packrat

Last week I got three rejections within an hour, all while at dinner with my parents. It. Was. Rough.

I don't know what anecdotal evidence you are working with here, but I've spent the past 7 years around a top-3 program and a top-10 program, and I can tell you that PhD students at both were working their a**es off. I've never heard any PhD student at a T-5 say they aren't working hard. FWIW, I spoke to my POI at a T-3 yesterday, and she commented that in her opinion, outside of Stanford, there is not a big difference in job placement for any of the T-15 schools (at least in IR; I can't speak for other subfields). She said Stanford is really the only place that is consistently getting its graduates into reputable departments (though by looking here, you'll see that even at Stanford, they're scattered everywhere: http://politicalscience.stanford.edu/graduate-program/prospective-students/placement-record). She noted that especially within the top-5, besides Stanford it is a complete tossup vis-a-vis placement, with many factors coming into play that you cannot control as a prospective student (for example, what faculty will still be there 5 years later). I was a little surprised by that, as I'd always heard Stanford, Harvard and Princeton named as the "must attends." She really didn't seem to think so, even as a Princeton faculty member. Again, can't speak for other subfields, but I think the general consensus is that for the most part, the job market is out-of-your control and even if you're at Stanford, you need to be producing great research under committed faculty to even have a shot.

What are your concerns about living in Evanston? I've a good friend who lives there (her husband is on faculty at NW), and they LOVE it!

Has anyone been on College Confidential before? I just stumbled across it and #Good #Lord it is amazing what difference a few years of college makes in the maturity category.

I can't say for sure, but someone on here mentioned earlier that the admit list for Yale had been circulated to the department. In which case I'd assume all of the (good) decisions are out.

One of my gradcafe favorites. Response to MIT rejection on the results page: Everything about applying here was bizarre. +1

From the looks of the board, it looks like we're pretty much at full capacity (ie it'd be hard to foresee a lot more green coming, given how much is already up). I think IR decisions are definitely out, as myself and a few others were notified and I know they have an IR subcommittee review the apps

Did you apply to UCLA? If not, look into it for next year: they are very strong in the political communication area. Lynn Vavreck is a rock star.

Is Yale usually consistent with funding amounts? The unofficial email I received said last year's stipend was $28,400. Are all admitted offered that, and is it likely to be the same this year?

I think you should try again next year, but I will take the liberty of saying that at this point I think your single greatest weakness is your GRE. Most of the schools you listed really won't seriously consider anyone below 156Q (and you should really aim for 160+). Some of the faculty at the institutions you mention have told me that directly. So I would say go for it, but really try to strengthen your GREs. And if you can't, you may want to consider schools outside of the top-20, which may care less about your GRE scores. Good luck!!

Thank you so much for your response. I'd rather have candid feedback than no feedback, so will keep your points in mind. Thanks also for your incredible and generous help on these forums. I think I can speak for all in saying that it's truly appreciated, and I will do my absolute best to pay it forward to other applicants in future years.

Well. Happy to announce that, as someone on here mentioned earlier, hope dies last. 1st acceptance of the cycle. To Yale. Just sent up a prayer for everyone still waiting for good news. Specifics: IR subfield. Received an email from Susan Hyde. I don't remember mentioning her in my SOP (though I've since changed computers so don't have it easily accessible to check!). My guess is that she's sending notifications out for all in the IR subfield.

Does the Yale IR person mind stating their POI?

Congrats also to Yale #2!

I disagree with that. I think that's ideal, but getting published at all is a step in the right direction and probably puts you ahead of 80% of applicants, if not more. Yes, academics publish in academic journals, but they also publish in Foreign Affairs, the NYT, etc. and would I think respect your effort to get a foot in the door. I can say that I've talked to some top academics at top-3 programs and they've never specified that they're only impressed by peer-reviewed work (at least at the applicant level). A few have even said something to the effect of, "if you have anything published, that's great."

Boy, that's a good question. I called a few weeks ago and they said decisions would be released "toward the end of February." It doesn't seem like any IR/SS people have reported results, but then again to my knowledge no IR people reported positive results for Stanford, either, even though they'd been notified. We all thought they just hadn't released those decisions yet, but they had. So I really don't know. I will ping MIT on Monday and will report back on what they say.

I've spoken with some top IR faculty at length about MIT. Based on those conversations, my sense is that (from an IR perspective -- can't speak for other subfields): (1) Internat'l security-wise, Stanford, Columbia, MIT and Princeton have the best programs. Princeton's seems to be improving due to junior faculty hiring while Columbia's is slowing down a bit due to key faculty hitting retirement (2) Stanford's is the most quantitive, followed by Princeton then Columbia and then MIT. (3) MIT is the most policy-relevant. One prof mentioned that in terms of career placement, Stanford is 75% academia-focused, 25% policy oriented; MIT is the exact opposite. The advice I've been given by pretty much everyone in the field is, if you want to go into academia, go to Stanford/Princeton. If you want to go into policy, go to MIT/Columbia. (4) MIT has hired a few key methodologists in the past year or two, but I'm not sure this is reflected yet in its reputation/rankings Hope that helps

If we have been declined from a school and want to apply for another cycle, is it appropriate to reach out to members of the admissions committee to ask for insight on how to improve one's application? I don't know the DGS, but at one program in particular I do know a few people who were committee members this year. I just want to make sure that doesn't cross any professional boundaries...

I applied IR/SS and have not heard anything. Though given my track record this cycle, it's entirely possible I was rejected I will probably email the grad admin on Monday if I still haven't heard anything by then.

Have people admitted to MIT via email or phone already received their snail mail acceptance?

Nords, Another point that was made to me by a member via PM: If you are waiting only on wait-listed places and will reapply next year if not admitted, it might be helpful to ask the DGS or a POI how you can strengthen your application in the chance that you pursue a second cycle. This will allow you to express continued interest while also getting helpful information from them on what you'd need to push you over the edge the next time around. Good luck -- I am pulling for you!

I am wait-listed at one of my top choices. I emailed my POI and he basically said, "not much to do besides see how things play out." I am going to have a few faculty members with whom I'm close at a peer department email some faculty at the dept at which I'm waitlisted and let them know that it's my first choice. I think the more people who know your name and can be in a position to pull for you, the better. I also think it's wise to let the DGS know that it's your top choice; I don't know how waitlists work -- whether you're numbered or they re-evaluate applicants if spots come open. But in either case, I think if they know you will attend if a spot is offered, they're more likely to offer it.

I assumed as much as well. I also thought that poster perhaps applied for the MA program as a second option, and they have not reached a decision on that (I didn't, so that wouldnt really apply to me)

Can we confirm that all Columbia acceptances are out? Someone mentioned that last year they did it in waves, but it also seems like there is a lot of green for just one wave. Has anyone checked with the dept on this?

LOL to the person who listed their Stanford rejection with the comment, "I am the 99%" No sh**.