joops Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Hi all, I'm sorry if this post is inappropriate or too whiny, but no one I know is going through the same thing. Everyone has been so supportive here and I feel like I have to reach out for my own sanity's sake. So it looks like the first response I'm getting from one of the ten schools I applied to is going to be a rejection. Needless to say, I'm absolutely devastated. When I found out, I cried for over an hour. I just know it was my SOP that killed me. It was the first school I applied to, as it had an early deadline. I tried the anecdote-as-hook thing and looking back on it, it was totally unprofessional. As a whole, also, the SOP was totally unpolished. My subsequent SOPs were much better, but some were different than others and not all were equal. I'm feeling quite unhopeful right now. My GRE quant score was TERRIBLE (25th percentile; I was very surprised because I'm not actually that bad at math), and I feel like I won't get in anywhere. Trouble is, grad school is all I want to do. Anyone have any thoughts/condolences? Anyone in the same boat? I feel like I need some solidarity right now. Thank you in advance and sorry if my post offends anyone.
barilicious Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Hi all, I'm sorry if this post is inappropriate or too whiny, but no one I know is going through the same thing. Everyone has been so supportive here and I feel like I have to reach out for my own sanity's sake. So it looks like the first response I'm getting from one of the ten schools I applied to is going to be a rejection. Needless to say, I'm absolutely devastated. When I found out, I cried for over an hour. I just know it was my SOP that killed me. It was the first school I applied to, as it had an early deadline. I tried the anecdote-as-hook thing and looking back on it, it was totally unprofessional. As a whole, also, the SOP was totally unpolished. My subsequent SOPs were much better, but some were different than others and not all were equal. I'm feeling quite unhopeful right now. My GRE quant score was TERRIBLE (25th percentile; I was very surprised because I'm not actually that bad at math), and I feel like I won't get in anywhere. Trouble is, grad school is all I want to do. Anyone have any thoughts/condolences? Anyone in the same boat? I feel like I need some solidarity right now. Thank you in advance and sorry if my post offends anyone. Are you talking about Ohio State?
joops Posted January 21, 2011 Author Posted January 21, 2011 Are you talking about Ohio State? Emory. I wouldn't say I have a first choice, but it was definitely high up on my list.
barilicious Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Emory. I wouldn't say I have a first choice, but it was definitely high up on my list. Ah well, it is still really early. I don't know much of anything about Emory, but I still wouldn't give up all hope just yet. Plus, sometimes the fates that be have a better plan/school for our lives. I know for undergrad I wanted to go to this ONE school and this ONE school only, and I got rejected and ended up somewhere that I just applied to on a whim. Now I am beyond thankful that I went there, and I can't image having gone anywhere else. I know this is not much comfort, but don't give up hope, and I really do hope you and everyone on this forum gets in somewhere, and gets in somewhere great!
joops Posted January 21, 2011 Author Posted January 21, 2011 Ah well, it is still really early. I don't know much of anything about Emory, but I still wouldn't give up all hope just yet. Plus, sometimes the fates that be have a better plan/school for our lives. I know for undergrad I wanted to go to this ONE school and this ONE school only, and I got rejected and ended up somewhere that I just applied to on a whim. Now I am beyond thankful that I went there, and I can't image having gone anywhere else. I know this is not much comfort, but don't give up hope, and I really do hope you and everyone on this forum gets in somewhere, and gets in somewhere great! Thanks, friend. You seem to be faring quite well! Thanks for the kind words. I hope the best for everyone else, as well as for myself.
Happy to be here Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Keep this thought in mind, rejections are going to happen to everyone. I will get them, others will get them. It's just a part of the game. No matter what credentials that an applicant brings in, there's always something to give pause and bring a reason to reject. Try not to take it personally--it's all just a crapshoot. Remember that it only takes one school to accept you for you to be able to move on to grad school.
