Time for Fall 2014!!!

[CP3]

This isn't really a "waiting it out" type of thread, but I wanted to start a discussion about the process of applying for Fall 2014 (in my case, RE-applying). 

 

For those of you that are new to the process, please offer your hopes/dreams and what your plans are. To those that are re-applying, such as myself, share your past experiences and the things that you think will make your application stronger this time around.

 

2013 was a failure for me, but I learned quite a bit through the process.

 

Here is what I learned that I can apply to the next cycle of applications:

 

1. Study more for the GRE---the score isn't the most important part of the application, but I'm sure a good score helps. My last score was embarrassing. 

 

2. Request transcripts/letters of recommendations sooner rather than later.

 

3. Write a more compelling Statement of Purpose--looking back at the one I sent last fall, I talked too much about my past and the difficulties I experienced making it through college---instead, I will get straight to the point and explain why my work matters and how it will contribute to each school I am applying to.

 

4. Start saving money NOW!!!! Last time I was frantically trying to find a way to pay for the app fees, transcripts, etc. This kept me from applying to more schools, which hurt my chances. 

 

5. Make sure each school is a good fit! ---last time, I mainly applied to schools that I wanted to attend, rather than applying to the schools I would fit with. A lot of the schools I applied to were HIGH NOTCH institutions, this time I will try to apply to more "safety" schools. (personally, I don't believe there is such a thing as a "safety" school) but you know, apply to less Ivy schools and whatnot.

 

Let's get the conversation started!!!!! 

[Nuya]

First time for me and quite nervous already.

 

I am an international student and neither me nor the people around me (friends and professors alike) are particularly experienced with the whole process of applying to US grad schools.

 

So I am quite scared to make stupid mistakes in the process. But this forum is a GREAT help.

 

Although I have basically been saving money for the application process for about a year now I am still struggling to save up enough money for the application process which is why I am currently uncertain about whether or not to take the GRE subject test which isnt mandatory (although recommended). So I am not sure... do i take the subject test and therefore apply to less schools or do i apply to more schools and therefore dont take the subject test... (or of course door number three: win the lottery, of course that will be difficult since i am not playing )

 

I am also quite uncertain about my choice of schools... But my list is not final yet anyways so there is still some time to adjust the list.

I already changed my plans quite a bit since joining this forum. At first I only planned to apply to Canadian schools (because up until then I had only found funded programs in Canada) but then someone pointed out that there are just as many if not even more funded programs in the US. So by now I mostly have US schools left on my list because there I found a lot better fitting programs.

 

My research interests lie in the field of Microbiology, Genetics, Immunology, and although different from those i just mentioned I also have a keen interest in computational Biology and Biotechnology. So even though I know roughly where I wish to go, I am not completely certain and I am also not completely fixated on one very narrow topic. I dont know whether this will rather help or hurt my application. I am wondering if the schools prefer those applicants with a research proposal that is already completely worked out in detail or do I still have a chance to find myself a bit during the first year in grad school... But since I am currently in the process of choosing research oriented project kind of "whatever it is called" things at my current undergrad institution and will be writing a thesis in one of the labs at my university soon maybe I will have a more narrow field of specialization in mind when applying... applications are still a couple of month away, so there is still hope^^

 

So a lot of questions and thoughts in my head.

Edited June 6, 2013 by Nuya

[DeleteMePlease]

Another Fall 2014 applicant here.

 

First question. How many school will you apply to? I am thinking about five. Two at my level ("safety") and three higher ranked ones...

Edited June 7, 2013 by GermanStudent

[CP3]

Another Fall 2014 applicant here.

 

First question. How many school will you apply to? I am thinking about five. Two at my level ("safety") and three higher ranked ones...

I applied to 8 last year and got shut out. But, over half of the schools were extremely competitive with very limited spots. I'm planning on applying to about 12 or more this time around. I know, that's a lot of schools, but it's a numbers game with my major. If I find enough schools that I feel confident about, I may apply to less. 

