Who Applied to Oregon?

[lovenhaight]

Since yesterday was the application deadline, I thought I'd see how many forum members applied to Oregon's Sociology program.

[Chuck]

I did! A bit of a crapshoot for me though, as there is only one POI in my subfield at Oregon. I was on the fence about submitting the app (hey, what's another $50? ouch!), but in the end I caved to the temptation of the possibility of working with this person.

I notice you applied to only Oregon & Washington, I like your focused approach! Eugene seems like a beautiful place, and of course Seattle is a great city.

Edit: Beyond my POI (who I would absolutely love to work with), I don't know much about the department. What do you like about Oregon?

Edited February 2, 2012 by Chuck

[lovenhaight]

We'll see how well my focused approach pans out, I suppose. My husband and I wanted to move out to the Pacific Northwest regardless, so I figured that applying anywhere else would be pointless. I suspect that I'm a better fit for Oregon than Washington since I'm more of a qualitative/mixed methods person, but I'm not afraid of quant after two rigorous stats classes at the graduate level, so I figured that I'd go for it. I really like both programs, so I hope that one of them accepts me.

Good luck on your Oregon app, it would be great if both of us were in the new cohort!

[lovenhaight]

Oh, and I suppose I could answer your question.

There are two POIs at Oregon that I'd really like to work with, Jocelyn Hollander and Ellen Scott. The program seems to be good about incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methods, and both of my POIs also look at the intersectionality of race, class, and gender. I'm on the southern part of the east coast now, and there aren't too many programs other than the MA program that I'm in that seem to even admit that intersectionality is a valid perspective in this region.

I also like that they're a solid program, but aren't at the top of the rankings. (I tend to think that rankings are a bit of bunk anyway) In my experience, those are the programs that take more of an active interest in their students' success.

[Chuck]

I agree that the rankings are bunk. I barely gave them much mind until yesterday as I put together that poll!

I've been in my subfield for quite some time. I have an MS and I work in a research think-tank. As far as I'm concerned, I know who the top people are in my area, and which departments are doing the kind of work that is getting noticed at the conferences I care about. I don't need the rankings to tell me who is important, because the resolution at which rankings are calculated is at the departmental & disciplinary scale. I'm less concerned about a department's output in traditional sociology, and more concerned about things like [quality of professors in my subfield, collegiality of PhD cohort, transdisiciplinarity of research, availability of funding, academic placement, etc]. The rankings don't match up very well with the emerging strengths I see in my particular field. For example: only 2 programs in the "top 10" even have professors in my subfield. So... rankings, schmankings.

Without getting too specific yet (at least not until I hear from my top choices, yes maybe I'm a little paranoid ), my research area is pretty trans-disciplinary. Just like you, I applied to only 2 sociology departments. The other 5 departments I applied to officially span the gamut of 3 "totally separate" disciplines. Yet the POI's in each department are working on remarkably similar things. I'm less concerned about being a sociologist (or in a "top" sociology program), and more concerned about finding the right advisor and PhD cohort.

So, here's to Oregon! Do you know when they notify? And if they have a paid visit day?

[sleepycat]

I love how I am finding good programs after the fact. But that might give me better options if I don't get in this round *knock on wood*

Chuck, I am borderline transdisiplinary too. I border Sociology, anthro, and religious studies, which are the subjects that my LORs are in and exactly what I majored in (hippie school with special majors). In part, I try to because it limits the exploration of new ideas in the field. Hopefully that will make me stand out.

Edited February 2, 2012 by sleepycat

[lovenhaight]

I'm not sure if they do a paid visit weekend like some of the other programs. I do know that we probably shouldn't expect to hear anything until late February/early March. I'm trying to avoid the anxiety as much as possible, but I'll admit that it is beginning to creep up on me.

[sociologyplease]

I didn't apply there, but I live in Portland, and grew up closeish to Eugene, so if you have any questions about the state, feel free to ask.

[anthro.fish]

FYI, I intended to apply to UW this year (Sociocultural Anthropology) because they have the best fisheries-related anthropology program in the country . . . but was informed that they "have switched to the every other year" admissions cycle! Not the only one in the nation to do so this year. Bad times economically. Bummer though, because I cannot wait another year and so will be attending another university.

