changeisgood Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 On 2/18/2017 at 11:07 AM, Mike_Novick said: A question to more experienced fellows here: is it worth to ask departments why they have rejected my application? I mean, I really would like to know what major flaws I'd need to handle if I ever apply again. In Stanford's case, they've explicitly mention that would not answer specific inquiries in this regard. But what about other programs? What strategies would you consider to be the most adequate to gather impressions about what needs to be improved? Thanks. My first cycle I was able to get in as a terminal M.A., and because of that I figured out what I needed to be successful this time (and it worked). First off, the most important thing you can do is have a solid SOP with well-defined research goals. Only choose programs to apply that have at least 2 tenured faculty members researching in areas close to what you want to study, and be as specific as possible. Most of the SOP should deal with research interests, professors, and how well you fit with the program. Fit, fit, fit. Second, it is vital to have the best rec letters you can get, all 3 from tenured faculty in your field if possible. I had one adcom chair tell me that if a professor he trusted said that student x is a rock star, he would put a whole lot more weight on that than a high GPA and a GRE in the 160s. Having something published is obviously a plus also, but programs are more concerned about whether you can complete the curriculum and form a dissertation committee. Stats are important if you are aiming at a top 15 program, so if that's what you want, make sure your GRE is up to snuff. If you want to get in somewhere that teaches high-level quantitative chops you need a high math score and some background in it. Otherwise, I would have a professor you trust read over your SOP. That's what I did, that and a successful M.A. program got me where I wanted to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkid86 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 My UMD portal finally changed from "Under Departmental Review" to "Under Graduate School Review"... wondering what this means. Especially since it sounds like others have already received e-mails from POIs and such. Waitlist, maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMcJ Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 7 minutes ago, tkid86 said: My UMD portal finally changed from "Under Departmental Review" to "Under Graduate School Review"... wondering what this means. Especially since it sounds like others have already received e-mails from POIs and such. Waitlist, maybe? Mine still says "Under Departmental/Program Review". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkid86 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 5 minutes ago, VMcJ said: Mine still says "Under Departmental/Program Review". Have you heard anything from them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMcJ Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 26 minutes ago, tkid86 said: Have you heard anything from them? Nothing at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yousowildrach Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Still waiting from Northwestern, UPenn, and UWA... I haven't heard from Northwestern, maybe I'm on a wait list? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Historiaeros Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 I saw two posts about Northwestern in theory field this morning, which makes me super nervous now. I have heard NOTHING from them so far. Anyone still waiting for them? yousowildrach and cydxb 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Historiaeros Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 2 minutes ago, yousowildrach said: Still waiting from Northwestern, UPenn, and UWA... I haven't heard from Northwestern, maybe I'm on a wait list? Cross our fingers. It seems the result is trickling out... yousowildrach 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mstama123 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 7 minutes ago, yousowildrach said: Still waiting from Northwestern, UPenn, and UWA... I haven't heard from Northwestern, maybe I'm on a wait list? Still waiting for them, too. There was a waitlist post this morning so I'm hoping that's the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GradNYC Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 For the NYU admits and rejects did your status change from "under department review" to whatever? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krapp Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 1 hour ago, Historiaeros said: I saw two posts about Northwestern in theory field this morning, which makes me super nervous now. I have heard NOTHING from them so far. Anyone still waiting for them? Still waiting as well. But I, like a few others in here, have basically written it off as a rejection. Would love to be proven wrong though! cydxb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cydxb Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 @Historiaeros @krapp I'm also getting the silent treatment from Northwestern and have written it off as a rejection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevTheory1126 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 16 minutes ago, cydxb said: @Historiaeros @krapp I'm also getting the silent treatment from Northwestern and have written it off as a rejection. Same here. It seems like someone said that this was the week Northwestern was looking to "finalize their list," but not sure what that even means (assuming it was true). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgjoecool27 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 (edited) Anybody else's status for Hopkins change to "Applicant Complete"? Edited February 20, 2017 by bgjoecool27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibica Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 @bgjoecool27 Yep, mine did as well. bgjoecool27 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgjoecool27 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Any guess on whether it is a good thing or a bad thing @Bibica? I'm trying to remain optimistic but I can never maintain it for long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkid86 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 39 minutes ago, bgjoecool27 said: Anybody else's status for Hopkins change to "Applicant Complete"? 13 minutes ago, Bibica said: @bgjoecool27 Yep, mine did as well. Mine too. I don't think it's a good thing or a bad thing. I'm thinking it just means they're done reviewing and we can expect a decision soon. Bibica and bgjoecool27 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Historiaeros Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 4 hours ago, krapp said: Still waiting as well. But I, like a few others in here, have basically written it off as a rejection. Would love to be proven wrong though! I feel you. Seeing is believing, so I still have some hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzmintea Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 2 hours ago, bgjoecool27 said: Anybody else's status for Hopkins change to "Applicant Complete"? What was it before? Mine says applicant complete too but wasn't it this way all along? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Historiaeros Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 3 hours ago, cydxb said: @Historiaeros @krapp I'm also getting the silent treatment from Northwestern and have written it off as a rejection. It seems many people on the same boat. I remembered their website said, "our results are not issued at the same time". This endless waiting is devouring me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Historiaeros Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 3 hours ago, RevTheory1126 said: Same here. It seems like someone said that this was the week Northwestern was looking to "finalize their list," but not sure what that even means (assuming it was true). I guess this is the week since they claimed on the website they would give result in the mid-Feb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anechka Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 10 hours ago, GradNYC said: For the NYU admits and rejects did your status change from "under department review" to whatever? @GradNYC I got an unofficial offer from the NYU but nothing more. I even can not find "under dep.review" status. May be I just dont know where to look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mnemonist Kenny Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 3 hours ago, Anechka said: @GradNYC I got an unofficial offer from the NYU but nothing more. I even can not find "under dep.review" status. May be I just dont know where to look. http://www.nyu.edu/gsas/request/smts.html this is the link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anechka Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 @Mnemonist Kenny Thank you! No, just under review -> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GradNYC Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Thanks @Mnemonist Kenny and @Anechka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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