Philosophy 2010

[philosophygrad]

This is for anyone applying to Philosophy graduate programs during the 2009-2010 academic year. Please share acceptances, rejections, wait-list notifications, and so on.

Best of luck to everyone applying!

Comments

Let the horror begin!

[grandmamalj]

Who’s ready to begin the life sucking, soul corroding process that is applying to philosophy grad Programs?
Who’s ready to begin for the second time?

All the applicants currently in an MA program: let me hear some noise!

Re: Let the horror begin!

[grandmamalj]

I'm starting for the second time, but only because I didn't get a funded offer last year. I actually have money this time, though, so I can apply to more than 5 schools!

Good luck everyone. First timers: I know everyone tells you this, but: WORK ON YOUR WRITING SAMPLES.

-I

Re: Let the horror begin!

[grandmamalj]

does anyone know anyone who got in to top programs with GRE scores below 1300?

Re: Let the horror begin!

[grandmamalj]

Yes, I know at least two people at top five programs.

The List

[sci_phi2010]

Have any of you finalized your picks yet? I just calculated that it would cost me nearly $700 in application fees alone were I to go ahead and apply to all the ones on my "short list." Yikes.

Yeah so me I'm still in the research and weigh my options phase.

Re: The List

[sci_phi2010]

I've finalized (ish) my picks. I haven't actually added up the price it's going to be, but it'll be ugly. Say 70 average, then ~17 schools, so that's 1190, and then there's still the GRE score reports (less 4, because 4 were free, and less 2, for the schools that don't want them). Expensive, but I want to apply to a wide range of places.

Re: The List

[sci_phi2010]

I totally forgot about the cost for sending your GRE scores out.

I just signed up to take the test the other day, I did it online, but I don't recall it asking me for a list of schools to send scores to. Will that stuff be asked at the actual testing site itself on the day of the test?

Re: The List

[sci_phi2010]

After the test is complete, you can choose whether or not to view or scores. Then, after you view your scores, you can choose to send them to up to four places for free (this happens while you're sitting at the testing computer). You can get additional (paid) score reports over the phone, and/or online, I think.

Specific faculty mentioned on SOP?

[anonymous]

Anyone want to discuss whether or not (and why) they listed specific faculty members on their SOP? I want to taylor my SOP to each school, but I'm hesitant to list who I'd be interested in working with (since I haven't read the works of many of the faculty at the departments I'll be applying to).

Besides, isn't it obvious from my own stated interests (assuming they don't change) who I'd be interested in working?

Re: Specific faculty mentioned on SOP?

[philosophygrad]

Well, I think it could help it sound like you are interested in the dept, but if it's done in a cheesy way it could hurt. If you have specific interests that line up directly w/ interests of people on the faculty, then say that. If it's a stretch, I'd avoid doing it.

At the end of the day, the SOP really doesn't mean that much (from what I can tell) in terms of whether you'll be admitted. Basically, it seems that it can hurt you (e.g., if you come off sounding crazy, desperate, etc.), but it will not help you very much. Your writing sample, GRE, GPA and other things count way more toward whether or not you'll be admitted.

Re: Specific faculty mentioned on SOP?

[tuna99]

In addition to what philosophygrad said, you might also run the risk of angering a faculty member who reads your SOP if he/she also works in the area(s) you've specified, but interprets the situation to mean you think they're not good enough to work with you. The department knows who they've got working for them and they know your interests (if you clearly state them), so I say leave off specific names. Just my two cents.

Re: Specific faculty mentioned on SOP?

[anonymous]

Applied last year, didn't list any, and it didn't seem to hurt me.

Tentative List

[anonymous]

Here's my tentative list of schools. I'm interested in empirically informed moral psychology. What do people think?

Rutgers
Yale
Michigan
UNC
Arizona
Duke
Washington
Maryland
Ohio State

Re: Tentative List

[anonymous]

Though I don't know much about your area, by the looks of it, you've only selected top programs. If you're confident about your ability as a philosopher or are very wedded to the idea of only going to one of these schools (or not going at all), I would suggest perusing the lower ranks of the Leiter list and adding a few 30-50 ranked schools (of course assuming they have faculty with your interests). You need to realize that it's really really tough to get into grad school, especially in philosophy, and that it's better to be pleasantly surprised when a top pick (or any pick) comes through, than heartbroken when you have to wait another year to apply.

Also, you should really think about adding some MA programs to the list.

Good luck to you!

Re: Tentative List

[anonymous]

Probably should have mentioned this, but I'm applying from a terminal Masters program. I would say I have a fair mix of schools, given my interests, background, and goals. But you're right in the observation, that I'm either going to one of these programs or not going at all.

Re: Tentative List

[anonymous]

Why not Harvard?

Interesting Stats

[anonymous]

FYI

I don't know if other departments do this. But at Duke they post Admissions and Enrollment Statistics, Completion Rate Statistics, Time to Degree Statistics, and Placement Statistics. Very useful and interesting.

Go to:
http://gradschool.duke.edu/about/stats.php

And scroll down to philosophy.