sylark

10 would be a good idea. Also, you do have about 6 months until the earlier applications are due. That will give you plenty of time to save up for the extra three applications. I honestly wished undergraduate institutions assisted their students more with application fees. It would serve their own interests as well. Sending transcripts really upped my budget - $20 per transcript. (I had to send two transcripts to a few a programs as well upon receiving my Fall semester grades.) Those alone cost $220! Though, you might want to look into a Graduate Application Fee Waiver. Usually you have to provide documentation that your GRE was waived OR provide documentation that you have received a large amount of financial aid or something to corroborate that you are experiencing financial hardship. Some schools don't offer a waiver, but many do since they want more applications for a variety of reasons. Contact a few of the schools at explain your concerns and inquire about fee waivers.

Good luck everyone, if you are starting the application process in the summer...GREAT! I started in October, not a good idea if you are busy working/school/senior thesis (probably worse for MA students applying to a PhD program.) My top advice, especially to anyone with a borderline GRE score (310-320), lack of publishing/research experience, and/or GPA (3.0-3.5), is to apply to a variety of schools. I doubted that I'd be able to to get into a top 50 school, and as a result didn't apply to many. I am quite happy I did apply to my top choice school and was accepted; however, I could have applied to more top programs. I urge all of you to not sell yourselves short; it could have cost my education/career options if I hadn't applied to schools that I thought "I had no chance" of getting into. That said, rankings are not the most important factor in choosing a program or the quality of a progam; however, prestige, whether we like to think so or not, has a great deal of influence on job placement upon graduating. The point of listing this is to show, there are no "safety" programs. Especially with border-liners, some top schools will focus on certain factors more than other top programs - the same goes with lower ranked programs. Essentially, there is no distinct trend; an applicant can be accepted into a top 20 school and rejected at a sub-50 school. Apply, apply, apply. If you don't have the money, find funding as soon as possible. I saved up hundreds of dollars to finance applications, many applicants spend into the thousands, but it's a worthwhile investment to increase the number of applications sent off. Don't assume "you are not good enough" for any program, or that any program is a guarantee. Though, with my 315 GRE (160V/155Q) and some other weaker factors, I shouldn't have applied to all top 20 schools; rather, I could have picked out just a couple to apply. I applied to the following programs, ranked: #25 (#17 in my subfield; below schools didn't rank.) Accepted Offer! #28 - Rejected #40 - Rejected #45 - Rejected #48 - Accepted #68 - Rejected #76 - Accepted I was accepted into my top choice program, and rejected by my bottom choice program (#68). Go figure! Hope this helps other border-liners.

Thanks. Makes sense. I'll ask around among the senior grad students, but I'll hold off until I am down there. Though I'd be curious just to hear what others have done on here. @Mac, really? High GPA and above average GRE's by no means guarantees acceptance...and CU is a competitive school.

I will be a research assistant at TAMU in the Fall, though every program is different, I'd like to know from those of you with RA experience in Political Science, what the job entails. (Even anecdotal accounts will be helpful.) Are you always up on your feet or in different buildings/offices? Do you attend/lead meetings? Is most of the time spent behind a desk? Do you have a little office or work area? Do you work at home (even if it's in-part)? Does your work at home count as required hours? How was your 20 hour (or so) work week split up? (Was it erratic or the fairly similar each week?) How do your responsibilities change over time, with more experience under your belt? Do you work more independently, with other graduate students, or just with yourself and your adviser? How demanding is the work? Describe the output of work you have done over the course of a semester. Feel free to add anything else that demonstrates your experiences. I've tried searching for some testimonies of PoliSci RA's, but there wasn't much detail. Thanks!

I would do your research before contacting a POI. Make sure you fully understand their work and demonstrate your interest. Contacting a POI can be a tie-breaker, especially for those of us with less work experience. Though, a PhD applicant, who has either obtained a Master's and/or has substantive field work (i.e. think tank, job in D.C., ect.) might not benefit as much from this contact. In that sense, your work and your interests/intentions are bit more clear. I, for one, felt less experienced and accomplished during the admission process. Though, my SOP was my saving grace. I treated it much like a POI contact. I listed a few professors I was interested in working with along with my interests, rather than lasering-in on one professor. Though, in retrospect, I believe this approach didn't serve me well in the rest of my applications. I was still just some soon-to-be college graduate with zero publications. I didn't stand out in the crowd. I think the very low risk in contacting a POI is worth the possible impression. Though, the impression should be a good one! A two-paragraph email should do; basically, it's a SOP, except condensed to 1/4 the size - no fillers! 1) express a condensed version of your work and interests; 2) express interest of POI's research. You may also send your C/V...they may or may not open it. Be prepared to share with them some of your writing if you mentioned it in your email if the POI inquires. I am thankful I was accepted into several programs, including my dream program, without messaging a POI. Though, I would urge others to at least consider it, especially if their volume of work will not be enough to distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack.

