Has anyone studied for the new GRE? I am looking for the best way to study for it. I'd like to score in the 90th percentile.

Hi!

Is anyone here applying to divinity school, have information or advice about applying to divinity school, or have suggestions for communities that do? I'm unable to find anything in the tags or memories. Any resources or information you could offer would be wonderful. Sorry to be so general, but because I saw absolutely nothing I thought generalities would be most effective.

Thanks!

Hey, you all have been so helpful in the past. I have a general question:

what dossier sites would you recommend? I'd like to find a convenient web location so I can have my letters of rec uploaded and available and ready for me to send out (with or without a fee) without needing to burden my prof with making sure things get sent to the right schools. I anticipate 1. applying to at least 6 programs and 2. possibly needing to reaccess these letters later on (in case I don't get in/for fulbright/if i decide to wait another year)

advice?

thanks

Hi everyone!

I'm a senior finishing up my undergrad degree in psychology this coming december and (supposedly) applying for grad programs this fall/winter.

I'm kind of panicking because despite researching all of my choices I can't decide what would be best for me. I originally was going to go for my MSW and become a therapist but then once I got some research experience I started thinking more about getting a phD or PsyD in clinical psych. I know the pros and cons of each but I honestly just don't know what I want or what I would be best at. I know that phd programs in clinical psych are extremely competitive and I don't know if I'm qualified to bother applying or not. By the time I graduate I'll have 1.5 years in one lab ending with an honors thesis and 6+ months (working full time 40 hrs a week for part of that) in another lab. My gpa is a 3.75 and I've yet to take the GRE. I think I could get into masters programs with that but knowing the kind of candidates that apply to phD programs (many that have a masters or took time off to get more research experience) I'm almost worried people would laugh at me for applying to those despite my glimmer of hope that my research interests are pretty specific and not as popular as some others.I've got 3 LOR writers in mind but I'm terrified at the thought of asking them because I'm so wishy-washy about what I want and my future plans. I kind of thought of just applying to a bunch of different programs (MSW, PhD, and PsyD) and then just seeing where I get in but I imagine again that doesn't look very good to LOR writers.

I was originally thinking of taking some time off but knowing I'm already graduating late and have loans payments coming up I'd rather not if i don't have to. I'm the type of person that likes to plan things and have a schedule so all this uncertainty is really hard for me.

Also something I'm worried about: what should have been my sophomore year I transferred schools for 1 year and my GPA tanked due to personal health issues. I came back to my original university and my grades have been fine since but I realized I'll still have to include that transcript because I opted to use the credits I earned at that other school. Do I have to explain this in my personal statement? Are they going to ask about it in interviews? I realize it looks really bizarre to randomly switch schools like that but I can't exactly take it back at this point.

Any input, particularly from people who are familiar with clinical psych grad school options would be really helpful. Thanks!

Hello all. I'm posting to this community for the first time, hoping for a bit of advice regarding a change of field.
I have finished my Bachelors in Bioinformatics and was originally planning on applying for Masters in the same field and ultimately a phD to become a research scientist. Along with this I have been a digital artist by hobby. Currently, after graduating, I ended up getting a job in a game development company as a digital artist. This happened because after much effort in applying for jobs and internships in the academic field/ industry, I could not find anything, and decided to pursue my hobby until I get into a graduate school abroad. I am passionate about both Science and Art, which has lead me to a crossroad where I want to become an artist professionally, but also don't want to give up on Bioinformatics as it fascinates me. However in my country I am finding digital art to be a more rewarding field with regards to growth in industry and job opportunity. It is also something I am more comfortable with, so I have decided to pursue art as a profession.

My question is, is this a wise thing to do? I have no formal art education, but I am a fairly good artist with my boss and art director advising me to grow professionally in this field. Is it possible to get admitted into an Art graduate program without a Bachelors degree in it?
Also, I am not familiar with what to apply for exactly. I am not a graphics designer, nor am I interested in it. Presently my work responsibilities include 2D Illustrations and I am being trained in game development. I am interested in 3D art and computer programming. What sort of graduate program/education would you advise me to consider and what University/Grad school would be an appropriate choice to go to?
Would New Media in UIUC be a good choice to apply to?

