1. Thegradcafe.com is an enormously frustrating, stressful website.
2. If this newly discovered bane of my sanity is to be trusted from last year, I may be hearing from the University of Maryland very, very, very soon. A bunch of acceptances went out February 16th and 17th last year, then apparent silence till mid-March when a few more acceptances and wait-lists, and a ton of rejections were passed out. If this one pulls through I will be a happy camper.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
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Ugh, don't read gradcafe... as you say, too much stress. And too much stupid amidst the good info.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't mind indulging a little idle curiosity, did you have to write essays for your applications? What were the topics?
ReplyDeleteThe essay is a personal statement - different schools require different lengths, but they all expect you to go over your reasons for applying, research experience, research interests, and career goals. You cover those bases and then you cram in as much defense of how smart you are as you can. Some of my schools specifically asked for which textbooks you used in class, etc. That's the only essay you end up writing.
ReplyDeleteI've heard it said that these are primarily used to assign students to advisors - that most of the weight is placed on transcripts and especially the letters of recommendation (usually three).
Daniel,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the above info on essay. Do you think it's prudent to write in the SOP that you have consulted a particular professor while preparing your application or that you find the writings of a particular professor relevant for your research - implying that you would like to get this professor as adviser?
Also, does one have to include a full-fledged research proposal with the application?
Saindhavi -
ReplyDeleteI don't think you should necessarily note that you've consulted a particular professor. Have you consulted them yet? If you haven't, I might not consult them. I've heard that that can come across as pestering to them.
I would definitely note if a particular professor's research has been interesting to you for the reason you note - to highlight your interest in having them as an advisor. But also just to show that you are familiar with the literature and that there is something specific you like about the department.
Generally, I think a full-fledged research proposal is not a good idea in SOPs. Applicants don't know everything they'll need to know to start their research. I think you ought to be able to write two or three sentences (perhaps longer if you can write a long SOP) describing the specific direction you want to go, but no more than that. I think you should discuss your research interests more broadly. Enough to show that you know why you want to go there and that you're familiar with the issues out there, but not so detailed that you look naive.
Daniel,
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for these very helpful suggestions. I did send a brief mail to the Chair, explaining how the department's research matches my research interests, because of which I wish to apply there. I have not yet asked the potential supervisor and thankfully I asked you before contacting them.
Some of the forms ask the questions, "Have you talked to a professor?" and "Would you like to have any particular professor as your advisor?"
I took these questions to mean that I have to find a supervisor before applying.