PrettyVacant Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I tried the anecdote-as-hook thing and looking back on it, it was totally unprofessional. As a whole, also, the SOP was totally unpolished. Hang in there! You shouldn't count a rejection until you know for sure. You applied to a lot of schools, so don't give up hope! I'm also feeling depressed. I can completely empathize with you regarding the SoP. I also did the anecdote-as-hook thing, and looking back on it, it probably wasn't the best idea. I keep reading my SoP over and over again, and going: "What was I thinking?" Meh.
barilicious Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 My SOP started off anecdote-esque, so I don't think you should doubt that style of writing...
emmm Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I started my rejection collection -- expecting more. Just hang in there. I'm willing to reapply next year, if necessary.
Roll Right Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I applied to PhD programs in 2008, and was rejected from every one of them. I'll tell you what I had running against me: GRE score was terrible, and the GRE service split my test dates into two files (I took it twice) and only sent the worst set of test scores to schools. GRE screw deal.. I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do for research, so I wrote some half assed SOP about social movements and applied to schools that were mostly in the top 30 of US News and World Report. I sent out a shitty paper on the history of southern violence in relation to western films. It was not good sociology. Emory is a very good school. Don't be upset if you don't get in. I probably wouldn't get in even with a 3.9 gpa, a masters degree, several paper presentations and multiple quantitative papers on religion and pending publications. Here's what I suggest: Apply to an MA program right now before the deadlines pass./ Late deadlines include Louisville, UNC Wilmington and a few others. Consult the ASA Graduate Handbook of 2009 for more information. Traditionally, those who are rejected from PhD programs apply to MA programs to "prove" themselves worthy of graduate work. You get in, rock the program, get good recs, have solid research, publish something possibly...then you get into the PhD. If you're worried, get on this right now. The deadlines won't have passed. I polished up a thesis proposal from undergrad, wrote a better SOP and got into a masters program that is very good. I've been able to nail down my research interests as well during graduate work. If I'm accepted to PhD's I'll be able to go right into a dissertation. Its a good way to wet your feet.
Lev Bronstein Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I just know it was my SOP that killed me. It was the first school I applied to, as it had an early deadline. I tried the anecdote-as-hook thing and looking back on it, it was totally unprofessional. As a whole, also, the SOP was totally unpolished. For me too, my first statements are always the worst. I submitted some on Dec 15th, and when I did, I thought they were perfect. By Jan 15th, I thought those statements were horrible. A similar thing happened when I did applications two years ago. The first app I submitted was on Dec 10th, and my statement was totally garbage. I said some ridiculous things! Ironically, I got in there. It was a fairly decent program, and the third highest ranked that I applied to. Even more ironically, I had refined my poorly-developed interests by the time I visited, and it wasn't a good fit so I didn't go. I had a solid statement for the last program I applied to in that cycle, and the school was a great fit and lower ranked than the one I got into, and I got rejected after two weeks. There's a lot of luck in this. There are variables that applicants can sort of control, such as a lot of stuff in their apps. But there are also variables specific to the department, such as professors that have too many students, a reputation as a horrible advisor, or are trying to move to another school ASAFP. Funding is a huge part, too, both at the department and faculty level. If you don't get in, there is a pretty strong possibility that it's because of things that are beyond your control, and that the adcom is doing you a favor. I mean, you could get in this year and your advisor could go to a low-ranked school next to a beach the next year. In any case, if you don't get in, take time off. I took off a year before my first round of apps, and another two years before this second round. The experiences I've gained have been invaluable, and if I'm on an adcom in the future, I'll look at applicants with no time off sort of skeptically.
