2nd application rodeo for me, not looking good again; try for a third time?

[sdx]

wasted my time applying to the best of the best doctoral programs last year (paying 125 dollars to have Stanford metaphorically spit in my face was the definition of money well spent) humbled my expectations for this year and aimed for overall less competitive schools (places like South Florida) while improving my file (presented at a conference, boosted GRE, improved GPA, writing sample and SOPs) and i've been rejected by every one so far while being sort of waitlisted on one (dgs/admissions committee likes me but have yet to find a faculty match and it's almost april, not looking good)

 

i'm about to finish my masters in communication, i've completed all my coursework and am now just hammering away at a thesis. should I even bother trying a 3rd time? is there even anything I could do in effectively one summer that would improve my odds seeing as i've exhausted the obvious areas? i'm also thinking my references would get weary writing letters for me a 3rd straight year.

Edited March 21, 2013 by sdx

[Taco Superior]

Well, I'm definitely glad I did a third round. After the second round, though, there were still obvious things I could do to improve my app (new writing sample and dramatically improved GRE).

 

The other thing is applying to plenty of places (at least 12, more if you can handle it). And fit: don't just seek less competitive programs, but places that have the best fit for you.

 

what's your discipline?

 

The thing I dreaded the most, btw, was asking my poor recommenders to do it all again. I rewarded them with nice bottles of booze when I got in though!

Edited March 21, 2013 by Taco Superior

[sansao]

I'd look at your comment about the dgs trying to find a faculty match. If you do decide to try again, I would, in addition to Taco's suggestions, work on contacting faculty to determine matches earlier, then you'll have someone who's a good fit and knows your name. You can also write a completely new statement, and of course you'll have your thesis on your CV as well. Unless you have extremely high GRE scores, you can always improve those as well. I can't say if it's worth it to do round three, as I'm not you, but those are a few ways you could improve and/or rethink your file. That's where I would start if I were going to apply again.

[ShiningInShadows]

When I was doing my "How to do this" research about applying, a lot of sources out there were from people who didn't get accepted until their 3rd time applying.

 

It might even be worth asking anyone you've had positive contact with how you could improve your profile when applying again. Out of the three schools I applied to (I'm already highly specialized so it wasn't like there were a ton of good fits for me), one I have a good relationship already with my POI (they haven't sent out acceptances yet) and one of my rejections offerred to do just this for me if I don't get in when I thanked him and told him I was interested in reapplying next year if I go for round 2.

[sdx]

Well, I'm definitely glad I did a third round. After the second round, though, there were still obvious things I could do to improve my app (new writing sample and dramatically improved GRE).

 

The other thing is applying to plenty of places (at least 12, more if you can handle it). And fit: don't just seek less competitive programs, but places that have the best fit for you.

 

what's your discipline?

 

The thing I dreaded the most, btw, was asking my poor recommenders to do it all again. I rewarded them with nice bottles of booze when I got in though!

 

My discipline is communication with specific focus on issues surrounding globalization and multiculturalism. I applied to 5 the first time (although all of them were ridiculously selective, I think the worst school in that batch was UMass), I did 7 this time (UMass again, Urbana-Champaign, USF, Arizona State, Rutgers, Miami  and Wayne State; Wayne State is the one that waitlisted me). Were you in contact with your recommenders all the way up to your third time? Two of mine are on my thesis committee so it wouldn't be that much of an issue but a third one is someone I haven't had a class with since 2011, she was happy to write it for me but I'm wondering if her memory is starting to a fade a bit heh.

 

It's still reassuring to hear someone give it a go a 3rd time and get in, I appreciate the post.

 

I'd look at your comment about the dgs trying to find a faculty match. If you do decide to try again, I would, in addition to Taco's suggestions, work on contacting faculty to determine matches earlier, then you'll have someone who's a good fit and knows your name. You can also write a completely new statement, and of course you'll have your thesis on your CV as well. Unless you have extremely high GRE scores, you can always improve those as well. I can't say if it's worth it to do round three, as I'm not you, but those are a few ways you could improve and/or rethink your file. That's where I would start if I were going to apply again.

 

Well my GRE verbal is already in the 95th percentile, would trying to boost that to 99 really make a difference? My quant score is pretty ho-hum being in the 74th percentile but seeing as my research focus is in qualitative methods and a few programs I applied to specifically said that they don't even look at the quantitative score it seems like diminishing returns to me.

