<p>I'm new here, and I'm a current undergrad student going for a BA in Communication Studies with minors in Spanish and Sociology. I want to go for an MA in Sociology. I have high ambitions, which include:
U Wisconsin-Madison
U Chicago
UPenn
Princeton
NYU
UT Austin
UNC Chapel Hill
UVA</p>
<p>My current GPA after a year in my undergrad is a 3.81. I plan to keep my GPA between 3.7 and 3.8, and I know most of these schoosl like between the high 500's and mid 600's on GRE's. With enough studying, I think this is feasible. Does anybody have any insight into my potential with these schools and prospects?</p>
<p>P.S. I'm also aware that a Ph.D is an integrated part of most of these grad programs.</p>
<p>I think your GRE scores are going to have to be considerably higher for the better schools on this list–700 or above on each section would be ideal; 650 or better would be acceptable. You will also need some evidence that you can do independent research, and you will need excellent recommendations from your instructors. Get into the honors program in your major, write a senior thesis, cultivate a relationship with professors who will mentor you.</p>
<p>I would say keep your grades up and shoot for high GRE scores. Also leadership positions look really good when applying to grad school so if you could get into a leadership position it would definitely help.</p>
<p>Actually, no, leadership positions don’t matter at all for graduate school. What gradcoms want to see is research experience and/or major-related professional experience. Teaching experience is also a plus for those who want to compete for GTA funding. Other extracurricular activities are essentially irrelevant.</p>
<p>I don’t know a close friend of my family is a Professor at NYU and he has been harping on me since I was young about the things important when applying to graduate schools and he does say that leadership is important. No offense but I would take his word for it especially since he has gone to grad school twice. Though of course research participation is important too.</p>
<p>I speak from experience this application season, along with much conversation with professors, fellow applicants and my father (a Cal Ph.D). Your mileage may vary, some assembly required, batteries not included. :)</p>
<p>I suppose it also probably depends on the program. If you’re going for a Higher Ed Administration/Student Affairs degree, showing experience working in that direction, leading students, etc. would definitely be pretty valuable. So we’re probably just talking past each other en route to the same place. :)</p>
<p>That is very true I know I was always taking about law school in particular. I can see how other programs leadership would be worth little. I agree. :)</p>
<p>Wow. I started a party, lol. I want to go into research/higher ed teaching for Sociology. I actually do have some leadership experience under my belt already, as a Public Relations director for a governing body of off-campus and commuting students. I’ll become their Treasurer in the fall.</p>
<p>I’ll be honest. I attend a state-funded university at the moment. Along with the great academic opportunities, it’s part of the reason why I’m shooting so high for grad school; I feel like a prestigious university in my field will eventually make me more hirable.</p>
<p>That said, I’ve condensed my list a bit. Here we are:</p>
<p>Princeton
NYU
UT Austin
UVA
U Wisconsin-Madison
U South Carolina (I know this is new).</p>
<p>I eliminated Penn and Chapel Hill as I realized my research interests (urban sociology, population, and soc of education) don’t fit as much with them. I’ll also probably apply to a couple of safeties close to home, such as Temple (A state-related U in Philadelphia) and Rutgers New Brunswick.</p>
<p>I would encourage you to pursue undergraduate research opportunities, perhaps a senior thesis program. That’s what will help make your application stand out.</p>
<p>Talk to professors about programs that specialize in your research interests. Visit program Web sites and check faculty pages for research interest listings. Call or e-mail those who you’re interested in working with.</p>
<p>The “best” Ph.D program is the one that best fits what you want to research.</p>