SocCard Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Emory. I wouldn't say I have a first choice, but it was definitely high up on my list. How do you know you got rejected? They haven't sent out communcation yet have they?
adaptations Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 How do you know you got rejected? They haven't sent out communcation yet have they? There is no question that every rejection hurts, but it is too early in the cycle to despair. Academia takes a thick skin, and unfortunately the hardships are often thrust upon us early and often. That said, keep your head up, as good news may still arrive from one or more of the many schools you applied to. Having not received a funded PhD offer during my first round of applications, I chose to get my master's degree, which gave me some great experience, focused my research goals, and helped me get some very strong LORs. If you don't get a PhD offer you are happy about, a master's degree is certainly a viable option to continue your pursuit of an academic career (even if it does mean more time and money). Best of luck and try not to let the lows of this process (because there will be lows for all of us) get you down too much.
SocCard Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Having not received a funded PhD offer during my first round of applications, I chose to get my master's degree, which gave me some great experience, focused my research goals, and helped me get some very strong LORs. If you don't get a PhD offer you are happy about, a master's degree is certainly a viable option to continue your pursuit of an academic career (even if it does mean more time and money). Best of luck and try not to let the lows of this process (because there will be lows for all of us) get you down too much. This is great advice, and I agree completely. I decided to get my MA prior to the Ph.D and it completely changed my interests and really helped make me a better candidate when I applied to PhD programs (publications are the key!)
ZoeWeber Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Hi all, I'm sorry if this post is inappropriate or too whiny, but no one I know is going through the same thing. Everyone has been so supportive here and I feel like I have to reach out for my own sanity's sake. So it looks like the first response I'm getting from one of the ten schools I applied to is going to be a rejection. Needless to say, I'm absolutely devastated. When I found out, I cried for over an hour. I just know it was my SOP that killed me. It was the first school I applied to, as it had an early deadline. I tried the anecdote-as-hook thing and looking back on it, it was totally unprofessional. As a whole, also, the SOP was totally unpolished. My subsequent SOPs were much better, but some were different than others and not all were equal. I'm feeling quite unhopeful right now. My GRE quant score was TERRIBLE (25th percentile; I was very surprised because I'm not actually that bad at math), and I feel like I won't get in anywhere. Trouble is, grad school is all I want to do. Anyone have any thoughts/condolences? Anyone in the same boat? I feel like I need some solidarity right now. Thank you in advance and sorry if my post offends anyone. Alissa, I'm feeling just like you. My quant GRE score is in the same percentile and my SOP... well I decided not to re-check it again; for my own sake. So if you need some solidarity, here I am. Actually one of the schools I apply to, started sending admissions and I'm still not hearing anything from them... it's pretty much disheartening. But I would say, stop thinking that the worse is coming. You applied to a lot of schools, much more than what I did so there is still hope. And if everything else fails, keep in mind that you are not the only one; that this is a hard process and that if its really all that you want to do; you will get there eventually. Sometimes the longest ride is the safest ride of all.
fields&charts Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 (edited) I have one that is probably a reject (same school as you) and I was bummed out about the other day. It's just one school, but yeah, it still stings and doesn't sit well with me. That said, I have 9 others in departments that seem to be better suited given my interests (cultural sociology/production of culture). That said, I applied to a quite a few high ranked departments (5/10) and so I'm worried that those might have been foolish choices (though in terms of "fit" they're seemingly perfect choices). Cheer up, this could be your third time through this insane process. Edited January 21, 2011 by fields&charts
SocCard Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I have one that is probably a reject (same school as you) and I was bummed out about the other day. It's just one school, but yeah, it still stings and doesn't sit well with me. That said, I have 9 others in departments that seem to be better suited given my interests (cultural sociology/production of culture). That said, I applied to a quite a few high ranked departments (5/10) and so I'm worried that those might have been foolish choices (though in terms of "fit" they're seemingly perfect choices). Cheer up, this could be your third time through this insane process. How do you know it's a reject?
