lenin333

The departments are big... U of T is the largest Polisci dept. in N. America. Broke - maybe.

I go to U of T. York is the second fiddle to U of T here but I don't know that that matters in the grand scheme of things in Canada. First you probably are going for an MA so it doesn't matter what the school is as long as you are shooting for a PhD the year after. Admissions are slow. Funding is lower. Most MA's are not funded and if you are American - don't take loans!!!! - grad school here I think doesn't make sense. Only go if you are PhD stream. My experience has been mixed. Toronto is bankrupt - morally and financially - so it's not so cool when the city feels broken and soulless. Lots of the same types of stores: drugmarts, second-cups, starbucks, loblaws, and LCBOs. If you like to drink, Canada is not the place to do that. A 6 pack costs about 12 bucks. The exchange rate is worsening. Man... do I sound bitter?

I have a Greek soon to be you know what, so being Stateside isn't my destination... so to speak.

Oh, I am thrilled. More reading and political musings for me to go over. Maybe a view documentaries too.

I called the department... voice recording. Then I emailed someone in the department who was listed as a contact in the recording. I am waiting that response. Exciting...

Ammar, Why do you think that I applied? Sincerely, Lenin

I got a letter saying that your file is now complete and headed to the appropriate department. That was 1.5 weeks ago or so. I am applying for the PhD, so I might be in a different boat than you.

I would love to have the data on accepted GRE scores for top ten programs...

Dear thebends, Thanks for the kind words. I love that album too. Bulletproof... best song. Sincerely, Lenin

What happened to that last post?

Good GRE's? 650v/780Q/5.5AWA 93%/90%/88% I was aiming to a PhD in Econ, but I was convinced to go this route. I know that others have better but where should these place me in the world of Poli-Sci?

That's pretty much how I feel about this statement - wasn't future oriented enough. Probably should have had someone else look at them before I fired them off. Now where is my adviser... Juan?!?!?

Here is the last one I wrote. I didn't get advice from anyone, which may have been a mistake. All suggestions welcome - even harsh ones. PhD University of Toronto -Direct Entry "Following my graduation from St. Louis University, I was afforded the opportunity to teach English in Ljubljana, Slovenia. In addition to giving me valuable practice on the other side of the student

... what should I do? ... All rejections and 3 more to go... any suggestions...

I am going to give it a few days before I post. What is the LJ address?

I am considering posting my statements of purpose for review by members here. I feel they were considerably weaker than they should have been. Not focused. Would anyone be willing to trade SOPs? Email me if you are.

Who was that GT post on the results page? What was your sub-field? I have been told that my sub-field has yet to decide anything.

Maybe I will get my 3rd rejection in three days tomorrow.

I think people focus on the rankings because they don't want to face the reality that an obscure program isn't the dream ticket. Frankly this process has really gotten me to realize that I don't want to do a PhD. Why should I perpetuate the bullshit? I am off to get an online MSc from University of London. Show me the dolla-bills!

Official Reject.

Dear Realist, Would you please comment a little on the racket that is graduate school? Especially the application process and the ambiguity that most admissions pages put forth. It seems to me that I am a fine candidate for something but after my 0 for 7 route, I am absolutely clueless as to what I did wrong. The only school that I think I even had on the hook was Northwestern and I was rejected (Probably because me letters were not from faculty that could speak to my polisci chops). One thing that I have concluded is that even with good scores, LORs, etc. there are so few spots that it is a lottery nonetheless. Lastly, I don't know about my SOP. I feel that it probably was absolute crap looking back. But I really am clueless as to what they would want me to say. Sincerely,

This is the advice that I hear all the time. A PhD is a horrible opportunity cost to bear if you aren't getting a top notch degree. At least in a field like econ you can get out while you can with an MA and find some work. For me, I am pretty sure even if I get in to any of my remaining picks I will not go. I would rather get a MS in Finance or Economics. Five more years of grad school drama is not for me. The one point that I really do agree with is that grad school is the most intellectually stimulating period of your life. My MA experience has shown me that for sure. Good luck to all.

Next stop... University of Medell

Kick.

I am a grad student in a two year MA. My experience has not been the best of late. My department is overworked as the graduate coordinator has been on sabbatical. I am scared to walk into the Poli sci office for fear of an answer.