Posted by alexandra_k on December 27, 2004, at 14:40:48
In reply to Re: MY RANT » alexandra_k, posted by gardenergirl on December 26, 2004, at 19:18:34
> There is a "magical balance" between saying something to make you stand out and saying something that makes you be weeded out for being weird or not having good boundaries. I wish there was a good way to know where that line is.
Yes. I would have liked to have known whether my statement would have triggered 'weirdo' bells... The trouble was finding someone who wanted to help me and who was also knowledgable about the US application process. Not many people stay in NZ to do PhD's (especially not in philosophy). Most of ours have gone on to England or Australia, however, and so it is hard to find someone who knows about the US system. Then it is hard to figure how much of what they say is superstician(?) and how much is not.
I have been told that mission statements are taken very seriously indeed. That bit about the discovery of logic in primary school was a bit much for me, but that was the start of a mission statement I was given and the applicant got in absolutely everywhere (and was even flown over for a visit to help her make up her mind). But not many females have done both a BSC and a BA and are really into phil of physics and logic. She also attached a very stunning picture which may have had something to do with it. I did find myself wondering whether she got in because of or in spite of her mission statements. (Oh please god don't be reading here!!)
It was helpful, though. I followed her structure but toned it down a little. Also researched the faculty and pitched it at certain members. Said which things that they were into interested me the most and told them about what I was up to, relating it all the while to what they are interested in.
Fingers crossed. Etc Etc.
Don't hold your breath, though :-)
poster:alexandra_k
thread:425524
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/studs/20040420/msgs/434587.html