|
|
Post by anonymous on Sept 9, 2009 18:59:09 GMT -5
My first deadlines are coming up fast on 9/15 and I am still putting the finishing touches on both my application materials and the chapter of my dissertation that I plan to send as a writing sample. My question is this: If the deadlines are of the "review of applications will begin 9/15" variety, should I spend the money to overnight them to arrive 9/14 or 15 or should I just send them regular mail? I obviously want them to receive full consideration, but I'm not sure whether that is overkill.
|
|
|
|
Post by damastes on Sept 9, 2009 19:51:37 GMT -5
I think the issue is whether or not you will be given serious consideration if your materials do not arrive on the 15th. Most likely, it will be a secretary or office assistant who will process your file, so my guess is generally 'no, you do not need to make sure materials arrive by the 15th.' That is my opinion, & outcomes may vary by department.
|
|
anony
New Member
Posts: 0 
|
Post by anony on Sept 9, 2009 21:01:38 GMT -5
I'd overnight them, but that's just me.
Think about it: how much blood, sweat and tears did you put into your doctoral work (+ lost income)? Is an extra 20 bucks really worth risking a bad initial impression? Just drop the dough and then send the other applications in ahead of the deadline...
|
|
anon
New Member
Posts: 1
|
Post by anon on Sept 9, 2009 23:24:52 GMT -5
My advisor said today to NOT be late. Hit the deadline. Do what it takes.
|
|
|
|
Post by anon again on Sept 9, 2009 23:30:50 GMT -5
Sorry! Just re-read your post and saw the "begin reviewing by..."
I would say maybe Priority Mail and try to be within a few days of the "review by" deadline.
|
|
|
|
Post by elpollodiablo on Sept 10, 2009 10:18:30 GMT -5
If you want to be sure that you will be given full consideration and don't want to spend money on overnight mail, you can send the stuff you already have in, so that they officially have your application before the deadline, and then submit the chapter later and it will in all likelihood be included with your application for the review.
Last year my cv was left out of an application by mistake, and they only cared that my cover letter arrived on time, and I was able to "amend" my application by sending my CV again post-deadline.
|
|
|
|
Post by esbee on Sept 10, 2009 10:22:05 GMT -5
I'm with those who say get it in before the deadline. Why risk it?
|
|
tnrd
New Member
Posts: 28
|
Post by tnrd on Sept 10, 2009 20:30:07 GMT -5
I agree with those saying "why risk it?". Although often the deadline isn't that strict, in some cases files may not be considered as seriously/at the optimal level, because they came in too late. (What I mean by "at the optimal level" is that they were not part of the initial discussions, they were only looked at in a cursory fashion when people quickly went through the files that came in much later than the initial dates specified. By then committee members start getting fatigued by the process and these applications may receive less consideration.)
Look at it this way, there are tons of other files for committee members to look at. You want to minimize the hurdles to your file. (This also reminds me of things like people sending in weird folders that make it much harder to access individual components of their applications. It's best to make the process as easy as possible on the committee members.. and also on the staff processing the paperwork.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Anony on Sept 11, 2009 11:44:48 GMT -5
Man, I just took my own advice and fedexed some materials to a school to ensure that they would make the deadline. It is a school in Canada and the whole thing cost a hefty $56. That's a hell of a lot of PBR!  . From now on, I'm going to get these done way in advance... |
|
|
|
Post by cheapskate on Sept 11, 2009 11:59:17 GMT -5
An alternative perspective is that unless your department is paying for it, save your money. Last year, I spent nearly $500 on copies, envelopes, postage, etc. only to end up without a job and wishing (needing) I had that money. I didn't send anything via FedEx, but I did send some via priority mail and some with return receipts (many of which never got returned). Maybe if the school is your dream school, go ahead and pay the extra postage. But forking over $20 for an application to a place that in all probability you will never hear from again is like throwing money away.
|
|
|
|
Post by damastes on Sept 11, 2009 12:40:30 GMT -5
$20 is a lot of money!
I have been using USPS's Priority Mail with a "Flat Rate Mailing Envelope" Its $4.95 and I have been able to stuff 120 pages in without too much difficulty. Its 2-3 days for most places.
|
|
|
|
Post by damastes on Sept 11, 2009 12:45:15 GMT -5
Man, I just took my own advice and fedexed some materials to a school to ensure that they would make the deadline. It is a school in Canada and the whole thing cost a hefty $56. That's a hell of a lot of PBR! . From now on, I'm going to get these done way in advance... Yikes! In the future, if you do USPS Priority mail, the flat rate package I mentioned above is something like $15 for 5-7 days to most addresses in Canada [no clue for Newfoundland, NW territories, etc]. Just, FYI. |
|
. From now on, I'm going to get these done way in advance...