I am also going to CS in the Summer/Fall. There is a shuttle from CS from the Airport, to Houston. It's 28 bucks each way...or 56 bucks round trip. Texas A&M is considered one of the safer campuses in the US. Ranked around #38 of 456 universities in the U.S. This has much to do with the low poverty rate for the surrounding areas, and the fact that it is a college town. Hope this helps.

Well, here is my new profile, with updated information, less cynicism and hell of a lot better advice! PROFILE: Type of Undergrad Institution: State University Major(s)/Minor(s): Political Science/Legal Studies Undergrad GPA: 3.897 Type of Grad: ------ Grad GPA: -------- GRE: 160/155 Any Special Courses: Several honors courses in philosophy and interdisciplinary fields. Also, legal research AND political research/statistics. Letters of Recommendation: All Political Science Professors, (1. Political Theory/American Politics; 2. International Relations/Comparative Politics; 3. Public Policy) Research Experience: Senior Thesis; Special Research Course (Legal and Public Policy) Teaching Experience: Secondary School (Substitute Teacher) Subfield/Research Interests: American Politics/Theory Other: Supervisor of Student Judiciary Services RESULTS: Acceptances: UNM ($$$), TAMU ($$$) Waitlists: -------------------------------- Rejections: U. of Washington; UC-Boulder Pending: UC-Irvine (Presumed Rejection) Going to: TAMU Advice: Don't count yourself out! (By mid February, I convinced myself I would not be accepted to my top program, let alone, any of the programs I applied!!! I didn't contact POI's, which you definitely should, and am fortunate to have been accepted into my top choice program! (But I would contact a POI and make sure to meet with someone who has applied in the past to make sure you don't make any gaffes) Don't procrastinate. Get the application materials together and started in the summer before you apply. (I ended up completely stressed with classes, work, ect, along with getting my materials together.) Learn how to write a business email!!! Not only that, but re-re-read every email you send to any faculty members. If initiating contact, you might even want to have someone look it over. I was too independent with my applications. I really should have asked my professors or gradcafe folks some assistance or suggestions. Though, all-in-all things worked out well for me. Good Luck 2015 Applicants!

Selecting a program and weight are irrelevant. This thread, along with the argument, is irrelevant.

Padmapper and Apartmentguide are the best resources from my experience. I've been enjoying just thinking about what life will be like in College Station...or in a larger city in general, in addition to the populace cities nearby such as Houston and Austin. Growing up in a small town, well, technically village, and attending a small university, the Aggie experience will definitely be a HUGE change in my life.

Because your second-hand account anecdote of an undergraduate program at an undisclosed school is somehow indicative that grad school programs don't uphold Federal Regulation, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. Accommodations will be made, in the vast majority of instance. Unless you want to claim that most schools are breaking Federal law? Title II of the ADA covers state funded schools such as universities, community colleges and vocational schools. Title III of the ADA covers private colleges and vocational schools. If a school receives federal dollars regardless of whether it is private or public it is also covered by the regulations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requiring schools to make their programs accessible to qualified students with disabilities. Those with physical disabilities should apply to all schools that fit their academic interests first and foremost. Please don't spread misinformation, it's not beneficial to anyone.

Look at the department, your interests, find a fit, apply to those schools, and I am sure if a program accepts your application, they can arrange for certain special accommodations. This should not factor which schools you apply in the least bit!

Post something here next time. Spamming in the results, meaning not reporting a result and making complaints,which doesn't help other students in the future. So, the message, if presented in this thread, is fine.

...Someone be spamming and jelly.

I saw "Texas A&M" in my new unread email this afternoon, and thought, dread. I know this program has yet to send out rejections, so I knew it was the day of reckoning. Well, I was wrong, it was an acceptance letter. I just now read it another time just to be sure. I literally can't believe this. I'm not even happy or excited yet, I am just in disbelief since this was my top dream program, and I never thought I had a chance. (Okay, it's starting to sink it, and thus, the happiness and excitement!) Looking forward to meeting everyone else who is A&M-bound next Fall!

Is it a good sign (for me) if several people have already been rejected from a program over the past few weeks as the April Deadline approaches? There has got to be a reason why others have been rejected over a month ago, yet I have received no word. I constantly check the tracking systems as well. Could I presume, that I am on a waiting list? Again, since some rejections have already been sent. It seems like I am one of the few people that has received very few decisions, 50%, or 3 of 6. 1 of 3 acceptances from those decisions.

