jtp7118

Type of Undergrad Institution: Ivy Major(s)/Minor(s): Urban Studies, Hispanic Studies Undergrad GPA: 3.86/4.0 Graduate Institution: Ivy+ Grad GPA: 4.9/5.0 GRE: 168V, 168Q, 5.5 AW Letters of Recommendation: Three senior grad professors at top 5 schools, plus current boss Research Experience: Two years in grad school, plus five years at a regional policy think tank in Latin America Subfield/Research Interests: Comparative Politics, Latin America, sub-national (city) governance, electoral policy Publications: Multiple white papers, a book with a major government body in Latin America, and international organization reports Writing Sample: Sample from Master's thesis (not political science). Research was entirely qualitative in nature. RESULTS: Acceptances: Berkeley (Full funding for 5 years), plus two other non-political science PhDs at MIT and UCLA, both funded Rejections: Harvard, Stanford Going to: Berkeley Lessons Learned: If you can afford it, visit your top choice schools when you are applying. I flew up to Berkeley to meet with a few professors and students in October, and it gave them a better sense of who I am at the same time that it gave me a better sense of what they are looking for in potential students and how to frame my application around that. I found this was especially important for someone switching fields. Quantitative training is not everything. I don't have a strong background in quantitative methods (the last math class I took was over a decade ago), but I did well on the GRE and I expressed an interest and an aptitude in my SOP for learning more. Don't limit yourself from applying if this is your concern. Schools are looking at the whole package. And there is great value in mixed and qualitative methods! Working in the real world for five years between my Master's and my PhD has been important for me. I feel more prepared to go back to graduate school now that I have real-life policy experience, and my research questions are more grounded in what happens outside of the Ivory Tower. Plus, I have some serious professional skills under my belt, like planning and time management, as well as a strong network of contacts in my region of interest, which should not be underestimated. I only applied to five schools because I was very clear about what I wanted to do and where. Fit is king. Plus, I saved some real money that way and I could focus more on the few applications I was really invested in, rather than spreading myself too thin. Give yourself a break from Gradcafe. This shit does weird things to your brain. I am more than happy to chat with anyone who is switching fields or who has been out of academia for a while. Send me message if you want some perspective...

I got into Berkeley CP, and I have a relatively inexperienced quanti background. I scored high in quant on the GRE (168) and I expressed an aptitude and a desire to learn more in my SOP, but, to give you an idea, my last formal quantitative training was a basic calculus class back in college (over a decade ago for me). That said, I have a Master's from MIT and a good six years of professional experience under my belt. All this to say that there is no one specific profile of the "ideal" student they are looking for, rather the package of skills and experiences you can bring to the table.

Hi again, just checking if you applied to HKS Political Economy and Government or to the GSAS Department of Government?

How did you find out?

Hey y'all, when do we think Harvard will let us know?

Me too. Oh well, at least they were quick about it!

I am also waiting on funding from Berkeley...This is what my original email said back on Jan 31: "Formal details about the Department’s fellowship offer will be sent in a separate letter in the following weeks. You can anticipate receiving a competitive five-year funding package, including stipend/salary, tuition, and student health insurance." Did you get the same message?

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful responses. I am going to give it some serious consideration and let them know as soon as I decide. I appreciate your insight!

Out of the five PhD programs I applied to this year, I have been accepted into my top-choice school and a "safety" school so far (with the other three still pending). I have a great personal relationship with the POI from my "safety" school and I honestly really like the program, but I am feeling conflicted about whether or not I should go to the Admitted Students Day if I am most likely going to reject the offer. I think it could be a good way to network with the professors there (even if I don't wind up going there) and I can use the financial aid package to negotiate with my top-choice school, but I also understand I could be taking someone else's spot away...Is it okay for me to go to Admitted Students Day regardless?

Hi everyone, just wanted to say I was just admitted to the UCLA PhD in Urban Planning. The admitted students day is March 5. Good luck to all!

I just got accepted to Berkeley, sub-field Comparative. Email from the admissions committee chair. I am so ridiculously happy! Good luck to all!

Comparative, working on sub-national governance and electoral policy in Latin America

Hey all, (another) long-time lurker and constant page-refresher. I am dying to hear from Berkeley, and it looks like from past results that they send out news the last week of January/first week of February. Anyone hear anything yet?

Hi all, thought I would get us started so people can discuss admissions as they start to roll in for Fall 2018. I applied to two PhD programs this round (MIT and UCLA). Waiting to hear back now. From past results, it looks like UCLA will let people know late January, early February, and MIT is a bit later, in late February, early March. Good luck to everyone who applied!

Wagner decisions are out. No dice for me.

I am dying to know about Wagner! No news, anyone?

Sent a message to my POI and he said he still hasn't heard anything about doctoral admissions and that they usually come out in early March. He said he was going to check and get back to me.

Anyone heard from Princeton Sociology and Social Policy yet?

Anyone heard back from Wagner yet?