I just read excerpts from your website, "Getting In: An Applicant's Guide to Graduate School Admissions."

I must say, I very much enjoyed reading it. Although I stumbled upon the site after applying to grad school, I can tell you that most of it is totally on the mark.

I'm starting my PhD in Art History at Brown University in September and that's because I did most of the things you outline on that site. It really is a wonderful resource.

Great job!

Abe

What were some expectations and/or perceptions you had about graduate school prior to applying? How did you go about choosing your graduate program? Is there anything you wish you had known prior to applying that would've been helpful or saved you a lot of time?

Dare I call you my guardian angel? I am a soul that wears a sign reading, "graduate school or bust", and I fear the latter may have a higher probability or the two. I am Miss Maria Average, and sadly so in every sense of the word. Though I am not applying, as of this moment, to any school that holds the key to my academic future, I email you for some guidance.

I have 3.0 GPA, though is still awaiting 2 more semesters worth of grading. I have not taken my GREs yet and already have three letters of recommendation. My question to you is, do you think I should continue for one more semester to boost my grades before I begin the actual process of applying?

How long you have been out of grad school? Nowadays no referee can show you what they say about you since you MUST waive the right to read the letters they put together for you. If you do not waive the right prospective universities will not even take you app into consideration. I cannot put a reference letter on file anywhere and then ask to send it out. Any reference letter, to be official, goes from the prof to the recipient program. What is your stance?

How did you get over your fears of being rejected a second time? I'm still facing that fear and it has hindered the process of apply to grad school greatly.

When I first applied to grad school, I followed your advice and sent four emails out to four faculty members I was interested in. But I only got a reply from one who was fairly neutral about their opinion of my research interests. She proceeded to label my research as consonant to their dept's, suggesting I contact a 5th member and letting her know about the affinities between my work and hers. Needless to say I never got a reply, and despite that very same positive contact being on the selecting committee, they ultimately rejected my application.

Is this unusual?

One point that you do not mention is the average number of years grad students (I am particularly interested in PHDs) apply before getting in. When is it time to give up? I still feel like that time is very far, but a ballpark will help when it will be time for disillusion.

In your graduate admissions endeavors have you come across individuals who during their graduate academic experience struggled academically (failed) left the institution they were attending before they might be asked to leave, reapplied to that the same institution, and obtain the graduate degree?

If I contact the univ and give them my test details and other info, can they tell me if I can get an admission?

I have a question about the GRE. I'm a horible test taker and have taken the GRE and gotten terrible scores, yet I have a masters in Sociology. Would you recommend Princeton Review or Kaplan for me? I'm really intimidated by the GRE. Thanks!