Thanks!

It's April 15th, decision day, which means it's time for the official 9th annual "Where are you going to grad school?" post! (damn that makes me feel old!)

Where are you going to grad school? Please share the school and program you are going to be attending next year!

For applying to grad school, what is the best way to get letters of recommendation from profs whom I haven't had any contact with in over 2 years? It just seems weird. The way I plan to do it, I would get one from the ESL program and one from the Anthropology program. The latter I haven't had any contact with in about 3 years. I just don't know the best way to go about this when it's been so long. Should I bring my undergraduate portfolio with me and make appointments in person? At least I can give them samples of the work I did in undergrad so they can write an honest recommendation letter? I'm not sure how much/if they'll remember my role as a student otherwise.

Gracias,

Christy

So I've decided that next year I'm going to expand things a bit and apply to some screenwriting MFA programs. I'm looking at programs now, and a lot of them seem to have specific writing prompts they want applicants to submit. This is going to take a long time because some of them have a lot of different things they want, and I'd like to get started early. Does anyone know if these prompts tend to change from year to year, or if schools usually use the same ones for every application cycle?

I'm strongly considering going back to school and getting my MPH. Hopkins offers an online-based program with some on-campus work (only 20 percent), and I'm thinking I'd like to do that at some point.

I completed a postbacc certificate in public health from Albany, with six "core" courses of the MPH, as they put it -- epidemiology, general principles of public health, environmental health, statistics, social and behavioral aspects, and organization/delivery/finance. I've also got a master's degree in journalism, and a bachelor's in English (with two bio course as part of that degree's program requirements). And I suck at math. When I took stats for that certificate, I got a C.

Hopkins' website says it requires a strong quantitative background, and at least two health/bio related courses. I'm fortunate in that my employer is affialiated with a major university, and pays 100 percent of tuition fees. And that I've been accepted to said university as a nondegree student, taking classes for credit.

Aside from statistics, what else should I take to make me a competitive student for the Hopkins program? As long as it's realted to health, math, or communications, my employer will pay for one course a semester (including summer -- we get $5,000 per academic year).

This is what I'm considering so far as options, based on what's offered for summer and fall for 2012:

* Algebra?
* Basic applied stats
* Health communications
* Abnormal psych
* Brain and behavior
* Psychology of gender

There's surprisingly little bio, and I don't think that ecology would do me much good. Genetics, maybe.

hi, I have a question. One of my schools stated changing deadlines for notifying applicants. First, I was told the end of March. Then I was told April 1 all decisions would be made. When I called I did not identify myself. However, I called the department yesterday and the admin requested my number and name for them to call me back with the status of my application. Should I call again today to see what's going on or if I am "on the fence", which I suspect is what is delaying my decision, is calling everyday a bad idea? 

Hello lovely people,

You all helped me so much through my first search for a grad school. Now I'm at it again. I'll graduate with my MA/MFA in children's literature in July of 2013, and it's time to start thinking about PhD applications, because I want to continue doing research and working in my fields.

I'm really interested in disability studies and children's literature, not as two separate areas of study, but the way one can be applied to the other. So I'm looking for schools that have at least some faculty willing to support research in both areas. I'm most interested in programs willing to examine more contemporary media in addition to canonical texts. 

Also, I have a disability (I'll save the whole story for the personal statement) and I don't drive, so location has to be an issue. Obviously, suggest programs anywhere, but I'll have to make sure I could get around in the area.

Also, I'm not tied to the typical english PhD. I'd be willing to do something more interdisciplinary, like the Childhood Studies program starting at Rutgers. 

Any ideas, or professors, or programs that I might gell with send them my way!

Hi, I'm graduating undergrad in May and am going to take a year off from school before going to grad school for an MSW next September and then become a licensed therapist/counselor. I already have three people to write my LoR, but haven't sent them an e-mail or anything asking them to begin writing them.

