TakeMyCoffeeBlack

Very good point. This makes a lot of sense, especially since the programs I'm thinking of usually guarantee funding.

Take comfort in fit. full disclosure: that is not I!

Some of the more competitive lower ranked programs have tremendous yield compared to these elite programs. I find that very interesting. I wonder how attrition rates compare.

I just started watching Malcolm in the Middle. Very funny. I'm thinking Pitt will still announce tomorrow or Friday, although I've gotten it from the inside that the committee is still "reviewing files." Whether that means they're in final rounds or just beginning is hard to say. I'm not sure which I'd prefer...

I'm on A Feast for Crows, but haven't been very motivated to read lately. Great series. The show's pretty good too, though I think it was never better than in season 1.

Hopefully not a bad tattoo on the beer belly. Please not that...

Losers...

We have a tremendous range of experience on these forums, and that's one of the great advantages of even having GradCafe. Of course life experiences at 28 for one person may be very different than 28 for another. And maturity and wisdom do not always correlate with age (let's be real, how many older people do we know who listen to *insert offensive radio host name here* and repeat their arguments word for word), though I can only hope that all of us future (and current) political scientists are mature and wise (well, let's hope we're not too mature). I think most of the advice given here tonight is valid - but it is not universally applicable. That's the nature of advice based on personal experience. There is never a perfect time to begin a Ph.D. in political science. The best any of us can do is work to beat the odds regardless of our age. And drink red wine. Yes, that too.

SHUT UP!

Age is tearing my gradcafe family apart.

Ah, so it was you. Congratulations! I love that some of you who are feeling down for whatever reason are getting great news.

Congrats to the MSU admit!

Ha! I love this! Many congratulations.

Interesting. A rather late deadline for a program of its rank.

Did they extend the deadline? I seem to remember it being Jan 1 or Jan 15, but I see on the website that it's Feb 1 now (I ended up not applying there)

CONGRATS!

I'd probably disagree with 4, in general, and 6 - from what I've gathered - has less to do with your writer's reputation and more to do with the content they include. I'd also think that for a lot of programs, writing sample will carry some weight. Otherwise, a good list of things to think about for graduate applications.

Remain skeptical, of course, but this is, if nothing else, a positive sign. Typically when they talk about "nominating" for fellowships, its in regard to top candidates.

Also, if that's your post in the results, xuejia, your GREs are phenomenal. Between your passion and stats, I imagine you'll get a very good offer very soon.

Best of luck! And despite the trouble they're giving you, I'm still jealous of your Latin diploma.

None of these, no. Pitt did release on a Tuesday in 2011, maybe they'll go back to the good ol' days.

Schools that started releasing on last year's equivalent of this Tuesday: Iowa, Penn State, U Arizona, U Kentucky, and Florida State. Anyone waiting on any of these?

I stand corrected. Thanks for clarifying, Torrid. Hope you're enjoying Germany (I am)!

I think most schools phased them out between the 60s and 90s. Religious schools were slower (for obvious reasons). A lot of my youngish professors had some Latin and some not Latin degrees (because of changes between their MA and their PhD).

I think the things you're double guessing are all good things to have done. Of course, who knows how good my advice is (we'll know by the end of March?).