TakeMyCoffeeBlack

I am guessing they just haven't updated. He was DGS last year, but the torch has passed. Check out the administrative page on the Government site for the new DGS.

Voeten isn't DGS anymore (but he is a great guy).

There are masters programs that I think still accept applications, like Syracuse.

Yes, some of them are really mean spirited too. "What!??! This is a joke, right? That's okay I'm going to f*#$ing Harvard!" So what do we get out of this? You weren't going to attend anyway, apparently. And now you're demeaning what might be someone else's only choice?

Yes, of course. OTOH, it's a struggle even if you're graduating from a very top program (even if the odds are better).

Any predictions for today? It seems that some schools have gone off the script of past years (Princeton early, Yale late).

You usually need a compelling reason to defer. Most schools will not permit it just so you can sit home and watch Netflix. Alternatively, you could start at the program this year, and if you still aren't convinced finish up with the terminal masters and transfer (assuming you've gotten admission elsewhere). Of course the question has to be: Why were you applying to programs you wouldn't have been happy to attend?

I finished my undergrad last year (and was an undergrad when applying last year). I'm on my grant now, so I'm still affiliated with a university (abroad), which of course makes it easy for me to stay "in" it all. But this has no effect on my GPA or anything like that (though my GPA was too good to be true anyway, which I'd just chalk up to grade inflation ). But I think the SOP, writing sample and research interests will really be the "make" (who knows what the break is) of getting in. For what it's worth, I talked about a lot of interests, but also how they're all interconnected. I wanted to demonstrate that I had ideas for specific projects (e.g. a dissertation) but that I'm open to more and could possibly change directions (which they expect to happen anyway). You're right, it is a difficult balance, but in some ways it's a good way for us to kind of think in broader terms too (just to try and justify these darned things outside of admissions).

I'm not as cool as cooperstreet, but... 1.) Really defined my research interests 2.) Demonstrated familiarity with political science as discipline and research design/methodology in my SOP (things I glossed over in favor of biography last time) 3.) Worked on some new research (and continue to do so), which helped me do number 1 on this list and provided me with a better writing sample 4.) Got a new LoR from another political scientist with work in the same sub-sub-field as me (though he's an Americanist and I'm... well... not) 5.) Won a "prestigious" (I wish everyone knew how not prestigious it feels, but then maybe my colleagues would disagree with me) national grant to conduct research 6.) Contacted profs at some schools to talk about prospects (not sure if this mattered or not) So my profile changed significantly in the last year really. I feel the same though, except that I'm going to grad school!

Isn't this true of most large public schools? I remember reading about this in the daily at SUNY Buffalo. I went to a LAC, so our student government elections were basically who made the prettiest posters and has the most friends (like high school).

Story time! Please? This is news to me.

New Yorker here, and I've always called it Berkeley. So, yeah, I can confirm this anecdotally.

I might go ahead and suggest that those top 11 constitute the first tier. The second tier might be a bit fuzzier, but it seems that placement in R1 institutions isn't unreasonable or uncommon through the top 30, so maybe 12-30 or so would be roughly the second tier, and maybe 31-50/60 the third tier? After that most of the programs are producing private sector Ph.D.s. Just my thoughts on it - but there are great programs in the 20-30 range, like Penn State, doing pretty decently as far as placement goes. Of course all these lines are fuzzy because some schools carry more name recognition and therewith prestige and may perform better regardless of ranking.

You can count me among the rejections. It could be that none of their CP admits are on gradcafe.

What does second tier mean to you? I think we all have different definitions, interested in hearing what others think.

Who posted?

Yes, you know which I'm talking about. It's worth noting that they're tied in NRC, and I have no doubt that quality of training will be comparable (though with different foci, most certainly).

I'm wondering how to approach this topic myself. At my top two choices from current acceptances in hand, the one is a better fit and higher ranked program, which is fantastic - but it will require a cross-country move, would require 5 years RA/TA commitments (barring special fellowships along the way), and offers less than the other program, which is offering first year fellowship and 4 years guaranteed TA/RA (likely 5th year w/o obligations, though) at a higher rate in a lower cost of living city. It sucks that money even has to be a question in this, but it is the next 5 years at least of our life...

There work day isn't over yet. If the theory that DGSes run out of the building after pressing send is true...

This doesn't look like a bloodbath... more like a psycho thriller that takes place over a long period of time.

It's not helpful because now the wait is even more painful! Just send me my rejection already Edit: In reality I'm thankful for the info.

There's already someone off the Penn State waitlist?

Although I've corrected above to say beast, I think now that I should have left it at beat. Take it to mean what you will.

*imagines being a DGS 20 years from now* Student e-mail: "I was hoping for some information about the status of my aplication [by then we've eliminated extra leters]." Me as DGS: "If you'l folow me, you fine student aplicant, down the red carpet of rejection, a glas of champagne and a sad leter await you at the end." Ceremony!

You should poke the beast for us.