Jonhecht89

I took the GRE last year. Powerprep 800V, 750Q. Actual 740V, 770Q. In defense of powerprep on the V, I knew the words but got really nervous because it seemed too easy and started second guessing myself.

Yet I can also read that the application has a space for a writing sample.

I'm not sure what this has to do with anything, but 740.

Man, I've been posting a lot of questions on here lately. So Harvard's gov't site requests that you do *not* submit a writing sample. I am a theorist and my writing sample is the strongest part of my application. There's still a place on the application for it, should I submit it anyway?

My cumulative GPA is 3.5, but once my first year is removed from the equation, it goes up to 3.87. My GREs are high enough that this GPA won't cut me on the first round and at least one of my letter writers is going to mention this aspect of my GPA. Should I talk about it in my personal statement, or just let my letter writers do the work there and avoid drawing more attention to it since it is not so bad that it will sink me?

I'm also applying for PT and I'm inclined to think that if 20 pages is long enough to demonstrate an ability to do sustained research, then something is seriously wrong with the sample. This isn't to say that there's something wrong with the sample, but rather that I'm sure you're fine. Relax.

I'm in theory and I'd like to trade. My email is my name @gmail.com

I'm bored, so I thought I'd also jump in as someone who received a Fulbright. I got a Full Grant to Finland but declined it for a variety of reasons. Feel free to ask any questions.

I was wondering if theorists on the adcom look at theory applicants, or is it just random?

I think having footnotes in SOPs seems douchey. They don't care for the exact date and issue--they're not going to check it nor utilize it.

So I'm in a slightly unusual situation. My writing sample is forthcoming in a prestigious journal, and I've just received the proofs. Unfortunately, they sent the proofs in hard copy (weird, I know). The article is going to be published in the next issue of the journal, but I think that might be in late December, which means that it won't be in time for apps. I was hoping to use the proofs as my WS, but I'm reticent about asking for a PDF, as I imagine they have reason for not providing it. So the question is: does it make a big difference if I use the proof vs using a word file I have of it? There are only a few minor changes recommended here and there, such as changing "to which" to "by which". The real thing is that it'd be nice to have the header and the formatting looks much nicer. Edit: And on a related note, if a place asks for 20 pages, is 28 too long?

Sorry it took a while to reply; I've been driving cross-country. One of the weird parts about this whole situation is that I spoke to him on the phone before making the decision and, after explaining my reasoning, he seemed to support my decision (or at least claimed it did). In any case, I've been tried to remain cordial throughout this whole thing--soon after, I had to give a speech at my department's graduation ceremony and still thanked him for everything he's done for me. Then again, that could have been interpreted with barbs. Oh well.

Not sure if anyone cares, but brief update on my professor. I just found out from a few students in the department that he has been telling people "Oh, I wish that you could apply for the Fulbright, but Jonathan kind of ruined that for us." Fantastic.

So I'm in an interesting situation. As some of you may know, I declined a research Fulbright (Finland). Two of my professors actually recommended that I decline it. I graduated in December and haven't been back to my university since--until today, that is. I brought some gifts for my letter writers and doled them out, but when I got to my fulbright advisor (who was also the person who introduced me to my field and supervised a number of independent studies), he was extremely cold. He brushed me off and seemed to be seething with anger. I called my friend who works closely with him and he is "extremely pissed" with me. So I guess I have to cross him off my reference list. I'm really not sure how to feel about this... Not sure what I'm trying to do by posting this here, but I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience?

My Fulbright (Full Finland) has officially been declined. They asked why I was declining and that was awkward.

I thought this topic was going to be about diet plans.

I got a funded offer from the top MA program in my field--they have an insane placement record. And there were visa issues for my girlfriend. And, most importantly, the cold. Seriously. Ughhhh. I'm from Montreal but I've lived in California for the past 14 years, I can't deal with that stuff.

I just declined my grant (full) to Finland.

Edited: Basically, my GPA is middling (mid 3 range), my GREs are high (over 1500), I'm fixing up a second R&R for a top journal in HPT (ranked A* by one of those australian studies and it's a solo paper), but I have no polisci background. My BA is in philosophy and I'll be getting an MA in philosophy starting the fall. If it helps, I was offered a research Fulbright. I am going to be applying to philosophy PhD programs but figure that if I get into a top 10 polisci program, then I may do that. So the question is whether I have a shot at a top ten program. I figure that my only shot would be thanks to probably having a pub forthcoming in a top journal, but I see from a lot of posts on here that many people have multiple pubs and get shut out. I don't really know much about polisci, so are pubs just common? Best, Jonathan

She's not a dependent and we're not married (though we plan to marry eventually). Hell, financing her coming along isn't really even an issue. The problem is just getting permission from the country. Thanks for the encouragement, y'all.

She was trying to get a residence permit to study in Finland with me. We contacted a number of different departments and they all said it was too late for her to apply in any way (degree seeking or non-degree seeking). Right now she is in San Diego and I am in the SF bay area and that is hard enough--we really hate being apart. She would come to the MA program with me. She does not have an MA or a PhD but she is taking a year off to decide whether she will want to apply later, though she's leaning against it (great candidate: 3.99, 4.0 in major and 670 verbal [English major]). She said she'll follow me wherever I go and had intended to follow me on the Fulbright but we couldn't get it. Another thing is that I was really bullied into applying for the country I did. One of my profs told me to apply for the Fulbright and it seemed like a good idea, but I really wanted the UK. The UK is the only place I can imagine really thriving with my work. The FB advisor on campus, however, essentially said that she would not recommend me if I applied to the UK because it is too competitive and it would make the school look bad. Finland is a great country, but I would work with better people at the MA program than in Finland. In the end, the benefit would be as a year long European vacation. I'd rather be with my SO in America than on a European vacation without her. Maybe it would be different if I had applied to the UK and maybe I should have fought for it more, but it's too late now. Edit: She said she'd follow me wherever I go and her primary concern is being with me.

Well, there are many reasons in addition. I think I just applied to the wrong country, to be honest. Also, we drive to Palo Alto to go to Fraiche every weekend.

I'm considering declining the fulbright if my girlfriend can't get a residence permit. Would this be stupid? I was accepted to a top flight MA program which would put me in a good position to get into a top PhD program...

In that case, can you provide details about how the flight works? Do I buy it then they reimburse it? And is there a set period that I must fly to my host country?

Does Fulbright help with finding housing?