Fall 2015 Sociology Applicants

[sociologyreader1]

Hi everyone, it looks like the other fields have gotten a head start on us. Who else is thinking about applying this year? I figured I would start the thread since it looks like we're a little behind. 

I'm taking the GRE at the end of the month and have been prepping my other application pieces. I'm still working on narrowing my list down to about 8-10 schools.

[Anonymona]

Hey hey! I'm applying (and biting all of my nails off) this year as well. I took the GRE in June, so that's out of the way. I'm using August to write a few personal statements. I have a super short list of 3 programs I know I want to apply to, and then a long list of others I need to narrow down. I'm planning to apply to 6 (maybe 7?) schools - is that too low?

[researchguru85]

Thanks for starting this thread, sociologyreader1. I will be applying to about 7-8 schools this fall. I'm taking the GRE early next month, so I may have to adjust my current list based on my scores.

 

Anonymona -- I don't think your list is small at all. Just apply to the schools that you feel the strongest connections too. Those application fees add up quickly, so I think a smaller list works out the best (as long as you are not leaving out any programs that you feel strongly about).

[uselesstheory]

I'm also applying this fall and am expecting to apply to around 8 schools, though I keep adding and subtracting to/from my list. I haven't taken the GRE yet, but am taking it this week and am a bit nervous, though my practice attempts have been fine.

 

Someone told me that 4 schools was a generally acceptable number, so I think that 6 or 7 is definitely a decent amount. 

[sociologylouise]

I'll be applying as well. I plan on taking the GRE in September, and although I have a long list at the moment, I plan on narrowing it down to 8-10.

[student90210]

Hello everyone,

 

I am considering applying for a PhD in Sociology, but I have some things working against me. I am finishing my Masters degree at a middle-level university in Europe and my grades are not good at all, low GPA, higher GPA from undergraduate though. GRE scores are around 160, but I plan on re-taking them. I am interested in social movement and would like to ask, what are the chances of getting accepted with a low-GPA from my previous graduate studies?

[uselesstheory]

I took the GRE today - my unofficial score was V: 165 Q: 156, which was a bit disappointing because I was getting higher practice scores on quant than I got. I will have around a 3.85 average overall and around a 4.0 in my sociology major by the time I will graduate and have research and graduate course experience (I am an undergrad), and a possible publication, at least under review. I do not know what to expect for my writing score, but I'm expecting to have done well - should I be concerned about my quant score, if I intend to do quantitative/ethnographic research and/or theory? 

 

My brain is a bit fried tonight (my apologies).

 

Also, somewhat of a side question/comment, but I have a friend who insists that one's score increases when it released as an official score vs. an unofficial score, and my research on this has given me mixed results. Can anyone comment on this?

[uselesstheory]

I took the GRE today - my unofficial score was V: 165 Q: 156, which was a bit disappointing because I was getting higher practice scores on quant than I got. I will have around a 3.85 average overall and around a 4.0 in my sociology major by the time I will graduate and have research and graduate course experience (I am an undergrad), and a possible publication, at least under review. I do not know what to expect for my writing score, but I'm expecting to have done well - should I be concerned about my quant score, if I intend to do quantitative/ethnographic research and/or theory? 

 

My brain is a bit fried tonight (my apologies).

 

Also, somewhat of a side question/comment, but I have a friend who insists that one's score increases when it released as an official score vs. an unofficial score, and my research on this has given me mixed results. Can anyone comment on this?

Edit: I meant to say qualitative, not quantitative. I tend to avoid all things involving math like the plague.

[amlobo]

I took the GRE today - my unofficial score was V: 165 Q: 156, which was a bit disappointing because I was getting higher practice scores on quant than I got. I will have around a 3.85 average overall and around a 4.0 in my sociology major by the time I will graduate and have research and graduate course experience (I am an undergrad), and a possible publication, at least under review. I do not know what to expect for my writing score, but I'm expecting to have done well - should I be concerned about my quant score, if I intend to do quantitative/ethnographic research and/or theory? 

 

My brain is a bit fried tonight (my apologies).

 

Also, somewhat of a side question/comment, but I have a friend who insists that one's score increases when it released as an official score vs. an unofficial score, and my research on this has given me mixed results. Can anyone comment on this?

 

Your verbal is very high, so I wouldn't worry about the quant if you aren't going to do quant.  It certainly isn't low enough to get you tossed out of application piles, and I know my own cohort's average quant score was lower than that by quite a bit.  In sum, do not worry about your GRE score

 

I think it's possible a score can change (with ETS, all things are in the realm of possibility), but I haven't heard of it happening.  Mine was the same unofficial vs. official.  Over time, my percentile on quant did go down (verbal stayed the same), since they update the percentiles as more people take the GRE.  Hope that helps.  

[smichelle]

HI everyone! I'll also be applying this fall to about 10 programs! ! I've taken the GRE (V 167 Q 158 AW 5.5)  and recently completed a class in quantitative methods to compensate for my less than stellar math skills! Hoping to work on my SOP gradually for the next couple of months. I've been reaching out to professors and graduate students over the summer with some helpful responses! 

