applying to the same program a second time

[frankdux]

1. is this looked at as a positive or a negative by most schools?

2. what can i do to increase my chances a second time around (given the fact i did not have the time to take any more classes or do any research or have anything published) ?

i'm thinking i could do the following:

a. take the GRE subject test (which i didnt take before cause the schools i applied to didnt require it)

b. make contacts with prospective advisors

c. re-work my statement of purpose

[gracieh]

I applied to some of the same schools the second time around and got into my first choice during this last admission cycle. I don't know how individual departments look at applicants who have applied previously, but you can call the graduate director of the program and ask. That's what I did. I suggest that you contact specific professors that you'd be interested in working with and ask them if they believe that you would be a good candidate based on academic interest and research areas. If there are no professors who have the knowledge or the time to support you, it may not be a good idea to apply to that specific school. Definitely take a hard look at your personal statement. I completely changed mine because my interests changed and I was able better articulate what I wanted to study and why. Do multiple drafts. Have everyone read it (and I mean everyone!). And of course, try to get a higher score on the GRE (it can't hurt). I hope this helps!! Good luck!

[Louiselab]

I applied to some of the same schools the second time around and got into my first choice during this last admission cycle. I don't know how individual departments look at applicants who have applied previously, but you can call the graduate director of the program and ask. That's what I did. I suggest that you contact specific professors that you'd be interested in working with and ask them if they believe that you would be a good candidate based on academic interest and research areas. If there are no professors who have the knowledge or the time to support you, it may not be a good idea to apply to that specific school. Definitely take a hard look at your personal statement. I completely changed mine because my interests changed and I was able better articulate what I wanted to study and why. Do multiple drafts. Have everyone read it (and I mean everyone!). And of course, try to get a higher score on the GRE (it can't hurt). I hope this helps!! Good luck!

I'm doing that for history again... When did you email the graduate director to ask and what was their usual response? After I applied last year I did a survey of why I was rejected, so I kind of have an idea of where I could/shouldn't try again... The personal statement killed me last time, but I still have no idea how to write a good one. Any advice?

[anese]

[quote name="Louiselab

[gracieh]

I started contacting professors in September, but I began compiling a list during the summer. So this would be a good time for you to evaluate which people you'd be interested in working with. I suggest simply sending an email to the professors introducing yourself, your academic background, and your area of interest. I then asked if the specific professors felt that my work would be supported in the department. Most of the professors I emailed were very candid. One responded that she was advising too many graduate students and did not want to take on any more. I crossed that school off my list. I found that my communications with professors, first by email then by phone, were the most productive.

On the personal statement, my first draft was a story about me and my interests. It ended up being way too long and not specific enough. A professor of mine suggested that I get right to the point. So I quickly delved into the research that I've done in the past, what I'd like to do in the future at the particular schools, and why I thought the specific department would fit my needs. After many drafts, my personal statement was thorough yet concise.

[Louiselab]

I'm trying to evaluate how specific i should be about the research interest thing... I mean, should I say, for example, "i want to study 20th century us history, postwar period, consumer culture, auto sales." or can i leave it at 20th century us, consumer culture?