Sociology prof who will answer any question about grad school applications

[SocProf]

Hi all,

 

I'm a sociology professor who's served on 8-10 admissions committees over the years, and have had several undergrads and masters students go on to fully funded PhD programs. I made this offer in the reddit gradadmissions subreddit last week and got a good response. So I'll do the same here: I'll answer any reasonable question related to graduate school applications and admissions. 

 

If you want to check my academic credentials, I'm here: http://unt.academia.edu/gabeignatow

 

Best of luck!

 

Gabe

Edited November 8, 2014 by TakeruK

[StenoLubr]

What is the main difference that I should be aware when writing SOP for masters and PhD (so the main difference between the two). Like I know that I should focus on my research interest for PhD, but what is few main things I need to discuss for masters SOP

[SocProf]

It's probably the same committee members reviewing both types of apps, so I don't think there should be major differences between the two. The only thing is that for a masters I'd emphasize your personal narrative a little more, while for the PhD I'd emphasize research experience, interests, and career plans.

Gabe

[uselesstheory]

In sociology, is wanting to focus on theory (not entirely, but as a substantive area of study) seen as negative by departments? I recently spoke to a graduate student who told me that my interest in theory will either help me because many undergrads don't apply to graduate school with a comprehensive understanding of theory, but that it could hurt if some people on the admissions committee take the side of "theory is dead". I read your CV and feel like you may be able to offer helpful commentary on this. I already submitted my applications, so this is more out of curiosity than for the sake of "getting in".

[SocProf]

Useless theory,

My apologies for being so late on this. I know it's too late now, but for future reference I'd list theory as a second or third interest in your SOP or CV, and make sure you give the impression that you won't have a problem surviving the department's stats/methods sequence. Having an active interest in theory is seen as a plus by profs, but only if it's not interpreted as 'doesn't like math.' 

 

Best of luck! If it's not too much trouble, let me know how it turns out.

 

Gabe

[uselesstheory]

Not a problem - luckily, I did all of those things, so now it's just time to wait and see. I will let you know what ends up happening; thank you for your feedback!

[SocProf]

Any time. It sounds like you're on top of things. Best of luck!

[Averroes]

Hi. If I apply at a PhD program that I have did

MA in couple years ago, would I need to take the courses again? At the time Mama and PhDs took same courses.

[SocProf]

I don't think there would be much overlap in terms of course numbers and titles, but depending on the size of the department, there could be nontrivial overlap in terms of content. Many depts cross-list masters and doctoral courses, after all.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Gabe

[Averroes]

Thanks for your reply. Just a clarification if it wasn't clear, I finished the MA in the same department and university, not just same program. Do you think I can justifiably ask to waiver the course work and start the candidacy and dissertation immediately? Is there such a thing?

[SocProf]

Right, I'm clear on your situation. But I'd say probably not, as in most cases the semester credit hour requirements are mandated at the state and national levels. The answer should be in the fine print in your university's graduate catalog. If it's not there, or what's there isn't clear, you may be able to ask to waive some of the course work requirements or replace them with independent study hours if you can find a willing prof.

[jujubea]

How hard will it be to get a job as a professor after getting a PhD from a low-ranked or non-ranked university? What should I do during grad school to make myself more competitive after graduation?

Edited November 24, 2014 by jujubea

[SocProf]

If you do well in the program and are geographically flexible you can expect to be competitive for tenure-track jobs at teaching institutions with 4-4 teaching loads. That would be par for the course. But if you aren't geographically flexible and/or don't excel in the program (in terms of publishing, making connections with faculty, finishing expeditiously, and gaining teaching experience) your ceiling will probably be lecturer positions or, worse, adjuncting. If you are exceptional in your program, and especially if you study a topic that is in demand, you should be competitive for tenure-track positions with 20-40% of the workload for research and a 2-3 or even a 2-2 teaching load.

 

Gabe

[jujubea]

Thanks!

My goal is to teach as much as possible during the whole process; I'll be sure to prioritize other areas as well!

[SocProf]

ok cool. Glad to be of some help.

[juilletmercredi]

This is also out of pure curiosity, as I already have a PhD.

 

But do sociology PhD programs ever consider students with a non-sociology major - like psychology, if they are interested in social psychology?  I understand that social psychology for sociologists is very different than social psychology for psychologists, but if a psychology undergrad evidenced that they understood the distinction, would they be competitive?

 

Also, how do you like being a professor?  What's different about advising graduate/doctoral students vs. undergraduates, from a professor's perspective?

[SocProf]

This is my dirty little secret, but I never took a sociology course as an undergrad.

