Did you read “how does a [sociology] phd work?” or the “so they'll pay me to get a phd?” and have additional questions or something you’d like to add? Ask me anything here and I’ll respond!
Hi! I am a first-generation college graduate and considering a Phd in Sociology. English was not my first language and I'm the first person to graduate high school in my family. I'm worried about my low GPA. I had to work multiple jobs and take care of family members as the eldest immigrant daughter. I've been working for 5 years in social services and I know graduate school will benefit me. I'm planning to get my Masters first, then apply to a PhD program. Any advice? :)
Hi Fadumo! Thanks for asking. I would consider applying to both PhD and Master's programs for a few reasons. You have to pay for most MA programs, an MA in sociology is not particularly useful on the job market and is a park of most PhD programs. So I imagine that if you can write a strong enough application, get solid letters of rec, and frame your work experience in regard to your GPA/application, it would be worth it to shoot for the moon and land on the stars.
*Unless* you're thinking of an MSW, an MPH, or a similarly terminal degree first. Let me know if you have any followup questions!
When is a good time to start looking for/reaching out to sociology programs? Rather, about how long was your process from “yeah I wanna get a PhD in Soc” to “I’ve applied to x number of programs?”
I figured out I wanted to get one in 2016 but decided not to apply in Fall 2016 because I wanted one more year to make sure. So in order to apply in Fall 2017 I started working on my statements and asking for letters of recommendation as early as June 2017. Some people wait until like October, but remember that letter writers are busy, you want strong statements, you gotta take the GRE, you want to narrow down where you're applying, you want to ask for few waivers, and you want your application in sooner rather than later. Does that answer your question?
As a person with a marginalized identity how do you know if academia isn’t the right path for you or if you’re just being offput by a structure that wasn’t made for you? I’m in undergrad having this dilemma now (also a sociology major)
Great question! The structure is *shit* and will turn you off, even if it is the right path for you. So I suggest time off. Take a year or more after undergrad to explore your options. Ask yourself "what would I want to do if it weren't grad school?" and try to do that. You'll then. have a better idea if it's academia or if it's just the world. Additionally: talk to similarly positioned graduate students at your university or at other universities.
Hi Anthony, thank you for sharing your advice. It is very helpful to hear directly from someone who has gone through the process. My question is about switching PhD program as an international student.
Do you have any tips or advice for applying from a non-Sociology social science PhD to work on topics along the lines of gender and work following quantitative/mixed methods?
My main reason for wanting to switch is seeking a more disciplinary training and being allowed to use quantitative methods (which is not the area of strength or methodological inclination at my current program). My conviction to apply to a Sociology program is due to the breadth and depth of theories and methods used in Sociology (compared to Econ which is too mathematical or Poli Sci which is primarily about elections and US politics as taught in USA). Thank you so much in advance.
Any words of wisdom or advice for a person who has not been offered admission this round, but wants to try again. Like the next application season (F2021)
First of all: I'm proud of your for applying and you should be proud as well. Many people do not get in on their first try. I recently got an email from someone looking for advice and so I'll paste some of it here:
1. You are not your grades.
2. You are not your accomplishments.
3. You are not your test scores.
4. Academic credentials do not make your existence, knowledge, or passion any more or less valid.
Graduate school applications and acceptances are about a combination of hard work and luck. Hard work (GPA, work experience, research experience, etc.) and luck (who is on the committee, if who you want to work with is staying that year and can take on students, what kind of competition you're facing, etc).
That being said, and it is important, I can tell you that some of the schools you applied to are high ranking and often have minimums for both GPA (usually 3.0 but they prefer a 3.5 and above) and GRE, including the subject test. This means that sometimes you get knocked out by an algorithm before anyone looks at your application. And many people do not get in on their first try.
Second, I'd talk to your letter writers. Thank them for their letters and ask if they can revise them this year with a focus on specific things. For example, have them openly discuss that your GRE score was lower than many applicants, but you excel in learning, teaching, and research in ways few other students do. Taking control of your narrative in this way helps shape how the programs view you. You can apply to the same program in a different year and get in with the same exact application, but the goal is to always improve.
Third, check to see the fit of your schools. Sure, _______ is a great name, but are there at least two faculty members (not adjuncts) in your desired department that do similar work to you (if not substantively, then methodologically). Cold-contact some of the graduate students with a 1-2 paragraph email about who you are and ask them if you could have 15-30 minutes of their time to ask about their experience at their school and with their advisor/PI. Some won't respond, but I always go for the Black students and those who just seem more down-to-earth, as we're generally more willing to help each other.
Fourth, consider if there are other paths. Maybe you don't apply next year, you apply next. Or maybe you don't apply at all. Trace back your career goal. You can do research without a PhD and a MS, although not usually funded, is an option to consider if that can help you get to where you want to get.
Let me know what followup questions, if any, you have!
This is great. Thank you! This is my second application season. I was traumatized after the first many years ago, as I had applied to the program I was completing my MS at and applied to work with the PI I was already researching with. It was hard to not get in and witness who got in first hand to work with my PI. Now, a little older and a little wiser I’m able to pick up the pieces. Your tips help so much. I only applied to one program this year, due to family, but pls to expand next year. The faculty member I wanted to work with informed me that she was going on sabbatical. So, if my application reached anyone’s desk there was only one other fac member with slightly similar interests. I got unofficial notice that I didn’t get an interview and I’m ready to go back to the drawing board, after a little mental health break, and your advice really helped me to put it all into perspective!
