posted
Since Rival made a grad school support thread, how about one for those of us applying to grad school? I know that I'm not the only one doing it this year (or next year).
I'll start: jeez, these application forms are tedious. I'm trying to take care of at least two or three a day so that I can just focus on fixing up my writing sample and personal statements. I just made a list of the deadlines of every school, who I want to work with, and why I want to work with them. ::phew::
Posts: 2705 | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hmmf. When I was an undergraduate with ambitions of getting an actual education, we had a work ethic. We really applied ourselves! Yes, sir, no form was too formless for us then. Not like the undergraduates of today. Back then we considered ourselves lucky to get paper forms to fill out! You lot have it soft, with your pens that don't have to be replaced every six months and, um, paper that... paper... Ok, ok, filling out forms doesn't change that much from one decade to the next.
Posts: 10645 | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
There are now web-based services that let you enter your personal information once, then submit it to multiple schools via their application process with only minor edits necessary to accomodate their custom questions and/or requirements.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have my own check list. Nothing is due for a month yet, but I want it all submitted in two weeks. I need to:
1. Finish emailing strangers at various universities to ask if they are taking grad students next year. 2. Finish editing the writing sample. 3. Finish the personal statement (well, the template, really there will be ten versions of it since all grad schools ask for different things) 4. Send remaining GRE scores. 5. Send transcripts. 6. Actually fill out and send applications. 7. Get information to my recommenders so they can send their information in.
And of course somewhere in there I need to finish actually making a list of the schools I'm applying to. Right now it's a hazy list of about a dozen that I want to winnow a tiny bit.
I feel confident that it's all very doable in the time frame I've allotted myself. I'm not sure if it's doable without acquiring an ulcer, however.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Put the recommendation stuff at the top of your list. Some of the professors will forget for a while, and the more time you give them, with plenty of follow-up, the more likely they will actually get it in.
Posts: 15770 | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
fugu13 could not be more right. Put the recommendation stuff at the top and start ASAP.
My professors, despite assuring me they would get to it right away, stalled and procrastinated to the point that the director of the program I was entering actually allowed me entry to the program without the recommendations.
They arrived after I began classes. Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm in constant contact with them, and I have a two week window. One of them has already warned me that he'll be out of town until the end of the month, and he'll do it when he gets back. He retired last year anyway, so, I'm not worried about his time. My lead recommender I'm pretty tight with, so I'm not worried about him. My third recommender I've been emailing every few days to make sure he's still in the loop. They definitely haven't forgotten. I pester too much for that to happen.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I got my official GRE scores today. A 690 verbal is the 97th percentile. It still boggles my mind that there's a 110 point difference in the THREE percent points above me. With that kind of variation, how much more valuable is it really to get an 800 versus a 750? I ended up with a 5.0 analytical. I was actually hoping for higher than that, but there's nothing wrong with a 5.
::goes back to editing writing sample::
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Lyrhawn, I'm sure you did this, but just for all those seeking recommendations:
It's hard to get busy people to get them out, so make it easy. You can ask in person, but always follow up by email immediately (if the person does email -- hard copies if not) identifying yourself, the dates you worked with the person, and the details of the position you are applying for. The latter should include a brief explanation of what you want out of the position and what you bring to it. Attach a curriculum vitae.
Always, always give specific information on where to send it, even if you think they know. You don't want it lost after you worked so hard for it.
---
Speaking of which, it can be difficult to ask. for a recommendation. You may not be comfortable with the underlying context: i.e., "Praise me!?" Some are okay with asking, and some aren't. You also want to leave wiggle room so that someone who won't give a strong recommendation doesn't feel pressured to send wishy-washy or worse. Here are some ideas:
"I'm applying to xxxxx. Would you be in a position to write a strong recommendation for me?" or "Have we worked together enough for you to write a good recommendation?" or "Would you feel comfortable in writing a recommendation for me?"
etc.
Sometimes it helps to practice. Again, this may or may not be a hurdle for you. If it is, remember that writing letters of recommendation is part of the job description of anyone in positions of authority who works with students on a regular basis.
When you ask and the person says yes, immediately follow up with "I know everyone is so busy. Is is okay to follow up with you to see if it went out? How frequently would be okay, and what's the best way to do that?" Get it out of the way upfront, so that you can later say, "Hi, it's me. Just sending you that reminder we discussed" if need be. It's less awkward that way.
Posts: 831 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I just took a break from applications to write a referee report (rejection) and learned two things:
a) It was a complete waste of my time if I wanted to learn anything about philosophy. and b) So much utter sh*t is submitted to journals, that I feel less bad (not better, just less bad).
