Timeline for Graduate program applications that require questionnaires and other non-letter material
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
8 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 17, 2014 at 18:41 | comment | added | KConrad | @paulgarrett: I'll try not to get you started (oops?). At least the math departments could say they make no use of the questionnaires when making admissions decisions and ask that letter writers for the math graduate programs not see that part at all. Or, if that's too unrealistic, maybe they could be like Univ. Southern California and put the questionnaire only at the end with a big disclaimer saying explicitly "This is not necessary." | |
| Dec 17, 2014 at 18:19 | comment | added | paul garrett | @KConrad, indeed, but/and this centralized "management" of grad admissions is some peoples' full time job, and once it's all in place and they're hired for that job, it's hard to eliminate. Further, some of the computer-not-literate academic departments seem to positively like this central "management", so there is by-far insufficient unanimity to eliminate this fake central unit and its constructs (and senseless burdens on people). Sure, if a Vice President were inspired to do this, it'd be one thing, but for mere working faculty to suggest changes... don't get me started. :) | |
| Dec 17, 2014 at 18:08 | comment | added | KConrad | @paulgarrett: Point out to them that programs like UIC and Wisconsin don't make letter writers do any of that stuff, so it's not exactly intrinsic in the nature of graduate admissions that such things must be asked. | |
| Dec 17, 2014 at 18:02 | comment | added | paul garrett | I have to apologize for Univ of MN's shenanigans. These are not generated by the math dept at all, but by a central bureaucratic unit... The application set-up is somehow aimed to be one-size-fits-all for nearly all graduate programs. I've complained, etc., many times over the years, but Central Administration's belief is that academic depts needs lots of oversight and control, or we'd admit just anyone, and grant degrees willy-nilly. Again, my apologies... | |
| Dec 17, 2014 at 18:01 | history | made wiki | Post Made Community Wiki by Todd Trimble | ||
| Dec 17, 2014 at 17:55 | comment | added | KConrad | Minnesota also has a spot where letter writers are asked to fill in their URL. I filled it in with something along the lines of "Are you serious? Use Google." | |
| Dec 17, 2014 at 17:10 | comment | added | Joe Silverman | Ah, but in a year or two when you have to use UM's system again, will they force you to remember your password (or force you to request a new one be sent to your email address)! | |
| Dec 17, 2014 at 17:08 | history | answered | Bjørn Kjos-Hanssen | CC BY-SA 3.0 |