Less than perfect

[dizzid]

I'm applying for PhD programs and this board is scaring the crap out of me.

I'm a non-traditional student, barely finished high school, career community college student and very recently adjusted to the road of...academic excellence.

Basically I took my first SOCY class and became an overnight success story. My GRE scores will, as one can imagine, be questionable...

So I'm riding my GPA (3.8) and recommendations hopefully to the finish line. I'm not applying to Harvard because the idea of going there sounds stifling, I'm also not applying to Brown, Wisconsin or Chapel Hill for the same reasons. Oh and because I probably wouldn't get in with my tarnished history (this is said with mocking facetiousness).

What I have going for me? Other than the sobby story of the black female who came from a broken home is my ability to succeed despite the odds. Although, while writing that line, it has occurred to me that perhaps those qualities are one in the same.

Regardless, to all of you with the perfect academic careers, perfect GREs, perfect everything else, good luck continuing in your perfect perfectness.

To the rest of you, the comeback kids in a boat similar to mine: let's kick ass wherever we end up! Let's continue to be good enough despite the odds and most of all, be the change we want to see.

That said, I'm applying to:

Maryland

Rutgers

Temple

George Mason

V-Tech

Pittsburgh

[joe490]

Hi Dizzi,

It's been about two weeks since you posted this so I'm not sure if you'll see this reply, but I hope you do because I am in a very similar boat as you.

I added Sociology late in my undergrad as well and fell in love with it. I didn't have all four years to connect with faculty and win tons of awards or honors (not to mention my school doesn't offer any for Soc., either...) My GRE's are abysmal due, in all honesty, to a lack of resources to prep accordingly (it was debt-inducing enough just to pay for the test itself -- I have no one feeding me money and I only work a part time job). So, I could not dish out $1,500 for a prep course. Also, by the time I finally had the money together to pay for the exam, I had little time to prep. For me, the GRE's were a disaster all around.

My GPA is a 3.7, I believe I have great LOR's, an SOP which articulates my strengths just as I wanted, and a writing sample I am proud of. I shift from phases of confidence when I look over the materials I'm sending (except the GRE's) to great depression and fear when I browse these boards and see who I'm competing with. I'm not sure what to make of all of it, and to be honest I usually avoid coming here because all it ever does it put me in a bad mood in which I doubt myself.

All I can say is -- hold your head high and believe in yourself. Know that you are not the only one with a less than perfect scenario (even though this forum may make you believe otherwise). Maybe I'll feel silly saying all of this come April if I'm rejected from every program I've applied to, but as it stands now I am just trying to believe in myself and my abilities. I'm placing my hands in fate and hope that whatever is meant to be will happen. Life has thrown me plenty of bumps and bruises and I'm praying that for once things go my way....

Please take care and remember you're not the only one feeling this way.

Best,

Joe

[sciencegirl]

Hey Joe,

I wouldn't be so hard on yourself. It sounds like you know that your only one weakness is the GRE's and that financially things seem to be difficult. The GRE offers a low-income waiver for those that qualify. Research this and try to get the low income waiver. If you qualify for the low-income GRE waiver, then a lot of schools will also waive their application fee. Also, if you and/or dizzidawn happen to be first generation college students (ie, your parents and grandparents did not graduate from college), this is perhaps one of the most important areas of diversity for graduate programs right now. (Studies have shown that first generation college students are highly underrepresented in graduate programs - and many sociologists are well aware of this, so programs make extra efforts to encourage such students).

The most important thing, IMHO, is to not mentally let down. So much about academic success, particularly standardized tests, is to not give up mentally. If you already go into the GRE's thinking that everyone has spent $1500 on prep tests (I spent $40 total on two prep books), you won't give yourself a fighting chance to do well. Get that stuff out of your head and believe that you will succeed. Do that Oprah thing where you visualize yourself doing well: imagine getting into graduate school and finishing with flying colors, and keep that mindset as you pursue your goals. Work hard and do your best and don't defeat yourself before you even start.

[socihealth]

I agree with sciencegirl. The application process can be very expensive and GREs are the same way. I didn't have the funds to take a prep course so I got some books from my university library and stuided old GRE questions in math (which stayed mostly the same from the old version) and vocabulary lists. When I had extra cash, I went to a bookstore and bought a new GRE prep book. I studied for a few weeks and made myself a schedule. The test went well but I don't think it was because of my prep time alone. I think my attitude going into the test is what helped me succeed. Joe and Dizzi have a great attitude going into their applications. I want to have this same outlook on my applications! Thanks for spreading the upbeat spirit.

[Eigen]

In response to the prep courses: Sciencegirl is absolutely right. Don't think you're going in unprepared without them, from my personal experience it isn't that common for people to take them. I don't know anyone from either my undergrad or my grad schools that used them. Quite honestly, it's a pretty bad way to spend $1500- all it really gives is some structure to the review process. All the information you can get from GRE review books- I got mine from our Public Library. Even if you don't get the review guides, the PowerPrep CD that you get from ETS should hold you in pretty good stead to get a feel for the test, especially coupled with the information on the ETS website.

From what I've seen from our Adcom, and talking to others, the experience and maturity you get from being a non-traditional student is a huge advantage. You're not just doing this because it was "the next thing along the path", but because you're really passionate about it. So rather than seeing it as a disadvantage, frame it as a benefit.

[dizzid]

Hey Joe,

I just finished a "perfect" semester and the amount of sheer joy that my friends and family are expressing is both amazing and humbling. I agree 100 percent about keeping our heads up and being proud of what we've done so far. Additionally, I think it's important to recognize that there is NOTHING we could have done differently given the circumstances that come with "life". I'm really glad you responded to this post, I refuse to believe that we are the only two who are in this boat and/or feel this way

As far as GRE prep goes, you forgot to mention the TIME factor that goes into taking those classes! I don't know about you but between 17 credits and working part-time for a nonprofit I literally didn't have the extra hours in my day to take them!

Good luck with ALL of your future endeavors.

-DD