Impressive! Great job! (Must not be a coincidence if several top schools are in agreement. With that said, I too am waiting for several decisions. Though I am only 1 for 3, but my one offer includes funding+stipend, you know, the works. Still waiting for three decisions. The optimistic side to this is that there have already been rejections and acceptances to these programs for several weeks. Must mean something if I have yet to have been rejected, while several others already have. (As awful as the enjoyment of seeing that others have been rejected is)

Ah, a UCLA/UC-B/Pittsburg Flood! Congrats to everyone

Well I got two decisions, my first two decisions, today. First, Boulder. After a long wait, they rejected me. Apparently the UCLA has done some investigating over disputes of misogynistic practices within the philosophy department which has been released a week ago (thus they are not admitting ANY new students in that department). In addition, this past month there has been controversy over who I presume is the political science director's wife, Dr.Adler, who is also a professor in the sociology department. Dr. Adler required her TA's to dress and act like prostitutes to do a skit for an undergraduate course, and there have been other bizarre reports such as the professor coming to class dressed in only rope, no clothing. If that is his wife, I just don't think any of that, despite the amusement, is a worthwhile investment for my education. Who knows, this recent string of controversy and embarrassments in the social sciences could affect placement in the future, additionally, who knows if the UCLA has been investigating other social science departments at Boulder. I have some interdisciplinary interests in the social sciences I have expressed in my application. So, for me, the loss is a trivial one - high risk school. (And I might be a sore loser ) Secondly, I was admitted into U of New Mexico. I have research interests in American Indian Politics/Government and have made connections with the BIA, located in Albuquerque, NM (where U of NM is located.) The school and BIA work closely together on research and education as well. For me, it seems like a perfect fit, and I made the case fairly well in my SOP. The school, within three weeks of applying has offered me admission into the phD program along with an assistantship, tuition waiver, $16,000 stipend, and healthcare. Though it is not a top tier school according to the Newsweek rankings, I think it does offer me the best opportunities for my research and career in studying Native American societal homogeneity versus heterogeneity in respect to tribal lands. Upon graduating I could work with the BIA, teach, and draft policy to address the issues facing Native American communities. All of which could be used as a model for assisting other minority groups in America through cultural integration and social cohesion as I develop a general theory. Ultimately, the goal in academia should be to improve society, so I really feel great about the offer as an opportunity to do so. Very excited!

Unless you are me and still haven't received a notification even though the decision date was set to "by the end of January". Whereas most others seem to have been accepted or rejected already. AHHH! It makes you rather paranoid. Is it a good sign I am being considered in the second round of admissions, or am I forgotten/has the committee not had time to get back to me about my already decided rejection? So many thoughts and flighty conclusions; being prepared for any decision has only made me neurotic with no decision. The downfall of having expectations, when nothing in life is a guarantee (other than simple theoretical principles of mathematics/logic) for a variety of reasons! Gawd. This is cynicism at it's best/worst? Whichever.

Lubricating Oil (Get your mind out of the gutter. This is obviously referencing auto-mechanics.)

Well, it's almost midnight in Boulder. So, am I the only one that hasn't recieved notification yet? (I am wondering if this has anything to do with the controversy revolving around the philosophy department announced earlier today given the overlap of the two fields, hence "political philosophy.")

I already left a phone message with the graduate office (that has yet to reply) so I will probably wait up until Monday to, as politefully as possible, inquire about my status. Thanks, it's good to know the mass first round decisions were dispersed exactly a week ago tonight. Which only further supports the possibility that the adcom has scheduled to meet tonight probabaly at the same time as last week to make a second round of final decisions. I will take a break and start refreshing my email incessantly around 8. Hope is still alive! PS - I tried to upvote you, but sadly I have maxed my quota.

Congrats new admits! I am somewhat optimistic that since I didn't recieve word yesterday about my boulder decision, that I am, first of all, not an easy outright rejection. Further, if I WAS borderline waitlist/reject, I would likely have just received a waitlist decision if they are still reviewing my file on the last day of decisions. My guess is that today they are examining the borderline waitlist/admit applicants as they narrow down their second round picks for admittance. So even though the wait is grueling, I am probably better off if their decision comes later tonight than earlier. I think they are narrowing and narrowing, until they are confident with sending the second round acceptances, at which time they will send a mass email of sorts. (Again this is just my guess.) Or, they lost track of my application or to send off my rejection notification...but I am trying to think positive for a change.

Smooth Armpits

Criminal Minds