1. Is it too early to have them write the letters right now?
2. I have an Interfolio account, where the professors can upload their LoR onto and I can send the letter to the grad school online through Interfolio. My question is, let's say I'm applying to 5 grad schools and 3 of them have a LoR form they want filled out. Do I have the professors fill out all 3 different forms, AND a general letter for the Interfolio website for the other 2 grad schools? Each professor would then write 4 LoR, which seems really extensive.
3. Also, can I use these letters next year if I have them written now?

Thanks!

Just wanted to let everyone know that MSU's MSW Part time Flint program acceptance letters are heading out. I just got mine! Good Luck to everyone!!

Here's my situation: I did a bachelor's in science; I'm currently working at an academic pharmacology laboratory. I soon realized that, as much as I like science, this is not the career path for me. I want to see if I can gain admission into either the NYU or Columbia summer publishing courses in 2013.

- First off, does anyone have personal experience with either the Columbia or NYU Publishing course? Would you be willing to dialogue with me?

- Second off, my coursework was in science. I went to UC Berkeley and graduated in three years (rushed through it, I'll admit) with a 3.6 GPA. So, not stellar, and I didn't have time to take much other than science courses. I'm currently working on a copyediting certification through UC Berkeley Extension, and I'm also working part-time at a library, so I have at least 1-2 solid letters of rec I can rely on.

But! I'd like to audit a class at the university where I work (UCI) over the summer. If all goes well, I'd like to ask that professor for a letter of rec. How strange is it to ask for a letter of rec from a class you've audited? Should I be searching for alternatives? I would pay for the class, but the honest truth is -- I simply don't have the funds to shell out for a $1600 4-unit class.

Thanks in advance!

I'm looking for PhD programs that combine psychology/sociology and film studies. Ultimately, I'd like to make documentaries about social issues and also teach at the academic level. I know of MFA film programs, but I feel like an academic career is more guaranteed with a PhD.

Does anyone know of any PhD programs that combine film and psychology/sociology?

Thanks!!

Apparently I forgot to ask one of my LORs! I'm freaking about it because the due date is the 31st. I plan to overnight his form and want to send an overnight envelope to him.

If I want to be competitive for a certain positions in a museum which require academic credentials, should I seek a MA/PhD in Art History to complement a MA in Museum Studies (which I already have)? If so, should I seek a MA or a PhD?

I am investigating all my options to advance my career in museums, and I could go in several directions, especially when it comes to graduate school. I would love some input. (I include my academic and professional experience subsequently.) ( Complexities therein )

If this is helpful to weigh the above, I include:

( My background, professional and academic )

***

In any event, I would appreciate some guidance. Suggestions for graduate programs, which appear to align with my interests, are extremely welcome. Thank you for your time.

What is a good guide to all the Sociology graduate programs, separated by location, professor research interests, degree focus, etc. Preferably in book form.

I'm looking for something like the APA's "Graduate Study in Psychology" series, but for Sociology.

Thanks!

Also, I got rejected by all 7 of my PhD programs, so if anyone wants to commiserate, let it rip.

hi, so my letter writer agreed to write a letter. I no longer attend the school where he teaches. Would it be OK for me to mail everything to their school address, or should I suck it up and go in person to their office hours? I am very shy so do not want to go to the office hours. But, will this make a difference in my letter? Maybe I can make an excuse like "I no longer attend school here and live an hour away so I hope its OK that I mail you everything" Please advise...

I am so mad at my recommendation letter writers.

One of the schools I'm applying to emailed me and said they will be withdrawing my application because I still have an incomplete application due to the non-submission of recommendation letters. I really wanted my application to be judged fairly and I be accepted or not based on its merits not because my professors keep ignoring my emails and visits.

I guess I just really need to know if this would impact any future reapplications to the university. And if anyone else has gone through this

(I just really needed to vent to people who know what I'm going through)

Hello all.  I'm planning to apply to MFA programs in creative writing this fall (for fall 2013 start, hopefully).  I'm already working on getting things together (some of it just mental planning at this point.  For right now, I'm just researching schools online and working prolifically on a novella). I have some general questions, though. 

