boazczoine

Oh sheesh, I probably overstated. That was based on gossip from academic friends at Penn (not in poli sci) and inferences off of the website.

I've gots me a theory. I know Penn is aiming to offer funding to all of its students off-the-bat, so maybe that is what is delaying the process this year--if I remember correctly, last year there are admits with full funding and then admits waitlisted for funding. Maybe they are doing away with the funding waitlist and are instead waiting to get a total, set budget from the University and then issue decisions in a more straightforward manner--all acceptances offered funding, with a waitlist for both acceptance and funding.

Edited because I was too slow.

I'm afraid that this is going to sound cranky when its really not--there seems to be a person waiting on Penn that keeps posting "other" asking if anyone has heard from the Department. If you're that anxious, give em' a call! No harm in that.

Man, where IS Penn?

I was told the same by professor friends. Because "fit" is so important...but also so hard to define and probably different for every person evaluating you, its a black box.

I'm on a plaaaaaane.

Ha!

Ugh. I think I made it pretty clear that I wasn't claiming everyone who would turn down his request would do so because they found it weird, just that some would. Though on two--a lot of individuals may find it an inappropriate request as well. Why? Because many individuals are taught not to do things like get in a car and drive thousands of miles with a stranger--and may feel slightly weirded out that others were not taught that lesson and may wonder at the motivations. I was simply says that it wasn't out of the realm of possibility that some people would find it inappropriate to take the trip personally (and may also find it a weird/inappropriate request)--and I think there are some sound reasons for that feeling. I wouldn't have that reaction (I'd just tell the guy good luck and I'd meet him in CA), but I wouldn't really hold it against someone who did. I feel like I may be speaking from a stereotypical female perspective, but there you have it. Of course, many won't find it weird at alllll, though! And regardless, once everyone is in school together, they will all get to know one another and realize the request wasn't meant to be weird at all--just adventurous.

Huh? I definitely say go for it! Could be a blast if you find the right buddy. But with the caveat that a lot of women (and men) would likely (and perhaps smartly) find it inappropriate to drive cross country with a man (I'm assuming) that they know nothing about--and I wouldn't judge them for that.

You know, I really expected folks to hear from more schools today.

Ok, I dread doing this because it is beyond second-hand knowledge/likely not helpful but for those of you waiting... Apparently Yale has made their decisions and are just waiting on "official" sign off. I do not know any other details besides that. A friend of mine in another department heard from a current Poli Sci grad student.

I know its spam and may be irritating to some, but the cow related postings on the results thread (that are quickly deleted) are making me smile.

That's not cool at all. I know sometimes graduate schools are in charge of sending out rejections while departments take the acceptances and waitlists, but as Princeton demonstrated, it is possible to coordinate the two. For heaven's sake.

Definitely. The dress code didn't even bother me at all, I was just being argumentative.

I ended up in detention for refusing to tuck in my blouse during my school's wild and wacky business cas days.

The full-on uniform generally (as in, traditional boarding school attire, not kilt)? Went to a prep boarding school here on the east coast and can unfortunately confirm they do indeed exist. My school went rouge for awhile and instead required us to wear business casual every day, but then too many students weren't following the rules exactly so we were back in plaid.

I may not be understanding the question, but you take the e-ticket to the airport an hour before your flight leaves and check in with it at the desk for your airline or through an online kiosk. Depending on your airline, you may be able to check-in ahead of time through your airline's website using the confirmation number listed on your itinerary.

Sure--and I think a lot of folks have mentioned that adcomms frequently meet electronically regardless. Probably more significant for the actual mechanics of letting applicants know (either through mass emails or online updates) for schools that don't do POI calls.

Penn is also closed for those waiting, my friend told me.

When I was applying to law schools, I started getting emails about new student orientation and 1L sections from a school--that I hadn't yet heard a decision from. So I decided to call the admissions office and found out that apparently they had forgotten to tell me I had been accepted weeks ago. It was a front-desk person who told me and I think she was more excited than I was (and it was a great school so I was excited, albeit a little miffed). She kept saying, "I never get to tell people they get in! This is a lot of fun!" Her and I became buddies after I enrolled.

I believe that was in reference to the state's financial troubles over the past few years and the alarming impact it has had on fellowships/tuition.

Things I couldn't do. (Congrats to your friend!)

Oh hush, everyone has a shot everywhere. This process is making me miss applying for law school (sorta). LSAT and GPA decided one's admissions cycle--it was freaky how predictable everyone's cycles went. Now, I have so many questions I'll never get answered--why? Was it my writing sample? The topic I proposed? Was a POI not taking students this year? Why wouldn't you tell people that, if so? Did I not take enough math? What does fit actually meeeeean? But anyways, at this point, I have myself convinced that I am going to get shut out. Am I depressed about that? Sure. Am I thinking about all the clothes and outfits and nights out I could have bought with my application fees? You bet your bottom I am.

THRILLED to say I did not apply to Michigan.