Hi! I am a first-generation college graduate and considering a Phd in Sociology. English was not my first language and I'm the first person to graduate high school in my family. I'm worried about my low GPA. I had to work multiple jobs and take care of family members as the eldest immigrant daughter. I've been working for 5 years in social services and I know graduate school will benefit me. I'm planning to get my Masters first, then apply to a PhD program. Any advice? :)
Hi Fadumo! Thanks for asking. I would consider applying to both PhD and Master's programs for a few reasons. You have to pay for most MA programs, an MA in sociology is not particularly useful on the job market and is a park of most PhD programs. So I imagine that if you can write a strong enough application, get solid letters of rec, and frame your work experience in regard to your GPA/application, it would be worth it to shoot for the moon and land on the stars.
*Unless* you're thinking of an MSW, an MPH, or a similarly terminal degree first. Let me know if you have any followup questions!
Ah, and please do read my first response, the one to "grmg".
When is a good time to start looking for/reaching out to sociology programs? Rather, about how long was your process from “yeah I wanna get a PhD in Soc” to “I’ve applied to x number of programs?”
I figured out I wanted to get one in 2016 but decided not to apply in Fall 2016 because I wanted one more year to make sure. So in order to apply in Fall 2017 I started working on my statements and asking for letters of recommendation as early as June 2017. Some people wait until like October, but remember that letter writers are busy, you want strong statements, you gotta take the GRE, you want to narrow down where you're applying, you want to ask for few waivers, and you want your application in sooner rather than later. Does that answer your question?
As a person with a marginalized identity how do you know if academia isn’t the right path for you or if you’re just being offput by a structure that wasn’t made for you? I’m in undergrad having this dilemma now (also a sociology major)
Great question! The structure is *shit* and will turn you off, even if it is the right path for you. So I suggest time off. Take a year or more after undergrad to explore your options. Ask yourself "what would I want to do if it weren't grad school?" and try to do that. You'll then. have a better idea if it's academia or if it's just the world. Additionally: talk to similarly positioned graduate students at your university or at other universities.
Hi Anthony, thank you for sharing your advice. It is very helpful to hear directly from someone who has gone through the process. My question is about switching PhD program as an international student.
Do you have any tips or advice for applying from a non-Sociology social science PhD to work on topics along the lines of gender and work following quantitative/mixed methods?
My main reason for wanting to switch is seeking a more disciplinary training and being allowed to use quantitative methods (which is not the area of strength or methodological inclination at my current program). My conviction to apply to a Sociology program is due to the breadth and depth of theories and methods used in Sociology (compared to Econ which is too mathematical or Poli Sci which is primarily about elections and US politics as taught in USA). Thank you so much in advance.
Any words of wisdom or advice for a person who has not been offered admission this round, but wants to try again. Like the next application season (F2021)
First of all: I'm proud of your for applying and you should be proud as well. Many people do not get in on their first try. I recently got an email from someone looking for advice and so I'll paste some of it here:
1. You are not your grades.
2. You are not your accomplishments.
3. You are not your test scores.
4. Academic credentials do not make your existence, knowledge, or passion any more or less valid.
Graduate school applications and acceptances are about a combination of hard work and luck. Hard work (GPA, work experience, research experience, etc.) and luck (who is on the committee, if who you want to work with is staying that year and can take on students, what kind of competition you're facing, etc).
That being said, and it is important, I can tell you that some of the schools you applied to are high ranking and often have minimums for both GPA (usually 3.0 but they prefer a 3.5 and above) and GRE, including the subject test. This means that sometimes you get knocked out by an algorithm before anyone looks at your application. And many people do not get in on their first try.
I recommend applying to programs like IRT (https://www.andover.edu/about/outreach/irt/irt-application) to beef up your statements, application, and get a seal of approval of sorts from well recognized national programs.
Second, I'd talk to your letter writers. Thank them for their letters and ask if they can revise them this year with a focus on specific things. For example, have them openly discuss that your GRE score was lower than many applicants, but you excel in learning, teaching, and research in ways few other students do. Taking control of your narrative in this way helps shape how the programs view you. You can apply to the same program in a different year and get in with the same exact application, but the goal is to always improve.
Third, check to see the fit of your schools. Sure, _______ is a great name, but are there at least two faculty members (not adjuncts) in your desired department that do similar work to you (if not substantively, then methodologically). Cold-contact some of the graduate students with a 1-2 paragraph email about who you are and ask them if you could have 15-30 minutes of their time to ask about their experience at their school and with their advisor/PI. Some won't respond, but I always go for the Black students and those who just seem more down-to-earth, as we're generally more willing to help each other.
Fourth, consider if there are other paths. Maybe you don't apply next year, you apply next. Or maybe you don't apply at all. Trace back your career goal. You can do research without a PhD and a MS, although not usually funded, is an option to consider if that can help you get to where you want to get.
Let me know what followup questions, if any, you have!
This is great. Thank you! This is my second application season. I was traumatized after the first many years ago, as I had applied to the program I was completing my MS at and applied to work with the PI I was already researching with. It was hard to not get in and witness who got in first hand to work with my PI. Now, a little older and a little wiser I’m able to pick up the pieces. Your tips help so much. I only applied to one program this year, due to family, but pls to expand next year. The faculty member I wanted to work with informed me that she was going on sabbatical. So, if my application reached anyone’s desk there was only one other fac member with slightly similar interests. I got unofficial notice that I didn’t get an interview and I’m ready to go back to the drawing board, after a little mental health break, and your advice really helped me to put it all into perspective!