TakeMyCoffeeBlack
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Posts posted by TakeMyCoffeeBlack
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UCSD and Rochester seem to think so. Wonder why that would be the case though?
How did they fair in the past year's US News rankings update?
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Man is this thread moving fast. I hope this is not an indication of the competitiveness of this year's admission process compared to previous years
Speaking for myself, I'm in a position where I can ignore all my other responsibilities and obsess over the results page. Last year, I was finishing my thesis, finishing all my courses, and running too many clubs. I don't know that I'm any more competitive, just able to waste more time. Maybe that's indicative of this year altogether, or maybe this year is generally more competitive (for the field I hope so, for my chances... please God no).
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Out of curiosity... did anybody compile a list of expected stipends?
I just look up the stuff whenever I feel competent. I haven't compiled a list because then I can refer to it too easily and be sad.
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Honestly, I just want SOME news this week regarding my applications' status. Good or bad!
I know the feeling, but let's stick to hoping for good, right? Because:
http://youtu.be/UZimx1wHYcs
- Poli92 and IR IR IR PhD
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http://youtu.be/UhV5RgcNJjE
"DRASTIC TIMES CALL FOR WHAT? DRASTIC MEASURES. WHO SAID THAT? THANK YOU!"
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Does Notre Dame usually interview?
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Yeah... Pitt seems to respond at the end of January or very beginning of February. Hoping to hear from them soon! Are they anywhere near your top pick? (Btw, by next Friday or Monday do you mean the 31st and the 2nd?)
Well, I'd be beyond happy attending any of the schools to which I applied. It would certainly be an honor to go to Pitt. For a lot of reasons, it's toward the top of my list. But it's hard to predict what kind of factors will influence my decision (if I get to make one) in about two months.
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Hopping enough for you?
Like an IPA
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That's right. We talked about it a bit when we exchanged SOPs! Looking forward to finding out where you end up attending. Would be nice to start at the same program with another EU enthusiast!
I'm guessing we'll be hearing from Pitt next Friday or Monday. Good luck!!
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Anyone else here interested in European integration?
Yes sir, but I specialize in integration through law and multi-level governance.
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Do you guys think that one should stop applying for a PhD if it does not work two times in a row? Sorry guys I am anxious, so i am asking all these questions to have a clear idea about what to do next.
Hey there. I'm in round 2 myself. Here's a short list of questions worth considering:
1.) Is this really, truly what you want to do?
2.) or could you be just as happy settling with a plan B?
3.) If 1 is yes and 2 is no, what might have held you back this round?
4.) Can you fix this in one year? Two years? More?
5.) Have you considered making your plan B one that addresses 3 and 4?
Of course, you'll have to take into account for yourself how old you are, your family dynamic, etc. If it doesn't work out this year for me, I'm going to move to where my gf is currently living and get a job (she has some connections there that would probably pull through, and she'll have her masters at the end of summer). I will not be reapplying next year, but that doesn't mean I won't consider it for the year after next.
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Mine is so bad that I actually thought about retracting all of my applications.
Okay, maybe I shouldn't have upvoted this one. I don't think that's a good thing. Just a good example.
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Hey my friend, what are you talking about? Didn't you already get accepted to a great program!!? I would KILL (well probably not literally) to get into any program (doesn't mean I don't have my preferences). If UIUC thinks you have what it takes, for sure you are no impostor on this forum.
We all have our area of expertise. Just embrace yours and keep a keen ear for new, critical discussions you are exposed to. No one is expected to enter into a PhD program ready to teach and research flawlessly (or why would we go). It is about potential. I think your early result already speaks for itself.
Good luck. Stay strong. Be happy. I'm super jealous (but happy) about your early admit. You can relax now. Really.
Okay, I like this answer better.
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On that note, I have been feeling an intense level of "Impostor Syndrome" lately. I cannot shake the feeling that I am lacking in multiple areas, whether it be my my level of cultural sophistication, my skill set, or my intelligence. Even if I enter a Ph.D. program, these fears make me feel as if I won't last. I am also afraid that as an African-American I may face some weird extra-scrutiny which will reveal these perceived shortcomings... Does anyone have these doubts/feelings as well? If so, how are you coping with them?
I wouldn't be surprised if all of us are experiencing this in some way or another. I know I am. For the record, you were the one who made a joke about the wine being too high brow or something, yes? This sort of "cultural sophistication" is nothing more than elitism if it's taken seriously as a measure of success. I imagine you have some cultural experiences specifically because you haven't had the same opportunities, because you're African American, etc. that make you more qualified than a lot of us on these boards.
I've read that African Americans (and women) tend to feel this extra scrutiny - a mix of setting the ground work for the next generation and doubts about capabilities because of "affirmative action" type measures. Well, I can't really speak from a first person perspective on either account, being neither black nor a woman, but I think that both are very real concerns, but also too much to ask or expect of yourself. Any special measures taken to increase representation of minorities or women, for example, do not minimize in any way whatsoever your capabilities, qualities or contributions to society and your specific field of study. They are designed in recognition of institutional discrimination that naturally favors the last generation of elites, not in recognition of bringing people with lower capacity for success into the mainstream.
That all said, I spent all last night feeling completely inadequate. As though all of my words are part of some script I've written and I'm the lead character. So, the short answer would be: you're in good company.