1) When it comes to the Statement of Purpose and giving the school an idea of the subject matter in one's writing, do you think it's somehow not okay to say that your fictional stories come by and large from personal experiences?  Most writers I know of write from personal experiences (sometimes very overtly, sometimes less so, but almost always to some extent).  I am just wondering if I should NOT state explicitly that I do so.  Does that somehow make me look amateur?  Mind you, I choose personal experiences that have some sort of cultural/social significance, not just my mundane daily life. 

2) Also, if a school just says 12-20 pages of your fiction, but does not specify whether they want that from one work, or several pages from two different works, what would you do?  I'm inclined to think two to show some range.  But is there some advantage to just sending 15 pages from one work?

3) When a school's website doesn't specify, are both the writing sample and the statement of purpose supposed to be double spaced?  Or is it writing sample double spaced and statement of purpose single spaced?  I have an M.A. in English Literature already, and when I applied for that program, I double-spaced the writing sample but not the statement of purpose.  I've noticed that some schools' websites are saying to double space even the statement of purpose, but other schools say nothing.  To me, it makes sense to double-space the writing sample but not the statement of purpose.  What would you do if the school said nothing about it on its website? (And I know some of this is supposed to be asked of the school itself, but I'm assuming it would take forever to get a reply and/or they're annoyed by little technical questions that this community would be more open to addressing).

Thanks in advance...

I've been scouring through residency requirements for tuition and fees and haven't seen anything related to my situation. I'm an American citizen with a valid driver's license from California, but I've been living (full residency) in Europe for three years. If I'm accepted by the program to which I applied, I'll be living in a different American state and probably registering to vote/getting my driver's license changed to that state.

Has anyone encountered a similar situation? I have no idea if they will consider my residency that of California, despite not having lived there for years, or if I have a good chance of being considered a resident in my program's state because I have no American residence elsewhere.

ETA: Just found this entry:
http://applyingtograd.livejournal.com/3839536.html
However if you know anything about extended international residency I'd still love to hear from you.

Thanks for any help!

Hi everyone,

I'm nearing the end of my first year of my Master's in Women, Gender and Sexuality studies and I need to make a decision regarding whether or not to do a thesis.

I'm interested PhD programs in Literature with concentrations in Gender and Sexuality (My top two schools are currently UNC Chapel Hill and University of Florida). I want to use my M.A. to get a broad basis in a wide variety of areas which would lend towards doing the non-thesis option, however, I've heard that doing a master's thesis looks better on a PhD application.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Will it hurt my chances to not do a master's thesis?

So, why would an undergraduate who is about to apply for a PhD in UPenn and Columbia? Being, most likely, unqualified for it?

Because of the funding. I did because of the funding. However, I have already gotten my rejection letters from both colleges.
Yet, before I throw myself into despair, I want to say there's still a light in the gloom. I applied for NYU,which is my first option, and I checked the square that said I was unsure if I wanted my app to be considered for the Master's Program. I was unsure back then, because I didn't know if the local funding program would take on late apps as well, but it turns out they do.

So now I'm not looking forward to being accepted for a PhD in NYU, but I want to be accepted for a Master's Program in Irish Lit at Glucksman House. I hope that calls haven't started (I'm an international student; I think I don't get calls), and, even if they have, since I have not received anything, I please want you to tell me if you think I have a chance for the MA.

Pros:

I have a 3.7 GPA (converted).
I have a really high TOEFL PBT score (657)
I actually solved the GRE Subject Test, and I got a 630, which, based on other comments I have read, is quite acceptable.
I got a great score in the Writing Section of the GRE (5.5). 
I was very specific in my personal statement. I said I loved the program they offered (which I do: it was the Glucksman Ireland House program the one that turned my eyes to American universities, for I was looking for Irish ones before) and I also admitted to loving poet Anne Carson, who is a member of their faculty. I also mentioned who would I like to work with and my experience teaching.

Setbacks:

My recommendation letters were written... one by a great professor, the other by very young professors. I asked the head of the department for one, but he never sent it and the deadline was looming, so I had to ask a professor who was available.
My GRE scores in the Quantitative section and Verbal section were 510 and 610, respectively. I have been told those are low scores and may undermine my great writing score.
I haven't graduated yet: I am waiting for the date of my defense.
And, of course, I checked the box that said I was unsure about my app being considered for a Master's Program. (I was so unsure then).


