1too3for5

I know man. Not pressing the up arrow button when someone's being an ass is some real Hedonic calculus.
For real though, here's an actual puzzle: what kind of person starts publicly sobbing about downvotes on a website called "the grad cafe" and then shits on someone who tries to answer their question about it?
Nah I just flip a coin.
 
 

Thanks. I know that institutional/program acceptance rates vary, and I imagine that overall acceptance rates vary depending on the amount of people who apply and the available positions. I was just curious as to the overall percentage (across every discipline and university) of individuals who apply and get accepted in any given year. I am sure this number would be incredibly difficult to figure out, there are so many variables. (At least it seems that way for my non-quant mind. I am sure ND's statistics bootcamp and the entire year of stats I will be required to take will have me thinking differently in no time. At least I hope so. I really want/need to use mixed methods for my dissertation.)

I think, at least for some of us, this is our second round because we chose to do an MA first. 
The link didn't work for me  

 

Lol good ol' @bradley610. Here's a link to a screenshot.
https://ibb.co/cgqY1F

Lol where
Hm.
Welp, this is awkward:
 
*explains reasoning*
Huh.
Yes!
Whoops.
I get back to my computer: a one-man show of abusive private messages for all the folks keeping score at home. It's very fun.
"What a strange and sad person you are. Truly unlikable, unless you choose to stop picking idiotic fights with strangers. But hey, I bet you have a really sweet CV. Real life is better, man. I promise." - Bradley610, 30 minutes ago
"Oh come on. Shouldn't you have a quip ready? That's what you do, right?" - Bradley610, 22 minutes ago
"Seriously. I'm intrigued to see what sort of nonsense you're gonna dredge up. Let's go. I don't have all night." - Bradley610, 16 minutes ago
"Come on. It was kinda fun. You got to pretend you're smarter than a complete stranger! Why stop now?" - Bradley, 1 minute ago
"I won't lie. This is unsatisfying. I thought there were a few more rounds in the chamber, the kinda material you might come up with sad bachelor friends at soulless happy hours. You're totally that kind of dude, right?" - Bradley, Now
**THREAD PAGE BREAK**
"That's what I thought. When pressed you can't even answer a straightforward question like an adult. Please don't waste my time in the future." - Bradley610.
 
Word of the wise: "Trying to offer some perspective isn't being mean. And being nice for nice's sake doesn't have a whole lot of value. I don't think what I or Oranges has said is out of bounds at all; you can demonstrate a firm, alternative viewpoint and be respectful at the same time." - @bradley610, yesterday.
 
Night night err'body!
 
 
 
 

I know man. Not pressing the up arrow button when someone's being an ass is some real Hedonic calculus.
For real though, here's an actual puzzle: what kind of person starts publicly sobbing about downvotes on a website called "the grad cafe" and then shits on someone who tries to answer their question about it?
Nah I just flip a coin.
 
 

I know man. Not pressing the up arrow button when someone's being an ass is some real Hedonic calculus.
For real though, here's an actual puzzle: what kind of person starts publicly sobbing about downvotes on a website called "the grad cafe" and then shits on someone who tries to answer their question about it?
Nah I just flip a coin.
 
 

@bradley610 - I keep almost upvoting your comments about decision-making, until I hit the barbed clauses.
I agree that it seems a bit small of someone to push you to make a decision before you might be ready because of their belief it will benefit them, especially if it's a decision as big as this - it can seem self-centered if you're in the lucky position of having options. But the opposite is true for folks on a wait-list: if you haven't been accepted to a program yet, and you know it's your dream, it would be stressful and shitty-feeling to watch (or imagine) people casually deliberating while the time for wait-list movement begins to dry up.
I don't think the timing of your declination really influences whether or not someone will actually get into a program (unless you do so very close to April 15 and the program doesn't have time to extend other offers), but wait-listed applicants likely want to hear from schools earlier rather than later, so people in that position might be sensitive to a [somewhat callous-sounding] rejection of their request.
I don't enjoy reading the hurry-it-up comments either because I definitely need to visit a few programs before I can make a decision (I'll release most of my offers soon), and the visit days for some schools are pretty late. But we're all strangers who aren't accountable to each other at all socially, so you can take all the time you need and ignore the comments insisting you decline stat.
Unsolicited advice for undergrads who are stuck on wait-lists and may reapply: search for industry research jobs now! Don't wait around on the Grad Cafe expecting wait-list movement. You might not get it, and get stuck unemployed or in a job you hate for a year. Research firms are hiring now, but those doors will be closed by May.

I know man. Not pressing the up arrow button when someone's being an ass is some real Hedonic calculus.
For real though, here's an actual puzzle: what kind of person starts publicly sobbing about downvotes on a website called "the grad cafe" and then shits on someone who tries to answer their question about it?
Nah I just flip a coin.
 
