Women's Studies 2011

[SusieQ]

Hey there,

I'd be happy to send you my personal statement, sequi001.

-Susie

Well, I am getting kind of pessimistic about the outcomes for this session. I am now waiting on three schools, but I just think that at the time of my application, I wasn't completely aware of what my personal statement should be like, which I think was really detrimental to my overall application. Indeed, I have an interview this week for the Fulbright scholarship for which I had to provide the same documents than for graduate admissions. I sent them the exact same documents except for my personal statement which I changed, and I am now among the finalists, which is really exciting but pointless if I don't get into any school.

Anyway, I am already considering reapplying next year. I am thinking about focusing mostly on retaking the GRE and working on my personal statement and/or statement of purpose. Does any of you have some good advice? Also, I really believe that it would be very helpful to be able to see some personal statements, so I can actually figure its form and content. If some of you would be willing to PM yours, I would be very grateful. As an international student, I unfortunately don't have all the knowledge that you may have on graduate applications, as it works so differently back to France. What a bummer that I didn't know this forum a couple of months ago, that would have definitely helped me.

I hope that I will hear from some of you, and congrats again to all of you that got accepted!

[SusieQ]

Nerni-- These sound like questions for some of the faculty/program director. I think they can give you supplemental information in addition to whatever forum members can provide.

Hi Everyone,

I have been following the discussion about how people are deciding between schools and was hoping to get some advice myself. I have been accepted into the PhD programs at OSU, UCLA and Rutgers and need to make a decision by mid-March about where I will go. Can anyone speak to the strengths/weaknesses of these programs? (if you don't feel comfortable posting, please PM me). I have received 4 years of funding for both OSU and Rutgers and don't know what UCLA will be offering, so I can't really decide based on that at this point. I could probably happily live in any of the three locations for varying reasons. They all have faculty I could work with, so it would be less about finding an advisor. So...I am trying to get a better sense of the department in terms of how accessible faculty are, what the TA commitment looks like (large classes, small classes, multiple classes, etc), what the culture is like generally, do most people focus more in humanities vs. social science types of work, reputation, etc. I am a bit concerned since I will very likely have to make the decision before I will have the chance to visit all of the schools and meet with people face-to-face. Thanks for any insights you can offer!

[morthia]

Thank you for your reply SusieQ! This is really helpful information. I really hope you get into TWU because I can tell that it is your top school!

Did you see that one of the admin assistants for TWU sent out this e-mail questionnaire earlier today:

Thank you for your application to the Ph.D. Program in Women’s Studies at Texas Woman’s University. We are writing to give you an update on the application process and to ask you a few questions.

The Admissions Committee will be meeting very soon and hopes to contact people in the next month. In the meantime the committee would like to know the following information:

1. If accepted into the doctoral program, will you be attending full- or part-time? (Full-time enrollment is considered three courses and a colloquium [ten credit hours, total].)

2. If accepted into the doctoral program, do you hope to receive a Graduate Assistantship? (For information on assistantships, see: http://www.twu.edu/g...-assistants.asp).

3. If accepted into the doctoral program, do you intend to work elsewhere? If so, approximately how many hours per week do you anticipate working?

Thanks for your response. I'm originally from Seattle living in Eastern Washington, so I'm not used to the warm weather down there. Visiting was like paradise since it is so darn cold here! Texas is very flat, dusty and warm. Everything is easy to find and evenly spread out by highways. The three main cities, Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton are linked in a loop of intersecting highways and spaced by expanses of farmland and ranches. Getting around is easy and all of the cities are clearly marked on the highway. Even when I got lost, it wasn't too hard to find my bearings again. The housing around Denton is what you would expect in a college-town; A little run down, but lots of interesting places to visit and be entertained. I strongly urge you to consider the graduate housing available on campus! I have a dog, so I won't be able to seek graduate student housing, but it was far superior in price and quality than some of the rental houses/apts in the area. If you're looking for a rental house, they're relatively inexpensive, but they're all constructed in the 70's ranch-style. As for leisure activities, I think Texas is an ideal camping/roadtrip state. I love hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing and all manner of outdoorsy stuff. With Texas' year-round warmth and scores of natural landscape, it is an ideal place for people who enjoy those kind of activities. The TWU campus is small. I went to Smith College for my undergraduate, which is pretty compact. IMO, TWU is comparable in size. I think I was able to cross the main areas of TWU's campus on foot within 10-15 minutes. (there are some obscure, out-lying buildings farther away of course). Lots of good parking areas and is supportive of commuters. The Human Development Building where the WS department is located has nice, modern classrooms that support seminar-style graduate course work. Overall, I was very pleased with the intimate nature of the school and the focus put on ensuring small class sizes and quality instruction.

