cupofnimbus

There's a marked increase from prior years in the number of ABDs entering the job market early. And ABDs don't place as well, because it's a gamble for a school to hire someone who hasn't completed their dissertation. That's not to say it doesn't happen, but the numbers are against the ones who take that chance. Chances are good that you'll find a job of some kind when you finish your degree. Whether or not that's a TT job is yet to be seen (with the decline in TT jobs overall, that is a legitimate concern!). But, rank of school doesn't guarantee anyone a TT job. Certainly, you see the highest ranked research institutions have the highest concentration of faculty from high-ranked schools, and if that's what someone's going for, then that's what they should do. If you can be satisfied with tenure-track and tenure at a mid-tier or unranked school, doing what you do, then it is not as much of a concern. This is a field where people care a whole lot about how they stack up in rankings. Personally, though, I'm not sold on it.

Isn't it wonderful that we're all proposing to enter a career where we voluntarily facilitate the coming of age of hordes of young minds?

I heartily recommend chocolate/ice cream, wine, and a fluffy belly to put on your face.

I'm not sure the university administration cares a great deal about programs that aren't bringing in money. Their sports franchise brings in a lot of money. No surprise that they're funneling it that way.

When I started out choosing schools to apply to last summer, I spoke with the UF DGS about their program and she told me that they are really very limited with their available funding for graduate students. She went on to say that students could easily establish Florida residency for in-state tuition, and that Gainesville has a reasonable cost of living. That knowledge was a killing blow and I didn't apply because of it.

SIGH. I thought it was very good! (And it helps the mid-afternoon tired at work much more than this tea I have!) Probably a joke, right? Not even a joke from the adcom, letting us know they're still out there?

Cheers to the funny person on the board re: UPenn!

Be a good houseguest, and bring something small and reasonable! A bottle of wine (or bourbon, if you're me) is appropriate, but I have brought pans of cinnamon rolls/other baked goods, wine, something small from the area I live in or am from, etc. Perishables that are likely to be enjoyed are best. And be gracious. Really, most of all, be gracious

Nope, that totally says PoliSci to me, too! I think that, since you have such a strong background in the Comm field, you really have to sell your experience hard--you have experience with the communications angle, this is why it fits with PoliSci, and you see why X department is a great fit for you because of [reasons]. That said, I do think you have to find programs that are really strong on public opinion and political participation and sell it on that angle, since those are the ones that are most likely to see your fit in the discipline, whereas other programs (whose strengths aren't in that opinion/participation area) might be wondering why you aren't applying to Comm programs. But my two cents may not be worth much--I'll be back with you next cycle!

It sounds (from what I'm reading) that the OP is less interested in polling or survey data, and more interested in the interactions of media and politics? Am I reading that right? If so, then a communications program might be the right place for you. Not that there aren't people in polisci who might do that kind of thing, but I think you have to be abundantly clear why you think your interests are better served by a political science PhD over a communications one. Alternatively, aside from bulking up your application, you could look into interdisciplinary social science programs! I think Sociology could be a good fit, very specific Political Science programs, and Communications programs with a good relationship with other social sciences. IIRC (and this memory is several years old), Syracuse has an interdisciplinary social science PhD program that you could look into!

True! I was planning on wine tonight, anyway, but now I am justified. And thanks! It's easier with nice people like you all, and a little preparedness.

Vanderbilt reject came by email just a bit ago. No surprise, but that wine I got is very handy!

Congratulations to the GW admits!

I'm pretty sure that's what Gtown does. I think GW does something similar? I was appalled at the number of DC-area schools that don't automatically guarantee funding to their admitted students.

I disagree that it's over-the-top. I mean, if you're sending them expensive gifts, but a token of appreciation (it's not actually in their job description to write recommendations) for the time and effort they're expending on your behalf can be very gracious and go a long way. Some people have given chocolate--I have baked for them, because it's something I'm good at and it's easy! A thank you note is perfectly appropriate, however, if you aren't comfortable with giving (small! think small!) gifts. The most expensive thing I sent was a box of fruit, and that was because I couldn't think of anything else!

Do you think that would work? I have a full-time job, but I've been wondering how to beef up my research work in the meantime...

So that's what it is! I mean, I get that this is a difficult process. It's emotional, exhausting, time-consuming, expensive, soul-sucking, and just plain weird. Also, no one else in your life will fully grasp what it is you're going through. But is it really necessary to trash the programs you felt it appropriate to apply to, or to tout your own good fortune at the expense of others, or to be just plain rude about it? I mean, really now.

I don't think there's a foolproof formula for acceptance or rejection. It was one of the first things that one of my LORs tried to impart on me very early in the process, and though it's disconcerting not to be able to fully gauge what will happen based on measurable qualifications (GPA, GRE scores, rank of prior institution, rank of LORs, number of papers presented/published), it's the nature of the beast. We talk a lot about the notoriously arbitrary perception of "fit" with a program, and I think that intangible quality has so much to do with decisions by departments. I think it affects our decisions to apply as well, to such a degree that I can think of many programs off-hand I didn't apply to because I thought the faculty research or overall program environment wouldn't suit me.

It is futile to tell you to enjoy the vacation, but take heart that you have some good prospects ahead of you and, hey, anniversary trip to Europe! (Enjoy it!)

Congratulations, and best of luck to you!

There was a fair bit of conversation last night after I signed off, and a lot of good feelings floating around. Seconding all of them. You're good folk It's hard to say why a school might or might not reject someone. Maybe other applicants were better-suited for the department's interests, or Northwestern figured that you'd be better fitting somewhere else you'd applied, or... who knows! The decision-making process seems to differ by program. Different programs attract different applicants, and some the same applicants. Programs may look for something moving forward. I don't think you can know exactly what helps or hinders your application unless you ask the department to give you feedback. It looks like you're having a pretty good cycle so far, so good luck and don't let a stray rejection bother you.

Incoming rejections, Captain Condolences to the Stanford rejections coming through now.

The program at Durmstrang is ranked better, anyway. No big deal.

There will be no discrimination against ghostly POIs around here, or their portraits, they're perfectly capable of working with me! (Starfleet Academy on the board! Congrats to the Klingon Studies accept! IT IS A GOOD DAY TO DIE.) Ahhh, I really needed the laugh today.

Ugh, apparently Hogwarts has started sending owls. Guess that's a rejection for me!