TakeMyCoffeeBlack

I'm not particularly advanced with probability statistics, but the overarching problem with the whole thing is simply that it relies heavily on assumptions, and takes out all subjective factors and "fit" conditions (necessarily) to turn it into a simpler mathematical question. I think we could devise a formula that could tell any given applicant the probability they'd get into a specific school, but then we just call that the admissions rate... If we were to think this out as that formula attempts (by the way, whatsup with all the semicolons?), the equations would have to provide for "if" scenarios (I'm sure there are mathematical terms, but bear with me). i.e. If [variable] equals [quality] and if [variable] equals [fit]. Which, again, are difficult to turn into exact numbers, but we could probably formulate ranges. In the end, it's possible that the very best candidate in objective terms (GRE, GPA, research experience, quality of LORs) could apply to schools with terrible fit and get in nowhere, and a middle-of-the-road candidate in those same objective terms might get lucky because of fit. Alternatively, someone could devise a formula determining candidate quality in purely objective terms, and I'm sure that there'd be some correlation between that and admissions success. Based on that data, we might be able to say that [gradcafe user 1] has a 10% chance of getting into a university, whereas [gradcafe user 2] has a 50% of getting into a university. I'm personally hoping my subjective qualities overcome my objective (which is really just GRE Quant), but there's no formula for that.

Not in economics, but for political science the best thing to do is to write for a group of poli sci professors. They don't all do the same type of research and use the same methods, so keep that in mind. I'd avoid numbers and what not, but you should be using common terminology and showing your subject competence.

My references all offered to put things in that I couldn't fit elsewhere. If you're comfortable asking, then I see no problem.

Oh, I'm sure it can play in your favor, and I hope it does! It's a pretty intensive game of program size, applicant pool, and acceptance yield... I did refer to Peterson's quite a bit to get an idea of competitiveness of programs. It calmed my nerves a bit to see programs that have fewer than 200 applicants, but with an acceptance rate still hovering between 10-20%, there's still a lot of luck to be needed...

Not exactly sure, other than to see what they advertise. The size of the program in the end probably plays a pretty small role in chances compared to program prestige. If Harvard wants 20 people but gets 600 applicants, their admissions rate is still smaller than a school wanting 10 people but getting only 150 applications. But in any case, welcome to the group!

Ha! This is great. I was surprised when I moved into a house with a bunch of early-20s German men. They all cook, and take it quite seriously! I have few male friends in the US who really know how to cook well, including appealing to the aesthetic appetite. I have to say, my favorite way to cook asparagus is usually baked with some olive oil, lemon juice and fresh garlic. This also works quite well for grilling. Well, friends, I now have a second goal. Not only do I want to be a successful academic (with, of course, books published by the top academic presses), I want to be a successful cook too (with, of course, books published by... oh, who am I kidding?).

I assume that's something you'll seriously take into consideration, then? Of course, I doubt that's something I'll have to worry about (or hope for). I was mostly gauging my feasibility as a candidate with their programs, revealing my weaknesses alongside my strengths.

Those are four of my favorite ingredients. What we have here, folks, is evidence that even active academics have time for some simple French food.

It's your call, but I personally included my broad and specific areas of interest. What you're trying to demonstrate is a good understanding of the field and that you think like a scholar/academic. If a school you're applying to doesn't have anyone working on spatial infectious disease epidemiology (for example), then don't emphasize it obviously (though you could say - In addition to these (faculty-supported) research interests, I am also interested in...").

It seems poli sci people are a bunch of chef hobbyists. How many oenophiles do we have hanging out?

I wonder if you could somehow get a partial refund or something? I don't think ETS would be too happy with the testing center if that's the case...

So you like some tang, I take it? I made a casserole of sorts last week. Ground sausage (I skinned raw sausages haha) and ground beef, cooked in a skillet, then added some onions and seasoning. Poured the sauce over that. Cooked noodles, then poured the noodles into the meat sauce (simple and boring, I know). Put it into a casserole dish and covered it with cheese, then baked until the cheese was melted and starts browning (ever so slightly). Lasted me half a week, so not too bad. I did have to add extra sauce later though

I know a lot of shitty stay at home moms, too.

Then better yet, we should talk about the best ways to cook pasta and marinara sauce creatively.

I don't really blame app submitting you. It's a stressful process. Only one school offered that as an option, and I put that I'd be happy to be considered for the MPP program.

How do you get a gig like that? I went to a regional LAC, so research was pretty much professor to professor. Thanks for the nice thoughts. I sure hope so. It's kind of crazy that we all may be colleagues in academia someday (and possibly never know who was who on gradcafe haha). I'm not from a historically underrepresented group, but I did realize (which I didn't last year...) that I'm poorer than poor. Like, my tax return from last year has my income at 20% the poverty level. That and my current limited income from my fellowship scored me fee waivers everywhere I applied that offered them. Truth be told, I applied to a few top 10 Unis that I wouldn't have because they provided waivers (I'd LOVE to go to all of them, I just wasn't willing to put my limited financial resources into such a risky bet).

I've been playing with the idea of pursuing an MA in Economics. I come from a city with a decent research university and low cost of living, and they offer a 30 credit program. But that would set me back two years, still, since it wouldn't make much sense to apply a third time for PhD programs before first gaining the new knowledge (and knocking my GRE out of the ballpark). Otherwise, it would be time to hit the real world. I almost landed a sweet summer gig with a non-profit making over $15 an hour, but they passed me over because I was moving out of the country - she called me to say I was their first choice, but they were hoping to make the position permanent at summer's end. Maybe I could try to get into that type of work. Funny thing is, just today I was looking at apartment possibilities for two of my top choices... Now I'm looking at MA programs.

You'll have to forgive me folks, but I'm eager for some co-commiseration, I guess. Any cool current research projects you're working on right now? Any "alternative" ideas in case grad school doesn't work out for 2014 (I'm not sure about this myself, so I'd love to hear from others!)?

Just to clarify: I'm not suggesting that these programs accept duds and that you aren't competing with people. But even top 20 programs have admissions rates of 50%-70%.

Yes and no. I don't think education MA/MS programs are comparatively competitive (I say this from experience - though I'm not a teacher, PM if you want). I mean, yes you're going to have to be exceptional to get into Northwestern's program, but I don't think that letter is holding you back.

If you're applying to a cert program, this is certainly fine. The lines: "I cannot remember another student who put more care and effort in their work" and "She is the kind of person we need in our mathematics classrooms" are not the types of things every professor writes for every student - they'd be compromising how serious they're taken. He could have wrote "Few other students put so much care and effort in their work," but he wrote "I cannot remember another student..." You aren't applying to a Ph.D. program here. I think you'll be fine - and I think had you been applying to a Ph.D. program, he'd have written more. He certainly indicates as much in this short letter.

I think I have to be Santa Claus this year (well, my gf will be joining me in Germany). That probably means chocolate.

No problem! We're all in this together at some level. Glad to help in such a small way.

A lot of my POIs don't sit on the adcoms, I've learned. They've usually told me upfront in e-mails, but not as a warning, simply as a: I'll offer my opinion on your chances, but I don't actually sit on the adcoms. That said, here's why you might fit with our program... You might also want to get in touch with Prof. X.

You could, but I'd lean toward no, for the simple fact that contact was never confirmed. Like aliens or something.