The deadline for my program is not until June 25, but I am worried that all the spots will have been filled. I have a descent academic record (3.74 GPA), did well in grad & phd courses I took as an undergrad, and took a grad class this last semester and got an A.

I also have all my recomendations, so technically I could finish my application by Monday (i only lack the personal statement) and apply for this fall semester. But if they have all the spots filled, then what's the point? Maybe I should just change my application to apply for the spring semester?

Does anyone have a clue about this kinda stuff? Any advice would be helpful.

[Edited on June 13, 2008 at 5:47 PM. Reason : ``]

6/13/2008 5:45:31 PM

a phone call to the department couldn't possibly answer this question...

6/13/2008 5:47:43 PM

I had no idea this was the type of thing you could ask. Is it???

[Edited on June 13, 2008 at 5:53 PM. Reason : ``]

6/13/2008 5:48:40 PM

haha, wth--the worst thing that could happen is that they'll say they don't know or something and you'll be back where you started

6/13/2008 6:10:39 PM

wow. the worst that could happen is that they put you on a waiting list, dig?

6/13/2008 7:23:08 PM

Just apply. There's a deadline for a reason, and it hasn't passed yet.

6/13/2008 8:00:18 PM

You could probably still get in, but I doubt you could get a TA/RA/fellowship position this late. Those are typically offered in February or March, with April 15 acceptance deadlines. But, if you're willing to pay your own way, then you're probably okay.

6/13/2008 9:54:48 PM

great info in here.

6/14/2008 6:48:54 AM

depends on your program. just having good grades is not enough to get into a lot of the programs. you need a professor to sponsor you/recommend you to the graduate committee. have you talked to any of your professors about grad school?

6/14/2008 7:16:53 PM

^ Says he's got 3 recommendations already which probably includes at least one professor.

I got into grad school with 3 recommendations and what is considered a mediocre GPA of 3.413. I didn't take any grad or PhD level courses before they let me in. I did apply early, though.

It depends upon your department, I guess. Call the secretary that coordinates the graduate school stuff for your department and she can hook you up with the info on whether or not you can get in. They know everything about the department and you'll end up communicating with them anyway to turn in other requested portions of your application (like a resume).

I think you have a damn solid chance at getting into a department for the fall session.

6/15/2008 2:20:37 PM

Quote :

"You could probably still get in, but I doubt you could get a TA/RA/Fellowship position this late. Those are typically offered in February or March, with April 15 acceptance deadlines. But, if you're willing to pay your own way, then you're probably okay."

This is for the most part true, people are typically accepted early for the money spots as are backups because they assume some will choose to go other places.

You seem to have an excellent record assuming you did well on your gre, gmat, etc... Are your recomendations sealed and signed over the seal, this is typically required if you're really going to submit them by the 25th.

Most programs don't like taking spring people because they want you to be part of a cohort, but they sometimes do, often with no free money. You are probably looking at being admitted this fall/spring with no money, but with the promise of money the following year. However, they may just tell you to wait till next year because you would probably land full funding (stipend, tuition, health care, office, computers, etc). The graduate secretary in the dept you're applying for will be very helpful, there use to having these question asked by perspective applicants.

6/16/2008 10:51:39 PM

I go to grad school here. I applied in the middle of June, just like you (assuming you do try). I got in and it seemed to go rather well. I just sent them an email saying that I decided to look further from home and was really interested in the program. Let them know that I was sorry about the timing but I really wanted to get info and apply asap.

6/21/2008 6:19:07 PM

Sweet. Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to go ahead and apply. My transcript from previous institutions were in the mail on June 13 and my recommendations were uploaded in May (I think NCSU prefers this over hardcopys these days). Now all that's left is finishing the horrible horrible personal statement. I am wokring on it right now.

I am cutting it close (need to have it in by next Wednesday), but it's good to hear that others have also had similar experiences. Thanks again y'all!

[Edited on June 21, 2008 at 6:31 PM. Reason : ``]

6/21/2008 6:30:02 PM

socks -- just keep them (dept head, secretary) updated on your situation. just let them know that you care and all that crap. if they magically are missing documents, it will look bad. if you keep them posted and let them know its where you want to be, things will likely work out well with your background

6/22/2008 12:12:49 AM

Hmmm I have not talked to the Head of the Grad Program in about 2 months. Not since I spoke to her about applying and got everything in order. I mean, essentially, I've been sitting on top of this personal statement for weeks trying to figure out what to say.

I think I will give her a ring on Monday just to let her know I'm wrapping everything up and will hopefully be getting it to her Tuesday afternoon.

[Edited on June 22, 2008 at 12:21 AM. Reason : ``]

6/22/2008 12:21:34 AM

Keep in mind you can also just bug the secretary about that too. I've never spoken directly with the graduate dept head about grad school, and the emails I received from him were actually from his secretary.

I figured most of the stuff that I spoke with the secretary about was referred to the head of the grad dept if it was necessary, but as far as getting my application turned in on time and sorting out my paperwork I just spoke with her. It's probably a bit diff for each department, but if you're in good contact with the secretary (and the dept head isn't replying to emails) I'd say you're in good shape.

6/22/2008 1:02:03 AM

^ Yeah correspond with the secretary. No need to contact the department head for every single thing.

6/22/2008 2:27:26 AM

no offense, but it's nc state.

it isn't like you're trying to apply to mit, harvard, or anywhere where getting into grad school is extremely competitive.

grad schools like ncsu's love people with high gpas, and even if "full" they probably wouldn't deny you as long as you got your paperwork in on time. you might not get any money for the first semester though. i hate to say it, but for the two grad schools ive been to (ncsu and georgia tech) the schools are just as (if not more) concerned about their statistics than the education of their students.

if you're running late on your application and all the other paperwork, just let the dept know and keep in contact. show them you care, and they'll be likely to work with you.

6/22/2008 2:25:15 PM

Well, I got my letter today. I was accepted into the program.

Thnx to everyone who helped me out!

[Edited on July 11, 2008 at 11:30 PM. Reason : ``]

7/11/2008 11:30:07 PM

w00t!

Very nice!

7/12/2008 12:39:39 AM

congrats

7/12/2008 1:13:11 PM

Ha. I'm reapplying to Grad School a month after the deadline.
But I know my dept head will accept me.
Benefit of being in a small department.


at Registration and Records and the Graduate School for messing things up.
rant:
I originally applied mid June before the deadline. Reg&Rec told me to just apply for readmission to grad school since I took a leave of absence. (I only have 9 hrs left to complete my M.S) so I did. Well after not hearing anything for a few weeks I called.. left a couple messages and finally got the right person to call me back over a week later. She told me that it wasn't processed because my last name changed (although I included maiden on app) so she sent it off. Then I still hear nothing so I call back and she tells me to call someone at the Grad School. Takes me a week and multiple messages to get someone on the phone there that can help me. This woman tells me that I need to COMPLETELY reapply to the graduate school. Which is what I've been doing. Luckily I still have my personal statement saved but my references/recommendations are on vacation (we're teachers!).
/rant

frustrating

7/24/2008 5:42:18 PM

^ wow! Talk about a pain in the ass. But at leas you know you'll get accepted.
Do you at least get to start registering for classes?

7/24/2008 7:10:44 PM

Congratulations, Socks``!

7/25/2008 4:23:57 AM

^^ I met with my Advisor (who is also the dept. head) over a month ago. I know which classes to sign up for.

7/25/2008 9:55:36 AM

i applied to grad school a month late
but i met with the head of the department and let them know my situation
and now here i am back in school again.

7/25/2008 10:47:00 AM