My writing sample is coming along and I fixed a problem with a proof to make it valid (oopsy), turns out I forgot to include the premise that I just assumed was there because it was at the foundation of my paper and my reductio was about it. Teehee. I also eliminated a rather embarrassing paragraph about naturalism. Aside from that, I've been getting fairly positive reviews from my profs about it.
The personal statement is another issue and I have no idea how to go about this properly. I want to do work on skepticism. I say this in my statement. But what I am submitting is not on skepticism. I have a paper on skepticism I could submit, but I am not comfortable doing so until I respond to some comments I received at a conference--in fact, half the comments were "Nice paper, but don't use it as your writing sample. It is just not appropriate for that." As such, I really don't want to use it as my writing sample. So at first I didn't say anything about it, but then one of my profs said that they'll wonder why I am not submitting my skepticism work if I want to work on skepticism. He said I ought to say that I would submit it, but I am not comfortable doing so until I respond to conference comments and can't do that right not because of application season taking all my time. I tried that, but then everyone else hates that because it sounds irrelevant/braggy. (i.e., I have this great paper, but I'm not going to show you guys because it's so secret and not ready.)
Not sure what to do.
Second to lastly, when are the GRE reports going up! Arghh.
Lastly, I contacted one of the journals I have a paper at and they said they heard back from one ref and not the other. Hurry up, man! It's been out for nearly 7 months now. If I get a CA or something, I'd like to put it on my CV for apps.
Posts: 2705 | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
To those of you asking for recommendations, I would suggest copying the email to the professor's assistant of secretary if there is one. And being really nice to that person.
I would also suggest email rather than phone unless you know that the professor prefers phone.
Please thoroughly check out the web site for the program if it is available. Don't just use the web site to find a phone number to call to ask questions which are answered on the site.
And, seriously, don't have your parents do all this for you. I am not alone in thinking that, by the time you are ready for grad school, mommy and daddy should leave this up to you.
Posts: 11187 | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by kmbboots: To those of you asking for recommendations, I would suggest copying the email to the professor's assistant of secretary if there is one. And being really nice to that person.
Brilliant!
quote:And, seriously, don't have your parents do all this for you. I am not alone in thinking that, by the time you are ready for grad school, mommy and daddy should leave this up to you.
Oh. My. God.
Nothing says "professionalism" like your Mommy doing your work for you.
Posts: 831 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Jon - GRE scores don't go up officially for at least 14 days. I just got mine in the mail yesterday, and they were available online today. I took it 16 days ago.
The Department's secretary is Janet. I learned a long time ago that the administrative assistant is an excellent person to be on good terms with (and not just because my mother is an administrative assistant and told me to be nice).
And I cannot fathom a parent doing grad school application work for me. In part that's because my parents wouldn't know the first thing about applying to grad school. But more so, if you can't summon up the will to figure out the applications process, you probably shouldn't be in grad school at all.
I'll also add that a lot of school websites are woefully vague on a number of details. Professor bios only list vague general interests, fellowship terms and availability are not listed, university resources are sometimes listed, but often they aren't comprehensive, and if they are, they're in a totally different section of the website and require a lot of digging to find specifics on holdings. However, that doesn't excuse the people who skip right over the information that IS readily available.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
Edit to add: It is also helpful when calling a school that has more than one program to be specific about which program interests you. "Can you tell me about your program?" is an annoying question.
Posts: 11187 | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Lyr: What I've been doing if there's a program that I know I want to apply to with great professors, but I'm not clear on the specifics of their works, is briefly skimming over abstracts of their recent work on google scholar. Sometimes their CVs are vague and paper titles aren't very helpful, but that should give you the gist of it. It's tedious for some 50-60 professors, but it's worth it.
Edit: Also, I'm not worried about letters. My department is small enough that one of my letter writers sent me a text message yesterday asking why I wasn't at a guest lecture on Tuesday.
Posts: 2705 | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Okay, so, I think that I've completed my list of schools to apply to:
Ohio State Northwestern University of Michigan University of Chicago University of Illinois Penn Rutgers Indiana University University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Eliminated at least temporarily from contention: University of Wisconsin-Madison Wayne State University (MA program) Purdue University Southern Illinois University Penn State Michigan State University
I wanted to come up with ten names, and Wayne State still might get an application sent their way if all the others reject me, which would be ten. The only other schools I want to apply to are even harder to get into than the ones I've already listed, so I didn't really see the point. Yale, Columbia, UCLA, and Stanford all have great history programs, but, if I can't get into the ones I'm applying to, I'd never get into those. And if I can get into the ones I'm applying to, then great, because they're fantastic programs!
Now I just need to finish editing my writing sample, and finish my personal statement (which is the only thing I'm really behind on).
I send out GRE scores tomorrow, and applications on Wednesday! It's getting real!
