alanapsci

Thanks Quarex for your opinion and I hoping that funding will come in the next few years. I am still going to take the acceptance even without the money. And I have also heard from my department that many of their students are not getting funding or pathetic funding offers. Have you made any headway in your decision?

Maybe.... but nothing is garanteed. I am guessing that the program needs money so they offer a few extra spots without money to lure in the cash? And I guess some people bite.

Why do schools accept you for a Ph.D. but then provide you with no funding? I thought that if they accepted you they would provide funding? I do know this year it is particularly difficult to find funding because of the economy... but what gives? Thanks!

Sorry for the personal thread... Quarex, I PM'ed you rather than discuss what I had to say on the board!

Quarex--- Let us know what you choose! (I assume you choose GMU??) I will be interested to know. GMU public policy program is fantastic! Congrats on getting in and it's great that you found a place where both you and your girlfriend can go! :mrgreen:

In my opinion 100,000 in debt is not something that you want to do! It would take forever to pay off not to mention each months payments would making living (if you plan to have a family) increadibly difficult. I did a terminal MA at GMU, as you know, and I am very happy I made that decision.(at that time they did not have the PhD program) And yes, I had to make peace with the fact that I did 2 extra years of work than someone who came from undergrad straight to PhD but I think it was a good move for me to shore up my GPA and prove that I could to PhD work while having access to the DC area for conferences and networking. Now, about going back to the same school... I can't tell you if that is a wise idea but as my professors say.. you have to move on in life. They kept telling me not to apply near GMU for my PhD because you have to move on and meet new people and create new experiences. I do beleive you have a girlfriend you are trying to stay close too???? But sometimes we have to make a choice and I am doing that right now, moving to UConn away from my b-friend who lives and works in DC (and is getting his CS MA at GMU) and will not be moving with me.(we are still staying together but who knows). If I were you, I would do an MA (are you accepted into any programs where the MA would allow you to get into their PhD program easily? I know UConn has said it is super easy to switch into). You never know what you will publish or what opportunities will be presented to you during your MA or during your MA to PhD process. Good Luck!

Thanks Quarex and fuzzydunlop!! I am at least glad to see Arizona State and U. Mass on the placement list for UConn!

Wouldn't hurt... in my opinion. Good luck :mrgreen:

Thanks AnotherRealist and Lenin333... Great advice is great! My question for AnotherRealist... I am thinking about taking my one and only offer (funded)--- from the University of Connecticut, but it is not in the Top 50 (It's 67 I think) I already have my MA. Should I decline and try again next year or just go with it??? :?

Congrats Browneyedgirl! I don't know if APSA is the same as ISA, but I would assume it is.... I actually was on a panel and gave a presentation but I did have friends who did the poster presentation. They were in a ballroom type room and each had a desk and chair. On the desk was a big poster that highlighted their best ideas and seeked to attract a person to ask more questions. Some used pictures, diagrames... Then people would meader around the poster presentations in their free time and ask questions. Be sure to have extra copies of your work to hand out. Good Luck!

You always make me smile Missingvandycandy! :mrgreen: Thanks! I am going to the University of Connecticut... Go Huskies! Advisor: Lyle Scruggs, Chair of Methodology and Comparative Politics (happy since I asked for him on my SOP) Temperature... feaking cold! I guess this placement serves me well since I bombed the GRE's. Overall, I had hoped to get into a little higher up the ladder school but this should serve me well. I plan to hunker down and be in it for the long run. Goal: Teach at large State University and do government consulting. Good luck everyone and thanks to this board for helping me through the hard times

Thanks everyone for your insight... I guess maybe I am in at this lower tier school for the long run! I think I will however, give it a shot at trying to transfer, just for the fun of it (teasing of course). Realist, I am a little disheartened at your attitude of trying to "crush" the lower tier students. I would hope that you give more uplifting advice to your students in real life or yikes..... I think we all know in the back of our minds (for those getting into the less than "perfect" top 25) that we do have a much harder time at finding a place and should not believe 100% we will get a glorious job. However, I would be happy to work at say, Southern Maine, or Kentucky, where I have heard the freedoms of academic life are much greater in getting to choose your path and take your time at publishing ...... Anyway, Thanks everyone!

Thanks for the insight missingvandycandy. I am in a similar situation to iheartplato in the fact that I was accepted at a lower tier university, I already have my MA (and do not want to go back for that), but think I can move further up the ladder. I am going to accept the lower tier acceptance since it comes with funding. However, I want to move to greener pastures even if it is just up the ladder a few rungs. Does anyone suggest waiting one year? Or should one wait two years? I guess to say, what is the optimal time to try again? Really, the only thing that I can improve would be my GRE scores and maybe a little bit on my SOP but no reason to say, head back to get another MA.

Anyone heard funding? I was accepted way back in mid-Feb and was told the financial aid was under consideration until as late as April 15th. I wrote them a few weeks ago and was told maybe end of March but I have heard they have already offered some people funding. What is the funding looking like? Thanks!

Just wanted to say that I worked a 20-hour a week job while doing my MA, although not that mentally or physically taxing, I live in DC and the living cost is high... I feel like I pay a $1 to take a breath. I did not have a hard time with working and school... I did very well GPA wise and also had time to do an extra paper for the ISA conference. Those of you who do have families or live in expensive cities I would suggest a 10 hour+ work week along with school. It certainly can be done! But, hey, if you live alone, and you live in the middle of no where, take the time off! (or if you are lucky to be wealthy or helped by parents, aunts, friends, etc) As for schools who forbid working-- that is true, but unusual. You can also state your case to the department and they can wave the "no work" rule. Best of luck!

That is pretty funny....

Did a quick Google search ... 291, if you include international relations programs (many are pretty obscure programs!) Well said and I do agree with exactly what you said Ammar!

I am very happy for those on this board that were accepted by "THE top 25 schools" that this professor has pointed out. And I truly wish them the best! But, some of us did not get accepted by a top 25 and will still be very proud of the degrees we get, including me, and who cares if it is from a number 40 or 50 on the rankings list... remember there are around 300+ programs in the US alone. Yes, if you want to teach at the top, then you better be at the top, but its not all about those Top 25. I just wanted to speak out to those who are not in a Top 25 to let you know that you are NOT a failure, as much as this board might make you feel. My professors have assured me that hard work and publications can and will get you noticed and with that you can make a pretty good living at a good university! Taking that "low level" acceptance and running with it..... :mrgreen:

Thanks for letting us know! and Congrats

Congrats!

I will assume then "BadUsername" that you have an acceptance to American? Would you mind sharing? Were you given funding.

Yes, online status page... mine says they never got any information from me! I e-mailed the coordinator and was sent back a response that said... no worries, it will be updated soon.... I have heard they take a long time to decide....

A forum for those that applied to American U. Anyone heard any news? How many applicants? When should we expect to hear?

I hate to whine... BUT when is UNC going to send out their rejections (or waitlist?)???? I know everyone who got in, got in early February. And it seems many of us never heard anything back. I know I shouldn't care about the rejection but when it has been hanging in the air for over a month it is frustrating! :evil: Yes: UConn Nope: UVA Waiting... WUSTL, American, UNC

Thanks, iheartplato! It's nice to hear someone else who understands! Good luck with GWU and the rest of your apps. I went to two big state schools... Virginia Tech and George Mason. They had professors from no name universities and also those from Princeton, Harvard,WUSTL, etc.... It just depends what happens to you in life, publications, pull from other professors, not all is lost with a mid-tier/low-tier school. I can't say for way way below though...