Birdie

My decision to only apply to 4 schools was driven by the fact that I lived in DC and relocating was not an option for my family at the time. It was DC or nothing. Several DC-area schools were not a good fit for me, so I eliminated them. Frankly, I had zero interested in devoting time and money apply to programs where it was highly unlikely that I would receive an offer and I had no interest in attending. Since, then, lots of things have changed. My husband accepted a temporary assignment outside of DC, in a city we discovered we don't like and do not intend to settle in. We'll be relocating again next July and the nature of my husband's current job is we can go almost anywhere. My options are suddenly much wider than before, but the window of opportunity is small. We don't want to move our kid 3 times in 3 years if it can be avoided. I'm aware the timing is far from ideal. But the family situation combined with getting an essay accepted for publication two weeks ago got me thinking that maybe I should not have given up despite the rejections. I made my peace with the rejections. There's no sadness. Just regret that I didn't immediately start thinking about admissions for Fall 2017.

I applied to 4 schools last year and was rejected from all--although I found out that I was the last one rejected from one, and among the very last from another. I know it's late in the process for this cycle, much too late to go asking for recs. Does anyone know if I can send in a new SOP, maybe retake the GRE (scores were fine, but not great), possibly a new writing sample, but use the same recs--although I might be able to get a new rec from one person. I would feel awkward going back to the other two recommenders at this point in the game. Or have the universities trashed all the application materials I sent them last December? Too late to reach out to potential POIs? Do it anyway? I actually think my application is stronger today than it was a year ago, but for a lot of reasons, I decided not to pursue this admission cycle. And then life happened. I think I'll regret not applying. Conversely, I can just bust my butt for the next year and reapply in 2017 for Fall '18 and hope for the best.

American University offers a PhD in International Relations (in addition to one in Political Science). It may be what you're looking for: http://www.american.edu/sis/degrees/PHD-INRL.cfm

Rejected from my last school. 0-for-4 this season. Time to re-examine my goals and figure out where to go form here.

No idea. I haven't heard anything from them. I check my status each day, and it still says "out for decision." I assume I'm on some sort of informal waitlist, but this is getting ridiculous. No, George Mason. I heard from American (SIS) in mid February.

Now April 1 and I still don't have a decision from one school. Should I call them and ask point blank WTF is going on? I was rejected everywhere else, so everything is riding on this.

Sorry. Are you still waiting on any others?

Last name starts with "T" I'm trying to convince myself that a March 18th rejection means I juuuuuuuuuust missed out and I made it damn hard for Georgetown to make that decision to reject me.

Finally heard from Georgetown (who sends an e-mail at 5 pm on a Friday? Brutal). Outright rejection.

Still no word from Georgetown or George Mason. Leaving in a trip tomorrow (for 12 days!) and was really hoping to know before then.

10 years ago when I applied to AU SIS masters program, I think I didn't hear until right around April 1.

May not hear from GU today, just FYI. We're having a major commuting meltdown in DC today (shut down the entire subway system), and a lot of employers are allowing teleworking or unscheduled leave. (my office just decided to give everyone a vacation day. I'm sitting on my deck and drinking a beer in the beautiful sunshine!) It's very possible that the folks responsible for sending out decisions, update application statuses, etc., are not working today.

not me Still stuck in purgatory.

My experience has been that funded opportunities for MA's are very very very few and far between. I'm still deeply in debt from my MA in international relations.

Happy Monday. Hopefully those of us still in limbo get some news--any news--this week.

Congrats wb3060! lstauffer714, I'm still waiting to hear from Georgetown, too. I wish they'd stop dragging this out.

Looks like we might finally get decisions from George Mason soon. My application status has changed to "out for decision." Whatever the check that means. I did notice that Mason won't mail or e-mail decisions. You have to keep checking your status online. WTF?

I actually applied to AU's SIS, since my interest is in state building , regime change, and democratization (and failures thereof). I'm clueless about what goes on at SPA!

I guess HUZZAH I'm on the unofficial waitlist, which is a damn bit better than I did with AU and GW. But this is taking sooooooo long! Back in November, they told me decisions would be made within 6-8 weeks. For those who got into DC area schools and wondering if your stipend will cover your living expenses....eh. I've lived in DC for 10 years now and would be happy to answer any questions you have, point you towards resources, etc. Everything is ungodly expensive around here. But I find the trade-offs worth it. Congrats on getting in and getting funding!

all the DC schools have international security programs.

Public Policy/Admin at American is handled by the School of Public Affairs. Your application should have been submitted through their Apply Yourself portal. Log in there and check to see if a decision has been posted.

maybe it'll work out in my favor. I'm CP and haven't heard a peep from Georgetown.

2 rejections, 2 more I'm waiting on.

I saw it when I logged onto the application portal. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you get a positive outcome.

35 on Sunday. I decided to audit some courses, partly to beef up my application, partly to make sure being back in the classroom was what I wanted. I laugh that I'm a full decade older than some of the people in there. The world events that defined my childhood are ancient history to them!