 

But I think this model only works in programs with at least a couple of open-minded profs who are interested in interdisciplinary work and in investing in the long-run intellectual vitality of the discipline rather than in hyper-local status competitions. Fabio Rojas refers to us as "Foucault Kids," which has a very nice ring to it:

 

http://orgtheory.wordpress.com/2014/06/24/foucault-kids/

 

I love being a professor, although at this stage in my career I like having one foot in the private sector too.

 

In terms of advising, grad students are a lot like talented undergrads, but you get more time with them and so can invest more in them. But if you like working with people and seeing them succeed, you'll like serving in advisor/mentor roles.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

Gabe

Edited December 14, 2014 by TakeruK
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[Averroes]

Thanks again. That helps.

[SocProf]

They're pretty important, and can be critical for borderline applicants. There should be at least one LOR that is really glowing.

 

Yes, but in my experience only if a member of the committee already has a relationship with the letter writer and there is something in the application that needs clarification.

 

I've never seen a tax report in a grad school application, but healthcare admin may be different in this regard than sociology.

 

You might be overthinking. As a committee member I'd rather see 4 years in a family business than a four-year hole in the application.

 

It sounds like you do stand a solid chance based on your GMAT.

 

Yes, major GPA is more important than overall GPA, assuming the major is related to the field to which you are applying. If you're applying to English Literature, nobody cares how you did in Physics 101.

 

Good luck! 

 

Gabe

Edited December 13, 2014 by fuzzylogician
edited to remove advertisement

[Life Long Player]

First, belated Happy Thanksgiving to Gabe and everyone on this thread J .

 

I am seriously considering applying for grad school (PhD) in an interdisciplinary area at the interface of Education, Sociology and Culture studies. My realistic shot for a serious application would be in 2 years from now. I have good UG credentials (graduated summa cum laude; got full scholarships for UG), but it was in natural sciences with some courses in social sciences and college level Math up to Calc II. My GRE is probably average (V 81 percentile, Q 71 percentile and AW 80 percentile). The programs I am targeting say that a master’s or previous academic background in education is not required. Now in order to strengthen my application for an interdisciplinary social science grad program, I am confused whether I should pursue a master’s or do real work in the field of education. I am inclined towards the professional work as it gives me a more rigorous exposure to real life before coming back to campus again, and some money to travel! How would the admission committee evaluate someone with two years field experience say in a rural school versus someone with a terminal master’s (rest being equal)?

 

Thanks! 

Edited November 28, 2014 by Life Long Player

[MastersHoping]

Hi, first of all, thanks for doing this! 

 

I'm not a sociology student, but perhaps you can still help anyway.

 

I am in Asian Studies, with particular interests in things like refugee resettlement and human trafficking prevention.

 

In the future, I'd like to keep working in these areas, either on the ground/in the "real world" or produce research on these topics. Not entirely sure what route, but leaning toward the research route because I don't think I have the skills to become an FBI/Interpol agent or resettlement counselor haha. 

 

So I am questioning if a Ph.D would even be valuable. Do you think I should try to get a PhD, or would it not be very useful? 

[SocProf]

Lifelong Player,

Sorry for the delay, but I didn't realize this discussion had flipped over to a second page.

 

It sounds like you're in a position to be a competitive applicant for many good programs right now, but would be more competitive for top-flight ed school PhDs with some teaching experience. Are the interdisciplinary programs you're thinking about housed in Arts and Sciences, or in colleges of education?

 

Gabe

Edited December 13, 2014 by fuzzylogician
edited to remove advertisement

[SocProf]

MastersHoping,

First, regarding PhD funding, Google "The Ignatow Principles of PhD Funding" (TheGradCafe isn't letting me paste in the url from Academia.edu here).

 

Second, if you're in your 20s, only pursue a PhD if you're 100% committed to a career in research and teaching, and if you're offered a funding package that includes tuition and some cost of living stipend. Otherwise the masters is the smarter move in terms of cost/benefit. 

 

Good luck!

 

Gabe

Edited December 13, 2014 by fuzzylogician
edited to remove advertisement

[jujubea]

Why do you say "most of the above does not apply" in the Ignatow Principles, if pursuing a PhD is one's second or third career?

[akashpatel]

Hello. Thanks for being here to give your advise as you have been in admissions committee.

I have applied to biological sciences program and I am worried about my GRE scores, if you can help.

(I also posted this earlier in grad forum cafe)

I am worried if I can get in to any schools with my GRE ( 303; V: 146, Q: 157). I already have a Masters degree with a research project, and also 2 years of research experience at an Ivy league school; 1 co-author publication in a good journal). My undergrad GPA is 3.7 and masters GPA is 3.6, and I have good recommendation letters from professor at top tier universities.

Would GRE scores really affect my applications?

And, any chances for Columbia, UPenn, Harvard......other high-ranked schools with this profile?

 

Thanks in advance.