Which are the more laid-back and community-oriented programs in top 30?

[TheLuckyOne]

Hey guys, I am looking into PhD programs in Sociology now, and I am a junior this year. My GRE (330+5) and GPA 3.7 will perhaps land me in the top 30 programs (right?). I am not a competitive person by nature at all, and I actually am very afriad of the cut-throat, intense atmosphere in some top programs, where everyone is trying so hard to prove himself/herself smarter than everyone else. I would much perfer a laid-back program, where there is a strong sense of community or family, and I know that I can fuction much better and happier in a friendly and supportive environment. Which programs in top 30 are more suitable for me? And which programs should I absolutely avoid? Thank you so much in advance!

[RandomDood]

 

I think that overall it's pretty hard to say, in the sense that you would need to be an insider to know exactly what the spirit of the department is, and (almost) nobody will come and tell you "our department is cutthroat."

That being said, in the thread I linked there was a certain consensus about Chicago, UCLA and Harvard being regarded as generally competitive. Opinions about "collegial" departments are more scattered. The problem is, the whole thing probably has more to do with reputations than with factual information.

I would read Jacib's post in the same thread, which (as usual) provides wise advice. Essentially, go visit and talk to graduate students.

 

For my part, as a current graduate student at CUNY I can tell you that our department is extremely collegial and collaborative. On the one hand I think it's because of the kind of students we attract (generally very, very liberal people...more than your average sociologist, and that's saying something :-), but it also seems to me that the departmental culture overall really does not attempt to foster competitiveness as much as it tries to push people to collaborate. Even with not everyone getting equal funding, and research grants being definitely less available than at other, richer schools, I really don't feel like people here have a cutthroat mentality.

[Darth.Vegan]

I would say that our department is collegial and collaborative as well. 

[dpgu800]

As a recent UC Santa Barbara Sociology graduate, I can also say that my department is extremely collegial and friendly.

Although I was only an undergrad there, I had plenty opportunities to interact with grad students, and also I had taken several grad-level courses.

And all the grad-level students were quite friendly and inclusive to even a "lowly" undergrad student like me, which I heard is not the case in many universities.  

 

Everyone knows each other, is friendly to each other, and the general atmosphere is def geared towards collaboration rather than competition.

As far as my subjective perception can tell, there wasn't much of a competition vibe in the dept.  

Also, because the Soc dept was housed in the same building as the Global Studies dept, the ties between the two depts (at least among students and faculty members) were very highly developed, and opportunities for finding ppl w similar interests abounds. And idk if this is common or not elsewhere, but I would also often see people organize group attendance to seminars and conferences in other universities.

 

Also a side note: If you want a "laid back" environment in the physical sense of the word, it really doesn't get any better than Santa Barbara and the UCSB campus haha

Edited March 10, 2014 by dpgu800

[turbodream]

As a recent UC Santa Barbara Sociology graduate, I can also say that my department is extremely collegial and friendly.

Although I was only an undergrad there, I had plenty opportunities to interact with grad students, and also I had taken several grad-level courses.

And all the grad-level students were quite friendly and inclusive to even a "lowly" undergrad student like me, which I heard is not the case in many universities.  

 

Everyone knows each other, is friendly to each other, and the general atmosphere is def geared towards collaboration rather than competition.

As far as my subjective perception can tell, there wasn't much of a competition vibe in the dept.  

Also, because the Soc dept was housed in the same building as the Global Studies dept, the ties between the two depts (at least among students and faculty members) were very highly developed, and opportunities for finding ppl w similar interests abounds. And idk if this is common or not elsewhere, but I would also often see people organize group attendance to seminars and conferences in other universities.

 

Also a side note: If you want a "laid back" environment in the physical sense of the word, it really doesn't get any better than Santa Barbara and the UCSB campus haha

 

Having gone through the global studies program and worked with a number of sociologists at UCSB, I'd echo what dpgu said from my perspective as well. However, UCSB isn't top 30... it's 31... so close!

[gingin6789]

 

That being said, in the thread I linked there was a certain consensus about Chicago, UCLA and Harvard being regarded as generally competitive. Opinions about "collegial" departments are more scattered. The problem is, the whole thing probably has more to do with reputations than with factual information.

I would read Jacib's post in the same thread, which (as usual) provides wise advice. Essentially, go visit and talk to graduate students.

 

 

I agree with this!  I start sweating and feeling anxious just thinking about those programs!  I do know cutthroat atmospheres really help for some students, but I don't know if I could make it in those programs!  

 

Collegiality really is hard to pinpoint.  Talking to graduate students is a must! If you hear "Yeah man, don't leave your flash drive alone ... it'll be wiped clean when you come back," then that's likely not very collegial or laid back!! Usually, if the cohort solidarity is STRONG, it'll be one of the FIRST things grad students will bring up when they talk with you!!

 

As for whether your scores will land you in the top 30 ... Yes, I certainly think so!  I mean, it depends a lot on fit as well, but top 30 programs should have some diversity within their departments (I think).

 

Oh, and as for specific top 30 schools, I don't have any to recommend, but I do recommend getting in touch with current grad students to learn more about collegiality if at all possible!