fields&charts Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Well, it's an educated guess. According to the results from the past few years, the department typically sends out invitations to a group interview/campus visit in late January. Acceptances are then given out (or not) to those handful of invitees. Because the group interview/campus invite has already been sent and I was not part of that group of lucky individuals, I assume that it is safe to count that as a rejection. I'm assuming the original poster has made the same deduction based on the available evidence. Is this a 100% rejection? No, but I'd be willing to say it with 10% confidence that not receiving an invite to the group interview tends to lead to a rejection. ;-)
SocCard Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Well, it's an educated guess. According to the results from the past few years, the department typically sends out invitations to a group interview/campus visit in late January. Acceptances are then given out (or not) to those handful of invitees. Because the group interview/campus invite has already been sent and I was not part of that group of lucky individuals, I assume that it is safe to count that as a rejection. I'm assuming the original poster has made the same deduction based on the available evidence. Is this a 100% rejection? No, but I'd be willing to say it with 10% confidence that not receiving an invite to the group interview tends to lead to a rejection. ;-) Your reasoning makes sense for sure, but I don't know of anyone who has received an invite. As far as I know, no one on this board is aware of anyone with an invite within Sociology. I know of a bio major who received their invite--but departments work independent of each other. All that aside, you (and the topic creator) are probably correct. Emory is a tough school to get into (they have Robert Agnew--probably the most famous living criminologist in all of America). Emory is at the top of my list of schools I've applied to. I guess we're all in the same boat
fields&charts Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 As far as I know, no one on this board is aware of anyone with an invite within Sociology. I know of a bio major who received their invite--but departments work independent of each other. Please don't take this as me being argumentative, but there are three other/interviews listed in the results section for Sociology. There's another thread about the Emory-Sociology "group interview" process that sounds terribly stressful. I can't find it though. Oh well, Emory has Tim Dowd (just published "what's sociological about music" with Bill Roy from UCLA in ASR; history of work on cultural capital/cultural labor in the music industry), but in terms of fit, it's not the best match. You already have an admit though right? don't even sweat it!
SocCard Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Please don't take this as me being argumentative, but there are three other/interviews listed in the results section for Sociology. There's another thread about the Emory-Sociology "group interview" process that sounds terribly stressful. I can't find it though. Oh well, Emory has Tim Dowd (just published "what's sociological about music" with Bill Roy from UCLA in ASR; history of work on cultural capital/cultural labor in the music industry), but in terms of fit, it's not the best match. You already have an admit though right? don't even sweat it! Hmm..I don't see any of that, not that you're wrong though. The only thing I've come across is a bio major who has an interview....no soc majors--I haven't seen anything about the "group interview" either. It may just be that I'm blind (or have an inability to successfully search topics), but I don't see any of that.
fields&charts Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Results search: http://thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php?q=emory+sociology Thread about the interview process:
SocCard Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Results search: http://thegradcafe.c...emory+sociology Thread about the interview process: Oh cool, thanks
joops Posted January 22, 2011 Author Posted January 22, 2011 Keep this thought in mind, rejections are going to happen to everyone. I will get them, others will get them. It's just a part of the game. No matter what credentials that an applicant brings in, there's always something to give pause and bring a reason to reject. Try not to take it personally--it's all just a crapshoot. Remember that it only takes one school to accept you for you to be able to move on to grad school. I know... and really, I would be happy to get in anywhere. Thanks for the support!
joops Posted January 22, 2011 Author Posted January 22, 2011 Well, it's an educated guess. According to the results from the past few years, the department typically sends out invitations to a group interview/campus visit in late January. Acceptances are then given out (or not) to those handful of invitees. Because the group interview/campus invite has already been sent and I was not part of that group of lucky individuals, I assume that it is safe to count that as a rejection. I'm assuming the original poster has made the same deduction based on the available evidence. Is this a 100% rejection? No, but I'd be willing to say it with 10% confidence that not receiving an invite to the group interview tends to lead to a rejection. ;-) Thanks for explaining this. Yes, I am making an educated guess that I'm at least waitlisted if not outright rejected. Normally, I wouldn't bow to speculation so soon, but I think it's a pretty safe bet at this point.
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