- mooneyed and IR IR IR PhD
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No, I didn't use any weird undertones. I think he didn't find it scientific enough.
Hard to say from the point of pure speculation. There's a chance your application will be consider 100% independent of this scenario. Just because the paper didn't fit this particular workshop, does not mean that the professor isn't interested in what you can produce as a student in the program.
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Hi all,
So I submitted a research paper to a workshop in which my POI was chair. Today, he let me know that they cannot accept because "it is not the kind of talk we are trying to foster." Of course, this is disappointing but I understand. My question is whether this is going to affect my PhD application? Did any one of you have a similar experience?
Thanks.
As in, the topic you submitted wasn't relevant to the workshop? Or you were using some weird undertones that offended the conversation?
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Maybe people realized that most of us won't be hearing back this week in all likelihood, so everyone's off trying to distract themselves from the misery that is waiting... Or yesterday was an anomaly because of all the troll posts?
I wish I could keep myself off these boards... If I try to do my work, all I can think about is grad school. Not a good dynamic going for me at the moment.
- IR IR IR PhD and anxious2151
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Man, these boards were hopping yesterday morning. Everyone getting back to real life already?
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Hey guys, I am pretty nervous. Wisconsin is probably going to release results in the middle of next week (based on my search for last year's results).
I'm thinking I'll get some news from at least two schools next Friday or the following Monday. Don't know if I'm ready for it (and at the same time, I can't wait for the waiting period to end).
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I have a question for those with families or who are in serious relationships. How is everyone tackling selecting a school while taking in account your partner's needs? Is your partner planning on moving with you no matter what/did you only apply to schools in your current city or are you exploring commuting/splitting time?
My husband and I have about eight different contingency plans in place depending on how the admissions process plays out for me--though I did limit my school search to a reasonable range around our home (thank you, Amtrak). We've been fortunate enough to get lots of great advice from couples who have been through similar situations, and I was just wondering if anyone else was going through the same thought processes and discussions.
I've been with my girlfriend for well over three years. We had the misfortune of meeting at college, and are from towns 9 hours apart, so our first taste of long distance was for holidays. Then we both studied abroad, and because our programs weren't at the same time we spent 9 months apart, with under two weeks of visits thrown in. Right now I'm on a Fulbright, and when I get back at the end of 10 months we'll be bumping into year four (though she did come for a month over Christmas). So, we've resolved to make this our final year apart.
The good news (for me) is that she will be finishing up her masters and is willing to be flexible for me. I applied to a few schools that were on her "ideal" list (read: Ivy's nearby family... so, yeah, long shot) and I applied to schools that are really great for what I want to do (but she approved all the locations - though she's nervous about the long distance moves).
Of course, I feel guilty because her long term dream is to get a Ph.D. in English Lit, and she will be geographically limited because of me, and then there's the question of whose career takes priority when relocating for a job. But we think we're prepared to deal with these questions and problems as we encounter them. As they say, there ain't no ring on her finger (yet)
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Alright. Well, I'd rather not risk sending the email. You all made great points.
My SOP is fairly strong and in-depth about my research interests and experience. Sending an email this late could very well scream desperation and hurt my chances if I am a candidate for the short-list or bordering an acceptance decision.
I will have to leave it up to the adcom members to decide if my qualifications and interests are well-suited to their own. Though I never mentioned names, I did mention specific areas within the faculty members of the American Politics and Politcal Theory subfields that matched my research interests/experience. Let's hope that's enough.
Thanks.
You should be fine. Good luck!
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Again, I don't think that these emails would hurt you chances of admission, they just wouldn't help. However, to work on these inquiries and not get a response back will damage your psyche (and for no reason). I think you are debating a very low-risk, low-reward dilemma.
There's also always the chance you can get a completely deflating, heart breaking response. I got one of those last week. I really think it was nothing more than a misunderstanding, but my ego got bruised up pretty badly (and it was not the POIs intention to offend, or at least I don't think so).
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Moral of the story is... something fishy is going on here. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some serious trolling going on.
I had suspected as much. Thanks for the insights.
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I have been given conflicting infomation regarding POI's these past few months. Some will say that listing several professors is essential whereas others have told me that there is a risk of selecting professors that are not part of the adcom, retiring, are in conflict with other adcom members, ect. and listing POI's can limit the department's overall interest.
Sure, those are all "risks," but I don't think they're highly risky. There's always a chance that your preferred POI might be retiring (well, not always the chance in the case that they're very young, but perhaps a professor is leaving for another opportunity), for example, but the department can then decide a.) well, the only professor that could have fit this student substantively is gone or b.) we may be saying goodbye to Prof. X, but young recruit Prof. Y is doing similar research that might interest this student.
I think when you identify POIs, more than anything, you're showing 1.) that you've done your research 2.) that there are people doing similar research to yours in the department, and therefore you fit and 3.) that, having faculty you admire and are interested in learning from or working under, you are more likely to accept an offer of admission.
Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule.
- TheGnome and IR IR IR PhD
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Last Minute Program Suggestions? (Theory)
in Political Science Forum
Posted
Great suggestion for the OP.
They have contacted me quite a bit over the past couple years. I loved Budapest, but I'm one of those people that needs to be able to communicate in the original language. Plus, I doubt my gf would move there with me.