Please Evaluate My Situation Thanks

[Cpoco]

Today I went to take GRE. I got 157 in Verbal and 164 in Math. I am asking this question because I really don't want to take the GRE again if my situation is optimistic(I hate exams, and I think the GRE is exhaustingly long).

Though not having completely decided yet, my intended programs lie in fields related to critical theory and feminism.

My advantage:

1. I speak Chinese natively and English fluently(I am a native Chinese), plus some Russian that needs to be brushed up

2. committed academically: I figure out my interests early and read from cover to cover books that are related even my major(computing arts) is not literary at all

3. my GPA is relatively high: now around 3.6, expect to graduate above 3.5

4. I am studying in a relatively prestigious research university: UC San Diego

5. work experience as a graphic designer

...(maybe some more)

 

My disadvantage:

1. my GRE score is not impressive

2. cross-specialty application

3. maverick personality; does not strictly follow academic convention

4. non-mainstream non-Anglo-American interests: Lacanian psychoanalysis, otaku subculture

...(maybe a lot more)

 

Please give me advice based upon your own application experiences, and feel free to ask me more questions.

[hj2012]

Frank and honest opinion -- your GPA won't hurt you, but it's not high enough to help you. Your lack of an English major might also raise some eyebrows, but won't be a killer as long as you have a substantial history of English coursework. Doubtful that your work experience will help you in the PhD admissions process, as the most important factors are writing sample, statement of purpose and letters of recommendation.

 

Your GRE scores are not bad, although you should know that the verbal score will disqualify you from some schools. If you're super committed to applying to places like Harvard, Yale, etc. you may consider retaking it.

 

In your case (non-English major with a variety of interests), I'd recommend that you also think about applying for master's programs to confirm that you want to continue along this path. You may also want to consider some interdisciplinary programs -- media studies, gender studies, communication/rhetoric, cultural theory, etc. -- as they may be more welcoming homes for your diverse academic interests. I'd look into the PhD program in Culture and Theory at UC-Irvine, the Literary and Cultural Studies PhD at Carnegie Mellon and the Cultural Studies PhD at UC-Davis.

 

Hope this helps. Good luck to you!

Edited March 27, 2014 by hj2012

[Cpoco]

Frank and honest opinion -- your GPA won't hurt you, but it's not high enough to help you. Your lack of an English major might also raise some eyebrows, but won't be a killer as long as you have substantial history of English coursework. Doubtful that your work experience will help you in the PhD admissions process, as the most important factors are writing sample, statement of purpose and letters of recommendation.

 

Your GRE scores are not bad, although you should know that the verbal score will disqualify you from some schools. If you're super committed to applying to places like Harvard, Yale, etc. you may consider retaking it.

 

In your case (non-English major with a variety of interests), I'd recommend that you also think about apply for master's programs to confirm that you want to continue along this path. You may also want to consider some interdisciplinary programs -- media studies, gender studies, communication/rhetoric, cultural theory, etc. -- as they may be more welcoming homes for your diverse academic interests. I'd look into the PhD program in Culture and Theory at UC-Irvine, the Literary and Cultural Studies PhD at Carnegie Mellon and the Cultural Studies PhD at UC-Davis.

 

Hope this helps. Good luck to you!

 

Thanks for your reply. I see you are accepted by Berkeley, and I am very interested in its Rhetoric program. Do you know something about it?

[hj2012]

Thanks for your reply. I see you are accepted by Berkeley, and I am very interested in its Rhetoric program. Do you know something about it?

 

Hey there! I nearly applied for the Rhet program, but decided that my interests were more aligned with the Ethnic Studies program. (I'd say my primary field of interest is critical race theory and migration/diaspora, so the faculty in E.S. were a better fit.) I'd say your interests sound very much in line with the kind of interdisciplinary work done in Rhetoric, especially if you are methodologically committed to critical theory and psychoanalysis.

 

[Cpoco]

Hey there! I nearly applied for the Rhet program, but decided that my interests were more aligned with the Ethnic Studies program. (I'd say my primary field of interest is critical race theory and migration/diaspora, so the faculty in E.S. were a better fit.) I'd say your interests sound very much in line with the kind of interdisciplinary work done in Rhetoric, especially if you are methodologically committed to critical theory and psychoanalysis.

 

 

Based on your knowledge, do you think my GRE is enough for Rhetoric?

[Admissions Advice Online]

Quick question, why is your GPA now a 3.6 but expected to be a 3.5 by the time you graduate? Do you anticipate to get slightly lower grades at the end of this semester? A downward trend will hurt if your grades dip too much. Otherwise, your GRE will be fine. Your strong GPA at a UC SD will also help you. Just make sure your Statement of Purpose is well put together and apply early! - Admissions Advice Online