2025 Fall Application: Chat, Share and Support One Another

[strawberrypasta]

Hey everyone! I noticed there wasn’t a general discussion thread for this application cycle yet, so I thought I’d start one. Feel free to use this space to chat, ask questions, or share any experiences and concerns as deadlines get closer and we begin the waiting game!

[RGA126]

Just submitted my applications, but I am still waiting for my recommenders to send out letters. Should I be worried that I submitted applications without their letters? Is it true that they will have a different dealine from mine?

[strawberrypasta]

On 11/22/2024 at 7:15 PM, RGA126 said:

Just submitted my applications, but I am still waiting for my recommenders to send out letters. Should I be worried that I submitted applications without their letters? Is it true that they will have a different dealine from mine?

Congrats!! Where all did you apply to? It is fine to submit applications without having the letters with it. As for a different deadline for the letters, I have heard some people say that, but I am not going to risk it with my applications. If you haven't heard from them in a while, I would send a follow up message soon, especially with this being a holiday week (if you are US-based).

[randomposter]

Anyone applying to UChicago? They make you do a 750-word research proposal in addition to your SOP... really annoying, as my SOP is basically already a research proposal. 

[strawberrypasta]

9 hours ago, randomposter said:

Anyone applying to UChicago? They make you do a 750-word research proposal in addition to your SOP... really annoying, as my SOP is basically already a research proposal. 

I am! It has been very difficult to write tbh. I have written and rewritten it upwards of six times now, and am not feeling super confident with it. How is it going for you?

I have also been struggling with shorter personal/diversity statements such as Princeton and Brown. It is hard to work within a 250-300 word limit.

[randomposter]

11 hours ago, strawberrypasta said:

I am! It has been very difficult to write tbh. I have written and rewritten it upwards of six times now, and am not feeling super confident with it. How is it going for you?

I have also been struggling with shorter personal/diversity statements such as Princeton and Brown. It is hard to work within a 250-300 word limit.

I'm just having a hard time making it different from my SOP, because I already laid out my research interests pretty extensively in the SOP... are you making it exactly 750-words, or a little less? 

[strawberrypasta]

6 hours ago, randomposter said:

I'm just having a hard time making it different from my SOP, because I already laid out my research interests pretty extensively in the SOP... are you making it exactly 750-words, or a little less? 

Mine is 743 words, not including my reference list.

[randomposter]

Submitted my application to Berkeley but on the application checklist, it doesn't list my resume or writing sample, does anyone see the same thing? Want to make sure those were received. 

[strawberrypasta]

5 hours ago, randomposter said:

Submitted my application to Berkeley but on the application checklist, it doesn't list my resume or writing sample, does anyone see the same thing? Want to make sure those were received. 

It doesn’t show that for me either. I think it should be good though? 

[randomposter]

Did UCLA extend it's deadline? It says December 1st on the Sociology dept website, but now says December 8th on the UCLA graduate program website. Also, does anyone know if UCLA or Berkeley have historically done interviews? 

[RGA126]

3 hours ago, randomposter said:

Did UCLA extend it's deadline? It says December 1st on the Sociology dept website, but now says December 8th on the UCLA graduate program website. Also, does anyone know if UCLA or Berkeley have historically done interviews? 

I see they have extended their deadline to Dec 8:

We understand that our December 1 deadline coincided with the end of the Thanksgiving weekend this year, which might have led to unduly difficulty for some to submit the applications in time. After some consideration, we decided to extend our deadline to December 8 to avoid any holiday and travel related scheduling conflicts. Please rest assured that all applications submitted by December 8 will receive full consideration by the UCLA admission committee.

[nervousyethopeful]

Hi friends. I've submitted all my apps and was foolishly expecting to feel relief afterward. As I'm sure many of y'all are also feeling, my anxiety has only gotten worse! How are we coping with the anxiety of waiting? Anyone have any tips that help them stop obsessing?! Wishing everyone the absolute best of luck <3

[strawberrypasta]

10 hours ago, nervousyethopeful said:

Hi friends. I've submitted all my apps and was foolishly expecting to feel relief afterward. As I'm sure many of y'all are also feeling, my anxiety has only gotten worse! How are we coping with the anxiety of waiting? Anyone have any tips that help them stop obsessing?! Wishing everyone the absolute best of luck ❤️

Congratulations! I totally understand the feeling of anxiety, I have been obsessively reading over my statements and thinking about all of the things I. could/should have done differently.

In any case, take time to celebrate! Do something you love and haven’t had time to dedicate to during the application season. Catch up on TV shows or movies or books you’ve been meaning to get to, go on a walk, make a nice meal, catch up with an old friend, etc. I am trying to find a hobby to pick up once I finish up my last application, but I haven’t landed on one quite yet. 

