waterloo715

Any words of wisdom on the first few weeks and generally the first semester of your first year in a PhD? I will be starting up in about two weeks, so I can feel the anticipation building. I am very excited but I also realize I am in for some surprises. What did everyone learn? Did anyone feel behind right away? If so, how did you manage (besides, of course, simply getting over it and powering through)?

1. They do have a year-long stats sequence. 2. They just made a new hire, although it has not been officially announced yet. But my friend in the department said the news was sent out internally. Most would say he has a very promising career ahead of him. And his interests are likely similar to OP.

Depends what you want to study. "Russianists" in poli sci are spread out. But there are probably a number of others whose main focus on substantive issues (e.g. IPE, federalization, etc) apply to the region and thus use Russia/FSU as a case study, though are not Russia scholars per se. Places to study Russian/FSU politics are places that generally have strong area studies departments, for instance: https://www.carnegie.org/news/articles/russia-area-studies/ and http://iseees.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/u4/FINAL-ASEEES-assessment-report.pdf. George Washington's political science department is also good in terms faculty who work on the region. This list is by no means comprehensive, but it should give you a good idea of some scholars working on Russia and the former Soviet Union: http://www.ponarseurasia.org/members

Political Science PhD

Waiting on Michigan, ND, Yale, and Cornell. But still haven't received closure from a few schools either. I'm hoping that mine get wrapped up in the next 2.5 weeks. I am tired of waiting. This process is tortuous.

Claiming the Indiana acceptance yesterday. My first offer and it came with a huge sigh of relief.

Ah @PizzaCat93, I hope you are right!

Did they mention how the process will work at the open house? I am on the waitlist (w/o an invitation to visit), but I am curious about how big that waitlist is and whether I should hold out hope for an acceptance late in the cycle.

Me neither. And also silence from UNC. Both portals remain unchanged despite recent updates (claimed rejections) on the results page.

Ah, yes, fair enough. Didn't notice your location said Germany.

That is also something that you can bring up a campus visit, if you attend. They may be more forthcoming in person.

The misery continues.

Penn State probably. And some more UNC decisions may trickle out too.

Agonizing indeed. UNC is killing me with their trickle.

Waiting for 10 more, but only 2 or 3 are places where I hope for good news. No acceptances yet; only a waitlist at GWU, which was very disappointing because the fit was great, IMO. Trying to avoid the worst case scenario mindset, but it is lurking in the background.