 

I'm happy to have a support system here!

[strategicallyessential]

Hey folks! I'm also applying this fall--took the GRE last week, am currently working on banging out a draft of my SOP as well as continuing to research schools and faculty members. Right now I have a list of 15ish schools, and am definitely applying to at least 7. What are you all interested in studying? I'm interested in social movements, the social construction of knowledge, and cultural soc. 

[uselesstheory]

I'm most interested in gender and sexuality, medical sociology, urban sociology, and theory. Somehow I will narrow that down or find a way to integrate my interests (hopefully).

[cultsoc]

I encourage you to list your potential schools in your posts (only if you feel comfortable doing that of course) so current students can give you some feedback, i.e. whether that concentration area is still around or being phased out, and if the professors you're interested in working with are taking on more students or not. 

[uselesstheory]

Thank you - good point, and that would be extremely helpful and much appreciated. I can explain specifics regarding any schools or elaborate beyond this basic info if that helps at all.

 

I intend to apply to CU Boulder, University of Michigan, Indiana University, Columbia, University of Oregon, NYU, Brown, CUNY, and UChicago. I've been editing this list for a while, but at this point, it's still preliminary and I am in the process of researching possible faculty I'd like to work with in greater depth. I have been wondering how to approach people through email about my interest in their work as far as what is appropriate or necessary to include, though admittedly, I just need to stop procrastinating and start contacting people of interest.

 

I'm choosing schools/departments based on funding availability (at least on what I can find, information-wise, though I will contact departments) and research/interest fit. As I said earlier, I want to avoid a quant-focused department, especially considering my low quant GRE score. I'm also still trying to figure out if I even have a shot at admission...

[cultsoc]

I don't know much about UC Boulder but I can tell you that the funding situation at CUNY and Oregon (especially CUNY) is pretty dismal.

 

In terms of contacting professors, the best time to do it would have been over the summer break when they have less to do than during the fall semester. If you decide to contact them, be polite and **brief**. No long paragraphs about your background or GRE scores. Tell them your interest and politely ask if they think you'd be a good fit for their program and whether they are taking on students next year.

 

Just know that your advisor might end up being someone else once you get in the program so you might want to contact a couple of people you're interested in working with. Maybe read their recent pubs to see what kind of research they're doing now. Just because they published a series of papers on education in the 90's doesn't mean they're interested in the same stuff now.

 

Almost all of the programs you mentioned in your post are heavy-quant. What I mean by that is: you will likely not find a single department that is "qualitative heavy". Blame the quantitative turn in American sociology over the last 40 years. It is perhaps a better idea to focus on finding qualitative researchers regardless of the kind of department they're in. 

 

I did slightly better on my GRE Q and am heavily quantitative so I don't think GRE score alone determines which direction you'll go in.

Edited August 25, 2014 by cultsoc

[Whatishistoryanyway]

Hey everyone, I'm giving it another shot this year. I put too much effort into my history applications last year only to realize sociology was what I really wanted to do. After making the wait list at my top sociology school, I realized programs wouldn't have a problem with me switching fields. I'm only applying to sociology programs this year. My interests are primarily related to political economy, globalization, and the drug trade/informal economy. As an undergrad, I completed two research projects and was very interested in 20th century US and Latin American history, particularly revolutionary movements. The phd programs I am interested in at this point are Santa Barbara, Brown, Princeton, and Riverside (I'm looking to add a couple more). I believe I will also apply to Tennessee's MA program. If there are any current graduate students (or prospective) who believe their program could fit my interests, I would love to have a chat about your program. Also, good luck to everyone. I'm not looking forward to another round of waiting. 

[strategicallyessential]

@cultsoc, that's a great idea. As I said before, I'm interested in social movements and resistance, cultural sociology, and the sociology of knowledge. I've only done a preliminary pass of looking at schools--I've identified lists of faculty members I'd potentially be interested in working with based on their listed research interests, but haven't read any of their work to see how relevant it is--but here is what I have so far: 

 

almost definitely applying to--

Michigan

Wisconsin

NYU

Rutgers

Northwestern

 

maybe applying to--

Columbia

Cornell

University of Pittsburgh

 

Any feed back would be much appreciated!

[uselesstheory]

I was thinking about applying to Pittsburgh, but then learned that their funding is (apparently) terrible and definitely not guaranteed for anyone.

 

Also, @cultsoc, thank you for the advice. A few graduate students I know in the field also gave me similar feedback, so knowing the basics of email etiquette in this situation is very helpful. There have been mixed comments as to the necessity of emailing faculty, so I suppose I'm just wondering if it is helpful in any way if I do not have a specific and pressing need to ask a question.

Edited August 30, 2014 by uselesstheory

[DDsoc]

@useless theory - From experience, my GRE scores did not change, but my %belows were a little higher than Magoosh's projected %belows. Also, it seems like all of your stats wouldn't exclude you from any program, so at that point it's going to be about framing yourself as a good fit for anyone's program. I personally think you've got a good shot!