[DeleteMePlease]

I just don't find that many schools that fit my research interest...

[CP3]

yeah, I guess the best you can do is apply to schools that have something related to your research goals, I think it's hard for many of us to find a school that fits well

[MadtownJacket]

First time applying to grad schools as well.

 

Plans:  Taking the GRE in two weeks.  Been getting ~163Q consistently on practice tests (only quantitative sections), and I'll be studying the Verbal sections this weekend.  Afterwards, I'll start working on updating my resume and writing my SOP.  I want to have those done (or at least revised) before asking my professors to write LORs.  My resume hasn't been updated since job applications last year, and I honestly don't know how it should be formatted for grad school (MHA program).  Thankfully I'm starting early enough to work on that.

 

Goals:  I only want to go to one school.  Is that weird?  People keep telling me to apply to a handful of schools, but even if I got into Columbia, Harvard, etc., I still wouldn't be happy going there, and what's the point of taking on so much debt for schools that I don't care about?  The reason why I only want to apply to one school is because it's in my favorite city, I have family in the area, and it's a top 3 program for MHA.

 

As a side note, it's hard applying to grad schools and working a full-time job, especially one that demands 45+ hours a week!  I'm ready for this application process to be over already.

Edited June 15, 2013 by HopefulMHA

[CP3]

First time applying to grad schools as well.

 

Plans:  Taking the GRE in two weeks.  Been getting ~163Q consistently on practice tests (only quantitative sections), and I'll be studying the Verbal sections this weekend.  Afterwards, I'll start working on updating my resume and writing my SOP.  I want to have those done (or at least revised) before asking my professors to write LORs.  My resume hasn't been updated since job applications last year, and I honestly don't know how it should be formatted for grad school (MHA program).  Thankfully I'm starting early enough to work on that.

 

Goals:  I only want to go to one school.  Is that weird?  People keep telling me to apply to a handful of schools, but even if I got into Columbia, Harvard, etc., I still wouldn't be happy going there, and what's the point of taking on so much debt for schools that I don't care about?  The reason why I only want to apply to one school is because it's in my favorite city, I have family in the area, and it's a top 3 program for MHA.

 

As a side note, it's hard applying to grad schools and working a full-time job, especially one that demands 45+ hours a week!  I'm ready for this application process to be over already.

Yeah, I'm in the same boat, I started a 45 hour a week job recently. I do have weekends off, which helps. So far I haven't done much work on applications. All I have done so far is make a monthly budget to save money for the apps, GRE etc. and research some schools. BUT, since I applied last year, I am knowledgeable about the tasks required in undertaking this process. What took me a week last year will take me ONE day this time around. I know what most schools want, and where to find the information. Last year I was fumbling through websites and greatly underestimated the cost of applying to these schools. (what started out as a budget of around 1000 dollars ended up becoming closer to 2000 dollars!!!) 

[RDA_88]

Getting ready to reapply as well! Even though I'm technically still wait-listed at one school, I have no time to apply for a visa anyway.

 

What I learned:

 

1) As of the passing of the deadline I will not stare at my email client/ phone/ the results board obsessively. Most of all, I will kill the red blinking light on my blackberry (or just my blackberry altogether). Yes, getting rejected so many times this year was hard, but waiting and obsessing was so much harder.

2) Retaking the GRE. As an international student I was quite pleased with my 159/157/4.5 score, but one school said it was "a bit low" and I'm sure I can do better with more practice. I heard about a trick to get a 6 on AW, anyone know what this is? How about studying for words? Is it useful at all? > start roaming the GRE threat. 

3) I will apply to two schools. I don't want to go to any other, so why bother.

4) Ironically, I did raise quite a bit of money in grants this year even though I can't really use any of them. My research proposal was not the problem, but I think I applied to the wrong departments (architecture, whereas it should've been urban planning/ urban sociology: sounds stupid, but my research proposal is at the cross-section of many disciplines). 