As for my writing sample, it was taken from my thesis: my thesis is about the role of absence in Irish Literature, and I chose a chapter about Seamus Heaney and his relationship with absence. I will not say it is good or bad (even though my professors liked it) because that depends on who reads it, but I think it shows I'm interested in Irish Studies.

So, please, and don't pull any punches: I'm not expecting a PhD now, but do you think I'll be accepted for a Master's?

Not so much an advice post, but mostly I just needed to flail and weep somewhere and everyone in real life is probably getting sick of listening to me.

I got my first rejection last weekend, was rather stowic about the whole thing, and just had the "Well, I just want to know," mindset. Well... be careful what you wish for. Thursday one of my schools started making calls, and I saw on grad cafe that another one had started yesterday/today. I have received calls from neither (University of Missouri and U Penn respectively). I've been trying to tell myself that "it's not the end of the world, these are really good schools with few slots," but it isn't really cutting the pill. I desperately wanted both of these schools, and potentially losing both of them in a few days is killing me.

On top of this, I looked at my writing sample today, for the first time since submitting it. It's a thesis-like paper I've been working on. I'd done some work on it--I knew it wasn't perfect, but my professor was taking forever getting it back to me, and application deadlines are application deadlines. Well, I took a look at it again today, the copy my professor finally got back to me with necessary corrections, at the beginning of Feb... and holy mother of God are there a lot of mistakes. Big things, and little things like extra spaces and misplaced commas.

With one for sure rejection, two that are, the longer it goes, becoming implicit, and only two schools left to hear from (unless I get a miracle and it takes these schools longer than a few days to make their calls), plus a thesis crunch, I feel like I'm about to lose my mind. I feel absolutely sure this writing sample disaster is going to keep me from getting accepted anywhere, and I just want to cry. There's nothing I can do about it now, but it's just horrific to contemplate the fact that I've probably shot myself in the foot and that I have to potentially go through this hell again next year. This was my second round (I got into a masters last year, but it was my undergrad institution, and their admissions criteria is... not confidence-building).

I apologize for the literary record of the meltdown I'm having right now; I just had to get it off my chest somewhere, in hopes of grasping at a little of my insanity. Thanks if you read. Feels a little better to unload...

They had the only program in the nation that was exactly what I want to do... I'm not even sure if I will even get into grad school now and I feel discouraged about the whole thing. I haven't finished my other applications and now I don't even want to turn them in. I'm really freaking depressed right now. On top of that I was recently diagnosed Bipolar II, and I haven't been emotionally stable for two months, and that's right about the same amount of time I haven't been able to see my therapist. Once I started getting a little stable this happens.

Hi all,
I'm trying to work out a school visit and need some input. (This is for an MPA program.) Option 1: Go to admitted students day. Option 2: Visit another weekend when my friend who is a current student is available and do the school visit on my own.

I asked the graduate recruiter for advice. Option 1 would entail a day of organized activities (current student & faculty panels; info sessions on studying abroad & financial aid; etc.), the chance to meet all of the admitted students who show up, 100+ current students to speak with, and no actual classes but class-like mini-lectures to sit in on. Option 2 would include getting to explore the city with my friend, a meeting with a graduate office administrator, a meeting with someone from career services to talk about jobs after graduation, lunch with a current student who shares my professional interests, actual classes to sit in on, and the option to meet with a faculty member of my choice.

My biggest questions about this school are:
(a) Could I tolerate living in this city for two years?
(b) Is the curriculum right for me?
(c) Will I find a job my home-region if I go to a far-away, slightly isolated school?

What would you do?

One of my recommendation letter writers (my former editor actually) just informed that he can't do my recommendation letters, despite the fact he already agreed and that I already sent him the forms months ago.

The schools emailed me saying that they have not received my recommendation letters so of course I panicked because it's nearing that time when committees meet.

I now need to find another recommendation letter writer who will be able to write one really really fast but my question is, will this affect how admissions committees look at my application? I'm applying to Journalism programs by the way.

