MashaMashaMasha

Yay! Congrats!

Listen to the same song on repeat in order to master it for karaoke night. Go to batting cages and let the crack of the bat hitting the ball release some tension. Take real boxing lessons (none of this cardio kick-boxing stuff). Get the band back together. Watch ALL the netflix. Clean all the things! (No, seriously. I need to clean my house.)

Yay February! So much closer. Speaking of, does anyone know if the groundhog sees his shadow, does that mean that we'll have 6 more weeks of waiting or... ?

Possibly a fake posting. Trolls are everywhere, unfortunately. Also possible that different faculty notify folks who want to work in specific subfields and if that's the case, then they could all have different notification days. Also possible that the admissions will come in little waves. The earliest UW notifications from the last 3 years were around Feb 5th, so we still have time.

Definitely agree with Maximus on this one. It's still very early in the process, and one rejection does not equal not getting in anywhere. I would also strongly advise against an unfunded MA program. I've been thinking about this option too, but it doesn't make sense in this economy. It sounds like you are experiencing some panic, which is totally normal. There are a couple of things I do to make it more bearable: 1. I made my application as strong as possible without going back in time and getting better grades, but when I do think of things that could strengthen my application, I jot them down and do a little research when I have time (I also work 60 hours a week); 2. I remember why it is I subjected myself to this again and I read read read on my research interests; 3. I am brushing up on language skills with Rosetta stone - it keeps me busy and will help if I make it in this year; 4. Regular stuff like exercise and eating good food and seeing a good therapist or learning meditation... It seems silly but it's important in keeping depression at bay and for gaining perspective. Hope that helps. Also please stop fretting about being two years out of school. It makes us real old people feel, well, old.

Just UW. I'm anchored to Seattle for the time-being. This is my 2nd round - I applied in 2009 to a number of schools, and got rejected from all but UW, where I was wait-listed. This year, I put way more hours into my application, had two more years of professional experience in the labor movement, and met with three professors whose publications fall into my area of study. I don't have a Master's, however, so that may be my plan B if UW doesn't work out. This year they are reviewing 208 applications for 12-18 positions, so it's statistically probable that I'll have to fall back on plan B!

Ha yes, these. Also, when I tell them the acceptance rate (somewhere between 6 and 9%), there's usually a pretty awkward pause and then "What's your plan B?"

I would say approximately 1 lifetime. At least, that's how it felt before, and how it feels now on my 2nd try...

Ha yes. That's what I'm hoping, as well. *nervous laugh*

I'm interested in political sociology, social movements, and demography, particularly in the former Soviet Union. Maybe it was a sign that 3 days after I submitted my application, 100,000 protestors spilled into the streets of Moscow? *crosses fingers*

I checked in with the grad program coordinator last week, and she said that the early notifications would be coming out as early as this week, so it could be legit.

I also only applied to one, so I'll keep that quiet until I hear something My research interests are social movements, political sociology, and demography, with a focus on the former Soviet Union. And yes, the wait is brutal. Something about waiting for some group of near-strangers to make a life-altering decision on my behalf just gets in under my skin. Once the decision drops, though, good or bad, I'll be able to *act* on it, which is the best part.

I sent introductory emails, letting my POIs know that I had read their recent major publications, and that I had similar or overlapping research interests, which I briefly outlined (1-2 sentences). I then asked whether he or she thought that those research interests would be well-supported in the program, and whether I should apply. After a positive follow-up, I asked for a meeting, and then gave my application materials to the professor during the on-campus meeting. I had three contacts and am hoping for the best!

One. Yep. One. I applied two years ago to 6. None had funding for me and/or rejected me outright. I strengthened my application, pursued two-years-worth of professional experience, and then *gasp* got married and bought a house. So now I'm geographically bound. Thankfully, I am geographically bound to a good school, and I believe I'd fit well with the department. So here's hoping that the local applicant get some good luck!

LOVE IT. Totally stealing for my own status, but will credit ecg1810

I think I might get myself a wine *stockpile* if I get in!

Social group

I'm also a round two applicant, but with a year in-between. This year, I'm hoping to fill a lot of my time with the same things that inspired me to go through this process and dedicate my life to academia - I'm brushing up on my Russian skills, reading a ton of Social Movement blogs, keeping up with my peer-reviewed journals, and re-reading my favorite Russian novels. Also a lot of drinking. (Kidding! Sorta!)

Aristocrat Records

I am probably going to train to be a pro boxer and maybe open a women's boxing gym in Seattle. Right? Right. In all seriousness, I'm in the same position, after a miserable application cycle in 2010, except now I have a mortgage. Heh. If you're a political science junkie, you should consider DC, if only to get some real-life experience that can build your resume and influence your later academic work. Although, that's about what I tried to do over the last 2 years, so I'll let you know how that works out

I wanted to study an intersection of Gender & Labor, and spoke with the Labor Professor at my safety school, who was interested! But when it came to my statement of purpose, I mostly wrote about Gender, with just a mention of Labor here and there. And the worst part was that I toiled over that SoP! I had so many people edit it, but I never really told them what I was going for. Next year will be better. I mean, it sort of has to be.

Crap. Emailed the grad coordinator today - he said letters are in the mail. After a little prodding, I got the copy of mine - rejection. They had 135 applications for only 8 spots. So with that and the expected bad news from Michigan... It looks like the PhD program is not in my immediate future. Waugh waugh...

pit bull

I'll finally be able to join the circus, my SECOND life's dream.