CarefreeWritingsontheWall

I've also heard nothing from SAIS (I'm an MA applicant) but they're aiming for the 14th for most of their programs according to their website (http://www.sais-jhu.edu/graduate-studies/admissions-and-aid/important-dates)

I got the same email (and almost had a panic attack over it). A lot of people are saying that their status updates on the website first and the emails come later (and this is beyond Geneva) so for now I'll keep checking. :] Thanks.

Ah congratulations! I'm still 'under consideration.' It might be that they want you to send formal transcripts, since the online application only required scanned ones.

I feel as if more and more people are commenting with "Thank god..." as if we're on our last legs already. ><

Ah good to see. I've applied for their MA in International Law though so I don't quite fit with the MDev crew. But I'm still rooting for everyone here. :]

Were they phone calls or emails? I suspect they won't call Canada from Switzerland. xD

They state on their website that they're aiming to let MA candidates know by the 14th. Might vary by specialization?

MA candidates were told via email today that we would received acceptances/rejections before and by March 14th. They're going to start releasing them shortly...which likely means everyone will hear back on the 14th. Falls in line with their traditional release dates, and with Georgetown SFS and SAIS coincidentally.

I am currently coming out of my undergraduate degree and I know exactly what I want to specialize in. That specificity meant I was looking for particular faculty and specializations within particular departments - and even then I was looking at very specific aspects of the research interests of those faculty. Because of this, I applied to only 3 schools. This might cripple me because many people view it as limited my chances of a future MA place this coming Fall, but because of how clearly I know what I wanted I could barely find three programs that seemed right - even after long conversations with existing faculty. The fact is, I know that I would rather not get into these three programs and spend a year off than go somewhere else. I had "safety schools" I could have applied to, but I knew that even if I got in I wouldn't want to go to them because their research wasn't aligned with what I wanted to do - it seemed like a waste of money. I also know that I'm on the fence about completing a PhD so practical programs with key networking opportunities were also important. This being said, I know my circumstances don't align with the average undergraduate student finishing their BA.

Just got an email from the Graduate Institute Geneva, only for it to say that they expect to send out all results via email/online by March 14th and are still processing admissions and scholarship decisions. Curses.

Depends on who the professor is in particular. If the email is appropriately phrased I think they'd be more than willing to help.

Georgetown SFS hasn't released anything yet either. ^

As a current student from McGill, and having heard from my advisor himself (I'm an undergraduate honors student), they're behind in reviewing applications and completing their selection process. As we're on reading week this week, I wouldn't expect extremely fast response times. I would expect them to review apps and meet after the break (March 11th) so you might here within the next week to two weeks max. I believe they're aiming to let everyone know by March 15th but I could be wrong.

For those waiting on McGill Political Science offers, the department should start reviewing applications and sending offers in max two weeks (as it's our spring break currently - I suspect they'll meet after). They were late to start sifting through applicants this year (this informtion is coming directly from my own advisor). When it comes to the 'academic' orientation of the department, it strongly depends on what subfield you're working in. :]

I asked my undergraduate thesis advisor if it was a good idea for me to stay at my current institution for my MA or PhD. He told me that he was 'kicking me out of the box' so to speak, in the sense that he felt he had taught me as much as he could in four years, as had his colleague. (Only the two of them specialized in my disicipline) He felt that I would benefit from going to another institution with a larger department in my field and fresh/different perspectives. Ultimately I decided that it would be worthwhile to jump ship. Were I in a different discipline that was larger, and had a number of faculty I had yet to take classes with or work with, I would have strongly considered sticking around if only because my current institution is as good as it is. I work in political science, but with only two professors concretely specializing in my research interests, it would have meant signficant overlap between my undergraduate and graduate courses and a continuation of the advisor relationship I already have. So I think it depends a lot on how much you've learned and specialized within your current department. How many English professors know you? How many of the same faculty will be teaching you at the graduate level? Is there a department that specializes in your research interests specifically? If there a professor you dream of working with who works at another university? (If so, apply - why not?) I do agree that if you're well known by a department already, you have an in. I asked about the bias that certain people have discussed when it comes to sticking to on institution for their BA, MA or PhD. I was told by my Professor that it's increasingly common, and less so a focus point but there were obvious benefits to attending a number of institutions. In my particular case, as I mentioned, it was not in my interest to stay. For you, that might be different. Worst case, it might be worth it to bring up your thoughts to a professor you might consider working with if you did stay.

