betteryear

comparative.

MIT policy, but funding will be an issue there. still waiting for LSE.

brown has a 5% acceptance rate (this year's stats, that's lower than most top programs) and they are hiring some good faculty, yet they are ranked in the late 40s and their placement record is terrible. doesn't make sense. any insights? (i was accepted to brown, trying to decide where i should take it)

an NYU acceptance!! there's still hope? anyone claiming this?

thanks keller65. that was my impression too. im wondering if the dept will get better in the coming years....unemployed after working hard for 5+ years is scary.

I was wondering if anyone has some insights about Brown. I am interested in political economy of development in developing countries - it's an area that Brown seems to be strong in and they have/are hiring some big name professors in recent months. But I'm concerned about the department abysmal rankings and not so great placement records. The dept seems to getting better, but will it be enough to get an academic job in a decent school in 5-6 years? Thanks!

same question...i wonder if they have made all decisions.

very interesting! thanks.

really? there's that much aversion to policy? i have an undergrad and masters in policy...and i got rejected in almost every top program in spite of good stats. could this be a reason?

i agree with you... my point was that the frustration/rivalry in an academic career is unique and maybe not so uncommon. it's not enough to be good, you have to be exceptional. i guess most of us will prefer to be in a good university, and working in a think tank like organization is option 2 - if things don't work out (isn't this why we are applying to a poli sci phd as opposed to policy phd). i think it was "realist" who mentioned that don't even think of an academic career if you're not in one of the top 25 schools. i don't know about others, but i do find it a little depressing.

wow! this is very entertaining. but there are exceptional people among us - naturally gifted, hard working, born into resourceful loving families so they are able to reach their maximum potential. look at the bios of faculty/job market candidates in the top schools - it's like you need everything going for you at the same time. of course, i'm not trying to undermine anyone's potential. but you need luck at so many levels. i also had the same thoughts as SBL - this is only an admissions forum and we are so resentful of someone's success. makes me wonder about how intense the next few years of grad school and a life in academia is going to be. btw, did you read the latest chronicle article about why not to do a phd (it's on humanities majors, but we are close enough): http://chronicle.com/article/The-Big-Lie-About-the-Life-of/63937/ maybe you cannot blame us for being so insecure - in a few years we might be jealous of people like SP who get TT positions, while we could be struggling with min wage jobs.

this is a little off topic...but does anyone have any insights about NYU? are they done with all acceptance? i don't know what to make of their silence.

mine was from the dean of grad studies (i assume, i was very excited...i forgot how she introduced herself). but she said that my advisor and a couple of other professors who showed interest in my work will also call. official letters go out in 2 weeks.

I'm quite puzzled by NYU too. I had applied there last year and now. Both times the Grad Admissions Office emailed me about some missing material, at the same time when the department had already sent out acceptance decisions. And a month later they emailed all the rejections. I wonder if my application was even considered.

hi. yes, it was me. they are calling students...but i'm not sure if they phoned everyone yet, maybe the potential advisors will also make some calls and they might do it over the course of the week. there's hope they have open house on 15th.