coffeeandtoast Posted February 3, 2010 Posted February 3, 2010 (Yes, I hate this wait, I'm just starting random topics! ) I have a BS in engineering and I'm applying to sociology and theology programs (I have a masters in theology), which I believe is giving my adcoms good reasons to laugh I really believe that the fact that I'm going so far from my discipline will ultimately hurt my chances to be admitted. Am I the only crazy one?
chocker Posted February 3, 2010 Posted February 3, 2010 (Yes, I hate this wait, I'm just starting random topics! ) I have a BS in engineering and I'm applying to sociology and theology programs (I have a masters in theology), which I believe is giving my adcoms good reasons to laugh I really believe that the fact that I'm going so far from my discipline will ultimately hurt my chances to be admitted. Am I the only crazy one? relax. your weakness is your strength. tem11 1
tem11 Posted February 3, 2010 Posted February 3, 2010 relax. your weakness is your strength. Agreed! You'll likely be a more diverse applicant as a result of studying something outside of the discipline.
rogue Posted February 3, 2010 Posted February 3, 2010 You're not the only one; lots of people in various threads have mentioned switching fields, though engineering -> theology -> sociology is definitely one of the more interesting paths I've heard of. That's got to be worth something, right? I have a BA in communication and an MBA, and I applied to nine sociology programs and one communication program. Sometimes you have to try different things to figure out what you really like.
LadyL Posted February 3, 2010 Posted February 3, 2010 I have a background in psychology but applied to several neuroscience programs. I got interviews at all 3 programs I applied to, and 2 interviews from Psychology programs so far (out of 11 I applied to). I don't have a ton of bio coursework but have worked in neuroimaging for 2+ years. Applying to neuroscience programs was a last minute idea and now I'm totally wishing I applied to more!
Catch22alex Posted February 3, 2010 Posted February 3, 2010 add me to the list, I applied to WSU's soil science program as I want to take up winemaking
coffeeandtoast Posted February 3, 2010 Author Posted February 3, 2010 Ok, I'm glad I'm not the only one I knew there were a few of us out there. I appreciate your insight about my background. I thought that it would be interesting when I was applying, but the more I think about it, the more I look like a mixed bag. It's just frustrating when you realize you went to school for so long, worked so hard for your degrees, and then realize that what you do "is okay", but this is NOT what you want to do: there is no passion...And then you find something else that you *really* enjoy and can you see yourself doing... but it may never happen because you didn't make up your mind when you were 18.
solairne Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 French and German language undergraduate applying to doctoral program in theoretical linguistics. That's not that far of a stretch, though.
rising_star Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 I switched disciplines from undergrad to MA--from comparative literature to the social sciences. And then, within my discipline, I switched focus areas between my MA and PhD (from urban public policy to conservation). And I did all this while going straight through school.
alexis Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 (edited) Went from being a history major to a field in business (though I will have a master's in HR). Did I mention I started out as a math major in undergrad? Edited February 4, 2010 by alexis
Beck Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 I changed from Astronomy (and a B.Sc) to Gender and Cultural Studies (and a B.A, plus an Honours year) very late in my undergraduate career. Worked my arse off to finish in six months longer than it would have taken had I gone straight into the B.A from high school. I'm now applying mostly to Ph.D programs in English, which is still a bit of a jump from my undergraduate degree. Nothing like the science-to-humanities leap, though.
abardagjy Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 I got my undergrad in electrical engineering and applied to computer science programs - and one art/design program. I have a minor in CS and my field is at a strange intersection between EE, CS and physics. I applied to whichever program that had professors which did similar research to me.
coffeeandtoast Posted February 4, 2010 Author Posted February 4, 2010 I changed from Astronomy (and a B.Sc) to Gender and Cultural Studies (and a B.A, plus an Honours year) very late in my undergraduate career. Worked my arse off to finish in six months longer than it would have taken had I gone straight into the B.A from high school. I'm now applying mostly to Ph.D programs in English, which is still a bit of a jump from my undergraduate degree. Nothing like the science-to-humanities leap, though. Wow!! This is a big jump!! Good luck with your applications!
Beck Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 Wow!! This is a big jump!! Good luck with your applications! Thanks! You too!
eikko Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 haha, you are definitely not the only crazy one. my academic career has been evolutionary bio --> geography --> now applying in sociology. soo, ummm... yay, broad interests!
eiren8 Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 (edited) You are not alone, I went from a BA in French Lit/European Art History to applying to PhD programs in Chinese art history/EALC...not a crazy jump if you know me personally but a little random on paper. We just bring broader experiences to our respective fields, right? Edited February 4, 2010 by eiren8
gazelle Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 Chemical engineering/chemistry double major to an MA in international relations. I hope they like that diversity, coming in as a chemE
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now