Rensellear Polytechnic Institute Electrical Engineering, PhD (F14) Rejected via E-mail on 4 Mar 2014 I 4 Mar 2014 "I am sorry that we will be unable to offer admission to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. We receive many applications for study in our graduate programs, so the competition for these slots is very intense." Shit Man!! You gotta be kidding me "on the match between the focus of faculty research and student interest and background. Rensselaer has chosen foci in areas as diverse as biotechnology, information technology, and interdisciplinary programs at the intersection of science and humanities, among others" Bullshit!!!! "Students admitted to study in our programs often have diverse backgrounds" WHAT the hell!! I am from a diverse background (Pakistan) I can only imagine what will go through my mind when I start getting emails...

I was in a similar situation as you, mainly that the week before I wrote my GRE my family and friends were facing signficant personal crises. Paired with a power failure in the middle of my test, I completely bombed my quantitative and verbal sections because I had lost all ability to focus. On my of LOR writer's is my undergraduate thesis advisor and he assured me he would explain that (I had emailed him about it the moment it happened, and he had convinced me to apply to American schools in the first place). If something happens, and you aren't accepted, I don't think it would hurt to get a revised letter with the explanation in it. That said, I think your LOR writers will already discuss your work ethic in their letters, maybe not in relationship to working full time on top of school, but in ways that will show a committee that you're a dedicated student regardless. Like all of the others here, I don't think it would be worthwhile to say something now. It seems like you already have your foot in the door at the one. Good luck!

As a candidate who's only applied to MA programs this year, I get the sense that PhD candidates hear back first (for all the schools I've applied to, they've heard back already). It might be worthwhile to investigate their websites, but I do have firm dates that I will hear back by, though the window opened for responses as of March 1st because my deadlines were all in and around January 15th.

Hey all. I've been following this thread for awhile and perhaps psyching myself out about hearing back from Georgetown, SAIS and the Graduate Institute Geneva. My undergraduate thesis advisor said all three schools tend to send out admissions later relative to others, and even told me that when it came to my current university's MA and PhD acceptances, staff had barely had a chance to crack open the 400+ applications. So the waiting game may not only be weather related (we've had our fair share of snowstorms this year) but also who is just plain busy. Sounds tedious I know. I hate that I haven't heard back from any of my applications yet, and really can't expect to for another two weeks or so. It's my understanding that Georgetown, specifically SFS, usually releases decisions around the 15th or later - though I could be wrong. Anyways, I'm sure that I will be around, waiting on pins and needles until I hear back.

Hey all! So I'm a little flustered. Yesterday I wrote my GRE for the first time and I scored a 149 on Quant and a 155 on Verbal. My essay scores are still pending. I intend to apply to Princeton's WWS for an MPA focusing in international political economy for Fall 2014. They're the only school I want to apply to (at the moment) that requires the GRE. My GPA is 3.8/4.0, I have excellent letters of reccomendation. My CV is packed with awards and I stand in the top 10% of my class at this time. I also have research experience for the past year in my field with professors who've been trained at top tier schools in the US. I'm also heavily involved in many clubs on campus. Is this enough to overcome those scores? I've heard mixed things. Some say that Princeton doesn't care about your GRE scores if your GPA is high. Others say they look at them if you're an international student in order to compare you to others from other schools. As an aside, it's not that I never prepared. I've spend the past two and a half months studying, committed to a Kaplan prep course. Went in feeling extremely confident, only for the power in the building to surge and for my computer to turn off right as I submitted my argument essay. It took twenty minutes for the computer to reboot, which (unfortunately) was enough time in total silence, not knowing what was happening, for me to psyche myself out. When I got to my last Quant section I couldn't even make sense of simple questions that I knew how to do - text anxiety I suppose. I've never tested well on standardized tests period. If I tested again I would want the time to study and commit to more practice questions/tests (which involves extending my existing Kaplan course or going through Magoosh and trying something new?). The problem is, I'm starting my 4th year of Undergad this fall, which is jammed with honors seminars/research work/club committements etc. I doubt I'll have any time to put in the hours I know I need to do well in the next six months. So, suggestions are welcome. Thanks for any and all help!