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I am taking the GRE on Dec 14, so I don't think I'll have the official scores back in time for the Dec 17 deadline application for LSE. The GRE scores on the application are self reported so I will be able to enter my Q and V scores but for the Analytical section I won't know until 10-15 days after the 14th, it won't let me apply unless I put something down there so what should I do? Is my only hope to just guess what I'm going to get on the analytical section and pray the actual results match my guess?

So I'm an undergraduate research assistant at my university right now but I don't necessarily think what I'm doing is going to be a strong signal to graduate programs - I could be wrong, but it's a lot of general news research, data collection and input, some light data analysis, minimal programming, and a touch of writing. I enjoy the work and it pays well but I guess I'm not sure what type of RA position I should be looking for in this. Some help would be appreciated. Also, I plan to do an undergraduate thesis- any tips for that? I think I'd be doing more of an empirical thesis but is a theory-thesis possible as an undergrad? If so, what kinds of preparation/exposure would I need beforehand?

Guys I can't believe I'm writing this, because even disregarding the two wait lists I am on I got some offers I would be thrilled to take. But, due to some purely personal factors it looks like I might have to give up on going to a program this fall. If this happens, I don't want to give up on my dream and I plan to reapply in 2 years and I'm furiously trying to set up a backup plan in the meantime. I would be moving to a major East coast city, which I guess is lucky given the prevalence of universities there. I guess my two options if I still want to do my PhD are: 1) Get an RA position -- this would possibly increase my competitiveness, right? Easier said than done, though, particularly given my relatively weak programming skills and lack of formal training. 2) Get a consulting job -- I assume this would more or less maintain my current level of competitiveness (my letter writers will all stand by me just as strongly in two years, I've talked to them and I go to a tiny school) And, regardless, I guess try to take some math classes. Does anyone have any advice for me? What else can I do to maintain or increase competitiveness? My nightmare is that I have to decline my offers, don't line up EITHER of these two options, and then my window of opportunity is closed forever.