In regards to funding: I chatted with Dr. Downer at the academic preview about funding options for graduate students. The options seemed to be few largely because the program is so new (this is the first year they're accepting applications for a 2011 cohort). They assured me, however, that WS doctoral students are eligible for university wide funding options. The most common source of funding are teaching positions within the WS department because the university requires all of its students to take at least 3-4 credits in women's studies. There are literally hundreds of students taking introductory women's studies courses, the majority of which are conducted in hybrid and face-to-face instructional frameworks. (18 graduate credit hours in WS is required to be eligible for teaching assistanceships) They don't offer research assistance positions in the Women's Studies department, however, they encourage students to connect with faculty from other departments (i.e.: Sociology, Social Work, Nursing etc) and apply for open opportunities there. I think this is due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program and the small department size. Finally, TWU is very generous with grants and scholarships for graduate students. They have an online site where you can put in some basic information about yourself and academic achievements and it will indicate which scholarships and grants you are eligible for. (Let me know if you'd like a link) From that site, you are able to apply for all those you qualify for. Many of the scholarships are renewable. One-time grants can be has high as $2,000. The university allows the stacking of scholarships and grants too, which is very unusual.

I am pleased with the amount of support and training TWU's WS department offers its students in teaching. In prior teaching positions, I felt like I was simply thrown into it without a lot of feedback. I'm looking for a program that equally promotes publication and teaching. It seems like the feminist pedagogies curriculum is excellent. If teaching is something you really look forward to, then TWU has a lot to offer you in that respect.

I hope this helps give you a better picture of TWU!

-Susie

Edited February 28, 2011 by morthia

[morthia]

I second this advice.

Nerni-- These sound like questions for some of the faculty/program director. I think they can give you supplemental information in addition to whatever forum members can provide.

[SusieQ]

Yes, I did get that email also! Crossing my fingers for you!

-Susie

Thank you for your reply SusieQ! This is really helpful information. I really hope you get into TWU because I can tell that it is your top school!

Did you see that one of the admin assistants for TWU sent out this e-mail questionnaire earlier today:

Thank you for your application to the Ph.D. Program in Women’s Studies at Texas Woman’s University. We are writing to give you an update on the application process and to ask you a few questions.

The Admissions Committee will be meeting very soon and hopes to contact people in the next month. In the meantime the committee would like to know the following information:

1. If accepted into the doctoral program, will you be attending full- or part-time? (Full-time enrollment is considered three courses and a colloquium [ten credit hours, total].)

2. If accepted into the doctoral program, do you hope to receive a Graduate Assistantship? (For information on assistantships, see: http://www.twu.edu/g...-assistants.asp).

3. If accepted into the doctoral program, do you intend to work elsewhere? If so, approximately how many hours per week do you anticipate working?

[morthia]

A faculty member posted this in the Sociology forum and I thought it was some good advice to those of us still waiting. Also, I think those of us who still haven't heard from Rutgers are probably in what this person is calling the "unofficial waitlist pool":

As a faculty member, and one who serves on a grad admissions committee, I have got to chime in. While I don't agree fully with Maximus either, as most of the review of application materials occurs online and the multiple two hour meetings are for deciding on admittances, short lists, fellowship possibilities, etc., they're certainly correct that there's a lot going on behind the scenes and that it's not just committees or even departments that are involved.

