<p>Hi everyone! I'm new here, and while I'd rather not start an entire thread dedicated to my own questions and problems, I will any ways. :) Hopefully it might spawn discussion that will help others as well.</p>
<p>I'm in the process of applying to PhD programs in sociology. I'm about to graduate from Ohio State as a Political Science and Sociology double major. My GPA isn't as high as I'd like it to be. Slacked off a bit my first year and ended up with quite mediocre grades. I have a 3.35 gpa now, and my sociology gpa is 3.8. I'm about to complete my senior thesis in a few weeks, as well as take the GRE in early November. (Yeah, I'm a last minute person.) I'm not worried about prestige so much. All the programs I'm applying to fall within the top 10 or 15. UC Berkeley is my 'dream' school - not just because it is ranked number one, but because some of the professors there I'd love to work with. Their work (labor movements especially) are exactly the field of research I want to go into and what my thesis is based upon. My letters of rec are coming from professors I know very well and have taken several classes with; one being my thesis advisor and another being a professor I did an independent study class with. </p>
<p>Should I apply to Berkeley, even though I don't have a stellar gpa? I know my GRE isn't here to evaluate yet- I've always been a good test taker, but I know the computer based test is a whole other animal, lol. I've been preparing a lot for it, though.</p>
<p>I'm worried about the cost of applying to several schools. So is it worth it for me to apply to Berkeley, or is it simply a lost cause due to gpa factors? I feel the need to be as realistic as possible, as I don't want to waste money I hardly have. </p>
<p>Sorry for the novel, and any insight or suggestions are much appreciated!</p>
<p>But for sociology, it’s SO competitive. Most programs take less than 10 students a year from a pool of hundreds of applications. It’s not unusual to hear of a typical sociology applicant to apply to at least 12 programs. I’m not quite sure how my roommate got in, straight out of undergrad, but she said certainly that she was one of the only two in her cohort of at least 12 students to come straight out of undergrad. </p>
<p>What do your professors at OSU say? They have their own graduate program, correct? They should really give you a realistic picture of what it means to be applying to sociology PhD programs.</p>
<p>If getting into a PhD is VERY important to you, then you DO need to spend the money. But if you want to be more cautious, again, use your professors who can give you more realistic list of schools to apply to. Once you get the GREs in your hand, it’ll be more helpful.</p>
<p>Well, I am not trying to get into the PhD program itself right away, but most sociology programs you have to apply for the PhD program with the assumption you get the MA along the way. </p>
<p>I am planning on applying to about 6 or 7 programs, all in the top 20 or so, but different ranks. </p>
<p>I haven’t talked too specifically about which programs I am applying to yet with my profs. One prof encouraged me to apply nationally, as I was at first just going to apply to schools (not as good) in my state alone. </p>
<p>I will read through Grad Admissions 101 more. One thing that is giving me the courage to apply to more prestigious programs is the fact programs tend to look kindly upon undergrad research experience and detailed future research goals. </p>
<p>I have been thinking about working for a few years instead, but I feel I really want to go to grad school now. It’s what I want to do and I have a specific field/topic I want to study, and from what I’ve read on here, that seems to be a good indicator you are ready for grad studies. However, I am still debating the option of just working. What job, I haven’t a clue :)</p>
<p>Grad school and undergrad are completely different animals. </p>
<p>Your GPA is perfect for grad school. No one cares if its 3.8 or 4.0. This isn’t like HS. </p>
<p>Your GRE is critical. You should have those results first to narrow where your options will be. </p>
<p>What do you mean by top 10-15? USNWR is no longer relevant. Hopefully you mean the top schools as seen by sociologists, and in your area specialization/interest (given you have one). The fculty you work with (hopefully you have been doing research with them as its critical for grad school), should be directing where you should apply. They will have ties to these schools, know the best match for your focus, and write letters on your behalf or call their friends…you aren’t just throw into a pool with thousands of others.</p>