I'm planning to ask my current boss, but people tell me her position is still too low for admissions comms to hold her recommendation in high regard. She's currently a sub-editor, compared to my former boss who was promoted to Research Head. I don't think her position will matter but now I'm worried. Will admissions committees look at her position and go hmmm...?

Hello,
So this is my 2nd draft of my SoP and Im looking for some more feedback. My old one is a few posts below. Let me know what you think. Thank You!

( Read more... )

My only application was due February 1, and one of my recommenders still has not submitted my letter. I emailed him about it 4 days ago, ensuring that he got the request from the school to submit a letter. He said he had, but now, 6 days later (and 10 days late), I have no recommendation letter.

I'm worried that I may need to ask someone else, because I think his letter would be the strongest of the three required.

What should I do?

Edit: Not final, but only application. Early morning brain sans caffeine is bad.

OK, I know this question can be pretty annoying, but I'd appreciate your help, a lot. Mainly because I'm on the waiting game and terribly nervous!

I'm a Mexican student who applied for graduate education to NYU, Columbia, and UPenn. My goal is to study English. However, I applied to the combined MA/PhD program for all these colleges, because I want my education to be fully-funded. People have told me it's horribly difficult to get in, and since my confidence is starting to drop, I will share with you my qualifications and ask for your opinion. Please?

My GRE scores were 610 in Verbal, 510 in Quantitative, and 5.5 in Analytical Writing.
I took the PBT TOEFL, and my score was a 657 with a 5 in the Writing part.
I took the Literature GRE, and got a 630.
My letters of recommendation were written by a fairly well-known professor, the chairman, and one professor that is pretty young...
And, what I think could make it harder for me (I'm shaking) is the fact that I am not an official graduate--I'm still waiting for the date for my thesis defense. I hope that by April it will all be over, though.

These are my qualifications. Could you give me your honest opinions, please? Just to be safe, I'm applying for local scholarships, in case I am accepted for a MA, and applying to Trinity College Dublin. In fact, I'm also thinking about applying to a college that is not so selective, such as Marshall. If you could help me by giving your opinion on these decisions I will really appreciate it as well. 

I already looked at the old posts here but I couldn't find some answers to my questions.

One of the schools I'm applying to asked for a Skype interview. What is the protocol for this?

I already added the interviewer to my contacts on Skype even if the interview is not until next week. Should I call her first or wait for her to call me on Skype? I assume that I have to be in professional looking wear but should I conduct the interview in an area, that's well, not my bedroom where my computer is usually parked so it looks more professional?

I plan to print out my application for reference but is there anything else I should have handy with me during our interview? Also, I don't really use my Skype often because my Internet tends to lag so should I inform the interviewer about this problem before hand?

I should also mention that since I'm GMT+8, the interview will happen at midnight my time.

Sorry it sounds like a lot but I'm really nervous because this is the first time I've gotten to this point. I tell myself it's like a job interview but I tend to be a rambling mess in those it's a wonder I'm employed.

Thanks in advance

I was just wondering if this might hurt my chances of gaining admittance to my program of choice. Being the neurotic fool that I am I sent an e-mail asking the senior administrative assistant about my chances. The e-mail read something like "my gpa from this school is X my gpa from my other school is X would this make admission unlikely?" I then a few months later sent another e-mail asking about the prerequisite classes and if not competing them all would hurt my chances. I am a little worried I hurt my chances by sending 2-3 e-mails to the secretary asking about my chances. Would looking neurotic hurt my chances? I think its bad because it shows lack of self confidence and poor judgment to send off those kinds of e-mails...

Hi everyone! 

So on Friday, I received an email from an MSW program letting me know that I had been accepted (whoo!!) and that a paper letter of formal acceptance would be arriving shortly. I'm still waiting to hear back from three other programs, but I was wondering--is there a protocol for replying to that email? Should I write back to say "thank you" or "great, I'll be in touch after I hear from other schools"?

Thanks!

When a school says the statement should be 1-2 pages, do they mean single or double spaced?  I sure hope they mean single...

