Applying to Top Tier Programs

[Mwanafunzi]

I realize that most people reading this forum have already applied and are receiving admission decisions so this won't pertain to most people, but I am wondering if I can get some feedback on my plans for applying next cycle.

 

I am trying to determine if any programs are out of my reach according to my research and academic experience at this point. Here is the relevant information at this point:

• I have a 3.8+ gpa (probably around 3.85 at time of graduation in Spring 2013). 4.0 in sociology
• I have not taken the GRE, but I have tested well on standardized tests
• Multiple semesters of TAing for university sociology courses
• Served as an RA for a few sociology research projects (some paid, some unpaid). I also worked on some non-sociology research projects (in the biological sciences prior)
• I will have conducted original research for my senior sociology project, but I think it's a relatively weak project
• I'm not sure who I will ask for letters of recommendation at this point. I know I can get a couple strong ones from tenured faculty, but the third might be relatively weak. Perhaps I should get one from a former graduate student who I worked closely with that will have the title of professor at the time of application.

 

I am only interested in applying to schools that I feel have a good fit for my research interests. Would applying to top 5 or top 10 programs (assuming they seem like a good fit) be a waste of money? 

[La_Di_Da]

With your background and academic record, I would definitely apply to the programs you are most interested in and feel are a good fit. If they are in the top 5 or top 10, wonderful--go for it! That said, I would contact program faculty, with whom you could see yourself working, early spring or shortly thereafter to initiate a dialog. Express your interest in their program and scholarship, provide a snapshot of your academic/research background, along with a  brief sketch of a future research project you'd like to conduct at the graduate level, and ask if you would be a good fit for their program. Any responses you receive to these initial queries will help you winnow through potential programs and select your top six or so, to which I would recommend applying. If you don't receive clearly enthusiastic responses from a department, keep in mind that faculty are busy, so this does not necessarily mean that you should scratch the program off your list. Competition is fraught, so cast a wide net, but not so wide as to be meaningless. Your background is strong and competitive, so I would follow your interests wherever they may lead you. Hope this helps!

Edited February 23, 2013 by La_Di_Da

[Mwanafunzi]

La_Di_Da, that was very helpful. Thank you. I was thinking of applying to about 10 to 12 programs of various rankings, but I thought it would be helpful to clarify whether or not I would be a competitive applicant at some of the higher ranked schools.

[soc2013]

I was fortunate enough to be admitted to many top 5/10 programs this cycle and you have a strong profile. Just bear in mind these programs tend to really emphasize fit in the admissions process, so be prepared to give specific as to why each program could be the home for your graduate work. Best of luck!

[gilbertrollins]

Keep emails to faculty you're interested in very brief. Three or four sentences at the most. If they open up the throttle - that's their move to make.

Also, I wouldn't take a letter from a graduate student. This person's opinion likely won't mean anything to a graduate committee.

You say your project isn't strong. Why don't you discuss that with a third faculty whose work you're interested in, in order o aim at another letter and relationship.

[amlobo]

I would say that, as is, your profile is very strong, and I would apply anywhere you have a good fit.  Of course, I wouldn't apply exclusively to top 10 schools - I think your plan of 10-12 schools of varying rank is a good idea.  Though everyone hates to admit it, your GRE scores will influence where you are a competitive applicant to some extent, but if you test well, I don't think you will have a problem.  Schools often post the stats of their admitted students (I would look at this where available), and I've seen some top programs say they consider a "good" GRE score to be 80%+, just as an indicator.

 

For now, I would start looking in to programs and making a list of places that would support your interests.  I would really focus on schools that have multiple faculty members that you could work with.  I basically looked at every program ranked in the top 60 or so to start, then narrowed based on a variety of factors until I had a "short list" of schools, any one of which I would be happy to attend.  

 

Good luck!  This board served as a great help to me in applying, and I hope it does for you, as well.

[La_Di_Da]

Keep emails to faculty you're interested in very brief. Three or four sentences at the most. If they open up the throttle - that's their move to make.

 

My experience stands in contrast to this advice. My initial query letters were several paragraphs long. They included an introduction, a brief summarization of my professional and educational background (one paragraph), followed by a paragraph or two about my sociological interests, my main inquiry (am I a good fit?), and lastly, a request for additional info that might benefit my academic goals.

