Application process hints

[anthropologygeek]

I remember when I was applying 3 years ago. I was so unsure about everything. Since I have obtained some insight into the process and thought I would share to hopeful.

1. Start early and stay organize. Know who you recommenders are for each school (yes some schools require different numbers of recommenders) and how much the application fee is. Along with transcripts, personal statements, writing samples, and anything else they require. I found doing a spreadsheet was most beneficial. It along me to stay organize and have one less thing to freak out about. Make sure you don't miss the deadlines.

2. Should you visit before applying? I got into some I didn't visit and I got rejected from some I visited. It mainly depends on the program but they won't tell you. So when in doubt, visit especially if it is your first choice.

3. Personal Statement and writing samples are the only thing fully in your control. Spend some time on them, and make them the best and unique to every school you apply to.

4. Emailing them to see if they are taking students. If you don't do this by the end of the month don't worry about doing it at all since by then you should of already started applying to the school. Also, with this economy I would be shocked if any school said they weren't taking students since they need the Application Fee. They might not be taking students but they might is how they justify it. Also, they have no idea who they are taking until they see all the applicants so don't get to low or to high based solely on the email before the decision can be made.

5. School secretaries have no role in the decision. It will take as long as it does. This site can give you a good idea when to expect it based on past years but it does vary. Maybe one prof is on sabbatical and holding up the decision. Generally someone else on this site applied to the same school and will post on the results page. This will allow you to be ready for it.

6. People lie on this site. Human nature is to stretch the truth in both their profile, their results, and any inside information. Relax when someone post something you don't like until it is either proven right or wrong.

7. LUCK plays a role a lot. How is someone suppose to really decide between two equal candidates? They accept one and not the other. I hope everyone here gets into the school of their dreams and are happy once there. I remember the anxiety I experience and I am sorry each of you will be going through it, but I ensure you it is worth it when you are at the right school.

[newms]

Great advice. This is pretty relevant to the sciences as well, thanks.

Edited October 14, 2010 by newms

[shaydlip]

I remember when I was applying 3 years ago. I was so unsure about everything. Since I have obtained some insight into the process and thought I would share to hopeful.

1. Start early and stay organize. Know who you recommenders are for each school (yes some schools require different numbers of recommenders) and how much the application fee is. Along with transcripts, personal statements, writing samples, and anything else they require. I found doing a spreadsheet was most beneficial. It along me to stay organize and have one less thing to freak out about. Make sure you don't miss the deadlines.

2. Should you visit before applying? I got into some I didn't visit and I got rejected from some I visited. It mainly depends on the program but they won't tell you. So when in doubt, visit especially if it is your first choice.

3. Personal Statement and writing samples are the only thing fully in your control. Spend some time on them, and make them the best and unique to every school you apply to.

4. Emailing them to see if they are taking students. If you don't do this by the end of the month don't worry about doing it at all since by then you should of already started applying to the school. Also, with this economy I would be shocked if any school said they weren't taking students since they need the Application Fee. They might not be taking students but they might is how they justify it. Also, they have no idea who they are taking until they see all the applicants so don't get to low or to high based solely on the email before the decision can be made.

5. School secretaries have no role in the decision. It will take as long as it does. This site can give you a good idea when to expect it based on past years but it does vary. Maybe one prof is on sabbatical and holding up the decision. Generally someone else on this site applied to the same school and will post on the results page. This will allow you to be ready for it.

6. People lie on this site. Human nature is to stretch the truth in both their profile, their results, and any inside information. Relax when someone post something you don't like until it is either proven right or wrong.

7. LUCK plays a role a lot. How is someone suppose to really decide between two equal candidates? They accept one and not the other. I hope everyone here gets into the school of their dreams and are happy once there. I remember the anxiety I experience and I am sorry each of you will be going through it, but I ensure you it is worth it when you are at the right school.

Excellent, excellent post. Spot-on. If you can't visit, try to talk to the faculty member you want to work with on the phone.

[anthropologygeek]

Thought I would bump this for everyone applying this year.

[Armadilla]

Anthropologygeek, so if I email a POI this weekend would it be too late?Kind of late?Good timing?

[anthropologygeek]

I think this is a good time to send it.

[far_to_go]

I second the advice in the original post. Just to add another piece:

When I was applying, I wrote to students currently in the program and asked a few standardized questions about whether they were satisfied with their experience so far and what the general climate of the department was like (I was looking for a place that was friendly and cooperative, rather than cut-throat competition). I didn't spam everybody on the department website, of course, but I chose people whose interests were similar to mine and tried to connect with them. The replies I got were very helpful- and even the NON-replies were helpful, since there were some interesting patterns (as in "I e-mailed 5 students at X school and none of them responded? Hmmm...") So, in addition to contacting POI's, consider contacting grad students as well, especially those who are working with your POI.

[anthroapp11]

Great advice! I'm about to send in my applications for the second year in a row (yay 0 for 6ers). I'm hoping the extra months stewing over and eventually remaking my statement will do it this time (please jebus!).

[ellieanth]

Thanks for sharing this, really useful! I first read it a couple of months ago when I was starting to prepare my apps - now that I'm almost out of the SoP haze I can finally get around to thanking you!

[anthropologygeek]

No problem. Just thought I would try to help in the process for others since I know how miserable it can be. I hope the best of luck to you all.