[thatistheone]

Oregon is still working through applications. A plan for a visitation w/e is in the works.

[lovenhaight]

Oregon is still working through applications. A plan for a visitation w/e is in the works.

Would you be willing to let us know how you have insider info? Really, really,appreciated insider info.

[princesspi]

I applied to Oregon! I hope they accept me.

[lovenhaight]

Sounds like we might hear something from Oregon on Friday at the absolute earliest, more likely next week. (Don't bank on it, but at least it gives us some idea.)

[Darth.Vegan]

Anyone have any idea what a competitive applicant at Oregon looks like? Numbers and experience wise...

[lovenhaight]

I don't really know what their ideal candidate looks like, but with any luck we will find out today or Monday. (Info from the department as of Wednesday)

[Chuck]

Ohh! I'm getting anxious and excited for Oregon!!

So far I've only been accepted to departments where I made some sort of significant faculty contact (or, in the case of Wisconsin, where I at least tried to make contact even if I was actually totally ignored by faculty and only ever got through to departmental secretaries). I haven't gotten any outright rejections yet, but I can sense that rejection may be in the works for places where I didn't make contact. Maybe I'll chalk this up to "things learned this application cycle"- but it's certainly starting to look like a possible trend for me.

Thing is that I didn't make any faculty contact at Oregon. I'm actually quite interested in a number of faculty there (and this should be pretty evident from my SOP and research interests), but now I'm wishing I had. Oh well.

[lovenhaight]

Ohh! I'm getting anxious and excited for Oregon!!

So far I've only been accepted to departments where I made some sort of significant faculty contact (or, in the case of Wisconsin, where I at least tried to make contact even if I was actually totally ignored by faculty and only ever got through to departmental secretaries). I haven't gotten any outright rejections yet, but I can sense that rejection may be in the works for places where I didn't make contact. Maybe I'll chalk this up to "things learned this application cycle"- but it's certainly starting to look like a possible trend for me.

Thing is that I didn't make any faculty contact at Oregon. I'm actually quite interested in a number of faculty there (and this should be pretty evident from my SOP and research interests), but now I'm wishing I had. Oh well.

I wouldn't worry too much. I've had contact with two POIs there, and both told me that their process is more about qualified applicants than building relationships with potential POIs or POIs "taking on" graduate students. They select the admitted cohort, then assign an initial adviser which then changes after you're there and have made personal contact and more decisions about your specific research.

I hope that makes you feel a bit better. I'll cross my fingers for you if you cross your fingers for me. Hell, if we both end up at Oregon, I'll buy you a beer.

[Chuck]

I hope that makes you feel a bit better. I'll cross my fingers for you if you cross your fingers for me. Hell, if we both end up at Oregon, I'll buy you a beer.

Awesome! It does make me feel better. Crossing my fingers for you right now, I'll buy you a beer right back!

There are only 2 faculty at Oregon who are strong fits for me, but both of them are really really strong fits.

[lovenhaight]

BTW, I was told by the graduate coordinator that there isn't an official visitation weekend. Instead, accepted students can come and visit and tend to do that on their own spring break vacations. I'm not sure who "thatistheone" is, but given that they haven't posted anything other than that, I'd take his or her information with a very large grain of salt.

[princesspi]

I hope that makes you feel a bit better. I'll cross my fingers for you if you cross your fingers for me. Hell, if we both end up at Oregon, I'll buy you a beer.

Buy me one too!! UO is my first choice!

[giacomo]

OR beers are awesome.

should have applied there, too.

[lovenhaight]

Buy me one too!! UO is my first choice!

Beers all around then! I'd buy you one just on getting accepted to KU too. Even if you pick a different program, there's still that Jayhawk love.

[sociologygradgirl]

Well, it's looking more like Tuesday at this point. Assuming we won't hear anything on Monday with the holiday and all...

[lovenhaight]

Well, it's looking more like Tuesday at this point. Assuming we won't hear anything on Monday with the holiday and all...

My university isn't closed for the holiday, so I thought I'd check Oregon's calendar...it seems that they aren't closed for the holiday either. Hmm...

[thatistheone]

Letters (via email) should go out today or tomorrow. Visitation centered on the 16th? Ujean is a wonderful place to visit. Fewer applicants than last year, but boy oh boy were they a stong strong bunch. Best to all.