Fall 2012 PhD?

[payler]

I am new to the grad cafe and figured this would be a good place to have some of my questions answered. My undergraduate degree is not in Sociology, but Economics. I do however have somewhat of a background in Sociology (12 hours). I am interested in concentrating in either Social Inequalities or Economic Sociology.

Cum GPA: 3.6

Last 2 years: 3.9

Soc GPA: 4.0

Statistics GPA: 4.0 (12 hours)

I am in the process of having my undergraduate thesis in Economics published, it is entitled Inequality and Growth: An empirical investigation within the framework of institutional economics. Obviously there is a combination of both sociology and economics included in the paper. I also feel it will be an asset because it shows I have a fairly strong background in statistics.

GRE scores- 720 Q 560 V and a 5 on the writing.

I am curious of my chances of being accepted to PhD programs due to my background in economics rather than sociology. I am not looking at applying to any top 10 programs, but was wondering what my chances at say, Illinois, Iowa, and UIC would be. I would also appreciate any other school recommendations where anybody would feel would be a good fit based off of my numbers and area of concentration.

[goodmp]

I think you have a decent shot at any of those schools. If you can stomach it, you may want to think about retaking the GRE to boost your Verbal section -- you'd have absolutely no problems if you could get that above 650. That said, that is just getting your foot in the door -- a lot of other factors come in to whether or not you're accepted, but I think your profile looks pretty solid overall.

You may want to look at http://orgtheory.wor...-grad-students/ and http://orgtheory.wor...out-gre-scores/ as well. Both are written by Fabio Rojas from IU's Soc program and provide some good insight. In particular, read through the commentary -- a lot of other faculty weigh in there as well.

[payler]

I think you have a decent shot at any of those schools. If you can stomach it, you may want to think about retaking the GRE to boost your Verbal section -- you'd have absolutely no problems if you could get that above 650. That said, that is just getting your foot in the door -- a lot of other factors come in to whether or not you're accepted, but I think your profile looks pretty solid overall.

You may want to look at http://orgtheory.wor...-grad-students/ and http://orgtheory.wor...out-gre-scores/ as well. Both are written by Fabio Rojas from IU's Soc program and provide some good insight. In particular, read through the commentary -- a lot of other faculty weigh in there as well.

Thanks for the feedback! I have considered retaking the GRE and may just do that before it is revised. 650 may be a reach on the verbal but my original goal was 600 and I think that may be more attainable. How much emphasis is placed on the GRE for sociology programs? I would imagine, they value the verbal section a little more than the quantitative. So would you say that the fact that my undergraduate major was economics won't be detrimental?

[Doctor Jimmy]

I don't know that they value either score more than the other. They are both important.

I don't think your background in economics will hurt you. I know many people who have come from majors outside of sociology and have been accepted. As long as you can convincingly make the argument that your background will aid you in your research, and explain why you want to pursue your degree in sociology, you should be fine.

Your stats sound fairly similar to mine, and I was accepted at Indiana and Iowa. So I would guess you will be competitive at the programs you listed.

Thanks for the feedback! I have considered retaking the GRE and may just do that before it is revised. 650 may be a reach on the verbal but my original goal was 600 and I think that may be more attainable. How much emphasis is placed on the GRE for sociology programs? I would imagine, they value the verbal section a little more than the quantitative. So would you say that the fact that my undergraduate major was economics won't be detrimental?