Chances of getting into PhD program

[CS12]

I am looking to apply for a PhD program in Sociology. My interests include deviant behavior, juvenile delinquency, penology, and reentry. Penn State would definitely be a dream program, although I am keeping an open mind. I do want to get into a program that waives tuition. That's very important to me. I have not taken the GRE yet ... I plan on taking it in early December. I am looking for suggestions and tips ... any idea of my chances at getting into a pretty good program is appreciated!

GPA: 3.54 - Graduating in 3 1/2 years at age 20

Professional experience: Runner for my county's Commonwealth's Attorney (same thing as a D.A. but only prosecutes Felonies .... KY has a slightly different system than most states) and I did an Internship with Probation & Parole.

Extra-curricular activities:

Kentucky Council on Crime and Delinquency 2011

Southern Kentucky Reentry Council 2011

Fraternal Order of Police, Associate Member 2011

Alpha Kappa Delta, International Sociology Honors Society 2011

Pi Sigma Alpha, National Political Science Honors Society 2011

Group Coordinator for Amnesty International, Western Kentucky University 2011

DLI (Dynamic Leadership Institute) Phase III 2011

Up ‘Til Dawn (St. Judes) Sponsorship committee & Fundraising Chair 2010 – Present

DLI Phase II 2010

DLI Phase I 2009

Concert Committee Chair for Campus Activities Board (CAB) 2009 – 2011

Pre-law Club Member 2009 – 2010

LeaderShape Graduate 2009

[SocHope]

I'm confused - are you graduating in 3.5 years, or did you graduate within 3.5 years and are now currently applying to PhD programs for Fall 2012? If the latter, you might think about taking the GRE a little earlier than December, if possible. Penn State has a later application deadline (mid-Jan. I believe), but you may want to take the GRE more than once depending on how well you do.

PS's Sociology website states:

What is the average GRE score of students admitted to your program?

The vast majority of students admitted to the program score above 1200 on the GRE (verbal and quantitative combined). Many score above 1300. Most students admitted to the program have GPAs above 3.7.

Your GPA might be on the lower side, but you sound like you have a lot of great background experience and your interests seems to really align with the focus of PS's program. The only thing I can say is write a solid statement of purpose and get stellar letters of recommendation. Just go for it!

I can't really give much advice about other programs because we have very different research interests. Perhaps others can help - or maybe you can search some of the older topics. Good luck!

[emmm]

I don't understand why graduating in 3.5 years would be of any significance. I can understand it might make financial sense, but it is kind of pointless as far as graduate applications go, in my opinion.

[barilicious]

I honestly do not think an admissions committee really cares how long your undergraduate degree took you. People have many different life experiences that may "pro-long" them getting their undergrad degree than the traditional, I guess, 4 years. There are numerous other things that the committee I'm sure care about (research experience, SOP, GPA, GREs, LORs, and so forth) that I highly doubt they even look at how long it took someone to get their degree. And honestly, I had grad committee members tell me that people who don't take time off typically have a harder time getting in, as committees typically like people who took a break between undergrad and grad. In my cohort (of 15), only 1 person is straight from undergrad. All in all though, every committee is different, and best of luck!