Where all did you apply to?!

[nervousyethopeful]

8 hours ago, strawberrypasta said:

Congratulations! I totally understand the feeling of anxiety, I have been obsessively reading over my statements and thinking about all of the things I. could/should have done differently.

In any case, take time to celebrate! Do something you love and haven’t had time to dedicate to during the application season. Catch up on TV shows or movies or books you’ve been meaning to get to, go on a walk, make a nice meal, catch up with an old friend, etc. I am trying to find a hobby to pick up once I finish up my last application, but I haven’t landed on one quite yet. 

Where all did you apply to?!

That is all good advice thanks a ton  it definitely comes in waves. When I have time on my hands I always end up obsessing but when I keep myself busy I'm all good. I applied to a lot of schools-- all of the ivies, ucla, uc berkeley, stanford, ut austin, michigan, wisconsin, ohio state, and nyu. What about you?

[strawberrypasta]

2 hours ago, nervousyethopeful said:

That is all good advice thanks a ton  it definitely comes in waves. When I have time on my hands I always end up obsessing but when I keep myself busy I'm all good. I applied to a lot of schools-- all of the ivies, ucla, uc berkeley, stanford, ut austin, michigan, wisconsin, ohio state, and nyu. What about you?

Nice! We seem to be applying to a lot of the same ones haha! I applied to Brown, Columbia, Michigan State, Northwestern, Princeton, Berkeley, Santa Barbara, Chicago, UIC, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.

What does your research center on? Mine broadly explores gender, family, and the life course.  

[nervousyethopeful]

Ooohhh yes def lots of overlap!! My interests are at the intersection of soc of family, education, & immigration, looking at the relationships btw schools & latino families. 

It feels so good to connect w other people in this process!!!

[axolotlgrl]

good luck/congrats with all the 12/15 deadlines everybody!!!

[axolotlgrl]

does anyone have any info on which schools do/don't interview for sociology in the top ~25?

[saffasrass]

4 hours ago, axolotlgrl said:

does anyone have any info on which schools do/don't interview for sociology in the top ~25?

Yale, Chicago, Irvine, CUNY, and Indiana have all historically conducted interviews either every year or dependent on cycle (Indiana in particular).

[swagboy]

Columbia and Northwestern did some last year too

[zephyr_]

Hi everyone. Nice to find this thread! Im a student from europe who applied to the PhD sociology course at Brown. I have a phd offer from the UK but I would really like to study in the US. I really like Brown and only applied there. I feel so silly, now reading all of your chats I see that many of you applied to 10+ courses for phd. I was too scared to tell my recommenders to fill in so many forms. How did you all do it? applying for these courses takes so much emotional energy and patience. I get too anxious! I hope Brown works out for me. It would be so amazing! I wonder when we hear back. I read some forums that say Feb or March. I also wonder if brown does interviews. 

[zephyr_]

On 12/4/2024 at 6:38 AM, strawberrypasta said:

Congratulations! I totally understand the feeling of anxiety, I have been obsessively reading over my statements and thinking about all of the things I. could/should have done differently.

In any case, take time to celebrate! Do something you love and haven’t had time to dedicate to during the application season. Catch up on TV shows or movies or books you’ve been meaning to get to, go on a walk, make a nice meal, catch up with an old friend, etc. I am trying to find a hobby to pick up once I finish up my last application, but I haven’t landed on one quite yet. 

Where all did you apply to?!

I also get really anxious. I actually just read my statement again right now ha ha. it doesnt help knowing that there are some things i wish i could change. I only applied to one uni for phd sociology, that being Brown. I am from europe and didnt get to look into too many american unis. I only got to explore brown and get insight on the department at brown. I am quite stressed! the uncertainty is so scary. Also with me it is quite a huge decision as i would also be moving countries. so i wait in anticipation of good results, but potential rejection too. gosh 😞

[zephyr_]

I also see that brown is not the most popular choice for phd sociology on forums, why is that?

[julesevar]

3 hours ago, zephyr_ said:

I also see that brown is not the most popular choice for phd sociology on forums, why is that?

I think that is your assumption. It's an IVY League and most likely hard to get into at any level.  Have you seen this: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/sociology-rankings   you can view the rankings from US news.

[zephyr_]

On 1/4/2025 at 1:08 AM, julesevar said:

I think that is your assumption. It's an IVY League and most likely hard to get into at any level.  Have you seen this: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/sociology-rankings   you can view the rankings from US news.

thanks for sharing. i was just commenting looking at this thread