autumn

That's a great point; thank you for sharing that. As jujubea said, there I go again with the ego. Logically, I know that you're right. Nothing happens if you aren't accepted and you can either try again next year or move on. Emotionally, though, that's a little harder to swallow after a year of preparation. Thanks for the perspective check, though!

I'm with you 100%. In addition to falsely inflating my ego, those supportive comments stress me out. What happens when everyone says you're a shoe in and you strike out? Shame, that's what happens. Every day, I remind myself of the admission stats (# of applicants, # of offers, % of acceptances, etc.) for my chosen schools in an effort to circumvent my own SOP hype. It's mostly just depressing with a side order of irrepressible hope. I know, right? I honestly do understand all the drawbacks of doctoral programs (I've worked in higher ed for 8 years) but that is one of the most appealing aspects. Managing a master's, 3 jobs, and real life was not easy and I felt, many times, that I could have conducted more research and written better papers had I not been working. To be able to focus on my research and research interests sounds wonderful. I would also love talking to academics with similar interests. No one in my cohort had the same research interests, my students are just barely beginning to comprehend mediated representations, and my family is sick-to-death of listening to me natter on about articles and theories.

I started last December and I still feel that way. I don't know if there would ever be enough time. One great thing about the process is that it has really reaffirmed my research interests. I've had my head buried in this subfield for years and I'm more interested and invested now than ever before.

Oh, I'm so glad it's not just me. I feel like I'm on a self-esteem roller coaster and I haven't even submitted all my apps yet. This may be too personal but what do you all really think about your chances? Some days I'm fairly confident I'll get an offer somewhere (doesn't help that people keep telling me that) and some days I'm working on backup plans. Honestly, though, I would be surprised if I was accepted. I think my application is solid but, clearly, the odds are not in my favor.

Yep, unless the instances reported on the results database are freak occurrences.

The interviews that I know about are all Skype or over a visitation weekend. You'll hardly be the first international student so they should have some process in place. I hope you get many interview requests and get to tell us all about them. Sorry, I read the other thread but I have no suggestions of my own. Can you ask Poli Sci faculty at your school for suggestions?

UW Madison

True. But it's also true that if you don't hear from them by the first week of January, you are very likely to be rejected. I suppose I'll know one way or the other fairly early.

Apparently, my top choice school sends interview invites at the end of Dec/beginning of January. That's not terrifying at all.

Mixed. My background is definitely qual but, after assisting with qual and quan research projects, I'm leaning more towards mixed methods these days. However, as jujubea said, it will depend on where I end up (assuming that I end up anywhere, of course).

I don't think they personalized the letters at all. Part of me is saddened by that (I gave them a detailed list of schools, complete with POIs, specialties, approaches, etc). Mostly, though, I'm just grateful they submitted 10 letters each. Thankless work! I was hoping that they'd personalize the letter for my top choice but I don't think that happened.

Definitely true. But I have 7 more due in two weeks so I'm still refining my SOPs for submission. I should probably stop but I'm still not sure about them.

Is it just me or do your SOPs get WORSE every time you read them?

^ 100% agree. I've been titling it with whatever they call it (statement of purpose, academic statement of purpose, personal statement). I had an LOR writer submit my last UT Austin letter today. I was having a fit. Good luck!

Anyone have apps due today? I had 2.

I have to mention some of them because they are the original motivations for my research but I'd rather just write about my education, research, and experiences. It is definitely awkward and horrible either way, I agree.

I think that's fair. I had one professor say that diversity of perspective is valid, whether that's personally or academically motivated. I have the opposite problem. There are plenty of things I could mention but I have no desire to write a woe is me essay.

Why oh why do you need a personal statement/diversity essay in addition to the SOP? WHY? So many essays.

All of my letters are in except for one. I know he's been super busy but it's due Monday so I'm admittedly a little freaked out. I wish I had your trust! The average of my writing samples is 15, 10 the shortest and 25 the longest. Once again, I really wish some of these elements were standardized.

I heard that too and I'm glad it helped you out. To be honest, though, it bothers me. I could definitely have used an extra month working on my application, had someone told me that. Don't tell me it's due November 1 - don't advertise that it's due November 1st - if it's really December 1st. I'm being unreasonably grouchy about it but I was not pleased when I heard that.

Like many of you, I am still working on my SOP for each school. I've written the basic parts that will be in all of them, but I'm working on addressing specifics about each school. I'm struggling with the length requirements (that is a LOT to cover in a page). I am also struggling with specificity. Is anyone interested in coordinating a peer review thing for the comm SOPs? Let me know. Also, I made a terrible decision to write a new writing sample that is better tailored to the kind of research I am proposing. I think it's a really solid idea and I've done all the research and outlining. With NCA, a full-time job, a class to teach, and freelance work to do, I have not, unfortunately, started writing yet. Luckily, I have a backup sample. It's going to be an ugly weekend.

1) I am in the same boat as you. 2 for Dec 1 and 6 for Dec 15 but I should really get all of them done this week. I won't but I should. 2) I went to NCA. I spoke to USC's director of the doctoral program. He said they intended to get decisions out earlier because, apparently, USC requires them to submit a list of the students they plan to admit by Jan 30, which is a stretch for them. However, they have not started looking at them and probably will not notify any earlier.

I believe a 4.0 on AWA right now is the 56th percentile. Did they tell you which percentile you need to meet?

I'm going. I'm presenting on two papers in a panel. I am also completely terrified. I am looking forward to the grad fair, though!

Ah, I see. USC was super specific about what the SOP should cover, as well. Did they specify how long it can be? In that case, I'd suggest maybe choosing the research that is 1) most relevant to that program (as you said) and 2) best ties in with your proposed research. That way you're still discussing what they asked for but you're also using it to lead into and contextualize your proposed research.