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
I guess it's time to do that, too. Following your lead and divided by rank:
MA: NIU, Milwaukee 1-10, NYU, Rutgers, MIT, Yale , University of Michigan, Princeton, Pitt , Chapel Hill, Berkeley, UCLA 11-20: UofA, Columbia 21-30: UM Amherst, UT Austin
I'll see what happens. The personal statement's more or less ready, but I just made a slight shift in my writing sample plan. I'm submitting two papers, but I decided on an alternate second one in place of the planned one. The first paper is highly analytic and the second shows off scholarship abilities.
Posts: 2705 | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
You should apply to UCLA. Not just because it's a great school, but because all of the rest of those schools are far away. Just think: sunshine! Today it's in the mid-70's . . . .
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
And here (at a school that is on the list ) it is a glorious fall day. In the mid-sixties with a brilliant blue sky and the lake looking gorgeous framed by red and gold trees.
Posts: 11187 | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
You know, weather was something I thought about. I looked hard at a lot of southern schools like Duke, UNC and U of T-Austin, but their programs were too weak in the area of history that I want to go into. And frankly, I think UCLA is too difficult to get into.
Still, there might be room for one last minute addition to my list. I don't think it's too ridiculous to have a list that has one school that (while also perfectly excellent) is about going to a nice place for a few years. I wish you could submit one application to the whole UC system. UC Santa Barbara has an excellent history program as well. You may have been kidding, but I'm going to serious consider one or two of the UC schools. I might do a little research tonight.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: I wish you could submit one application to the whole UC system.
You can't? At the undergrad level, you can't do anything else.
And yes, UCSB is also an excellent school. And I know people in the area, so I actually get over there every year or two. Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'll check, but at the graduate level I'm fairly certain that you have to apply to all the schools separately.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've begun actually filling out applications! It's both exciting and mind numbing. Some of the schools use the same application service though, so a lot of my information is pre-filled in, which is nice.
I still need to finish my writing sample, and over the weekend I'll be working on my many varieties of personal statement, but I think I'm on pace to have submitted all the applications that are due on December 1 by Wednesday with two exceptions:
I'm still considering UC Santa Barbara, which also has a Dec 1 deadline, and a serious pain in the ass page limit for the writing sample. I mean seriously, 10 pages? That's a ridiculously low limit for a writing sample. I do have a writing sample that's around 12 pages that I might be able to trim a bit more, which would certainly be the easy route. I figure with how long it takes GRE scores to arrive, I have to decide to pull the trigger or not on UCSB in the next day or two.
I'm also considering the American Studies program at U of M, which has a due date of Dec 1. AMS makes me a little leery as far as getting a job post-grad, but, I'm an AMS concentration at my undergrad school, so, maybe.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
First applications are away! In the nick of time, considering the due dates for my first three is Wednesday night. I still need to finish up my app for Northwestern, but after that, I'm a third done with the process.
Seems like every application had at least one major hiccup in the process. Ohio State has an online application process, which I completed, but when I got to the end, it said that I have to submit all the materials in paper form as well! Tomorrow I have to do that. UofM told me I had to write two different kinds of personal statement, but neglected to tell me that the biographical one had a short word limit, so after submitting the first one, I had to edit the second one, then I tried to splice the removed info into the first one and reupload it, but I'm not certain it worked, which sucks because it was an important section of my statement. I suppose in the end it won't be detrimental though, all the information is covered elsewhere.
I don't understand why this can't all be more straight forward. Northwestern has the best application yet.
I'm starting to get just a teeny, tiny bit excited about all this, assuming I didn't do all this work just to screw up the applications!
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Are the majority of fans on this site of the age of those who would apply to Grad school? If so, what time did you guys become interested in OSC's books.?
Posts: 18 | Registered: Jun 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hit a hiccup last night when I applied to Northwestern. They charged me the application fee twice, so now I have a couple phone calls to make!
Endless - I think I first read Ender's game when I was 13 or 14. It wasn't until a couple years later that I started reading the rest of the books in the Ender series, and I was 20 I think when I first found my way to Hatrack.
In general I think the age range on Hatrack is pretty varied across the spectrum.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I just found out that Ohio State actually changed the address for their grad school admissions office at the last minute! Some time in the last week, either the entire office picked up and moved, or they finally got around to changing the address online, because the first set of transcripts I sent never arrived, and now I have to send another, past the due date, tomorrow.
I have to spend weeks assembling materials and looking up procedures for getting these damned things together, and they can't change a simple address?
Venting aside, with the exception of one last minute letter of rec I'm awaiting, my Michigan and Northwestern applications arrived safely, which is a huge relief since those are my top schools. Huzzah!
