thatsnotmyname

Ditto! I hope everyone's visits are going well, I imagine that's why it is so silent around these parts...

If you think the Master's could seriously add something to your application then do that, but otherwise, I would not recommend it. One, Cornell is excellent in IR and East Asia, and outside of HYP I personally can not think of a better place to be to study that kind of stuff. I can't speak to Georgetown, but my close mentor has consistently stressed to me how strong Cornell is in IR/CP and Asia. Personally, I am in CP, but I imagine I will certainly be dabbling in IR, so the school has a great fit for that. Two, the application cycle was really tough this year, and I don't think next year will be any easier. This isn't to say you aren't qualified enough to do well next time you apply, but it certainly is a risk. If there is any possibility you could see yourself working a non-academic job with a Master's in hand then Chicago makes sense. Otherwise, I would go for whichever PhD program you prefer. I don't know that an additional two years would help you that much more. I am coming from a more policy oriented Master's program where I certainly learned a lot, but also had to spend time taking courses that are not relevant to my eventual studies. I don't regret it because I rolled my degree into my BA and finished in four years, while being funded. Your case is certainly more different and involves a greater cost and risk. Of course, this is all conjecture and opinion from someone who is just as unknowing as these things as you. I would recommend asking your letter writers what they think about the situation. And of course, congratulations on your acceptances! Will you be attending the Cornell open house?

I would be happy to! I will probably send a message to you (and anyone else unable to make it) just so I don't clog up the thread/forum will another topic.

Great thread AP! I am only visiting two schools- Cornell and UPenn both in the third week of March. Should be a good experience and will hopefully give me some good information on the schools. And Rossiya- I am surprised that Madison's visit dates are so late- you would think with an April 15th decision date they would want to have people visit earlier.

Thank you! Yeah, UPenn is also great for South Asia so this is going to be a really tough call to make. I wish I knew when the rest of the admits/rejects/waitlist were coming out so everyone can put this school to rest.

Thanks everyone! There aren't many details to give. I think it was a generic email with my name on it from the Chair of the Admissions Committee and Director of the Graduate Studies. It came about 4:45 est. There were four hundred applicants which is their biggest pool ever. Scary. Our good friend Tina Slater was cced on it though! Not sure if that is an important detail but there you go. Oh, also I am comparative politics- feel like I have a great fit there so now it's time to start making decisions. They say happiness means having options. For someone as indecisive as me that may not be a good thing

OMG. Just accepted at Cornell. Literally shaking as I type this. Funding comes tomorrow. No word on visit days. Can't think right now.

I'm sorry to hear that! I can understand how you feel led on. Hopefully you hear back soon from some other schools!

Drama! Congrats to those who got in!

The app fee was actual 105. I still am trying to justified why I spent my money on somewhere I'm not going to get in I agree, UPenn got back exactly at the same time as last year. It is true that Cornell is going to be taking a bit longer than last year by accepting people in March. Funny story, when I called Cornell for a status update, Tina Slater explicitly said all gradcafe result page posts were fake. Good to know they know about the trolls too.

Thanks! Yeah, was not expecting a weekend update at all. I'm in comparative so its possible they are going by subfield. And I think the waitlist should come out soon. Good luck to you! Also- JollyWag, are you going to the visit days? I'm not sure if I can make it out at that time...

I'm in at Washington. Mass email around 11 am Seattle time. They are putting funding packages together... Pretty excited but now I have to actually decide between schools by April. I was hoping to not to have to be in this position but I guess I can't complain

Ninjas.

Anastasia

I have not been official rejected from NYU or Princeton, all though in all likelihood I didn't make the cut. I don't think any of these schools have sent out official rejections, so there may be hope for you! Theory is tough, but hopefully your public law interest will balance that out and get you in at one of your top choices.