Facade19

Yup. I have to take quant and econ. That's a good $1,600. Ouch.

Another info I almost forgot to share: around 40% of each graduating class have jobs secured by the time they graduate. Around 80% - 90% after 6-9 months. I was able to elicit that info. I thought it was very equitable on the part of them to disclose that info. And I gave them credit for their transparency.

Well, the more I think the more I like UCSD more and more. In retrospect, I wish I had not applied to the PhD programs, but instead applied to the MA programs at all the various schools. I am sure I would have been competitive. My GRE scores were ok (Verbal: 159, Q: 148, AW: 5.5), fluent in 3 languages (English, German and Farsi), lived in Germany. Undergrad GPA was a 3.69 (CA state school) majored in Poli Sci, law school GPA was a 2.93 (though the curve was set at 2.8). But I will deal with the cards I have.

outofspace, I wish I could tell you what sort of doors a JD opens up for someone. But I have to yet to experience, or figure that aspect of the degree out for myself. With the current job market, my lack of quantitative skills, I cannot say that it did many things for me. Though, to be fair, I did not much looking. I think there is a certain cliche attached that a law degree opens up many doors. I think it depends from what program you graduated and how much experience you have. But these are just my thoughts.

I contacted Michigan State's DGS roughly 2 weeks ago concerning my status. He told me in a rather taxed manner that he does not recollect someone with my name being admitted and that they were sending out rejections. He assured me that I was not admitted. Because I did not receive any rejection notice, either in mail or e-mail, I decided to check my status again.Still says that my file is under review. WTF!?!?! lol Good job MSU, good job.

The most important aspect for me is about securing a job after these two years. A job that pays well. The in-state tuition does help and is a contributing factor to consider. Also, I feel that the career service is an important, even integral aspect of IRPS. They need to do their best to place their students and alumni, and I feel that they are really doing their best to off-set the distance. Also, when I spoke with one of my undergad professors who does quantitative research, her feedback was that UCSD's social science programs are hot, really hot, in academia, due in large part to the quant emphasis. I also feel that I need to take into account what sort of things I can do with the MIA degree, in conjunction with my JD and license to practice law in CA. I am honestly a bit lost. I need to figure things out.

So, after your visit, are you closer to making a decision on which school you are going to attend? For me, it is between Chicago and UCSD.

I attended the admitted students day (Friday), and I was impressed with the location of the school. Cannot deny it, but the campus is absolutely gorgeous and it felt so serene. Definitely a great place to spend the next two years studying. As far as for a need for a car, I feel that given the constant shuttles and public transportation options available, and if you decide to live on campus, you should have no urgent need for a car. The peers seemed very cordial and friendly. Also, I found out that the grading is curved at a B+ (3.3). The presentation by the career service was very reassuring and demonstrated to me that they are doing everything they can to make up for the distance to the East Coast. But, I also feel that there are definite advantages. For one thing, the Pacific region emphasis is a logical aspect of the program. So, they are employers (more so in the private sector) that would look to hire graduates from IR/PS, especially with the heavy quant emphasis. And they mean business with the quant. If you decide to attend be fully prepared to as much quant as you can imagine. Overall, I had a positive experience and am pleased. The 3 hour drive did not feel as long as I imagined it.

I still have not heard from MSU. On their application status webpage, my status is still indicated as being under review. I contacted the program coordinator via e-mail (around three weeks ago) and phone, leaving her message (last week). I was wondering if someone from MSU could contact me who by chance stumbles upon this. Thank you.

Well, update on my situation. Boston College and Chicago did not offer me admission to their PhD Program, but both offered me admission to their Masters Program (Chicago the MAPSS). Both provided the same reasons for rejection of PhD admission, and admission to their Masters Programs. Chicago offered me a scholarship to cover 1/3 of the tuition cost. I am still waiting on UCSD's financial package. I know for certain that I am not taking Boston College's offer. Hope that will help anyone waiting on admission to that masters program. I am still waiting on WashU, Georgetown and Harvard (though I have pretty much accepted rejection).

I am going to wear a t-shirt, flip flops, shorts and a cap. It will be like around 90 degrees in So Cal by then. That also leave a lasting impression.

Well I got into Claremont for their PhD program and into UCSD for the Masters in International Relations. I am very happy about both admissions and do now realize that I should have applied to Masters programs first. That way I could have demonstrated my qualifications as a graduate student in the field of political science, gathered the proper qualitative research skills and training to depict myself as a qualified and successful applicant for the PhD programs. I also realized that my law degree and license, while venerable, really do not bear much relevance to the field of political science. I received my acceptance to Claremont around a week ago, and am pleased for the fact that several of their faculty members are actual people that I would consider an honor to study under. It is relatively close to my folks' home and I really like the program itself. My father was hoping from the beginning that I choose CGU. He really loves that school. I received notification of my admission in UCSD's MIA program a few hours ago and was also quite pleased. The more I reflect, the more I see that that route would enable me to pursue careers with global private firms, intelligence agencies or pursue a PhD later on at UCSD, my first choice school. I should receive any funding information sometime next week. I am still hoping for admission into Chicago's Masters program. I have not yet received a rejection for their PhD program, and suspect that I may have been reviewed for admission into the MAPSS program. I have my fingers crossed that that may indeed be the case. I am counting my blessings, and after a definite and taxing period am glad that my dreams are not fully vitiated, but rather altered. I just wanted to share this with all of you, and to all of you who have reached out to me in private.

Congratulations to everyone who got accepted! In particular ARealDowner! That is an impressive array of schools and I am sure the decision will be a tough one. I received my firth rejection from Michigan-Ann Arbor. I expected as much and do appreciate how genial and sincere the actual e-mail was. Should be a standard on how to convey a rejection.

. Thank you for the encouragement. But I have accepted the reality of my circumstances. And while I am severely disappointed and in truth do not expect the other programs I applied to to admit me, I am glad that I had the opportunity to mean charming forum members such as yourself.

Same here 404 not found.