Plz comment on my possibility of getting in a PhD program

[hmjp]

Hi All,

After long one year. Let me first thank you that you guys helped me a lot last year during my fatiguing days of GRE prep.

Ive applied for PhD in Sociology this year. My background is what I consider mediocre compared to most of the posts here...although I do know that it's not a fair comparison since most of these ppl are competing in other programs which are terribly difficult to get in. However, this is the only way since I could not find any sociology candidate here so far. Here is my background stat:

Edu: bachelors (1st class 3), masters (1st class 2nd) from the top university in a developing country. Currently in a decent MA program in Japan as monbusho grantee.

Teaching: two years in a private univ in my country.

research: 1.5 years RA, 2 independent research project, 1 national publication (besides, several of my columns on development, migration and political economy appeared in a national newspaper),

Currently doing TA and also tutorship in University writing center. And also won a competitive university grant to arrange a graduate symposium involving an international scholars and several graduate students.

GRE: q-670, v-540, aw-4.5

TOEFL: 105

LOR: 1 from my advisor, a US professor PhD from Harvard, 1 from JP professor PhD from Princeton, 1 from a professor my country. Hopefully all are great!

SOP: I think considerably good, talked about my general interest and future plan, previous academic achievements and practical experiences, and customized according to the schools.

Applied:
Harvard
Princeton,
UC-Berkley
UCLA (all these...with recommender's suggestion, I really did not dare to..),

John Hopkins,
NYU,
Brown,
Indiana-Bloomington,
Notre Dam,
U-Mass-Amherst

U of Toronto,
Queens

the first 4 belong to top 10, second group fall within 20-40 according to USNew and last 2 in Canada..so no idea about ranking.

Is there anybody who can comment on my prospect of being accepted to any of these school, with or without fund? Along with my stats also consider that Im quite old, leading to 30 this year.

Thanking in advance for your attention.

[hmjp]

Viewed 43, but no comment.....!!! Nobody among those probably have specific idea about admission in Sociology I guess, right?

Then there's probably noway for me but to wait until the results are out.

Still thanks guys, for you have at least visited to the thread...

[DUguy333]

I'm not in Sociology but a related Social Science (Geography). Although I don't believe my program is as competitive as yours, from your resume and number of schools you've applied to, I would guess you have a good shot at at least one top 10 and maybe a couple 20-40 schools.

Good luck!

[hmjp]

Hi DUguy,

Thanks for your comment. In fact, Ive almost no idea about the outcomes except two of my recommenders' strong conviction about success.

However, r u from DU?

[DUguy333]

Hmjp,

At least you have the conviction of your recommenders! Mine are all very hesistant to suggest I'll attain acceptance at any of my institutes I've applied to. I guess lucid input is better than getting one's hopes up though...

Yes, I'm a senior at DU. Are you familiar with the school?

[fedge]

Hi hmjp,

I have also applied to Sociology PhD programs. I think your GRE may be a little bit low for top ten programs, but over 1200 should at least get them to look at your app. Your teaching and research experince along with your LOR's ans SOP are what will get you in. I think you'll get in somewhere with funding.

Also, your age may be a positive (I'll be 31 soon). I spoke with a prof that sat on the adcom at Florida for many years. He said that 85-95% of applicants are 21-23 and 0-3 yeras out of undergrad. The adcoms like to see the older students (especially those that already have masters degress) beacuse they don't need to have their hands held.

In case you were curious, here are my stats:

BS Sociology 2.2 GPA
MBA 3.9 GPA
600 V 620 Q 4.5 W
5 years mangement experince - Vice President in my last job (I am really hoping that cariies some weight)

Applied to: Penn, Cornell, Ohio St, SUNY-Albany, UMass, NS State, Georgia

[fedge]

You may also want to check out thegradcafe.com. There are a number of other Soc applicants there. There is also some really good info on schools and the cities they are in.

I also really like the "Results" section. Someone was already accepted into UCLA's program!

[hmjp]

Hi DUguy,

if u r from BD, then Im also from your university.

Thanks fedge for sharing. I also think my GRE is gonna hurt in the top schools at least. But who knows what awaits there! Although Im looking at the middle-ranges. Particularly, Im optimistic about umass ( dont ask me why and how...'cause I dont know)

Did you see somebody got in in UCLA sociology? Ive not find any.

Your stats look pretty similar to mine.

Best of luck.

[fedge]

Hi hmjp,

I saw on thegradcafe.com that someone got accepted into UCLA on 1/17 via an e-mail.

It is funny that you feel optimistic about UMass....so do I! And for no particular reason! Who knows, maybe we'll be classmates come the fall.

I felt really good about my chances at admission somewhere before I finished all of my apps. But since I submitted the last one I have been doubting my chances of getting in anywhere! This waiting sucks.

Good luck!

[hmjp]

After posting all my applications, I have been trying to forget about these. But my worries are now getting intense.....

Its would really be funny to be at Umass together... @fedge