<p>You SOP should address what you have done academically to prepare for the progrram, discuss your research experience, discuss what areas you would like to work in, and what draws you to that school.</p>
<p>Some schools (UC’s for example) will send a diversity essay, and that is the place to discuss your personal background.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. I wasn’t exactly sure what it is that went into a statement of purpose, since I am just starting to think about it. I will probably try for the Masters first to establish a better background.</p>
<p>the masters degrees also require a SOP.</p>
<p>What is a good book you could recommend for studying for the GRE?</p>
<p>i used the kaplan books/cds, as did my friend…my friend, just from studying the books/cds only (no classes) got a 1560 on her GRE…i didnt have as much time to study as her (she at the time wasn’t in school nor did she have a job) but i did all right.</p>
<p>i think that it’s almost more important to get practice with cds rather than just books because most likely you’ll be taking the test on a computer anyway.</p>
<p>Does learning the entire Barron’s 3500 word list really help boost the verbal? (say 100-200pts…or is it a myth…) I just took the powerprep practice…and I think only about 3/28 questions are the words from the list…</p>
<p>I also have questions about the SOP…what if I only have a tentative goal?..right now I’m applying to General Psychology for Masters…and I would like to explore various areas in grad school before I have an ultimate goal…how should I address that? Is it relevant to talk about courses I’ve taken in addition to research experience?</p>
<p>well do not write anything that they can look up themselves in your transcripts/resumes etc unless you plan on going into depth on it…one of these things is classes you’ve taken…</p>
<p>though to digress, in one of my SOPs i recall talking about a specific class as a catalyst for going into my internship, studying a particular language and applying to security policy programs…but by no means did i just say “i am qualified for your program because i took these X classes”</p>
<p>the most important thing to understand about a statement of purpose is that it’s an essay… thus it must have some sort of thesis. A strong SOP is not wishy washy, and it shows the admissions committee exactly who you are. Everything you write about (ie research experience, plans on going to grad school, plans after, etc) must support your original point. You need to PERSUADE and CONVINCE them that you belong at their university. </p>
<p>I had the chance of taking a class for free (because i had connections) that was normally $3,000 on SOP writing and having professionals critique my essays. They continually stated that you need to show how you are unique…and the best way to do that is go into extreme detail. Like sure, many people applying have research experience…so if you just say you have ‘research experience in X subject’ you’re not really defining yourself…they seemed to like short anecdotes specifically relating to your research experience..because the further you go into detail the more they see of YOU and not just some generic person who is just listing information. </p>
<p>If you need any help on it, i’ll be glad to help you out. </p>
<p>In my opinion, the purpose of university beyond your undergraduate schooling is to focus on something that you are interested in researching…you have to have at least an abstract idea of what you’re interested in. I can’t really give you advice because i dont know what universities you are looking at nor do i know much about psych options in general. I just know that international relations programs like the ones i’ve been applying to are highly competitive and that the average age of acceptance in most of these programs is like 26 or 27 (who also have lots of work experience in the field).</p>
<p>^ Thanks for your response. It was really informative.</p>
<p>I also have another question regarding the graduate school application if anyone can answer me. On the application it says “Please list all colleges and universities attended, whether or not part of a regular degree program.”…now, what if I took College Now courses in high school (and College Now program is affiliated with a CC, except courses are taken inside the high school) and the credits were transfered to my undergraduate…would that still count as “other colleges & university attended” even when it’s transfered to my undergrad school?. I’m confused with that statement…since I didn’t physically attend CC…</p>
<p>well were you given a GPA at the CC? like would it be possible order your transcripts from this CC?</p>
<p>if they showed up on your undergraduate record people will see that they transferred over those classes…and they’ll probably wonder where the transcripts are. I took one class at this one CC and i still have to pay the freakin 6 dollars every time a school asks for transcripts..</p>
<p>Sometimes schools only request transcripts if you’ve taken over a certain number of credit hours there. I know my girlfriend only had to send transcripts for the CC class she took one summer to one or two of the schools she applied to.</p>
<p>all the schools that i have applied to say that you have to send transcripts from every university that you’ve spent at least a semester at…i took one class for a single semester; so, i have to send it…plus the class transferred as a GE credit for my major…</p>
