My Stats

[scholarlyauthor]

So this is an interesting story...

I get extended time on tests usually except I am not afforded to do so on the GRE because my disability documentation is not "recent" enough for ETS. So I am going to do horrid on the GRE.

GPA Stats:

UGPA: 3.596

Major GPA: 3.739

I have also published several books with a professor and more than 10 books on my own. Do I have a shot at getting in at a top-ten university?

[jacib]

So this is an interesting story...

I get extended time on tests usually except I am not afforded to do so on the GRE because my disability documentation is not "recent" enough for ETS. So I am going to do horrid on the GRE.

GPA Stats:

UGPA: 3.596

Major GPA: 3.739

I have also published several books with a professor and more than 10 books on my own. Do I have a shot at getting in at a top-ten university?

I recommend you look at this post: http://forum.thegrad...ogy-applicants/ for more information on applying; I think it will give you a better idea of where you stand. For instance, look at the GRE advice starting on the second page thread to get a better sense of how GRE scores matter. The degree your research topic fits with a professor, and the degree that your topic interests a professor, are as important if not more important than grades, scores, experience, recommendations and writing sample. Contact potential advisers via email and ask them if they think your interests would be a good match for theirs. Most will be honest. Just do not assume that interest means a guaranteed admission. Honestly though, these numbers -- any numbers -- can tell you very little about your actual changes of admission. Ask most professors and I feel they will say the statement of purpose and generally the writing sample are the two most important parts of your application. Notably unquantifiable categories. This is a very qualitative process, based a lot on matching. The conventional wisdom developed last year seemed to be that, while sadly bad numbers might keep you out, good numbers will not get you in. I would suggest (assuming you cannot get updated documentation in time) practicing hard for the GRE, and once you get your scores (assuming you'll get those soon), getting in touch with the Director of Graduate Studies at the various schools, briefly explaining your issue, phrase it as a lame question like, "Even with my disability, do you think I should I get my documentation up to date and retake it next year? Is it worth it to do it this year?" I would expect them to say "apply anyway", but this way they'll at least have your case in mind before they see your application and will be less likely to toss it.

Ten books seems very impressive; it obviously depends what they're on how they'll be counted. If they are scholarly treatises of quality and ingenuity... you're in. If they are children's books or gamers' guides to world of warcraft (and you are researching neither of those topics), they will count as an interesting hobby. Research assistant, judging from the other applicant stories I've heard, always looks good on a graduate school resume. We had a visiting day for everyone accepted into my program, and 15 of the 16 people accepted people came--most of the ones with multiple offers had meaningful research experience (still, many people accepted had no research experience and a few of us had very limited backgrounds in Sociology even). It's a crap shoot.

[scholarlyauthor]

I recommend you look at this post: http://forum.thegrad...ogy-applicants/ for more information on applying; I think it will give you a better idea of where you stand. For instance, look at the GRE advice starting on the second page thread to get a better sense of how GRE scores matter. The degree your research topic fits with a professor, and the degree that your topic interests a professor, are as important if not more important than grades, scores, experience, recommendations and writing sample. Contact potential advisers via email and ask them if they think your interests would be a good match for theirs. Most will be honest. Just do not assume that interest means a guaranteed admission. Honestly though, these numbers -- any numbers -- can tell you very little about your actual changes of admission. Ask most professors and I feel they will say the statement of purpose and generally the writing sample are the two most important parts of your application. Notably unquantifiable categories. This is a very qualitative process, based a lot on matching. The conventional wisdom developed last year seemed to be that, while sadly bad numbers might keep you out, good numbers will not get you in. I would suggest (assuming you cannot get updated documentation in time) practicing hard for the GRE, and once you get your scores (assuming you'll get those soon), getting in touch with the Director of Graduate Studies at the various schools, briefly explaining your issue, phrase it as a lame question like, "Even with my disability, do you think I should I get my documentation up to date and retake it next year? Is it worth it to do it this year?" I would expect them to say "apply anyway", but this way they'll at least have your case in mind before they see your application and will be less likely to toss it.

Ten books seems very impressive; it obviously depends what they're on how they'll be counted. If they are scholarly treatises of quality and ingenuity... you're in. If they are children's books or gamers' guides to world of warcraft (and you are researching neither of those topics), they will count as an interesting hobby. Research assistant, judging from the other applicant stories I've heard, always looks good on a graduate school resume. We had a visiting day for everyone accepted into my program, and 15 of the 16 people accepted people came--most of the ones with multiple offers had meaningful research experience (still, many people accepted had no research experience and a few of us had very limited backgrounds in Sociology even). It's a crap shoot.

Thanks for your advice. I have published a chess book series for kindle (75/231 volumes completed so far), an ethnographic report on Northern Ireland and several manuscripts on scholarly approaches to chess, including one on translating chess into music based on a certain sociology. I am basically taking chess away from game theory and showing what my type of analysis can show to social science.

[scholarlyauthor]

I just took the GRE today without my accommodations.

V: 410

Q: 540

A: Unknown (Prob. 4.5 - 6)

Any chance that I still have a chance?

Thanks for your advice. I have published a chess book series for kindle (75/231 volumes completed so far), an ethnographic report on Northern Ireland and several manuscripts on scholarly approaches to chess, including one on translating chess into music based on a certain sociology. I am basically taking chess away from game theory and showing what my type of analysis can show to social science.

[heathenist]

I just took the GRE today without my accommodations.

V: 410

Q: 540

A: Unknown (Prob. 4.5 - 6)

Any chance that I still have a chance?

The scores are pretty low but I feel like you could address the situation in your SOP or something. You may not get into any top programs, but I'm sure you can get in somewhere especially with your writing experience.

[Bukharan]

Déjà vu! You posted before. You also applied before. That was an interesting thread!

[Roll Right]

A note about contacting professors about research interests before applying:

Your interests may change in 5 years of PhD study. Professors know this. Don't get too specific. I think emailing professors and asking if they accept students with similar research interests may be a bit presumptuous. Address it in your SOP. Email professors to let them know you're applying and that you share similar interests. I wouldn't ask if they are taking students.