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.

Man, in my day, I didn't need other people to tell me I wasn't good enough. I was more than capable of talking myself out of applying to dream schools!

Man, in my day, I didn't need other people to tell me I wasn't good enough. I was more than capable of talking myself out of applying to dream schools!

Never give up
 

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

Love the person who expected to get into Yale and the person above them who tells them what's up...Bless you, GradCafe.

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

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

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!

Made me laugh. http://www.chaosmatrix.org/library/humor/reject.html

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

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

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

Man, where IS Penn?

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.

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!

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

Yes, some of them are really mean spirited too. "What!??! This is a joke, right? That's okay I'm going to f*#$ing Harvard!" 
 
So what do we get out of this? You weren't going to attend anyway, apparently. And now you're demeaning what might be someone else's only choice? 

I guess I am just frustrated when people on the board post a rejection with something like "haha got into a better school anyway." My thoughts on this are: ok, good for you, you've made it. Now what is the point of your comment?
Are you arrogant enough to think that if you got into "a better school" you also automatically should be accepted everywhere?
Are you frustrated with this rejection—why would you be if you already got good options? So why being bitter/condescending? 
 
P.S. unless the comment is a joke. Jokes. I get those.
 
 
Edit: grammar

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!