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Everything is submitted but I have two papers under review at journals and just submitted a third to a journal that responds incredibly quickly. If I am accepted to one of these journals, should I notify the admissions committee?
Posts: 2705 | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Most of the schools I'm applying to say that late materials will be added to the file, but they certainly aren't going to hold your file aside and wait for you to submit things past the deadline.
If I were you, I'd wait until you hear the confirmed news, then email or call the graduate coordinator for your program and tell him or her what happened, and what they think you should do. I'm betting they'll take it, but whether or not it makes an impact might come down to luck of the draw as to where you fall in the pile.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
It's been almost two months since the last post here and I thought if fellow appliers had results coming in or tales to tell, they could share here. I ended up getting all my applications in on time, and I submitted the last of them last week. The last one, for an MA program at Nebraska, is already under review, and I've been told that a decision should be forthcoming in the next week or so. Fast turnaround.
Sadly, the only deadline I really missed that I kind of wanted to hit was UCSB or UCLA. In hindsight I really wish I could have gotten to it in time, but there was just too much going on last semester, and they had one of the earlier due dates with the more onerous application requirements. If all this fails and I have to try again next year, UCLA or UCSB will certainly be on my list, and you never know, I might end up getting into an MA program instead of a PhD, and they'll still be a contender.
I should start hearing back from places in the next month. I've been spending my time going back and forth between being excited and nervous. I really just have no idea how this whole thing is going to shake out. I'm glad I have classes right now to distract me from the waiting. I'm actually about to get involved with a new research project that I'm excited about, as I've been away from research for far too long.
Here's hoping that next month doesn't show that all my efforts have been for nothing. Good luck to me!
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ugh, anyone else with pending applications as depressed as I am?
I was fine when I got the rejection letters from Illinois and Northwestern, but there are rumblings that Penn, Indiana and OSU all have already sent out acceptance letter, and I sure as heck didn't get one.
I know it only takes one to say yes, but, most of the ones that are left are the hardest ones to crack. I'm officially sliding towards despair.
Time to start thinking contingency plans.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Only one of the schools to which I applied has sent responses to anyone. Pitt sent out all their acceptances. A few people inquired and were told they were rejected. I inquired about the waitlist and was told that the list would be out in a week or two. I take this to mean that I have not yet been rejected (so I may make the waitlist!). Good enough for me. I'm just hoping that I, too, do not get shut out.
I'm sure that you'll be fine.
Posts: 2705 | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Not the same scale as what you guys are waiting for, but in my household we are anxiously awaiting scholarship award letters said to be out before March 13.
My daughter already has tuition paid for, but is waiting to see which school(s) will offer room and board as well on several competitive scholarships she has applied for.
She really, really, really wants to go only one place - but has a good backup plan if they don't come through.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Woooh, I didn't get into any schools but I did receive something that bodes well. My supplementary writing sample just got an extremely positive R&R from a top political science journal. Phrases like "extremely interesting" about some arguments and "positively wonderful essay" for the overall and "readers much admired" for methods were used in the email. WOOOHOOOOO. I am so happy. I am so happy.
Edit: Apparently political scientists don't like the term "defeater" and think it sounds awkward and juvenile. I guess that describes philosophers.
Edit2: I regret, though, not using it as a supplementary sample everywhere. Particularly Michigan, which added a classical philosophy program (the topic of the paper) right after I submitted my app.
I've decided that regardless of what happens with this process, I'm going to spend the Summer trying to get published. I should have three pretty solid research papers to try and do something with by April, so I'm going to start hitting journals and conferences to see if I can get my foot in the door somewhere. If my current application isn't good enough, I'll have to do something to spruce it up.
I still haven't heard back from anyone else, and I've been given reason to hope that the three schools I'd written off might not be as bad as I was thinking. I'm proceeding with guarded optimism.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
So on the advice of my professor, I ended up applying to schools this year (something I wasn't planning on doing). I had a very respectable paper that only needed some minor tweaking for submission, so I was able to put all my applications together and get them out last month in short order. I applied to a mix of PhD programs and MA programs. I'm hoping that I have enough under my belt that the MA programs are all "safe" and that I might get lucky with one of the PhD programs.
I hate the waiting game!
Posts: 8741 | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I can't imagine applying to more than 3 or 4 schools, tops. The thought of a couple of dozen separate applications does not sound like fun.
Posts: 3354 | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Yes, you would! Seriously folks, I know you want them out of your basement but, let your adult offspring research their own grad programs.![[Taunt]](graemlins/taunt.gif)
) it is a glorious fall day. In the mid-sixties with a brilliant blue sky and the lake looking gorgeous framed by red and gold trees.
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Grumble]](graemlins/grumble.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
.
