krapp

Now that I know Northwestern results are coming out my productivity at work tomorrow will be zero. Who can focus on work when you can refresh your email instead?!

Yea, three in a row with no claims on the board...some on PSR, you can troll us better than that!

Northwestern decisions this week would be great. Still seems a bit early for most programs though

Anyone claiming the Michigan State one on the boards? Looks like they have a history of spreading their decisions out between mid-January to mid-February, so it may be real or may just another annoying troll.

Yea, I would be hesitant to read much into what goes on the results board right now. Check your applications every couple days, but trust in getting an email notice at some point. Especially since it's still so early in the cycle.

Same as what the folks above have said. I didn't apply to programs that were bad fits. More like some are good fits and others are reasonable/solid fits. Also, the growing trickle of decisions just pushed me to log back in and check each application. Only the GWU one for me so far.

Woke up to a GWU email, waitlisted. To temper my expectations I'm considering it as a rejection.

Thanks, I'll start keeping an eye on it. It looks like most programs I've applied to typically start around the beginning of February, I guess GWU just likes to be ahead of the curve.

Did they send you an email about it? The only thing keeping me from checking each application 5x a day is the thought that I would get an email saying something had changed. If that isn't the case...well, there goes my productivity and sanity for the next month

Huge congratulations to everyone who has received an offer already! Still just waiting on this end...

Applications all in (last one was due yesterday), so on with the waiting! I'm applying for IR as my primary - interested in international organizations, law, and the use of force. One thing I've been pondering is what I should do if I don't get an offer this cycle. I've already done an MSc (finished in August), so a 'back-up MA' would probably be the height of redundant and not really help build an application for the next cycle. I have a job now (unrelated) with about 8 months left in the contract. Maybe try to get a research position with a think tank/NGO? Sadly I don't know of anything equivalent to an RA'ship or similar academic research positions for graduates. So I'm open to ideas! (I figure making a backup plan is a prudent use for the next 1-2 months of stress energy)

Yea, if a 166V 161Q is the weakest part of your application you're pretty well off

I doubt a typo in your writing sample would be the deciding factor in any application, so don't sweat it.

I have two working frames for my SOPs (500 words and 1000 words). It's the diversity statement that is giving me trouble now.

That huge December 15 deadline is coming up fast...It'll all be done soon enough!

Good to know/keep in mind

Yea, the stats are rock solid, but it's the LORs/SOP/Writing Sample that would set it apart (in a good way or a bad way). I guess the best evaluation I could come up with now is that you have a great foundation to build on but a lot will come down to what you put on that.

I'm in the final drafts/revisions stages with one application submitted already, one due in Monday, then the 9th and the 15th before a huge gap until January 2 for the last one. But I need all the time I can get. I do not recommend starting a new job just a few weeks before submitting!

1.) Not sure on this one, but I hope so... 2.) I would think so, especially if you make it clear that you intend to have one as your primary field and another as your secondary. You'll have to declare two anyway in most programs, and like people have said, there is a lot of natural crossover. 3.) Most programs I'm applying to are asking for them listed in the application. In that case, I just do that. Otherwise it's just an awkward little sentence hidden away in the SOP.

You don't have a ton of choices at this point, do you? Like Monody said, a more traditional academic research piece would probably be ideal. But if you don't have one that you can realisticely get into a usable form in the next ~2 weeks for applications than the policy paper is probably your best bet.

That's what it sounds like, but it's definitely best to check this with the program office.

I'm happy with my application choices - if I receive a funded offer this cycle, I'll go. However if there's no funding, I'll apply again next year. And if I have the happy problem of having multiple funded offers...well, that'll be a decision I wouldn't mind agonizing over a bit!

I'm assuming this is for a Masters degree? If so - what is your long term goal for it and what is the option instead of a thesis? If you want to go on for a PhD, you'll likely want to do the thesis so you can more clearly show admissions committees that you're capable of doing research work. If you plan on finishing with the MA/MS/whatever and going into the workforce, a solid internship may be a better option.

@changeisgood Sounds like we have pretty similar profiles then, I just finished my MSc so I'm hoping that and some little research and teaching pieces will help me out.

@Monody Congrats on the submission. May reviewer two smile upon you. I'm in the final crunch time for editing my SOP's and polishing up the writing sample - the first application is due at the end of the month and it feels like it's coming up so fast. Regarding the number of applications/rankings - 8 for me (2 T-25, 3 T-40, 1 T-60, 2 T-70) with GRE scores of 170V/154Q. I don't have the strongest admissions profile, but I targeted my search pretty heavily for programs with professors doing research in my interest areas.