anxiousapplicant

On another note, I contacted Yale, on a whim, asking what was wrong with my application. Apparently I never made it to the second round of applications because of either my GPA or my GRE. My GPA is >3.98, so I really hope it wasn't my grades. My GRE, though, was 730V, 600Q, 5.0AW. It must have been those scores that did it, esp. the math. It really disheartened me because their average scores are 550-800 for both sections. I know it's all a money-making enterprise, but they should have been more clear about the cutoffs. Yes, yes, I know, if I am serious about grad school then I should study for the GRE harder because that's part of playing the game yada yada yada. I know. But to have my application basically thrown out because of math scores when I am applying for political philosophy, after I worked my ass off for four years resulting in all kinds of physical/mental issues because of the stress, really hurts. And the person who emailed me had the nerve to say "work harder." Edit: Sorry for whining. I know it isn't useful except for my own selfish cathartic purposes. It just sucks that we have to play the game, no matter how stupid the rules are. I thought I didn't have to study for math b/c I thought my grades and coursework and the fact I want to study political philosophy would speak for themselves. But they don't. I bet our hair would curl if we saw how our applications are really treated--i.e., thrown out on the basis of numbers which say little about who we are as people or as scholars. I know someone will disagree with me, saying that math skills involve logic and it implies something about my thinking ability, but I haven't suffered in any philosophy courses yet due to lack of mathematical training. Second edit: I reversed my scores by accident. Should make more sense now.

Me three! I'm in theory though.

I have to agree with someoneoutthere. The statistical chance of getting into all those top schools is extremely slim. And his GPA was only what, 3.7-ish? I'm just not convinced that, however solid, his SOP fit every school's agenda.

I don't know why they teach this book. It is so shallow and pseudo-philosophical. I had a teacher who had us read it just to show us all the inaccuracies in the interpretation of philosophers such as Kant. I hated the book, I really did. it's just a novel.

I emailed Brown as well, and they said decisions would be mailed out in mid to late March. Like in the response they gave you, they did not indicate that decisions have not been completely made yet.... So I've given up hope, in other words. I really hope something pans out for you, though.

Because it's disruptive to this board. This isn't the "Poli sci job rumors" website where members insult each other left and right. We don't come to the Grad Cafe to read insults. I just think, quite honestly, it makes you look bad to resort to name-calling.

You have yet to prove me wrong. They themselves said these emails do not indicate where you are in the process. I realize this is a stressful time, but that doesn't mean you ought to act like this. I personally couldn't care less if you think I'm stupid, but you're spreading a lot of negativity and false hopes on this board.

That's no excuse.

Poli Sci masters

A rejection letter isn't a decision? And I never insulted you, for the record. Edit: and because I am so stupid and cannot communicate clearly, I ought to be more specific and explain that when I say doesn't mean anything, it means "doesn't indicate acceptance." And, quoting their email, Please respond to the questionnaire no later than March 1, 2010. The completion of the form should take just a few minutes of your time. Please note that the questionnaire is not an indication of your current status in the admission process. ----end quote. The bolding on the third sentence is mine. So please refrain from calling me stupid next time, because they themselves said it DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE ACCEPTED. They can send rejection letters to your house, too.

I check it constantly and it never changes. They sent out an email recently requesting address info to send out decision letters (which, they pointed out in their email, didn't mean anything). They said decisions would be mailed out starting March 10 and then on a rolling basis. I can post it if you want to see it.

I don't care, they sent them to everyone, they always sent these shit informative emails. Even if they accept me with quadruple funding I will go to my grave believing they sent the emails to everyone. But I have been rejected everywhere else, so I severely doubt I got in there. So the email doesn't mean anything. Edit: And for the record, I do get your point about their copying it from the resume. But my point is that it still doesn't mean anything.

And I checked my email, and I have two of those financial aid things--one from socialresearchadmit@newschool.edu, and one from messages@notification.embark.com. Further proving that these are automated, meaningless emails.

I too am glad your're optimistic. I am facing across the board rejections, too, I think, but being positive is just too hard for me. I'm glad you're not succumbing to it. Good luck with everything!

also, it doesn't mean anything.

and 3- stop getting people's hopes up

How do you know not everyone got it? I've been getting those emails from them since before I applied! Did you ever request info from them or attend any events?

So if I haven't heard from Brown, then it's definitely a reject, isn't it? Ugh, I am so disappointed right now in myself..

Dammit NSSR sent me it again! Stop! Honestly, if you don't want to admit me, then just reject me. Don't get rid of me by sending me so many shit emails I have a heart attack and die.

They got me again today with an email on how to finance my grad education. Like, really? Does this mean you want me to finance it at your school? If not, stop telling me shit I already figured out my freshman year!! It's like they know they're my top choice and they're deliberately torturing me.

No, never, they treat me like their 7 year old daughter. Although sometimes I want them, especially the yummy old ones.

I don't have anywhere to visit as of yet, but how do you think these visits will affect your current courses, assuming you're still in school?

I'd be nervous about accepting schools with the intention to transfer because how would you deal with recommendations? That could be a sticky situation.

The more I study politics the less I know how to categorize myself. I usually just say "conservative" because it makes it easier, but it isn't completely accurate. I prefer less government, but I do think there needs to be some "safety net" provisions when possible. I am for complete gay rights, but I am against abortion in every circumstance, no exceptions. I care about the environment and think we need to take measures to protect it, but I think the plans many liberal activists have to save it are just too over the top and border on unfair with all the plans to tax people. I guess I just tend to be skeptical of most large-scale programs to change things. I hope I didn't start any kind of debate! These are just my views.

March is the 2-year anniversary of me and boyfriend's being together, so I am hoping this will be the lucky month for me!