What is the consensus on whether or not to waive the right to examine letters of recommendation?

10/13/2005 10:28:17 PM

oops, misread that


waive it, it shows you trust the people who agreed to give you recommendations

[Edited on October 13, 2005 at 10:35 PM. Reason : .]

10/13/2005 10:34:41 PM

Yeah, that's how I was leaning.

I just wanted to hear what others have done.

10/13/2005 10:36:36 PM

what program are you applying for?

10/13/2005 10:38:55 PM

Masters in communications

[Edited on October 13, 2005 at 10:39 PM. Reason : ]

10/13/2005 10:39:19 PM

double check, first off, to be sure that you're applying to a program in communications or a program in communications.

it matters.

10/13/2005 10:54:22 PM

Yeah I know.

It's a masters in communication.

I thought everyone would know what I meant.

10/13/2005 10:58:21 PM

Make sure you ask for a favorable recommendation.

10/13/2005 11:02:53 PM

haha...good point

But the professors I've asked would definitely do that. Thanks though.

10/13/2005 11:04:19 PM

if it's for the one here, you might want to consider having one of the profs here (who is NOT on the grad studies committee) write one for you.

10/13/2005 11:21:08 PM

Well yeah, I have three professors that want to do recommendations.

Thanks for the input everyone.

10/14/2005 12:18:54 AM

I have another question.

For those who applied to grad school at State and had to write a personal statement, about how long was yours?

I'm just looking for a ballpark.

10/27/2005 7:20:32 PM

Mine was about 2 pages if I remember correctly.

10/27/2005 7:38:16 PM

waive the right to read it, no matter how tempting.

Personal statement, mine just barely hit two pages double spaced so i 1.5 spaced it. Really it should only be 1 page double spaced. The point is to be clear and concise.

10/27/2005 8:06:44 PM

I didn't waive the right to read mine and I still got in. (Not that I ever went to read my recomendations...) It really doesn't make any difference...and if for some reason you don't get in...it would be a good idea to read the recomendations to figure out why. I also remember wolfeee writing somewhere that she wouldn't waive hers either.

10/27/2005 10:23:52 PM

I appreciate all the input on this.

I already waived the right. I trust the professors that are writing them.

Now I'm working on the personal statement. I figured roughly two pages double-spaced would be appropriate, but, again, I was just wondering what others had done, too.

10/27/2005 10:26:58 PM

For the personal statement - the application should give you some guidelines. Try to use as much space/pages as they give you but no more. I think those ought be single spaced; double check the requirements.

10/27/2005 11:59:03 PM

Yeah there are no space requirements or guidelines.

Just says to attach a word document -- it's an online application, by the way, in case I've forgotten to mention that.

I mean, obviously they don't won't a nine-page thesis or anything. I just wanted to hear what others have done. I'll probably have a page single-spaced when I'm done. At least that's what I'm shooting for.

10/28/2005 12:06:28 AM

That sounds good.

If you are doing it in Word, *make sure you turn off track changes*.

Better yet, if it doesn't specifiy it should be in Word, go to a lab on campus and save the file as a *.pdf - I've been told you should always do that with documents that you either don't want someone else altering (like a resume you submit electroncially) or you don't want any way for them to see how you edited or revised the document.

10/28/2005 12:24:05 AM

bttt

Interview on Wednesday. Any advice, experiences with grad school interviews?

Yes, I know to research the program and to dress nicely.

Thanks.

11/28/2005 10:55:19 AM

Relax, eye contact, and be laid back and personable (including with other applicants if multiple applicants are interviewing, and ESPECIALLY with administrative assistants).

11/28/2005 11:03:42 AM

Yeah, I mean that's what I figured. I was just wondering if anyone had any experiences to share.

I know I'm good at interviewing -- all that stuff comes pretty effortlessly.

He said the interview is to "talk about my application and academic goals," because I don't think he could be any more vague than that.

11/28/2005 11:11:44 AM

I know this is kinda standard... but be yourself. Talk about what you really want... not what you think THEY want you to want. BS usually shows right through and they do a bunch of interviews. I am sure they hear the same stuff over and over again.

11/28/2005 3:39:07 PM