gradphil

I also got a quick email with the same content. Hope regular MGPS offer comes with funding.

I am expecting decisions no later than today and I base my expectation on an email I received two days ago from the office of admissions at LBJ, intimating that decisions will be out by this week's end. If Friday is the last day of week, which I am pretty sure is, we should not wait longer than 5-6 hours at the maximum to hear back from the Admissions Committee. All the best to those still awaiting.

Is there anyone else left out to hear from LBJ? For me, "around mid-March" has never come. My application status still shows "in review". I had dropped a quick email to Stacy Neuman and heard from her today that admission committees are still engaged reviewing applications and decisions will be out by this week's end. PS: I am international student and had applied for the MGPS-DC track.

My status still shows "In review". Don't know when it will change. May be not today.

A long wait is over. Received a rejection email moments ago. Feeling relieved. Congratulations to all those who got admits and sympathies with those got dinged.

The best source of information is the LBJ school's website itself which says the admission decisions will be out "around the first week of March". And my guess is 5-6 March, most probably 6th of March as majority of schools do.

As per my information, WWS does not notify applicants of their status being complete or incomplete. It only notifies the outcome. As a matter of personal satisfaction however, you can log into the system and view if you have all the items such as test scores and LORs on file.

You are right. They have not indicated step-by-step process on their website, but I guess last year they had. Nonetheless, it's fairly conspicuous once you sign up at the ApplyTexas and read the instructions at the end of application. UT Austin is my second choice after WWS which I am not too optimistic about though.

I have received replies form both the grad school and the LBJ school. While former clarifying that it has forwarded the file to the review committee and it's not its job to hold off the file when it's complete (does not make sense to me in the absence of LORs) and the latter explaining the admission committee will not begin reviewing files until the lapse of deadline, Jan 5th. What puzzles nonetheless is the logic of graduate school to forward application to the relevant department without waiting the necessary items to arrive. While it's quite understandable the past and present applications can be merged together (as does WWS) but replacing the key components from past in favor of the present does not stands up to scrutiny.

Since my application status shows "your file has been forwarded to graduate committee for review" even though my LORs for 2015 cycle are still outstanding, I am worried the grad school has taken LORs from the old file (2014 cycle) to complete the application and my suspicion is bolstered when they are listed under the new application tab. How come a fresh application is merged with the old one and sent for review without waiting for the new LOR's and other tests to arrive especially when the deadline has not elapsed?

Greetings! I have turned in the application for MGPS at LBJ school and wondering the status shows "In Review" and Attention notice displays "your file has been forwarded to the Graduate Committee for review" while my LORs are pending and deadline is almost a month away. While I am a re-applicant (admitted without funding in 2014 cycle) and my previous application is on file, it does not mean the Grad school can pick and chose the materials from the previous file to make the new one complete and forward to the Grad Committee without waiting for the improved GRE scores and fresh LORs to arrive. Any thoughts?

Thanks ani11 for exhortation. I understand compared to applicant pool even with same interests and credentials, my profile sounds way too low and unless a miracle happens, I should deem myself out of the race. But for the sake of try, it is a good attempt. . I have read your profile it's excellent and you must be proud of it. Good luck with your ambitions. P.S. I have noticed you enquired the conversion of UK GPA into U.S. 4.00 scale. Here is a handy yet reliable tool which even universities recommend students use before they apply from outside U.S. It's free from this year but had USD 5 price tag before. http://www.wes.org/students/igpacalc.asp

I concur with you Joesephsci on the wagering. The GRE Scores are low but I expect and hope the other elements in the dossier may compensate for the GRE. And though I aver what cooperstreet maintains, good GRE scores solely do not raise the chances of being admitted. Nevertheless, at the end I would feel esteemed at least to have participated in the application cycle and be better prepared to take advantage of the next cycle if the circumstances so warrant. Thank you both for the feedback.

Yup. As an International student I need to submit valid TOEFL score which I have with 106 score overall. I guess it does the job.

Thanks AuldReekie for truly insightful comments. By the way, I have a statement of purpose already written (only needs little bit customization as per the programs and faculty interests), LORs are lined up too and have a brilliant degree of understanding of what I want to do and with whom. However, if there is any caveat that's my writing sample which is not complete yet and I am toiling over to fine tune it. If I am able to make it make sense, I would send applications to some programs if not all at least.

Hi folks, As the deadlines are fast approaching or some are already at hand, I am applying to PHD IR stream especially with focus on nuclear and WMD (non)proliferation. However given my low GRE scores (V-I57; Q-158; AW- expecting past 3.5) and ambitious program selection (MIT, Stanford, Princeton, UC Berkeley, Chicago, Georgetown) I am daunted by the fact, if it's worth investing time and money to turn in the applications. I have LLM with pretty good GPA i.e. 4.00/4.00 and currently availing commonwealth scholarship to study MSc. International Relations at one of top ten UK Universities. Besides, I have quantitative preparation in Macroeconomics, Calculus up to Multivariable, Linear Algebra and Statistics (all As and Statistics A+). I am curious if someone can give an insight if it's wise to send applications this fall or improve the GRE scores and avail the next session. Any comments would be highly appreciated!

Just logged in. Bingo! Admitted. Congrats!

"NPRJunkie" and "Swedishcofee"! I look forward to have your comments on my profile above.I appreciate your time and consideration!

International student from Pakistan Programs: MPP/MPA Schools: HKS, WWS, UM C-Park, LBJ Austin and Bush School, Undergraduate institution: Top University in My country Undergraduate Degree: Law Undergraduate GPA: 53.70% (3.05/4.00 as per WES) Post Graduate Degree: LLM Post Graduate Major: Int’l Law, Int’l Economic Law and Jurisprudence Post Graduate GPA: 68.58% (4.00 as per WES) Masters’ Thesis: on nuclear disarmament GRE: Verbal: 153; Quant: 158 (AW 3.5) Years Out of Undergrad: 2.5 years Years of Work Experience: 2.5 years Describe Relevant Work Experience: 1 year as legal intern in the prosecution department, 3 months internship as research assistant at a local research institute specializing in international law and the rest as a lawyer. Languages: English: TOEFL IBT 102/120 (R-26; L-26; S-28; W-22) Urdu: Native Arabic: Elementary Quantitative: at UG level. Calc 1 ( B ), Macro economics ( B ) Microeconomics ( C ) Enrolled in Statistics & Probability, Linear Algebra and Calculus (multi-variable) SOP: Focus on nuclear order and international security and career goals in research and academia. LOR: 1 from Thesis supervisor, 1 from another professor and 1 from an internship supervisor. Questions: -Given my low scores in GRE, do I have shot at these policy schools? Besides admission, what are the chances of financial aid, including merit and TA-ships if any? I appreciate your advice!

Many congrats to those who got in!

Indeed, work experience is a big factor in admission decisions. But I suspect my lack of preparation in economics and statistics had dinged me. In addition, my GRE scores were not above average, let alone stellar. For example V 153, Q 149 and AW 3.5. Anyhow I am really thankful for your feedback to my post.

Dear Fenderpete! Unfortunately I could not get in. However, it was quite visible to me as my SOP was not good, neither were test scores. As I plan to apply in the next fall, definitely with improved scores, does WWS provide feedback, should I so choose to solicit?

Dear Brent, Thanks indeed for your generous offer. I have sent you an email.