Ziz

I got an acceptance really really early from on of my schools and they want me to respond to the offer by February 12. Now, this school is not my top choice, but I'd be happy going there if I don't get in anywhere else. The problem is, I'm unlikely to hear from any of my other schools (and top choices) until well after February 12. The offer letter says to contact them to discuss an extension to the date of reply. How can I tactfully say "I want an extension until April to see if anything better comes along"?

Yeah, okay, I will revise to say I do understand why it takes so long. Profs have lots of other things to do, and the files take a while to review. I'm just impatient!

I don't understand why it takes so long. Yes we have writing samples to read (usually) and the sciences don't. But seriously, I have heard from 2/4 UK schools I applied to and I had to submit research proposals, SOPs, writing samples, the works. I applied December 6, my application was complete by the 15th and my acceptance letter was mailed January 6. So less than a month including Christmas holidays!! Why can't US schools be a little speedier? I'm dying here... /rant

The difficulty I am finding with philosophy programs (in the States) is that they are very hesitant to admit students without a philosophy BA. I don't know what your situation is, but I only have 1 official philosophy course on my transcript. Most top programs accept 5% or so of students so I figured my chances without a philosophy BA were slim to none. However, I have had some luck in the UK and have now convinced 2 philosophy departments to take me. I think they're more open minded there.

I also really want to hear from Princeton. Though I fear it will be a rejection .

I've been brushing up on my Latin and French. However, neither of those have anything to do with my program, they just make me feel smart, so I am going to have to say I've done no prep yet!

Argh let's move on!

One of my LORs had problems with one of the programs (can't remember which one) and it was becuase the letter was in .doc format instead of .pdf and it woudln't let him upload it.

I think maybe a lot of the stories we hear on this forum about professors being "really interested in my research" and basically choosing students based on prior contact are in the sciences. This may be because those professors have labs and work on specific projects that the students have to be interested in. On the other hand, in humanities/social science, people can often supervise on a variety of topics and don't have a group of students that all work together on the same project. Just a thought.

Last time I applied U of T gave me my offer in late March/early April.

Definitely econometrics and calculus.

Just to add some anecdotal evidence. This year I am applying to schools in North America and the UK. I took advice and contacted a handful of professors in each continent. The response in the UK was overwhelmingly positive and I have already received an acceptance from one of those schools. On the other hand, the response in the US and Canada was lukewarm at best ("yes I'm intersted in that but that has nothing to do with admissions"). Now since I was only emailing those who I knew had overlapping interests and sending the same research proposal/CV/intro email to all of them, I have to think it's not just because the fit wasn't there or whatever that accounts for the difference in response. Just anecdotal!

I heard from Edinburgh but they do rolling admissions. No word from any North American schools.

And now there's 3 Berkeleys. Still feel like one of those is a fake to 'prove' the others weren't fakes. I feel like there wouldn't be such a trickle...should be some rejections to accompany the acceptances if we go by the typical 'definite yeses and definite nos early on, everyone else later' schedule.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-spouse.asp

I don't understand why everyone seems to think that a 3.8 from Harvard is so much more impressive than from some other schools. I have seen countless reports of grades being massively inflated at Harvard specifically and some of the Ivies.

Looks like somebody got an acceptance to Berkeley already! I didn't apply there, but UCB applicants must be excited decisions are coming out so soon!

690 is a good score even if it doesn't start with a 7 . I have heard arguments on other philosophy boards (I realize we are talking political theory, but it's similar) that adcoms do consider the quant score for an applicant in philosophy because they see math skills as similar to the logic skills a theorist/philosopher needs. So someone who bombs the math section might be hurt somewhat by that score. That being said, in no way did you bomb the math section and your score is not low enough to raise any red flags considering that I doubt you will ever need to know the probability of choosing a red marble after choosing 3 blue marbles .

It does give a certain sense of control over the only element in the process that is out of our control. On the other hand, profs write for you with the understanding that you won't ever see their letters, so it does seem dishonest. That being said, I'm divided. On one hand, your friend would have chosen people she thinks will say good things about her so she shouldn't need to read the letter. On the other hand, maybe someone just writes a better letter and it would help to know that. Has she considered just sending all the letters to each school and not worrying about picking the 'best' ones?

My problem is that I have an undergrad degree in PoliSci and a master's in political theory. While I was doing my master's I became interested in a set of questions that our profs emphasized and now I want to study them more. Problem is, when I'm looking for fit in political science departments there's nobody interested in that topic. In philosophy departments everyone is. Problem? I don't have a degree in philosophy and they are extremely hesitant to admit people who don't have a BA or MA in the subject. What irritates me is that I only became exposed to these topics while doing a POLITICS degree, yet cannot find anywhere to actually study these issues in a politics department! And before anyone asks, the school I did the master's at isn't really an option because the profs who taught me these things have left and gone elsewhere (where I am applying).

I'm dying to hear from Oxford! But it won't be until March or so .

I took the other route and applied to 2 departments at two of my schools. I'll let everyone know how that works out for future reference. Mind you my situation is a little different as I want to study the same topic and it fits in both departments.

Wow your dad sounds like he loves his job. I want him on my adcomm!!

No applying for outside funding never hurts and it doesn't make you look bad not to win it. But it can help a lot to get it. I'm not 100% clear on the funding guarantee for MA students at U of T but at a lot of Canadian schools, full or at least partial funding is guaranteed. If you get a SSHRC the school knows they won't have to give you any funding, and it also gives the school a little prestige.

If it helps your anxiety at all, like I said I didn't apply for SSHRC and didn't win an OGS but got in anyway.