Oh and they didn't say how many words.

Hi everyone!  Thanks to folks who have helped me in this hellish process of writing my statement of purpose!  Here is my first draft.  Positive and constructive feedback is welcome (needed!).  Critiquing your own writing is tough when you've been staring at it for days!  Thanks in advance =)

http://lecruz21.livejournal.com/1011.html

Have any of you vastly improved your GRE score?

A professor said that the GRE is similar to an IQ test, in the sense that scores generally remain stable whether or not you study/prepare. Is this true? I did poorly on the GRE (twice), and I am curious if this theory holds any water.

Okay. So you've submitted your applications, and you receive a request for an interview from one of your programs. What do you do to prepare?

So far I've come up with these definites:
-Take a close look at what you wrote in your application, and be prepared to discuss it in more detail.
-If you mentioned any particular faculty or students in your application, be prepared to discuss them.
-Come up with some intelligent questions to ask about the program.
-If you know who will be interviewing you, read up on them, and maybe read some of their papers.

I also have some maybes.
-Is it okay to ask them, "Is there anything in particular you would like me to prepare for the meeting, or be prepared to discuss?" Their answer could be informative, but asking that could seem unprofessional, or like you're asking for some kind of special treatment or information.
-Is it okay, when they haven't told you, to ask who will be interviewing you -- particularly when it is a panel interview?

How would you prepare? What do you think of asking my maybes?

Another question:

what's the etiquette with asking the same professor for multiple LOR for grad school/internships/various programs? I go to a CUNY school (public university in NYC) and there are literally 20,000 other students at my college. It's hard to really develop the rapport/take multiple classes with one professor, so I've managed to get close to maybe 4-5 throughout my school career. What's the deal with sticking to this pool? Is it okay to ask a teacher for a letter if I've not had them in the last three years? (I was a part-time student for quite a few semesters and am finishing my BA this spring after 7 years of attending)

I just don't want to go to the well too many times, but I'm not sure what the appropriate alternative would be?

thanks so much!

One of my recommenders just completed her recommendation for my MPA application to a particular school 4 days late. She offered to call this school--do you think it's necessary/helpful? I know it couldn't hurt, but I don't want to waste her time if most grad schools aren't particularly focused on recommendation deadlines.

Everyone here was so helpful with my last inquiry, I thought I'd try another.

I'm wondering if anyone here has gone to grad school abroad? Specifically Canada? I'm a little lost on what exactly the 'instalments' they mention are. Are those credits or credit hours or classes?

Also, I read somewhere that an international student must have some source of income that's not dependent on working while in Canada, since you're not guaranteed a work visa. How exactly does one fund going to grad school abroad if you're not expected to work? Are you able to take out federal us loans to cover the cost of attendance since you're a US citizen?

Anything anyone could tell me about this would be great. please and thanks so much!

edit* I'm primarily interested in mls and dual mls/ma in english lit programs. I also have a sort of background in Latino studies if this makes any difference in funding/finding ra'ships and ta'ships.

So, I'm in a bit of a bind, not to mention I'm new to this whole process. I'm signed up for the February 5(or something around that date?) GRE, and I've been struggling to study everyday. I graduated with two Bachelor's degrees, one in English Literature and the other in Arabic Language Studies in May 2010. Since graduating, I've moved back home, been on a thousand job interviews to no avail, except for one internship at a non-profit law firm. I've been waiting tables at a fairly high end place, and in the process, sunk into a year-long depression. 

Now, I'm struggling to get above it, not to mention, I have very strict Asian parents who are very vocal about their disappointment in me and my life. I'd like to go to grad school this coming fall, for either English or History -- I'd like to eventually be able to teach. My UG GPA wasn't stellar, a 3.1 and I'm waiting to get my recommendations in. But I have no idea how this whole financial aid, application, personal statement thing works. 

I know I'm late for the 2012-13 cycle, but I'm truly despairing what will happen if I have to flounder about another year. I love school, I miss it, and the lack of any direction in my life is eating away at me. Just some guidance as to what I should be doing (and how) would be helpful. 

Sorry about the ranty post!