~~

 

I'm applying! Nervous as hell. Had an 8 week episode of "I'll do anything but academia" this summer but now I'm back into it and I want to go. My research interests are gender and occupation, mainly the inequalities involved when intersecting the two. And my writing sample is about just those two things, so I feel good about that. I presented at NCSA this past March, but it never turned into a publication or anything in review. GPA at the university level, and in my soc major, are both around 3.9. Lastly, I feel good enough about the GRE where I won't retake it. [165V, 158Q, 4.5W]

 

My top choice is Ohio State, based on location and a professor that I want to work with. I am trying to stay within the top 20, and as close to Cleveland as possible. I have been lazy looking into other schools because Ohio State just feels like a good fit, but I know that I need to do it. I kind of dropped the ball with getting in contact with potential advisors this summer, so I'm looking to do that starting Tuesday! Other choices are U of M, IU, and Penn State. Looking for quant-heavy programs. IU is pretty mixed though, so that's lower on my list.

 

Okay so three things I'd like advice on, if anyone has experience:

 

1. Does anyone know if it's possible to work with professors at a satellite campus, or what that process looks like? The professor I'm interested in working with teaches at the Marion satellite about an hour north of OSU's main campus. But her research interests are directly aligned with mine.

 

2. Does anyone have advice for framing experience that isn't exactly relevant, but is? I'll elaborate. This summer, I worked as a research assistant for a graduate student in sociology, but we developed a qualitative research proposal and worked on her dissertation a bit (which is also qual.) The conundrum is that I'm not looking to go into qualitative research, but I want to show off that I have research experience. Any tips for how to write about this in my SOP would be greatly appreciated!

 

3. I'll throw in the typical ~what do you think my chances are?~ based on the stuff I've listed above. I like either positive reinforcement, or constructive criticism. So I'm happy to hear all of your opinions! Can't get too much feedback, really.

[cultsoc]

^ Needing to stay close to a certain area is fine as long as your circumstances necessitate it. But I also think it's a bit of a gamble because where you get in will impact your future more than whatever it is that's keeping you in or around a certain place. Circumstances change, people break up, they move on, and life goes on. Is your reason for wanting to stay close to Cleveland one that you won't regret three, four, or five years from now? You gotta ask yourself that before you make that decision.

 

I think you should absolutely add a few more schools to your list. You sound like a competitive applicant so why not apply to 8-10 schools and see what happens?

 

1. You can have one or two external members on your dissertation committee and they can be from any school anywhere in the world (some departments have weird rules about that so you should check with your department). Your external member can't be your advisor, but they can certainly serve on your committee.

 

2. Your UG research experience is absolutely relevant. Very few UGs come with publications so programs are always interested in UG research experience, even if it's not in your area (as is the case with you). You can frame it as, "I can do qualitative research too". There's no shame in that. You want to include a paragraph stating something like, "my research experience includes..." and explain exactly what you did and how you contributed to the project. Every little detail that can set you apart from the rest is relevant. Did you learn how to use MAXQDA or NVIVO? Did you transcribe long interviews? Help narrow down interview questions? Assist with audio recording and transportation? Hell, I'd include even smaller details in there. You will likely be competing with some people with masters degrees who have a lot more research experience than you do, so explain every little detail.

 

3. No one can tell you what your chances are. It depends on the applicant pool and what they have to offer. Your chances depend on how good or poor the rest of the applications are, whether your concentration area is overcrowded, and whether your POI is taking new students this year. Other than that, I'd say you sound like a competitive applicant based on your GRE, GPA, and research experience (for an UG).

 

Good luck!

Edited September 1, 2014 by cultsoc

[uselesstheory]

@DDsoc: Would Cornell be too far away for you? You sound like you would probably be a good fit there; there is a pretty considerable quantitative lean from what I've seen.

[Maleficent999]

Good luck 2015 applicants! I can't believe it was almost a year ago I was in your same position. It seems like the time is crawling for you right now, but trust me, it will really fly by.

[jalison]

Most of the programs I am applying to aren't strictly sociology, but relate to my soci studies thus far and list soci as an acceptable major to come from (among others). Anyone else doing this? Or are most people applying to sociology programs?

[lyrehc]

I did that when I applied.  Sociology was considered a very viable option to have a background in for communication.

[uselesstheory]

Does it matter if I haven't published anything (I'm an undergrad)? I'm working on something (actually more than one) for publication, but I am concerned that trying to publish soon will compromise the quality of my work; however, there is work that I have done that I can submit to undergraduate journals (pretty highly regarded ones in sociology and philosophy).

 

I don't want to just publish something to look good on my CV, and I'd rather continue to work on my one main research project/possible publication until it is ready to be submitted, so I'm conflicted. Are well-known undergraduate journals a good place to start? I want to show that I have a good command of methodology and am very capable of high-quality work in my subfield, basically.