 3.3 (not amazing but decent, I can work on improving it slightly next semester)

I have yet to take my GRE's (studying now taking them in Jan n Feb) I took a diagnostic test and scored 630 verbal and 580 quantitative

Major: English

Minor: Philosophy

Work Experience:

I took a gap year and worked for my dad's investments company

I took a semester off and interned full-time at Weber Shandwick PR

I'm looking for an internship for next semester!

I'm mostly interested in staying in SoCal and the only places I can think of are USC and Pepperdine at this point! I really would love to apply for the M.A. in communication management hopefully to begin a career in media consulting or management consulting in the future. I really think LA is the best place for what I want to get into!

[naptown]

Thanks naptown for your response and advice!

Okay so my academic profile as of now is (and wow people's profiles here are amazing i'm almost embarassed!):

GPA 3.3 (not amazing but decent, I can work on improving it slightly next semester)

I have yet to take my GRE's (studying now taking them in Jan n Feb) I took a diagnostic test and scored 630 verbal and 580 quantitative

Major: English

Minor: Philosophy

Work Experience:

I took a gap year and worked for my dad's investments company

I took a semester off and interned full-time at Weber Shandwick PR

I'm looking for an internship for next semester!

I'm mostly interested in staying in SoCal and the only places I can think of are USC and Pepperdine at this point! I really would love to apply for the M.A. in communication management hopefully to begin a career in media consulting or management consulting in the future. I really think LA is the best place for what I want to get into!

Blinging,

Your potential scores and your GPA all look good. It might help your applications if your upcoming internship was more communication/media related. The PR gig is good, of course. Really, just find ways to signal that you're knowledgeable about the areas of communication you're interested in. I don't know much about West Coast programs myself, but it definitely couldn't hurt to broaden the pool of schools you apply to.

[BadWolf]

I can't believe I started this topic 2 years ago. Wow. I'm currently in the Telecommunications program at Indiana. If anyone has any questions about the program, feel free to ask, or message me if it's something more "delicate". Good luck to those of you applying this year.

[naptown]

I just received an email from Penn State saying that their office is starting to compile applications, and they will be in contact by the end of the month as to whether my application is complete or not.

Not exactly something to post on the results page, but my first post-holiday contact nonetheless.

[socialcomm]

I just received an email from Penn State saying that their office is starting to compile applications, and they will be in contact by the end of the month as to whether my application is complete or not.

Not exactly something to post on the results page, but my first post-holiday contact nonetheless.

Contact is good! Anyone else?

[sakuraski]

still waiting...

no news is good news now..

many results are supposed to come out through May to April, perhaps.

[engwish]

Hey guys. Longtime reader, first-time poster...

Really, I just wanted to jumpstart this thread for Fall 2010 applicants. I see that it has already been revived to some extent, but I hope that more of us media studies/mass comm people will come out of the woods, especially as the full swing of application season approaches. And, why not, you journalism kids can join in too. JK, J-schoolers, JK....

Is anyone else applying to MA programs? Specifically to NYU's MCC, Georgetown's CCT and Temple's BTMM programs? Or perhaps to the less acronymous programs at The New School, Boston University or Syracuse?

Or, dare I ask, to VCU's Brandcenter? (Don't feel bad if you say yes; I'm living proof that there are, indeed, "pure creatives" that peruse this site. Unless, of course, I'm the exception that proves the rule.)

Let's help one another in overcoming the raised eyebrows of our humanities professors, or, perhaps more pressingly, in combatting the unchecked hubris of those other applicants in the "more traditional" fields of study.

[PRguy101]

Hey engwish, yeah I think we were all gung-ho at first, but I know for me, last semester kicked my butt. It was just a weird semester for some reason. Anyone else find last semester just odd? I also realized that my goal of applying to 12 programs just wasn't going to happen due to finances and time.

I am in a master's degree program in mass comm and I am applying to five PHD programs in mass comm. They are not top 5 programs but they are solid enough to provide me a great education and a job in academia. I decided this year to bypass the whole 6 out of 200 application odds. For what I want to do in academia, I don't need a UPENN or Penn State name. Though I am sure it wouldn't hurt!! lol. The good news is that academia is falling all over itself trying to fill positions in my research area, because people graduating with PHDs in my field are rare (except for the top few schools that routinely produce such scholars, but that isn't enough to meet the demand). My thesis adviser mentioned that he wishes he could find a new job but commented that all of the jobs in mass comm are in my area of study and not his!

I also found it difficult to write my personal statement this year (continuing the weird semester trend.) I finally got it done obviously (I already sent in one application, the others are due soon) but I think given the nature of mass communication and journalism today it was hard NOT to talk about the impact of new technologies on my field. I so didn't want to bring this up in my personal statement. I mean how cliche, right? Oh well.. I am babbling now. I think the first program i applied to makes decisions rather quickly because last year their admitted student's day was Feb 15 and the application deadline was Jan 10! Let's revive the thread and cheer each other on!