How many programs are you applying to?

[avee]

How many PhD programs is everyone applying to? How many have you been told to apply to?

[sociology27]

Faulkner!.. 12, possibly 13. What schools are you looking at?

[allhandsonthebadone]

I am applying to up to 15 schools and anywhere I do decide to apply to is good in my eyes. I think I am a competitive candidate anywhere and hope that's enough schools to assure at least one says yes with funding + stipend.

[Darth.Vegan]

12 PhD programs, 3 MA programs

[avee]

Oh my god--12 programs? 15 programs? I had that many in range before, but now I am applying to 6. Why 15 programs? That's a lot of work, unless you don't have a lot else to worry about this false (classes, work, etc.

[avee]

this fall* not false.

[allhandsonthebadone]

I have a system where I prepare an application a week. I do fifteen because I see $1,000 (which what I will most likely spend for all of those application fees) is a good investment considering that most likely (hopefully) one of those fifteen will say yes with funding. Just best to fire as many shots as you can so you don't end up empty handed.

[sociologyplease]

12 phds and 1 ma.

My mentor told me to apply to at least 8.

[tt503]

I'm applying to 7 programs (some in historical sociology, some in other disciplines). Two are definite reaches, Four are (what I think are) good fits, and one is a program that I'm already TAing for but not necessarily a good fit for the dept. faculty. I don't have the time, energy or $$$ to apply for more than this (and if I fail, I probably need to re-assess my strategy anyway).

[avee]

I can see why someone would suggest 12 programs if you are coming from an undergrad, but I think having a master's in sociology must give some strength to the application.

[sociologyplease]

Yes, I think that's true. I also have a M.S. in a related field. My mentor basically told me to case the net wide so that I can compare funding offers too, which sold me on applying to so many.

[sociologyplease]

cast, not case, obviously.

[avee]

That's good advice. I think I will be opening up to more programs. I need to apply to more 'safe' programs, but assessing what is safe is somewhat difficult. Any ideas on this?

[barilicious]

In my opinion, apply to programs where you truly want to go and where you are a good fit. I applied to 2 "safe" programs last year, and I wish I didn't. I actually got rejected by one, probably a lot because of it, and I wish I would have just applied to more top programs that I was interested in. I say apply to programs you want to go to and are a fit, and don't worry about this how "safe" school thing.

[panasic]

Two. Both in top 10. A gamble.

[avee]

I am applying to 6 and all of them are very, very good programs with a very slim entrance rate. However, I am a very good fit with all of them. I think I have a lot going for me, but my GRE scores will be the downfall of my existence. They weren't that great.

I also am realizing that 6 programs = $600 I have to pay by December 15. How are you all affording 12 or even 15 programs? That's serious money.

Panasic, what will you do if you don't get in to either program? My mentor told me to apply to more safe schools... a little nervous, I guess.

[avee]

Let me go ahead and ask: Any 'safe' programs anyone can think of that has faculty in medical- and economic sociology?

[sociologyplease]

Money is a huge issue. My family is helping me out, luckily, so that's been huge for me. There's no way I could afford to do 12 on my own. I do agree that there aren't really any "safe" schools, but I did apply to a few lower ranked ones that I still had a good fit with and that I would be actually interested in attending, mostly out of coincidence as opposed to searching for lower ranked schools . I think you shouldn't worry too much about the ranking. If there are other schools, even other competitive ones, that you are interested in than those would be good ones to add.

[sociology27]

I agree with allhandsonthebadone's assessment. I'm gonna pay probably close to 1400 on application fees and GRE scores. It's cutting pretty deep into my savings. But I think the investment is worth it if I get into even one place. Keep in mind, these are all places I fit. But once that is calculated, without really knowing my chances, I'll take as many shots at the prize as possible. Financially, I think it's a good investment given the possibilities for funding.

[panasic]

Decaf, there are only two schools I really want to go to based on fit and location. I realize the PhD is a huge commitment and I really don't want to apply to programs I really am not that interested in Hence the risk... If I don't get in, I will strengthen my application and apply next year.

[RefurbedScientist]

I am applying to 8 schools. They are pretty much evenly distributed between the 5 to 30 range (two in top 5, three in top 20, three in 25-30). I have a strong fit with all of these (I hope) except for one of the top-20 range programs which is huge and accepts large cohorts, but the faculty covers such breadth I think any student could find a home there. I don't really think of any of these as a safety, which is disconcerting, but I have, after much self-deliberation, not decided to apply to schools ranked in the 30-50 range despite some good fits, including at my alma mater.

@avee, as per your question about medical sociology programs and recognizing that there is (supposedly*) no such thing as a safety, I would suggest checking out Brandeis and UCSF. Brandeis sociology has close ties with the Heller School for Social Policy, and both have health policy and medical foci. I know nothing about UCSF, except that they have the medical center and their sociology program actually runs out of the School of Nursing. The front page of UCSF Sociology website reads "The areas of concentration which are available are: 1)aging, chronic illness, disability; 2) health policy; 3) science, technology, and medicine studies; and 4) race, class, gender and health." I hope that helps.

*Edit: I added supposedly parenthetically because I think if you are a good fit and have a strong profile, you are more likely to get into a less competitive program than a more competitive program. In that sense, rankings do matter in the application process. That is not to say there are any sure things. Brandeis and UCSF are ranked in the 40-50 range, but are both recognized for their respective specializations. In other words, if you end up applying for a faculty position that calls for "medical sociologist", then Brandeis or UCSF may prepare you as well as higher ranked programs. That is pure speculation, by the way.

Edited November 16, 2011 by SocialGroovements

[RefurbedScientist]

And my parameters for choosing programs are 1) at least two faculty who fit my (rather specific) research interests and 2)geographically located south of the Arctic Circle (in other words, not the midwest powerhouses).

Because my programs are spread out in terms of ranking, I feel confident that if I get rejected from 8 programs, then I would probably be rejected from 12 or 14 too. That is to say, I need improve my application for next year, not just apply to a greater quantity of programs. Maybe I am misled in this assumption.

[avee]

Already submitted for Brandeis! UCLA and Berkeley is off of my list only because I'm from San Francisco and want to stay on the East Coast for a few more years. Thanks for your response!

[MashaMashaMasha]

One. Yep. One. I applied two years ago to 6. None had funding for me and/or rejected me outright. I strengthened my application, pursued two-years-worth of professional experience, and then *gasp* got married and bought a house. So now I'm geographically bound. Thankfully, I am geographically bound to a good school, and I believe I'd fit well with the department. So here's hoping that the local applicant get some good luck!

[Supernovasky]

I'm REALLY wishing I had applied to more now.

I just didnt have the moeny to.