Chances of being accepted to Sociology PhD

[allisonmc24]

Hey Everyone! I am new to the site and noticed that some individuals have posted asking others to evaluate their chances of being accepted to possible PhD programs. I was hoping that someone here might be able to provide me with some friendly advice concerning my overall standings.

I recently graduated from a small PNW liberal arts college with a degree in sociology and a focus in women’s studies. I graduated top of my class with a cumulative GPA of 3.96, as well as top honors from the university. More specifically, throughout the past two years I have been working closely with one of my professors on various publications. I will be applying this fall with two publications, one from a referred journal, and the other from a handbook focused on virtual worlds and environments. Furthermore, I am currently working on publishing my senior thesis, in which I surveyed over 1,200 students from two West Coast universities in order to assess respondents’ perceptions of intersectionality in relation to gender attitudes and likelihood to adopt a feminist identity (utilizing mixed methods).

In regards to presentations, I have currently five different papers under my belt (including both a regional and national meeting). Concerning my extra circular activities, I have been a committed volunteer at my local domestic violence center where I am a hotline coordinator, as well as working at community house for individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Overall, I feel that I have a good background in regards to the PhD program, but the only thing holding me back is my relatively low GRE scores. I am scheduled to take my exam within the next two months, but in previous practice tests I have been scoring roughly Q: 530 and V: 510. I was wondering if you think I still stand a chance considering that my scores are somewhat weak.

I am planning on applying to 13 different programs: Washington, Oregon, UCSB, Berkeley, UCSC, UCSD, UCR, UCI, UT-Austin, Vanderbilt, UMD, Wisconsin, and Temple. I have already contacted a professor whom I am interested in at each of the schools and explained by current situation (although I would still appreciate advice from my peers!) My focus is primarily intersectionality theory, focusing on race, gender and sexual orientation. I am also interested in race, as well as social stratification. I believe that these schools not only have the perfect “fit,” but have professors working on particular research topics that follow my interests.

Breakdown:

GPA: 3.96 (4.0 scale)

GRE: Q: 530 V: 510

Two Publications (co-authored) and one in preparation (solo-authored)

Three wonderful Letters of Rec.

I know this is a somewhat long post, but if you could reply with any feedback it would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!

[anthropologygeek]

Every school,program,and professor.are.did$reengineering and looks for different things. So no one actually knows.

[barilicious]

Hello & welcome!

First off we have VERY similar research interest, which is always exciting to see! I'm also very much in to intersectionality theory, with specific interest in race, gender, and sexuality. With that said and seeing we have similar interest, we are also clearly applying to some of the same schools. From the schools you are applying to that are the same as mine, obviously as you know the GRE scores that you have been getting are lower than their averages. However, as many posters on this forum constantly say - you're GREs are only 1 part of the application! Many people say you should at least shoot for a 1200 in order to make cut-offs (don't know how true this is), but even if you don't get a 1200, hopefully you're high GPA can offset the low GRE score and still will help you make cut-offs. The rest of your application seems extremely strong, so study a little more for the GREs, but I'd say focus more on you're SOP and Writing Sample. Good luck!

[allisonmc24]

Barilcious,

Thanks for the feedback! I am just hoping that my research background, along with letters of rec and conferences can help clear any doubt the admission committee may have. It is nice to find a site with so many other people in the same position--this application process is going to be crazy! I look forward to keeping in contact.

Thanks Again!

[socialcomm]

One thing you can try to do is start relationships with professors at the schools you're applying to this fall. Do the best you can on the GRE -- as others have said, it's just one part of your application. It sounds like you'd have a very good chance.

[myrrh]

I think your research experience is quite strong...but your GRE is quite low for top schools. Yes, GRE is only a part of your application, but it's a part, or even a (somehow) critical part.

I don't mean that adcomm will put applications in a row, from the highest GRE to the lowest, and pick up the first 20 applicants. However, I think you have to have a "basic" score. Over 700 in both sections will never guarantee your admission, but a lower-than-1000 in total will probably be a big weakness.

Take the test again and get a score decent for top schools (some schools will say their admits ave is 1300), if you can. Then write a good SoP, pick up your paper (solo-authored one) as a writing sample. I guess you will be very fine.

[jacib]

I think your research experience is quite strong...but your GRE is quite low for top schools. Yes, GRE is only a part of your application, but it's a part, or even a (somehow) critical part.

I don't mean that adcomm will put applications in a row, from the highest GRE to the lowest, and pick up the first 20 applicants. However, I think you have to have a "basic" score. Over 700 in both sections will never guarantee your admission, but a lower-than-1000 in total will probably be a big weakness.

Take the test again and get a score decent for top schools (some schools will say their admits ave is 1300), if you can. Then write a good SoP, pick up your paper (solo-authored one) as a writing sample. I guess you will be very fine.

At the best schools, GRE is something that will more keep you out than get you in. 1200 is a magical minimum that people talk about, but your goal obviously shouldn't be a minimum, a 1400+ would obviously be nice. Study your ass off. Seriously. The test can be studied for. I used to teach it. Memorize vocab and stuff. Relearn all the math. Study every day. Make lists and organize. If you don't get in, this is what will keep you out and I think you already know that because the rest of your CV is ridiculously strong. Like, ridiculously strong. I applied to PhD programs with literally one sociology course on my transcript. Some schools essentially won't care at all about the GRE score, while some won't even look at your application below 1200. And you have no way of knowing which is which. One way to try and find out would be email professors at schools, asking whether you should retake the GRE if your scores are under 1100. Especially because you went to a smaller school, your GRE will be used to compare you to other candidates.