I have no idea how graduate school works (help me out here)

Graduate School
1

<p>I will be graduating from college with a double major in political science and women's studies, and a minor in sociology. However, I think that I want to study sociology in graduate school. </p>

<p>I will most likely graduate from a state school with GPA somewhere between a 3.75 and a 3.8 (probably closer to the latter...I messed up a little my freshman year). However, I am not a member of the honors program at school and I haven't really taken part in many extra-cirricular activities or research programs (I actually haven't even seen any programs offered that would fit my studies). </p>

<p>Assuming I do at least moderately well on the GRE, what kind of school should I aim for? Top 20? Upper tier? A school whose ranking is just "average"? I have no idea what graduate admissions look for and don't know where to aim. I'd like to get in as well known and challenging of a program as possible.</p>

2

<p>[The</a> University of Chicago Department of Sociology](<a href=“http://sociology.uchicago.edu/graduate/apply.shtml]The”>http://sociology.uchicago.edu/graduate/apply.shtml)</p>

<p>December 10th deadline for application.</p>

3

<p>First, look in the Graduate School Admissions 101 thread- very useful. Then ask your professors- they’re your biggest source of information. After all, they are the ones who are going to be writing your LORs and guiding you to places that they think you have a reasonable chance of getting in. Then come back to us with more specific questions.</p>