jeudepaume

I wasn't as they specifically stated that contacting your potential adviser wasn't necessary (or welcomed). I mentioned him in the SoP, and he was on the committee though (an interview was conducted by two people). Anyways, good luck with your proposal, and wish you to get a positive result out of it!

How did I miss it! Great news, congratulations, cautiously! Whatever comes next—it's already an unbelievable relief.

Unfortunately, I've been there. Had an interview with a British University last year, after submitting a proposal. Was such a huge disappointment to discover a rejection 4 weeks later; it definitely felt worse than other 'no-proposal' schools. Although I did suspect it coming, as this was my first interview with a school (ever), and I felt that I didn't do the best job preparing for their questions (better say I expected different questions).

Me too, I have to apply to a couple more places, both in the US and in Europe. It's just so hard to get yourself going again after you're done with the first wave; it feels like it should be over by now.

Thank you TMCB

Btw, with this whole 'introversion' thing, I have to say, seeing so many people encountering the same sort of problems that I am battling every day, makes me feel better. P.S. I do think though that it's funny that all these people (including me) are going for an academic career, which presupposes teaching. )))

I thought I am the only one who googles staff like that.))) And yeah, all my 'introversion' issues definitely come out and shine when it comes to applications, communicating professors/schools etc. Speaking of which, I want to ask you guys for an advice. I had a good interaction with one of my POIs, and he asked me to keep him posted when I apply. I did so in early December and received no response from him, which would acknowledge that he received my email and knows that I applied. I assumed it is pretty normal granted how busy professors are + I didn't want to be intrusive, so I never emailed him again. But now I am freaking out, as I am afraid that he might not get my email. Should I chill or should I email him again? One more issue of that sort. Another professor suggested that "we should schedule a phone conversation once the admission process is underway in December." I assumed that he would be the one to initiate the contact, once he sees my file and decides if he wants to interview me or not. Since he never contacted me in December, I am in doubts again. Should I contact him now?

Boy, that really gets me worried. They just managed to complete my file, like 3 days ago---they couldn't find some of my supplemental documents. With a week or two left before the decision I feel like I might be out of the race by now. Although it's better than what (almost) happened to a friend of mine. One school attached somebody else's transcripts to her profile. It's a good thing she discovered it. (Sorry I don't mean to add any more dimensions to everybody's anxiety)

September? I'm confused. Unless you meant January. Then I'm not confused. Congrats to MSU admit, and good luck to all of us!

Gee, I'm starting to think 'theory people' are a nice kind.) 100% of people I contacted responded, and even those few, who said they didn't have time to talk to applicants, always added that they accept students and encouraged to apply. A person that didn't accept students was even kind enough to recommend a couple of their colleagues who work in the same area. The way I did it was by briefly describing my interests, pointing where they intersect with the POI's work, and asking if he or she accepts students for the next year.

Thank you TMCB! Northwestern is one of those late ones too.

I'm so frustrated. One of my recommenders didn't submit their letters. Deadlines passed (some of them long ago). I contacted the person multiple times, and was reassured that it would be submitted. I don't know what I else I can do at this point, but it sure does feel unfair—after all that work and money spent—to not have a chance at some places because of somebody else.

Yep, visual aid and body language are sometimes the best (if not only) options. -- I learned it too.

Although I'm guessing, the second one plays a much bigger role in the whole setting, as I generally am much more comfortable with any sorts of social interactions in my own culture.

Haha I totally know what you're talking about. Although for me it sadly extends to "short, cordial, professional calls" as well. An introvert inside of me is always moderately wary to commit some social faux pas, while a foreigner inside of me adds a dimension of language anxiety. Lovely cocktail.

jazzrap, I am in the same situation: most of my POIs (7/9) are on leave too. It shouldn't matter all too much, but I can't help but worry that this definitely doesn't help my application either. TakeMyCoffeeBlack, what do you expect from Santa Claus? (in your signature)

Yay, two months of obsessive everyday visits to the grad cafe! (I'm getting there too)

Oh wait no, checked my list: I'm applying to Santa Cruz. My bad!

Hey! I'm applying to their Political Theory program. Whatup?

I also got the idea that personal/diversity statement should not matter all that much. However, this time (as opposed to the last round of applications) I've been strongly advised to introduce some perspective on my background. The general advice, as far as I understand it, is to make your disadvantages work for your advantage. Last time I preferred to ignore this aspect (as I think it shouldn't matter); this time I am trying to do the opposite, and actually stress it. Talking to a number of professors in some schools led me believe, that if there are two candidates with a similar profile and characteristics (e.g. test scores), but one of them is from Ivy and another is from an unknown Belorussian university, it won't hurt the second to introduce a little story. Without a story, Ivy can be just another automatic plus to the first applicant's profile, whereas the story can actually change the balance in some cases. I thought I'd share this perspective with other (especially international) applicants.

I join the necromancy session, as I am in the middle of writing my diversity statement. ('In the middle' in this case implies struggling over the first three sentences). I have no idea what people put in these (or even more generally, what tone should those be written in)

Mine is theory. They have a couple of very good specialists on nationality, and race and ethnicity there + an awesome interdisciplinary program.

I've submitted my first one yesterday too. Today I am submitting Northwestern, which is also one of my top choices. Did you stick to their "500 words" recommendation? I am afraid I would have to butcher my SoP to bring it to this length.

Thanks for your responses, guys. The American one keeps striking "Professor" out. But I think I'm going to stick with it. TakeMyCoffeeBlack, Fulbright Scholarship? Nice job! Should definitely help with applications.

Hey guys! I have a silly question about an SOP formulation. When you mention faculty members of interest in your statement do you put "Professor Smith" or just "Smith?" I had my statement read by my European professor and by an American one. Where one keeps inserting "Professor," the other one keeps striking it out. Unfortunately, this is not the only thing on which they give opposite advices.