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IR IR IR PhD

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Everything posted by IR IR IR PhD

  1. Just wanted to say that I turned down two schools that I knew I was not going to attend because of better offers (and so any waitlisters had a better shot of finding out sooner). I was very nervous about the whole process, especially because the "negotiations" with these schools did not go over too well -- partially why I'm considering alternative institutions. Both GDs I emailed, as well as a few professors that I had mentioned as my POIs were all incredibly courteous and positive in their replies. I was happily surprised by this. Word of the wise -- write a personalized note declining your offer. It will make every party involved feel better.
  2. So... you are waitlisted at two schools that you'd seriously consider. You are likely not to find out to the last minute (i.e. April 12-15). Is it wrong to ask to visit a school you are waitlisted at... and by ask, I mean politely demand? I love one of the programs I am already into and I need to visit these schools and meet the faculty before I make an educated decision. Thoughts?
  3. I think there are numerous reasonable explanations for transferring programs. Family or personal illness is the most obvious and understandable. However much of what people are mentioning is "grey area" to say the least. Here is just one example. If your research interests change so much that your current faculty can no longer advise/teach you properly, and they aren't open to you taking classes elsewhere or using an outside advisor, is it ok to transfer? If you have there blessing, I say sure. Even if you don't but you simply can't progress with your research, I say probably. But if you went to a program to get trained in methods (year 1 and 2) only to leave for a better program because your interests have "changed" (but this was your plan all along), you're an asshole. Simply put. It might not even be identifiable that you've done this amongst your faculty and peers. But having a good "excuse" or getting away with it doesn't mean you didn't do it. You can say... so what? I'd say life is largely self-reflective. And I hope departments do more than just frown on such behavior.
  4. Amen. Even as a self-described asshole, I would never do this. I've visited a few schools already and after a weekend alone, I feel bad about turning down folks -- I can't imagine what it would feel like after 2+ years. I don't want to believe that people leaving a funded program is a regular thing. Maybe I'm naive, but given a position of power, I would never hire someone who did any of what was described above. At the end of the day, for folks considering this, I would challenge them to consider alternative ways to maximize the utility of their time. Work for a reputable think tank, publish something, learn some challenging new quantitative techniques... There are other ethical ways to reach your goals.
  5. I have a buddy that was accepted there -- an Americanist. He has an upcoming visit scheduled but hasn't visited yet... I don't know if his visit is part of an admitted students day or if he is going on his own accord. I'd call them and see what's up.
  6. Email or call them and they'll let you know. Check the website first and see if they've posted your status there. What subfield are you?
  7. Really? This forum died very quickly! Everyone has already made their decisions? Nothing else to talk about? For me personally, I'm interested if anyone (especially IR) was accepted into Maryland or Brandeis and will be declining. Thanks in advance for sharing!
  8. Out of curiosity, with the initial round of rejections for UMD in, who has checked the website and is still waiting to hear something?
  9. In general, I think these visits are almost all quite positive -- especially if they are organized and you aren't going down on your own accord. If these schools accepted you its because they really wanted you. All PhD programs deny many students. They see something in you and the cohort around you. Look for what that might be when you are there (e.g. is your cohort doing very specialized research). Also look for things that are important to you. If you are outgoing and need your professors to be open to collaboration -- make sure their doors are open. Ask current students what the biggest flaws of the program are. Make sure you can live with them. See if they are happy (very important). Because nothing is more important these days than publishing, ask about co-authoring policies with professors. Some schools count it as a solo-authored piece which helps young professors grab tenure quicker and makes it much more likely for you to publish in the first few years of grad school. I hope that come April 15th, your decision is a tough one, but that the challenge of the decision is related to multiple good options. I'm sure it will be.
  10. I will say this. Right now I am waitlisted at a school that is absolutely excellent for what I want to study. It would be tough to turn down. That being said, I visited a program that accepted me with a good funding offer this past month and absolutely fell in love with it. The faculty, the town and my future cohort were all great. It isn't as specialized in what I want to study as the waitlisted school is, but it has other excellent opportunities. On April 15th, my decision, whatever it is, will be final because I respect the fact that for the next five years, a group of my future political science peers decided that I was worth their investment for 5 years. After April 15th they may not be able to extend that offer to someone else. It's simply not fair. (This is only assuming you are being offered funding).
  11. Best of luck to you with the MAs and Brandeis!
  12. That's true that it was not well represented last year on this site. I guess there is only so far any investigation will take us. That being said, you are at an advantage because I have to make a final decision by April 15th or my other offers can legally be rescinded... I have seen people getting taken off waitlists (not Brandeis but others) after that. That hard deadline could drastically shorten the list.
  13. For this cycle I've counted one acceptance (with notes they would pass up the offer), five waitlists, and one rejection (from a personal enquiry to a POI).
  14. Wow, that's a really stressful position to be in. I'm sorry. Hopefully, being on two waitlists and still waiting on three schools means there is a spot for you somewhere this cycle!!! Part of having such a small cohort is exciting -- really close faculty student relationships. On the otherhand, I think it really helps to have a strong cohort. I visited a few schools this cycle and it seems to me that going through certain methods classes without a strong team of peers would be really hard. I feel like they wouldn't put us on the waitlist just to torture us. If we are on there, it is because they are hoping to get some more funding or waiting for a few people to turn down offers (let's just hope they do it soon). Not knowing the details is killing me though.
  15. Have you gotten other funded offers or are the two waitlist spots the remaining hope of your cycle? It seems like the one person who claimed an acceptance this year suggested in his/her post he/she is choosing a different program (though it was worded unusually).
  16. I know a few people who have been accepted to UMD and will likely not attend (not to get your hopes up) but haven't made the decision officially yet. That being said, UMD admitted people early and in mass this year. No one has gotten any rejections up to this point. It may be incorrect to assume that because you haven't heard anything you still have a chance -- this doesn't seem to me like a "silent waitlist" situation. Hope that helps cupofnimbus.
  17. Some good options! What are you going to choose? Going to wait till April 15th and hope one of the waitlist options come through?
  18. To the person who just posted the Brandeis admission and said this: "This is a repeat of the previous post but I forgot to add: was accepted but will apply elsewhere." -- Did you mean you will choose a different offer? Also, if you wouldn't mind, what subfield are you!? Edit: Please private message me if you don't want to post directly on the thread! Thanks so much in advance!
  19. It is all conjecture but that could be possible. Brandeis is also such a small department that perhaps the two or three people that were accepted don't have gradcafe accounts. Who knows. I'm just curious to see if those that have posted on the submission page their status are planning on accepting better offers. It would really help the rest of us to make that apparent as soon as possible. Also five people may not have a shot of getting off the waitlist, but certainly 2 or 3 may.
  20. For those of us waitlisted at Brandeis, care to share if it is your top choice? It is certainly one of mine. Now that the cycle has neared its end, it would be great if you could email KC and tell him you have another offer that you can't turn down. I hope they accept a few of us off the waitlist sooner rather than later... I don't want to wait till April 15th to make a decision!!!
  21. So happy for you! Do you mind sharing how you heard? Form email or email from a POI...? Congratulations again!
  22. Congratulations to the first UPenn acceptance. Anyone want to claim with a subfield please!!!?
  23. So far I see five people have posted waitlisted status at Brandeis for this cycle. There have been zero posted acceptances and rejections. Any thoughts on what this means from folks?
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