5) Contacting the schools!! It is so important. One of the schools I applied to last year told me they had 2 spots for 60 qualified candidates. They filter till they have about 10 left, but after that it's quit random. If they know who you are, you are different. Though I had a lot of email contact with the schools, I will now visit and talk to possible teachers to find out what they would like to see in my proposal as well and to just show my face.

6) Be done with the process at the end of November, letting all the documents rest for a week or so and then check them again.

 

That's it. Let the games begin! 

[gellert]

Second time applying.   I learned that it's practically required in my field to take two years off and work as a research assistant or lab manager, which I've done - as well as the importance of networking and having direct research experience related to the research interest of the PI.  I also think I could improve my personal statement and apply to more than just top-tier schools.  

Edited June 20, 2013 by gellert

[Gingersnaps]

Thanks for starting this thread! It gives something positive to look forward to. I just got rejected from the school I wanted to attend so I'm reapplying for next fall. I'm also working full time so I definitely understand how draining it can be. For fall 2014, I'm hoping I can get some feedback from the school. If not I'll contact some professors from the program. Oh, and saving money for the application process and school. Perhaps, things did work out for the best (trying to be positive).

[CP3]

Thanks for starting this thread! It gives something positive to look forward to. I just got rejected from the school I wanted to attend so I'm reapplying for next fall. I'm also working full time so I definitely understand how draining it can be. For fall 2014, I'm hoping I can get some feedback from the school. If not I'll contact some professors from the program. Oh, and saving money for the application process and school. Perhaps, things did work out for the best (trying to be positive).

 

 

Second time applying.   I learned that it's practically required in my field to take two years off and work as a research assistant or lab manager, which I've done - as well as the importance of networking and having direct research experience related to the research interest of the PI.  I also think I could improve my personal statement and apply to more than just top-tier schools.  

So many great thoughts thus far. This process is such a crapshoot! I'm hoping that the process of applying last year will give me the knowledge I need to apply again this upcoming Fall. I am contemplating waiting until next year to apply, more time to build my credentials. We shall see! This is a tough process, it takes some THICK skin to get through it, I spent 100's of hours and plenty of money last time just to get turned down. But I am churning on! 

[PaulaSbond]

Hello Grads, 

 

I'm actually pretty anxious, because I hadn't had an answer for fall 2013! I applied for Georgetown University in the Latin American Studies Program. Is the only university I applied for in the States though! SOS what should I do, did they forget my application? I already sent them an email asking when and NO answer, so is it like "no news = good news" or is it just going to be more painful and long? 

 

Well I accept any kind of help and support my stress level is not normal! By the way can we apply for financial aid before knowing the answer or is it after? 

 

Thank you guys for the answer.

 

Cheers,

 

Paula 

[daydreamer254]

So many great thoughts thus far. This process is such a crapshoot! I'm hoping that the process of applying last year will give me the knowledge I need to apply again this upcoming Fall. I am contemplating waiting until next year to apply, more time to build my credentials. We shall see! This is a tough process, it takes some THICK skin to get through it, I spent 100's of hours and plenty of money last time just to get turned down. But I am churning on! 

Good luck! I got into grad school the second time, after really contemplating what I wanted to do for a career and applying to more than one school that offered that program. I agree about the thick skin part: When I was rejected from the only school I applied to last year I cried and was mad. Although this time around I was rejected from a school I didn't take it too personally. Don't give up and again, good luck!

 

Hello Grads, 

 

I'm actually pretty anxious, because I hadn't had an answer for fall 2013! I applied for Georgetown University in the Latin American Studies Program. Is the only university I applied for in the States though! SOS what should I do, did they forget my application? I already sent them an email asking when and NO answer, so is it like "no news = good news" or is it just going to be more painful and long? 

 

Well I accept any kind of help and support my stress level is not normal! By the way can we apply for financial aid before knowing the answer or is it after? 

