Why Now??

[modernity]

So, in the last couple of days I've received emails from schools (some decent ones that I likely would have considered), telling me to apply to their school - one even offered an application fee waiver! I assume these are some of the schools that the GRE put me in contact with as a result of their "check here if you want schools to be able to contact you based on your profile"... but all of these schools so far have had deadlines of Jan 15. Why would you even contact me now? How can I really put together an entire application packet at this point in the process? Why must you taunt me with your fee waivers? Also, while this may be slightly reassuring in some respects, these letters cited my "strong GRE" score... I didn't think my GRE score was all that strong (at least not by the standards of this or other boards - I guess this is another reminder that these boards aren't the end all be all of admissions statistics). All right... end of rant.

I'm also posting this though, because I had no idea that if you checked that box that there was the potential to receive application fee waivers as an indirect result. So, to all of you who still have to take the GRE, and are planning for next year - check the box!

[peppermint.beatnik]

I had the same thing happen. I thought I hadn't checked the box, but I don't know how else they'd get the information.

[Rianna]

I had the same thing happen. I thought I hadn't checked the box, but I don't know how else they'd get the information.

This happened to me as well, also right before their deadline, and also to Stanford's MBA program, which is the last degree I'd ever take

[peppermint.beatnik]

This happened to me as well, also right before their deadline, and also to Stanford's MBA program, which is the last degree I'd ever take

I know, I got one from a graduate school of psychoanalysis. While interesting, I would never seriously consider.

[tarski]

I know, I got one from a graduate school of psychoanalysis. While interesting, I would never seriously consider.

Hah, I've gotten multiple emails from a psychoanalysis place, too. Don't know why...

[LateAntique]

I got a couple of emails from comp lit programs from the GRE. Comp lit is where flunky Classicists go.

[modernity]

One was from Columbia's MPA Environmental something or other... and I was curious as to how they thought that was applicable to what I cited as my interests, so some of these could certainly be equated to spam. On the other hand, some were in my field - one of them being the one that offered the fee waiver. If I'd had more notice, I would have probably applied.

[coyabean]

I got them, too. Renesslear went WAAAAYYY overboard. I think they cast a wide net based on your interests.

[Lantern]

I, too, have gotten these! All of them have been for molecular biology, which I have no interest in. I was actually tempted by the tuition waiver one for about 2 seconds because they said it applied to all "life sciences", but then I realized they don't have anything of interest to me!

[tskinner]

Eugh...getting these really gets me peeved at ETS. We have to pay $20 just to get our scores put on a CD and sent to a school?! They don't even need to pay for paper. The marginal cost of sending your score is basically zero. And then they go off and give it out for free to schools you aren't applying to!? The price gouging is extremely frustrating. Monopolies are lame.

[modernity]

Eugh...getting these really gets me peeved at ETS. We have to pay $20 just to get our scores put on a CD and sent to a school?! They don't even need to pay for paper. The marginal cost of sending your score is basically zero. And then they go off and give it out for free to schools you aren't applying to!? The price gouging is extremely frustrating. Monopolies are lame.

This is a very good point, especially at a time when I am pressed for extra cash because of these apps, that fee waivers sweeten the deal so much. I'm going to guess, considering some of the schools/programs I've gotten are less than stellar (I was surprised that any were reputable actually- kind of like the mass mailings before UG), that those schools are paying for them in some way. ETS is probably like "Having trouble attracting students?? We'll give you their GRE scores for a small extra fee, and you can tempt them with fee waivers!!" and then... if we apply even if we get a fee waiver, we still have to pay ETS for another score... it's a conspiracy! (Yes... I'm on a conspiracy kick right now).

[Kreutzer]

I disagree here though. If they didn't charge for sending scores, then I'm certain almost everyone would want his scores to be sent all over the places. Which surely would be of high cost for them.

[whereiscarmen]

Scores now cost $23.

[tskinner]

I disagree here though. If they didn't charge for sending scores, then I'm certain almost everyone would want his scores to be sent all over the places. Which surely would be of high cost for them.

Not really. If your scores were sent out for free, would that really make you apply to 20 more schools or maybe one or two? Remember, you would still need to pay the $100 application fee, transcript fees, and what have you for each extra school.

[rogue]

I've been getting lots of stuff too, primarily for master's programs. I already have a master's, and I indicated this when filling out the pre-test info. And most of these aren't in my field--or even close to it. Sigh.

On the upside, since I work in marketing at a college, at least this flurry of desperate last-minute recruitment emails gives me something fun to share with my colleagues.

[melusine]

I got a couple of emails from comp lit programs from the GRE. Comp lit is where flunky Classicists go.

ouch.

[modernity]

Okay, I suppose I should rephrase my original statement having heard from everyone now. Check the box IF you're worried about your application stats, could use some back up MA programs with fee waivers, and are willing to wade through a decent amount of spam because some programs (like applicants) apparently panic at the last minute and start sending out mass emails to anyone they think will even remotely pause to look at their school.

It still is a little comforting to know that schools panic last minute, and start trying to mass market themselves even to long shots (even if this is only their marketing department) just like we do.

[LateAntique]

ouch.

I realize sarcasm doesn't come across very well, but I don't honestly think that comp lit is a place only for flunky Classicists (my grandfather taught literature, though not comp lit).

[melusine]

I realize sarcasm doesn't come across very well, but I don't honestly think that comp lit is a place only for flunky Classicists (my grandfather taught literature, though not comp lit).

oh good! lol

yeah i have a hard time picking up on sarcasm in this context, after years of having to justify my choice of orientation to a variety of people (high school peers/rez neighbors/etc..) whose general reaction would be: "literature?? wait, so you, like, get a diploma for reading books?? wow. what's next, do i get a phd for listening to my ipod??? why don't you come with me to lab and see what a real education looks like!"

[LateAntique]

oh good! lol

yeah i have a hard time picking up on sarcasm in this context, after years of having to justify my choice of orientation to a variety of people (high school peers/rez neighbors/etc..) whose general reaction would be: "literature?? wait, so you, like, get a diploma for reading books?? wow. what's next, do i get a phd for listening to my ipod??? why don't you come with me to lab and see what a real education looks like!"

You're preaching to the choir. I tell people I study Classics and they look at me and ask, "Like Moby Dick?" Exactly. Call me Ishmael.