<p>it depends on the school, obviously…so just email the admissions programs or search around on the admissions websites for info.</p>
<p>You realize when they say “at least a semester” there’s a good chance they mean as a full time student (four classes), right?</p>
<p>i don’t think so…i have had some schools tell me to send it…and others not to…as i said before, it depends on where you’re applying. </p>
<p>most of them that i applied to said “transcripts from all schools attended”</p>
<p>Boston U: Applicants to every degree program offered by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences are required to submit official transcripts of each college or university attended. </p>
<p>Georgetown: *Applicants for admission must provide hard copy official transcripts of all work beyond secondary school - undergraduate coursework, graduate coursework, study abroad courses, community college courses, and non-degree courses. *</p>
<p>SAIS: Official, sealed transcripts from all college-level course work</p>
<p>Columbia: *An official transcript showing all courses and grades of any academic work from each college and university attended must be submitted. *</p>
<p>…and so on…</p>
<p>Owch, harsh. Guess engineering just cares less about courses than your field. :p</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. Yes I was given a GPA for them. Just that transfered credits does not show the GPA earned in my undergrad transcript. I will look into the admission requirements regarding the transcript.</p>
<p>I have a question on writing samples. I am submitting an excerpt from a long 30+ page research essay - is there any special way to go about this? The chapter I am submitting is easy to understand without the context of the larger paper. Also, my first piece of writing is precisely related to what I want to research in my MPhil, but my second is on another topic completely. Is this a good thing [to show variety] or should I work on sticking close to my subject matter related to the program I am applying for? See, I am applying for Politics of Europe programs and the requirement is to submit works of IR or politics nature. One of my pieces is on the EU in the Doha Round negotiations, the other is on the Global War on Terror and the United States. Should I look for another European piece to submit?</p>
<p>I have read a lot of information here and that is exactly what I am getting with my research…a lot of information and it is quite overwhleming. I need some ideas on what my chances are as an international graduate student in Industrial/occupational Psychology. I graduated from uni with a second lower honours.My country of choice for grad studies is the USA and I’m planning to be in school in September 2010. I’m just taking a break to get work experience. What states have lower tuition, what states will be great for someone coming straight from the tropics, what are my chances of getting some work experience in my field before I return to my country after school, where and when do I stand a better chance og getting financial aid ? help!</p>
<p>I am looking to apply to:</p>
<ol>
<li>Univ. of Southern California,
a. Master of Education, Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs (ME PASA) OR
b. Master of Education, School Counseling (and Pupil Personnel Services Credential)</li>
</ol>
<p>and</p>
<ol>
<li>Univ. of Texas - Austin,
a. Master of Education, Higher Education Counseling OR
b. Master of Education, School Counseling</li>
</ol>
<p>I want to become a College Academic Advisor or a Career Advisor. Does either program require the GRE? </p>
<p>Can I be admitted the year after I finished undergraduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration? </p>
<p>Which alumni network is better around the country or Southern California? (where I would like to settle when the economy is better)</p>
<p>Will a UT - Austin degree be good enough in SoCal or does one need a USC degree to interact with alumni in SoCal?</p>
<p>Does USC give significant financial aid? Would a higher score on the GRE affect financial aid? (I scored a 1250 on the SAT - M 600 CR590 in 2004)</p>
<p>Is it necessary to have an advanced degree to pursue College/Academic Counseling?</p>
<p>What entry-level positions would lead to becoming a College/Academic Counselor or a College/Academic Counselor for high school students preparing for college admission?</p>
<p>hey everyone. i am new here. I juat wanted to ask a few ques. I am an international student.
I have applied to 8 univs for masters in Industrial Engineering for the Fall 2009 term. I got admits from 5 viz Suny Buffalo, Wisconsin, Rutgers, NCSU and UIC
I am waiting for replies from Pennstate, Michigan and UIUC.
Can i know which is the best univ amoung the 5 i got accepted from?
Also needed to know about the job scenario in the univs presently since i have not received any aid?</p>
<p>RUtgers is a great school with very strong sciences!! There are also tons of jobs in the area both on and off campus–for example, RU has several sport center/gyms on campus, and you could easily find a job as a desk monitor or something and just sit and relax while watching people exercise. furthermore, there are also tons of restaurants and shops in the new brunshwick area so jobs are pretty easy to get.</p>