Edited March 21, 2013 by sdx

[sansao]

Well my GRE verbal is already in the 95th percentile, would trying to boost that to 99 really make a difference? My quant score is pretty ho-hum being in the 74th percentile but seeing as my research focus is in qualitative methods and a few programs I applied to specifically said that they don't even look at the quantitative score it seems like diminishing returns to me.

I'm under the impression that some schools/professors will use your composite score. But in general, I don't think it hurts anyone to have a strong showing in quantitative. But more than that, I'd try to be in contact with faculty early on, and maybe have a professional staffing person go over your CV and statement with you (boss, advisor, or something like that). Maybe there's some quirk in it that's putting people off.

[child of 2]

don't recommenders use the same letter that they used last time? I guess if you've had contact with them their input might change. But for all other scenarios, why would they write a different letter the second time around?

[midnight]

If you have it in you, I think you should try for a third time. However, fit seems to be of utmost importance, so perhaps you should only apply to programs where you can establish promising POI interactions before the deadlines.

 

I don't think you need to waste your time or money retaking the GRE given your current scores. Focus on your SOP, CV, and writing sample. Do some serious POI research, and attend more conferences where you can network.

 

Good luck!

[JungWild&Free]

don't recommenders use the same letter that they used last time? I guess if you've had contact with them their input might change. But for all other scenarios, why would they write a different letter the second time around?

 

I think this is true, but it's probably not a bad idea to make it known that you are going to probably have to apply again and get a tentative acceptance to recommend you again.  You will be getting their agreement and reminding them to save their current letter for the future in one fell swoop. 

[VBD]

Were you in contact with your recommenders all the way up to your third time? Two of mine are on my thesis committee so it wouldn't be that much of an issue but a third one is someone I haven't had a class with since 2011, she was happy to write it for me but I'm wondering if her memory is starting to a fade a bit heh.

Stay in contact with the LOR writers, definitely. It seems rude to just email them expecting them to remember you. A simple updated email could suffice

Also, it seems your third LOR is just someone you had class with. It seems that a simple "does well in class" may not help your application nor will it really hurt it. Can you think of a third person who can speak to your skills that a grad school adcomm is interested in? ie. professionalism, researching skills, etc. Don't be hesistant to do so. I "fired" my third LOR and I've had more success this time (it's my second go around). 

I concur with everyone saying to do some POI research. Spend a lot of time combing through school websites. If you aren't getting successful, I'd suggest picking some of your fave academic journals and look at articles in the fields you like and see what program they are currently at/came from. Then contact them, even as early as Sept/Oct, and keep up with it. If the POI ignores you, ask the grad coordinator of the program if that POI is just unattainable through email. Suggest phone call interviews/skype interviews after you get a response. Best of luck.

Also cheers for calling this whole thing a rodeo!

[sdx]

pleasant update:

 

after making this thread I emailed the DGS at south florida about why I was a shitty candidate etc etc, she replied back today saying that the admissions committee fucked up and that they've decided to admit me!

 

thanks all those who replied, i appreciate all the advice but thankfully it looks like I might not be needing it lulz

[ShiningInShadows]

Wow. Wow wow WOW!

 

That's an AMAZING story... congratulations!!!

[sansao]

pleasant update:   after making this thread I emailed the DGS at south florida about why I was a shitty candidate etc etc, she replied back today saying that the admissions committee fucked up and that they've decided to admit me!   thanks all those who replied, i appreciate all the advice but thankfully it looks like I might not be needing it lulz

Wow, congratulations!

[child of 2]

I'm happy for you, but I'm also pissed that they fucked up. DON'T DO DAT, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH IT HURTS US

[Andean Pat]

Congrats!!!!!

[sdx]

Thanks for the congrats everyone!

 

 

I'm happy for you, but I'm also pissed that they fucked up. DON'T DO DAT, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH IT HURTS US

 

yeah it's like they don't realize that people's lives are at stake here

 

that said at least my experience shows that admissions commitees can certainly change their minds even *after* a rejection; there's always a sliver of hope

Edited March 27, 2013 by sdx

[DarlingNikki]

That's freakiing awesome! Congrats!

 

I'm still glad you created this thread as I might be using it myself. Thanks.