I received positive, robust, informative responses from all of the faculty members I contacted. Some chose to continue an intermittent correspondence thereafter; others wrote one substantive response and left it at that. After my initial contact, I made sure not to pester with follow-up emails. I only wrote when I had an important update, such as when, in 2011, I had to notify a school that I wouldn't be applying until the next application cycle, or when I had an urgent question that only my POI could answer. In the end, I was accepted to two of the three programs to which I applied.

In my opinion, a few lines of correspondence would neither have been sufficient to introduce nor distinguish myself. I opted for a longer serve. Thankfully that serve made contact and my recipients volleyed. Personally, I didn't want to waste my time or anyone else's by applying to programs that may clearly not be supportive of my research goals.

Edited April 16, 2013 by La_Di_Da

[Mwanafunzi]

I was fortunate enough to be admitted to many top 5/10 programs this cycle and you have a strong profile. Just bear in mind these programs tend to really emphasize fit in the admissions process, so be prepared to give specific as to why each program could be the home for your graduate work. Best of luck!

 

Thanks for the feedback! I appreciate the well wishes.

 

Keep emails to faculty you're interested in very brief. Three or four sentences at the most. If they open up the throttle - that's their move to make.

Also, I wouldn't take a letter from a graduate student. This person's opinion likely won't mean anything to a graduate committee.

You say your project isn't strong. Why don't you discuss that with a third faculty whose work you're interested in, in order o aim at another letter and relationship.

 

I definitely understand what you mean regarding the LOR. Since my first post, I've actually gotten quite close with another professor that already stated she would be interested in writing a letter. Thanks!

 

I would say that, as is, your profile is very strong, and I would apply anywhere you have a good fit.  Of course, I wouldn't apply exclusively to top 10 schools - I think your plan of 10-12 schools of varying rank is a good idea.  Though everyone hates to admit it, your GRE scores will influence where you are a competitive applicant to some extent, but if you test well, I don't think you will have a problem.  Schools often post the stats of their admitted students (I would look at this where available), and I've seen some top programs say they consider a "good" GRE score to be 80%+, just as an indicator.

 

For now, I would start looking in to programs and making a list of places that would support your interests.  I would really focus on schools that have multiple faculty members that you could work with.  I basically looked at every program ranked in the top 60 or so to start, then narrowed based on a variety of factors until I had a "short list" of schools, any one of which I would be happy to attend.  

 

Good luck!  This board served as a great help to me in applying, and I hope it does for you, as well.

 

I hope so, too! I've already read a lot of great information. Thanks for your response.

[gilbertrollins]

My experience stands in contrast to this advice. My initial query letters were several paragraphs long. They included an introduction, a brief summarization of my professional and educational background (one paragraph), followed by a paragraph or two about my sociological interests, my main inquiry (am I a good fit?), and lastly, a request for additional info that might benefit my academic goals.

I received positive, robust, informative responses from all of the faculty members I contacted. Some chose to continue an intermittent correspondence thereafter; others wrote one substantive response and left it at that. After my initial contact, I made sure not to pester with follow-up emails. I only wrote when I had an important update, such as when, in 2011, I had to notify a school that I wouldn't be applying until the next application cycle, or when I had an urgent question that only my POI could answer. In the end, I was accepted to two of the three programs to which I applied.

In my opinion, a few lines of correspondence would neither have been sufficient to introduce nor distinguish myself. I opted for a longer serve. Thankfully that serve made contact and my recipients volleyed. Personally, I didn't want to waste my time or anyone else's by applying to programs that may clearly not be supportive of my research goals.

Fair enough.  My current adviser gets about 100 emails a day.  I wrote my post with that in mind.

[La_Di_Da]

Fair enough.  My current adviser gets about 100 emails a day.  I wrote my post with that in mind.

 

Personally, I don't know how any full professor manages to get anything done between teaching, advising, researching, writing, editing, conducting workshops and, among other things, fielding questions from undergrads, grads, and prospective students. They're superstars. Seriously. I am humbled.

Edited April 18, 2013 by La_Di_Da

[Darth.Vegan]

I applied to 2 top 10, 2 top 20, 2 top 30, 1 in the 30-40 range and 2 in the 50-60 range plus a number of funded masters programs. Of the 9 PhD programs I applied to I received 4 offers. Certainly apply to top 10 programs but I would disperse your applications across the rankings while making sure to only apply to schools you would seriously consider attending.

Edited April 19, 2013 by xdarthveganx