For my own school, we have acceptances, a waitlist, an unofficial waitlist pool that we're not ready to reject yet, and those who got notifications that they'd been rejected outright.

Whether or not we draw on the waitlist or the waitlist pool depends on any number of factors that we can't predict and we feel that it's best to just let sleeping dogs lie (we're not sitting around devising ways to get students to stress out even more; believe it or not, we've all been on your side of the process) and not tell someone that they're rejected just to turn around in two weeks - when all of our potential gender students have turned us down and our gender scholars are hounding us about who will work with them next year - and call someone up, with our tail between our legs, and say "never mind what we said before, we'd like to make you an offer." As is clear from this board, there are a TON of great applicants out there this year (and most years) that we'd be thrilled to have. However, there is only so much funding, faculty, etc. to support those students, so it's a time-consuming and arduous process from our end too to figure out how to fill the exact number of slots we have, with diversity in areas to please the faculty. However, we feel it's only fair to "officially" waitlist those who, in past years, would likely make it into the program after that sorting. Who knows if this year will be different, or if we'll have to go really deep when it comes to gender or race or social movements? We don't, and so the unofficial waitlist is an important cushion to have so as not to get people's hopes up, but to leave open the possibility that we can make them an offer.

I know it's nerve-wracking now. Trust me, it's just a prelude to the hell that is applying for jobs once you're wrapping up grad school. But really what matters is what you have heard by April 15th. I mean, really, how would it change your actions now? Would you apply to different schools, scrap the idea of school all together? By all means, apply to other schools if you'd like, but I wouldn't close up shop or write off grad school until the deadline. There's lots of movement those last few weeks. In the meantime, hang in there.

[SusieQ]

This is a great post and so helpful, especially for those of us still waiting. Thanks for inspiring patience in me once again!

A faculty member posted this in the Sociology forum and I thought it was some good advice to those of us still waiting. Also, I think those of us who still haven't heard from Rutgers are probably in what this person is calling the "unofficial waitlist pool":

As a faculty member, and one who serves on a grad admissions committee, I have got to chime in. While I don't agree fully with Maximus either, as most of the review of application materials occurs online and the multiple two hour meetings are for deciding on admittances, short lists, fellowship possibilities, etc., they're certainly correct that there's a lot going on behind the scenes and that it's not just committees or even departments that are involved.

For my own school, we have acceptances, a waitlist, an unofficial waitlist pool that we're not ready to reject yet, and those who got notifications that they'd been rejected outright.

Whether or not we draw on the waitlist or the waitlist pool depends on any number of factors that we can't predict and we feel that it's best to just let sleeping dogs lie (we're not sitting around devising ways to get students to stress out even more; believe it or not, we've all been on your side of the process) and not tell someone that they're rejected just to turn around in two weeks - when all of our potential gender students have turned us down and our gender scholars are hounding us about who will work with them next year - and call someone up, with our tail between our legs, and say "never mind what we said before, we'd like to make you an offer." As is clear from this board, there are a TON of great applicants out there this year (and most years) that we'd be thrilled to have. However, there is only so much funding, faculty, etc. to support those students, so it's a time-consuming and arduous process from our end too to figure out how to fill the exact number of slots we have, with diversity in areas to please the faculty. However, we feel it's only fair to "officially" waitlist those who, in past years, would likely make it into the program after that sorting. Who knows if this year will be different, or if we'll have to go really deep when it comes to gender or race or social movements? We don't, and so the unofficial waitlist is an important cushion to have so as not to get people's hopes up, but to leave open the possibility that we can make them an offer.

I know it's nerve-wracking now. Trust me, it's just a prelude to the hell that is applying for jobs once you're wrapping up grad school. But really what matters is what you have heard by April 15th. I mean, really, how would it change your actions now? Would you apply to different schools, scrap the idea of school all together? By all means, apply to other schools if you'd like, but I wouldn't close up shop or write off grad school until the deadline. There's lots of movement those last few weeks. In the meantime, hang in there.

