Re-applying?

[sra08]

I was wondering if any of you have experience with/knowledge of re-applying. I've heard only four rejections so far, for American History, but I'm looking at a distinct possibility that I won't get in anywhere I feel excited about going to. One issue is that I'm a graduating senior, and did not fully realize what my research interests "really" are until the past couple of months, though I'm still in the same general subfield. I think lack of focus in some of the SoPs may have hurt me, in addition to the awful economy and high competition levels of the programs I've heard back from. If I were to re-apply next year, I would have more foreign language training, a complete (hopefully honors) thesis, and possibly better GRE scores, though my scores are by no means weak. I'm just feeling at a loss right now because I thought my application was so strong. I have high grades from a well-regarded LAC and my adviser told me she was sure I'd get into a top program. (That's not completely out of the question, but seems unlikely right now.) And, if I may be a bit immodest, I am a very talented writer. I sent a chapter of my thesis as a writing sample, and while it wasn't the final draft, I believe it to be very strong. My adviser/senior seminar professor gave it an A+, and I know she's regarded as a tough grader. I've wondered whether there was something in the LoRs which hurt me, but rationally that doesn't seem likely. Since there were (I think) no glaring holes in my application this time, would re-applying to some of the same places be completely useless? I am working to rectify my lack of languages, which I suspect was a problem given the research focus which I proposed. I wouldn't mind taking a break from academics, though I don't look forward to the job market, and was wondering if I should even bother re-applying to some of the same places.

[GenderMediaGrad]

This year I got accepted to a program that rejected me last year. Thus, re-applying and getting accepted is certianly possible! However, I think that it requires a "significant" change in your candidate profile. Just improving a GRE score or just more language experience probably won't make a difference. In my case, I significantly changed my SOP, published, and did work for a highly regarded professor in my field. My advice would be (if you don't get in this year) to spend the year doing something in your field that will really make you stand out. Apply to be a research assistant for a professor, try to write an article (or maybe publish a section of your thesis), get some unique job experience in a related field-- do something above just getting good grades in undergrad. If you're not sure what you should do, ask for some suggestions from your advisor.

[Comfect]

I'm reapplying this year - and it's a lot better process when you've been through it once before. A better focused SoP and a better writing sample (particularly if you use that new thesis) can make a huge difference; additionally, your recommenders may know you better now that they've had an extra year to see your work or even work directly with you. It can be very frustrating, of course, to have to do this whole process again, but you only become a better applicant as time goes by!

[DEClarke85]

I have been rejected 4 places as well. I'm stilling waiting to get my rejection (as I'm sure it is coming) from University of Chicago, and I'm waiting to hear back from Miami (Ohio), where I still have a decent chance to get in.

With that said, my Thesis board and I had a big pow-wow yesterday. We discussed the hard truths of this matter. One, my applications were really top heavy. I had relatively few schools that weren't Tier I and the like, so that hurt my possibilities. Furthermore, my best writing sample did not match the goals/research interests of my SOP, which will be a kink to eradicate. With this notion in mind, we devised a plan B (contingent upon getting an adjunct position at my current university for next year). They all told me, that in the next round they can all write better/stronger LORs (even though their LORs were amazing already) because my Thesis will be done and they will be able to comment on my ability to finish a MA program with whatever my GPA will be (currently a 4.0). They also said that we can work on raising my GRE score (my 560 verbal doesn't look the best when applying to English and American Studies programs). I will also take the subject test in English, allowing me to apply to more programs than I could this year. They also have agreed to help me hone/sharpen my SOP, writing sample, and see about getting parts (or all) of my thesis published.

So re-applying is something to start considering. Find a faculty member or a group f them that are willing to really help you out. Especially, since I feel they are the only ones who are willing to sit down with you and be honest about everything.

Yet, I want to leave you with this advice (from my thesis committee). It's ok to think about Plan B, getting it set-up, but it doesn't exist until April 16, so do not worry about or dwell on it. Keep trucking on with your current projects.

Best of luck to you!

[milara]

I have no specific wisdom, but I have a related question:

Once you've been rejected, who do you approach to discuss how you could improve your application? And do you do it right away while they might still remember you, or do you give it some time?

Rejected: 1/3

[hornedfrogmeg]

Yet, I want to leave you with this advice (from my thesis committee). It's ok to think about Plan B, getting it set-up, but it doesn't exist until April 16, so do not worry about or dwell on it. Keep trucking on with your current projects.!

Nicely said.

[sra08]

Thank you for all of the great advice in this thread. I was really starting to like and accept the idea of taking a year off and re-applying next year. I've investigated various job and living possibilities. And today I came home to find an e-mail informing me of my acceptance to UCLA. Unfortunately it's without funding, so that presents some complications, but at any rate I know that a great program wants me. That does so much to erase the negative feelings of five rejections. It also lets me know that there weren't really any big problems with my application. I was feeling irrationally paranoid that my LoRs had something off-putting in them, but that appears not to be the case. I still have a handful of places left to hear from, though only a few which I'd prefer over UCLA. I also now realize there isn't really a heck of a lot that I can do to improve my basic profile. Sure, more foreign language prep, a more focused SoP, and possibly an improving economy might help my changes at Harvard/Stanford--my top choices--but it's still a huge crapshoot. (And who knows if the economy has reached its nadir.) At least if I do end up re-applying I'll know that I'm doing so because a great school can't give me funding.

[psycholinguist]

Congrats!

[Yellow#5]

sr,

gosh, that's great, but it's awful, too.

Can't you scramble around and try and get some private funding? I know California is really hurting, but perhaps they could point you toward some foundations with late filings?

If would be a shame to have to pass on UCLA.

[limeinthecoconut]

.