 

Thank you guys for the answer.

 

Cheers,

 

Paula 

You should have received a response by now. I suggest you call the department and ask about it. As for financial aid, you can apply for it before being admitted. Good luck!

[DerpTastic]

My goals, study for the physics GRE and nail it (hopefully). Also need to get the regular GRE out of the way.

 

I'm thinking I'll apply to probably 8 to 9 schools? I'm guessing when the time goes I'll probably get panicky and apply to at least a couple more, haha.

I'm thinking about two reaches, four schools on my level, and then three safety schools.

[rricenator]

Second time applying for me.  I agree it's not too early to get a start!

This time around, first thing I did from January to March was research schools that were:

 

1) a good fit with my undergrad and what I wanted to study in grad school

2) were noted research institutions that offered PhD track enrollment (as opposed to making you obtain a Master's first)

3) known for complete funding of grad students through their academic careers

4) had high placement percentages after graduation, or "good outcomes" for grads, based on alumni reviews.

I compiled these lists regardless of geographic location.  Last time, I stuck to close-to-home schools in neighboring states.  Not a great response.

 

 

Second thing I did was take my lists (about 10 schools for each discipline, I have now two undergrad degrees and am applying to grad programs in each), and research the faculty, read their CV's, and recent publications, see what classes they taught, and for each one I found that I thought was a good match for me, I custom tailored a faculty contact letter.  Based on faculty research, I narrowed the lists to 5 per discipline. 

I reached out beginning in May, trying to catch them during/after finals week but before any of them left to do field research all summer, and gave them a personal one-on-one version of my SOP, geared toward forging a connection between my research aspirations and their current projects.  I asked specifically about assistantships, if there was room on their projects to take on a newbie, stuff like that.

 

I have since been cataloging responses prior to committing to applications, since they are expensive to complete.  I am wanting to find the institutions and advisors who are the best fit for me and respond most encouragingly before I pester my people for LOR's and spend money on GRE and transcripts being sent. 

 

I've had a good mix of responses so far, and it has allowed me to narrow down my potential applications.  Responses range from "I'm no longer accepting grad students, as I plan to retire in 3 years" to "you're a bit early, maybe you should check back in about 6 months."

 

good luck, everyone, and cheers!

[auspiciouslinds]

I'm a biochemistry major at a sister school of UT Austin.

I will apply for biochemistry and pharmaceutical science Ph.D. programs. 

I want to eventually do cancer research in the subfields of drug development/characterization and/or elucidate biochemical pathways related to cancer. 

 

Worries:

So far, I only have 1 summer of solid research experience from a summer research program. This fall I will be continuing research. Overall, when I graduate, I should have 1.5 years of research, will they even care/or look at me? My god, I am freaking out. I am really freaking out. The schools I want to go to are ranked 13+ in my field. 

 

-I will be visiting these graduate schools in the fall for conferences, and hopefully, I will get to impress potential PIs. I did a really cool project in the summer that anyone would find it interesting!

Currently:

I just finalized my list of grad schools. I will be applying to ~10 gradschools and a total of 14 programs b/c I am applying to biochem and pharm sci programs. Studying for my GRE right now. Then, I need to study for my chem GRE.

 

Graduate school application just seems really depressing.

Also, I read about how so many people HATE research/academia after graduate school that I'm kind of not too excited about going anymore.
 

[auspiciouslinds]

Second time applying.   I learned that it's practically required in my field to take two years off and work as a research assistant or lab manager, which I've done - as well as the importance of networking and having direct research experience related to the research interest of the PI.  I also think I could improve my personal statement and apply to more than just top-tier schools.  

What field are you in? It sounds like life/physical sciences. Also, what schools did you apply to specifically? I've heard a lot of people apply to graduate school with no research experience. Depending on the schools they apply to, they still have a good chance to get in. I wonder how true this is and what schools actually accept them...