[ShesSoLovely]

Is anyone out there visiting U of Arizona's recruitment weekend this week? I'm very interested to meet others in the programs I was accepted to because collegiality with those in my cohort is as important a consideration for me in choosing my program as is the location (and second only to good "fit" with and mentorship from faculty).

[morthia]

When do people think is an appropriate time to start contacting WGS programs to ask when you should plan to hear a decision from them? I was thinking around Monday, March 7th is a good time to start contacting POIs and/or department administrators. What do other people think?

[morthia]

Please let us know what you think of U of Arizona when you visit!

Is anyone out there visiting U of Arizona's recruitment weekend this week? I'm very interested to meet others in the programs I was accepted to because collegiality with those in my cohort is as important a consideration for me in choosing my program as is the location (and second only to good "fit" with and mentorship from faculty).

[SusieQ]

I think that is appropriate, considering you have other offers on the table and you need to make a decision. I'm just trying to find the most polite way to ask! Any ideas would be helpful!

When do people think is an appropriate time to start contacting WGS programs to ask when you should plan to hear a decision from them? I was thinking around Monday, March 7th is a good time to start contacting POIs and/or department administrators. What do other people think?

[coffeem8]

I think it would be fine to indicate that you have time-sensitive offers on the table and need to know a school's decision.

 

[morthia]

University of Kansas wants an answer by April 1st, not even April 15th! Is everyone elses deadlines April 15th or are some earlier?

I think it would be fine to indicate that you have time-sensitive offers on the table and need to know a school's decision.

[coffeem8]

I am assuming that since I haven't heard otherwise, I have until April 15 to make my decision at both places I got into.

[nerni]

I believe the dates you have to respond by depend on the school (if they have a waiting list, etc). I will have to respond to Rutgers by March 21.

[FionatheFeminist]

I got into UT Austin!! I can't believe it! This is the first school I've heard back from, 9 more to go!

No word on funding yet though..

[morthia]

Congrats! It's such a relief to get into your first school! I've never been to Austin before, but I've heard it's amazing!

I got into UT Austin!! I can't believe it! This is the first school I've heard back from, 9 more to go!

No word on funding yet though..

[FionatheFeminist]

Congrats! It's such a relief to get into your first school! I've never been to Austin before, but I've heard it's amazing!

Thanks, Morthia!!! It is such a relief to know I'm going to grad school. I'm thrilled! I was actually just in Austin this past weekend for the interview and I loved it! I was only there for two nights but I know I'd be happy there!

[FionatheFeminist]

Wow, it's been rather quiet in here lately.. Good news, I heard from a few more schools... I was accepted to Towson University and Southern Connecticut State!! I still have 7 more schools to hear from, although I'm very pleased that all the news so far has been positive! However, each school has been so vague about funding.. I don't know how to go about asking about it.. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[SusieQ]

Received an email from the program director at TWU and was accepted for fall 2011 with full assistantship and $2500 scholarship! YAYYYYYY

[FionatheFeminist]

Received an email from the program director at TWU and was accepted for fall 2011 with full assistantship and $2500 scholarship! YAYYYYYY

Wow, congrats!!!!!!! What wonderful news, Susie!! You must be thrilled! Is TWU your top choice??

[SusieQ]

Yep!! And I'm accepting the offer!

Wow, congrats!!!!!!! What wonderful news, Susie!! You must be thrilled! Is TWU your top choice??

[musichistorygeek]

Has anyone heard anything from the MA program at UW-Madison? (I wouldn't be surprised if admissions are behind because of the situation in Madison, but I'm still worried... )

[SusieQ]

Just as a note, M.A. programs admissions are usually sent out after Ph.D. offers are made, so don't be surprised if it takes longer.

Has anyone heard anything from the MA program at UW-Madison? (I wouldn't be surprised if admissions are behind because of the situation in Madison, but I'm still worried... )

[SusieQ]

I was told by the program director the cut off date for offers is March 15th for TWU.

Yeah, I am sure a few lurkers have applied too, haven't you lurkers?

I am really curious about University of Washington because they and Texas Woman's University are the only two schools left on my list that haven't released decisions yet (that we know of).