Any advice would be great...

[sjoh197]

I am reapplying this year to UH for a PhD on the advice of the potential advisor I met with. 

A little about me. I applied last year to a few schools... but I only had 1 semester of geology behind me (I was a bit of a late transfer, but 17+ hours of geology classes a semester and very unfun summers let me finish the program in record time). When I applied last year, my gpa was pretty bad, 2.85. My daughter passed away 2nd semester in college, originally engineering, and I failed out of an entire semester, dropping my gpa to a lovely 2.07. I've now finished my degree with a 3.04, so I'm at least above a 3.0 now. My geology gpa is about a 3.5. 

I have much better LOR's now... its hard to get good letters in 1 semester. Also, one of my letter writers is somewhat involved with UH, and the people there know him well. 

Should I mention that I've already applied in my SOP? Does it look incredibly stupid to apply to the same university twice? I live in houston now, about 10 minutes from UH and leaving for another university that is less competitive is not a possibility. What else can I do to boost my chances? If I can't get in this year, there really isn't a future left for me in this field. 

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

[GeoDUDE!]

Why don't you talk to your POI there at UH? If your POI really wants you there, he/she will help you with the admissions process.  He/she after all did tell you to apply again.

I think its fairly common to reapply to places, especially at the texas schools which get a lot of candidates. I know someone in my dept who applied first, didn't get in, but had good a good rapport with his poi so when he applied the next year (after working retail for a year) he was accepted with full funding! 

I know there are other universities that are good in geoscience in houston (Rice?). Have you thought of applying there?  

I am very sorry for the loss of your daughter, I think that your perseverance to finish college (and get a good geology gpa) is compelling. I wonder if instead of using that in your SOP you write an addendum so that your SOP can solely be based on research. Here in the UC System we have a statement of diversity which is perfect for that. 

What is your subfield ? 

Edited October 9, 2015 by GeoDUDE!

[sjoh197]

My undergrad focused on geochron. The poi I talked with works on ar and u/th he thermochron. A lot of his work has been in the Himalayas, which is where my undergrad advisor's work, and my work, was focused on. But this poi is not the same person that I considered working with last year. My interests greatly changed away from oil and into the type of research I was already doing in undergrad. I decided I didn't want to go into industry, and instead want to stay in academia or research. 

I don't have the credentials to get into Rice, no matter how you look at it. I just don't cut it with the competition. I at least have another chance at UH. Also, not a lot of my interest at Rice. 

I hadn't really thought about asking my poi for more help. I visited him about a month or so ago and talked with him, asked some questions, but now I'm struggling to get everything right. My SOP is certainly giving me trouble. I'm just not sure how to structure it anymore. 

 

 

[GeoDUDE!]

You say you must stay in houston... but have you looked at UH's placement record in academia? I know its a good department, but its a very industry oriented department. One thing you might ask your POI about is their student placement. 

[sjoh197]

I have to stay here at least until my partner earns his PE, which isn't for another 3 years. I have no plans on staying here long long term. I hate it... lol. After grad school, we would certainly try to move.

[columbia09]

Question, does UH require a masters in order to be eligible for their PhD program? It said that on the application but I know that info is outdated. I emailed the head of the department but he hasn't gotten bank to me yet 

[sjoh197]

I saw mixed info in their admissions info... So I asked my poi his advice directly on how I should apply, and he said if phd was my ultimate goal, I would have the best chance applying straight for phd. So that is certainly an option, although I imagine it is generally more difficult admissions wise than just applying for an ms.