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	  Mon, 16 Jun 1997 21:17:52 -0400 (EDT)
Date: Mon, 16 Jun 1997 21:17:52 -0400 (EDT)
Message-ID: <970616211451_-1627868602@emout10.mail.aol.com>
To: socgrad@csf.colorado.edu
Subject: Re: getting into PhD programs
I have been thinking about applying to graduate school ever since I finished
my undergraduate degree, but have been afraid to do so.  I have an excellent
academic record but very low GRE scores.  I want to go into details because I
really need some advice here.  I graduated with a 3.76 overall GPA and a 3.97
in sociology and anthropology from Temple University.  I made Phi Beta Kappa
and received two awards for distinction in the social sciences.  I worked as
a research assistant on a book which is going to be published by Harvard
University Press and as a research assistant on a project at the University
of Pennsylvania.  I scored about 950 (math and verbal) on the GREs.  At this
point I felt any hope of a career as a academic was ruined.  I do not believe
my performance on the test would increase if I were to take it again.

I am also frightened by the current job market and the "boys club" atmosphere
surrounding academic positions.  When looking at possible schools I made note
of the outrageous number of faculty from the same handful of prestigous
schools.  I am very discouraged by the fact that many of my friends from
school (most of whom did not do as well as I did) are moving on with their
academics lives.  

To put the question bluntly, what are my options and what should I do?
 Thanks .....
Rich Alphonse