wb3060

Actually, if that's your goal, you would be better served going to a lower ranked school that places a greater emphasis on teaching. The higher ranked the school, the greater the focus will be on research and publishing. This is certainly true at any top-20 school. I would look in the 20-50 range, and specifically inquire about preparation for a CC job and teaching opportunities as a grad student on visit days and open houses.

I would definitely go for the thesis. Since graduate courses (at least in my experience) typically require a 20-25 page research paper as part of the course, you'd actually be doing just as much if not more work anyway by going for the non-thesis (plus you'd have less time to write it), and you'd get less return on it in terms of prestige and demonstrating your research abilities.

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad Institution: Mid-ranked R1 Major(s)/Minor(s): Political Science; International Affairs; History minor Undergrad GPA: 3.76 Type of Grad: Political science MA Grad GPA: 4.0 GRE: 163V, 159Q, 4.5A (Didn't retake after MA) Any Special Courses: 3 quant methods classes, qualitative methods, research design Letters of Recommendation: I think all three of my letters were really really good, all from faculty in my grad program (including the methods professor) Research Experience: 1.5 years of RA in grad school, 1 paper about to be sent out for review Teaching Experience: Taught my own global issues class Subfield/Research Interests: IR Other: 3 internships, 1 fellowship abroad RESULTS: Acceptances($$ or no $$): UVA ($$), Maryland ($$), Georgetown (wait list for funding), American SIS ($$) Waitlists: none Rejections: GW Pending: none Going to: Almost at a decision... but not quite yet. LESSONS LEARNED: I probably should have applied to more schools, including a few top programs. I would definitely recommend including a reach school, which I didn't really do. I am pretty happy with how things turned out though! My main advice is to not let yourself go crazy in the waiting period. My first result was a rejection, and I really let that get to me. I thought I was going to be rejected from everywhere and was pretty much in panic mode. But then I ended up getting in everywhere else, so all that mental anguish was for nothing! Applying to more schools would have helped with this anxiety as well. For the SOP, I think specifically stating how certain faculty can add to your research or being very specific in how you fit in with the department really goes a long way. Likewise, discussing at length where you see your research going / future questions you want to explore is more beneficial than focusing solely on what you have already done. Although that is important, I think adcoms care just as much (if not more) about what you will do at the program and want to see that you are asking good questions and identifying puzzles. I will reiterate what others have said - start writing your SOP early. Review it and revise it for months. Write a long version and a short version (~1000 words and ~500). Don't put in anything cheesy or cliche. Think about what will make you stand out from the hundreds of others they read. Don't just make statements about your skills and abilities, back them up with evidence and examples. Don't just write your CV in essay form. For the SOPs where I had a strict word limit, I did not include anything really that could be gleaned from looking at my CV (internships, fellowships, etc.). Emphasize any and all research experience. I think the importance of the GRE is generally overstated. My impression has been it's more of a threshold requirement. I'm not saying it is meaningless or bad scores won't be a red flag, but you can better invest your time improving your SOP or adding experience to your CV rather than trying to improve good scores to great scores.

I would go ahead and call about your status at GU. When I called to ask about a week ago, they said all decisions would be released on the 15th. Maybe there is some hold up or technical problem? Although I was informally notified on Thursday, I got the official email and the change to my application status yesterday at 5 pm (EST) on the dot. Also, I am about to decline my offer, so that should help someone out on the wait list in IR.

Thanks! Email with the letter attached, about an hour and a half ago. I was surprised, I assumed a reject from the silence.

Finally heard from Georgetown! Acceptance, but wait list for funding. But I've finally heard from all my schools so it's nice to be out of limbo.

Thank you, that's very helpful!

Do you have any ideas how you are going to do this? I've been wondering as well what to write in them.... // also are you doing this for ones where they tell you to fill out an online form with your result?

I suspect that those of us who haven't heard anything yet are on an informal wait list of sorts and on the 15th a large number of rejects will go out with a smaller number being moved to an official wait list with maybe 1 or 2 receiving an offer if anyone has declined so far. This is just my speculation though.

For those who haven't heard anything either way from Georgetown, I called to inquire about my status and they said decisions would be released on March 15.

I'd like to get some thoughts on this... when professors give you their phone number and say to call any time, do you think you should still set up a time to talk via email first?

What's the etiquette on asking about funding for visit days if none has been mentioned? Particularly if the school doesn't have an organized day, but rather prefers to set up one on one visits with admitted students?

How should we prepare for one-on-one meetings with professors on visitation weekends (note not just potential advisor but multiple faculty)? I would imagine more focus on their research and relevance to our own, but I'd like to get some opinions.

I got an offer as well. Did yours mention a visit day?

Just based on past years. Last year began releasing results on 2/16, year before 2/13, and year before that even earlier.

Maryland should be this week, although weather may be slowing them down. They were closed yesterday and the website says they have a late opening today at 11.

I got a call and then a few days later an official email.

So who are we expecting to hear from this week?

I can claim SIS. I would also really like to know about Georgetown.

Yes, it does sound like a 10k stipend. It is odd though they did not mention a tuition waiver so definitely follow up on this. I would assume the 20 hours (which is rather a lot, although not unheard of) is for RA/TA work.

Can you elaborate on this?

Have all the Georgetown acceptances been sent yet? Or are they still trickling out?

To put in my two cents for this, I would say absolutely visit both if you are able to (if you don't have time/money constraints). Some things you can only learn by going and feeling out the faculty/current students. Since you are going to be spending the next 5+ years of your life at whichever program, you want to make sure it is a really good fit for you (in more ways than just stats and research interests). See if faculty seem friendly and helpful (especially potential advisor). See if grad students seem happy in the program, have good relationships with their advisors. Take the opportunity to ask any questions you have. I know people who have changed their minds dramatically after going to a few of these visiting weekends. But if you think there is zero chance you will go to the other one, save yourself the trip.

Definitely try to get at least one of your scores above 160 if you can. If you can get a research focused job, that will help a lot as well. Also, if you are still in school take a stats course if you haven't already and do everything you can to make an A. You could still do well without these things, but this is what I'd focus on since you have the year to improve your profile. I wouldn't publicly post your writing sample. Better to take precautions. If someone wants to advise you on it, private message them. Also one thing I'd advise regarding the application process -- start writing out your statement of purpose early. Revise it multiple times. Have multiple people (preferably professors) look it over and offer suggestions. There are some threads on here where people have posted their SOPs after the application season was over. Read through a bunch. It was really helpful to me to see a lot of examples before I wrote mine. Hope this helps

acceptances, wait lists, rejections, and applications pending I believe.