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biff19

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Everything posted by biff19

  1. Does anyone have experience with a fairly early deadline to accept an offer (it's less that the school gave an exceptionally short timeline and more that they made a very early offer)? More specifically, can a deadline on an offer ever be extended? Is there harm in asking? It seemed that they might extend it if I had, say, another offer I were considering, but I just interviewed somewhere promising that probably won't turn around and make an offer fast enough to be within the other school's deadline. So, I'd be asking to extend for hypothetical offers. I don't want to lose this offer because it's very good in a lot of ways; at the same time, I have enough reservations about it to be comfortable committing at a point where things have only just begun to be in full swing.
  2. In the last three days, I went from zero phone/Skype interviews to four. I share this so that those of you still waiting to hear from your first program, or who have only heard from a small number, remember that things are about to turn around. Also, before receiving these interview requests, I had seen (from here and from Gradcafe) some departments to which I applied interviewing others. If this applies to you, don't be discouraged! Remind yourself how personalized Ph.D. admissions are; that one department didn't interview you does not signal in any way that you aren't a good fit somewhere else that may not start moving until February. Good luck!
  3. Just wishing everyone well as things start to happen, but are still on the verge of really happening. I'm not particularly confident about my chances, but I'm hoping someone sees something in me. :)
  4. Current applicant who has not yet heard from any school (to my knowledge, only one of my schools has had any activity, based on Gradcafe's self-reported system) checking in to remind all of you that: (1) A lot of people on this very forum last year didn't have their first interview until February. Things picked up a little in the back half of January, but if they don't for you, hang tough well into February. It can turn around! (2) Some people who did not get an interview in the first round of notifications last year were not rejected, but rather wait-listed, so if you've seen a program to which you applied already making some moves, you might not be totally done there. Good luck, and keep your stress low! If you applied, chances are you researched what it takes to get admitted and what programs would be a good fit for you. That doesn't guarantee admission, but it means you at least saw something in your own profile to feel like you had a shot to get in and a chance to succeed if admitted—so it's certainly possible that some department will see that, too!
  5. Sorry to bump my own thread, but I was hoping someone might have input—and if not, could at least tell me what information would help them. My GRE percentiles were 79th quant and 97th verbal, which I realize I omitted. I'm hoping my GMAT quant score is better, but I anticipate from practice that it will again be lopsided. I am no longer considering a return to law school, having spoken to some J.D.-into-Ph.D. students.
  6. Does anyone have any tips for how someone not currently enrolled in school could get research experience? I've looked at universities near me, but it seems the research labs only hire undergrads/master's students at their institution. I never took advantage of these opportunities when I was a student, as I never anticipated developing such an interest in research/academia later on. I'm not looking to get paid; I really just want to be able to prove on my applications (probably waiting a cycle for this very reason) that I am focused, as my profile would currently show both minor research and teaching experience in other concentrations, and as I said, the decision to pursue a Ph.D. came together later, rather than being some lifelong dream I always geared my choices toward. I worry that I will come across as not knowing what I'm getting into, not having the necessary passion, or not having refined enough research interests. I consider it especially concerning that I have a Master's degree in Strategy, but pursued no research experience at that time. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
  7. Sorry for a bit of non-specifics. I'm (1) a little early in the process (perhaps too early for applying this year) and (2) not super keen on revealing my information. I embedded a few questions in italics that go beyond just evaluating my overall profile as presented. Test Scores (GMAT/GRE): I intend to take the GMAT. I took the GRE once years ago for a different program and was really disappointed with my Quant score of 161. 166 Verbal. 6 Analytical Writing, though no one cares. Undergrad GPA: 3.9 at first school (prestigious); transferred to Generic State (non-flagship) for non-academic reasons and graduated 4.0 there; Accounting major; won an academic award from the College of Business Graduate GPA: 4.0 in Strategic Management from a no-name school I had an above-4.0 GPA at a pretty prestigious law school (4.0 scale; A+ is awarded in exceptional circumstances), but did not finish because I did not want to be a lawyer. Would it be worthwhile to complete the degree? I was a little more than halfway done. One concern about looking uncommitted: not only did I not finish the JD, I also went to grad school when I was only 19 and withdrew before getting any grades because I had a, "Why am I in grad school at 19?" moment and needed to pause. Add that to me having transferred as an undergrad, and I worry if I look like a risk. If I went back, would it make sense to get research/publication experience in law, even though that isn't my field? Or would that make me look like I have no true passion, and will just do whatever? Research Experience: I've been an RA twice for law professors. Both were "grinding." One was reading contracts, pulling the relevant part, and coding it in Excel. The paper won a major award in the legal field, but I have literally nothing to do with that beyond having my name mentioned as one of tons of RAs. The other was analyzing cases for a new edition of perhaps the most recognized textbook in a specific subset of business law. I know that impact matters in research experience, and I can't claim any of that in mine. The capstone project for my master's was a glorified lit review that designed new research, but rather than implementing it, hypothesized what would happen based on the past literature. I would not expect this to be important to my application, though it is specifically on one of my research interests in Strategic Management, so would at least help my personal statements to discuss. Teaching Experience: I was a TA in accounting for two semesters and had two sections of recitations. I also held office hours and did individual tutoring. While in law school, I jointly designed and TA-ed a law training program for undergrads with an MBA professor. I also taught in the public schools, which I doubt is even germane enough to mention here. Work Experience: None very relevant, not that it seems any truly is. Tons of irrelevant volunteering and pro bono service, too. Letters: Assume my letters will be inconsequential. In summary: an evaluations of my profile would be appreciated, as would any input on whether this profile is made better by finishing the JD (and, if so, if RA/TA positions in law would matter at all). Thank you so much!
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