VMcJ

No, it is not. This title goes to Michigan or Duke among the ones I tried this cycle. But it also depends on my mood, like tkid86's. I tried to cite tkid86's name above, but I think it did not work. How do you do that?

I am waiting for Pittsburgh. Considering previous years, they should issue their decision this week or the next.

Really? Fingers crossed here. Where did you learn of it?

Normally yes, and for me certainly. But several applicants have already secured funding from public or private scholarships before even applying. Most people I know in Brazil that went overseas to study went on public funding. Usually it pays tuition, healthcare and a small stipend for Ph.D. students. Since 2015 those opportunities have mostly disappeared, of course, due to financial constraints.

This is astounding me as well. Last year was the absolute opposite. But I did a great deal of changes, it is practically everything new, expect for transcripts, grades and GRE, of course. To put as simply as I can: 1) My interest last year was Political Theory, liberalism in Latin America. I was focused on political thought and its influence on policy. But programs in general tend to be more harsh on PT for a number of reasons, even more in my case (international student, not originally from social sciences). I shifted to a comparative approach, focusing federalism in LatAm. This is probably the most important "improvement" I did this year. 2) I was really extracareful with fit, and highly strategic when choosing schools. Except for one or two, all programs I tried have more than three professors I'd be happy to work with, not only comparative but methods and theory. Federalism is also a subject studied by many American Politics scholars. 3) I did a new writing sample, concentrated in my subject and trying to convey my preparedness for doctoral studies as well as ideas for research. In Brazil we are required to present detailed projects before acceptance (admission processes are very different here), so I tried to turn this custom into an advantage. 4) Regarding statements of purpose, I presented drafts to a diverse array of people, although not that many. Readers with different academic backgrounds allowed me to spot problems I would not see otherwise. 5) Last year I asked for letters of recommendation from people that knew me and my work in more detail (e.g. my advisor during my Master's Degree in Literary Theory), but two of them were not PoliSci scholars (again, not being from social sciences originally took a toll). Now my three letters are from professors of PoliSci, two of them with PhDs in top US programs. 6) I entered a funded research assistantship supervised by one of my recommenders. Overall, I did what I could to improve my profile in every way. All of the above were important measures, but I'd say 1, 5 and 6 were the most important given my last year strengths and weaknesses.

Yeah, got this email from OSU as well. Accepted without funding. This is like receiving a pat on the back from the girl/guy you wanted to kiss.

Mine is still pending.

Trolling is worse this year. But only takes one troll to do that, so maybe not much worse.

Just got accepted by UT-Austin! Email informing of admission with details on funding to follow.

Mine says pending as well.

No, I didn't. And I also completed my application only in late December. I got an email afterwards, two or three weeks ago, but it was about a missing document, which I promptly provided.

I applied there, but didn't get any email.

Thanks for the information! It appears all my Schrödinger Applications are still alive, then.

Thanks for the update. I tried UNC (thought I had more chances there than with Rice, but who really knows) and OSU, which is doing interviews and I didn't get one -- I know this doesn't necessarily mean rejection, but OSU was not a perfect fit. And then there were eleven. But with one already in the bank it is really a different experience to wait.

I was pretty sure someone here claimed one of those Austin acceptances, but I am too busy to search. Those Stanford ones are obvious trolls.

I hope this horse can pronounce "admitted".

Yeah, you guys convinced me. It is always better to avoid feeding trolls.

It is indeed strange that nobody claimed one of those entries. You'd think Berkeley is more than great news, people would post here. I didn't try Berkeley, if I did I'd call or email them.

Hello, people. I've been in this forum last cycle, when I got eight rejections and was devastated for some time. But I've got my act together and tried again this cycle (this time with a different academic purpose, 14 applications, new letters of recommendation, etc.). I was planning to come here in February, but what I didn't expect was that by now I'd be already admitted to Rice (!!!). So I decided to anticipate my return. For everybody here anxious and nervous about everything: try to relax if possible. A handful of rejections does not mean you're not fit for doctoral studies, neither that you're not going to get what you want eventually. This is important and I almost let it slip when I was depressed about my results last year. But the most important thing is this cycle is only beginning. I figured I'd be anxious by now, but Rice put an unexpected and premature end to my nervousness. Rice wasn't even my best fit and I didn't expect it so quickly. I am certain you will eventually be as thrilled as I am right now. Best of luck for everybody!

Yale is over. I liked that they apparently sent all responses at once. Nice. Now I am just waiting for the last confirmations for rejections from Columbia, Harvard and Georgetown. It is only a matter of time, really. I'll be here next cycle, ladies and gentlemen. I expect and will work towards a happier ending for me. Never give up! I am very happy for everyone who got admitted and extend my sympathies to those that have got an outcome like mine. I think I will not post in this thread anymore, nor read it. If any of you need me for some reason, feel free to PM me. Thanks a lot, everybody.

Theory.

Georgetown is still my best shot, but this delay means probably rejection, or worse, admission without funding.

I second that. I really hope this is the last one. Good luck, everyone!

I am only waiting to get all my expected rejections so I can give much heeded advice of how you don't build applications. Seriously, most of us still need to hear from several programs. I wanted to answer right now, but I think I should wait.

I just want it to be over.