 

I know man. Not pressing the up arrow button when someone's being an ass is some real Hedonic calculus.
For real though, here's an actual puzzle: what kind of person starts publicly sobbing about downvotes on a website called "the grad cafe" and then shits on someone who tries to answer their question about it?
Nah I just flip a coin.
 
 

Here's a link to the PDF - I've seen the one they were talking about before. https://www.coloradocollege.edu/dotAsset/be00c34c-5b8c-4097-97b9-4855574b8a3b.pdf

@bradley610 - I keep almost upvoting your comments about decision-making, until I hit the barbed clauses.
I agree that it seems a bit small of someone to push you to make a decision before you might be ready because of their belief it will benefit them, especially if it's a decision as big as this - it can seem self-centered if you're in the lucky position of having options. But the opposite is true for folks on a wait-list: if you haven't been accepted to a program yet, and you know it's your dream, it would be stressful and shitty-feeling to watch (or imagine) people casually deliberating while the time for wait-list movement begins to dry up.
I don't think the timing of your declination really influences whether or not someone will actually get into a program (unless you do so very close to April 15 and the program doesn't have time to extend other offers), but wait-listed applicants likely want to hear from schools earlier rather than later, so people in that position might be sensitive to a [somewhat callous-sounding] rejection of their request.
I don't enjoy reading the hurry-it-up comments either because I definitely need to visit a few programs before I can make a decision (I'll release most of my offers soon), and the visit days for some schools are pretty late. But we're all strangers who aren't accountable to each other at all socially, so you can take all the time you need and ignore the comments insisting you decline stat.
Unsolicited advice for undergrads who are stuck on wait-lists and may reapply: search for industry research jobs now! Don't wait around on the Grad Cafe expecting wait-list movement. You might not get it, and get stuck unemployed or in a job you hate for a year. Research firms are hiring now, but those doors will be closed by May.

One colossal con to Wisconsin that hasn't been discussed: tenure policies were "revised" last year in a way that has been dramatically concerning to professors at public universities across the state . Some faculty at the Madison campus have left or publicly articulated plans to leave. Given their effectively dissolved tenure system, I wouldn't be able to confidently expect that faculty I hope to interact with would stick around for 6-7 years.
That's why I didn't even apply.
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/education/2016/03/university_of_wisconsin_and_the_aftermath_of_destroying_professor_tenure.html
This change could impact UW-Madison's rank and quality in the long run. If you have more than one offer, picking a program can be viewed as a big risk-minimization game at this point. I think UW's tenure situation is a risk that people should be aware of.

One colossal con to Wisconsin that hasn't been discussed: tenure policies were "revised" last year in a way that has been dramatically concerning to professors at public universities across the state . Some faculty at the Madison campus have left or publicly articulated plans to leave. Given their effectively dissolved tenure system, I wouldn't be able to confidently expect that faculty I hope to interact with would stick around for 6-7 years.
That's why I didn't even apply.
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/education/2016/03/university_of_wisconsin_and_the_aftermath_of_destroying_professor_tenure.html
This change could impact UW-Madison's rank and quality in the long run. If you have more than one offer, picking a program can be viewed as a big risk-minimization game at this point. I think UW's tenure situation is a risk that people should be aware of.

One colossal con to Wisconsin that hasn't been discussed: tenure policies were "revised" last year in a way that has been dramatically concerning to professors at public universities across the state . Some faculty at the Madison campus have left or publicly articulated plans to leave. Given their effectively dissolved tenure system, I wouldn't be able to confidently expect that faculty I hope to interact with would stick around for 6-7 years.
That's why I didn't even apply.
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/education/2016/03/university_of_wisconsin_and_the_aftermath_of_destroying_professor_tenure.html
This change could impact UW-Madison's rank and quality in the long run. If you have more than one offer, picking a program can be viewed as a big risk-minimization game at this point. I think UW's tenure situation is a risk that people should be aware of.

Questions you must ask yourself: are they people who publish routinely with students? (some sacred cows never do). Are they people who have a reputation for being difficult to deal/work with? Don't be afraid to do research on this. If the answer is no to the first question and yes for the second, you should definitely reconsider your choice of program. 
 
The above may sound obvious, but way too many people make decisions based only on name and prestige. That is a mistake.

Interesting insight. Are you currently a graduate student?
Two professors whose works I admire deeply have reached out to me, and I have to admit I'm a little starstruck: "'so-and-so' actually wrote me!" was the running thought when I read their email. My current advisor told me not to be so easily seduced, because that's par for the course during this "courting season." Do others have similar experiences?

I would say that it's relatively standard, but you should nonetheless see it as a good indicator of your POIs' interest in your research and the school's desire to have you join their program.
I've had a mix of responses. For two of my programs, the faculty who sat on the committee contacted me with enthusiasm and stated they told the other faculty I indicated on my application regarding my file.
I've also received emails from one of these programs from DGS and Chair trying to recruit me and offering themselves up as a contact for questions. Also a student reached out to me offering to answer any questions.
One other school, I received interest from the DGS but not from the faculty I mentioned in my application. I’m not trying to overanalyze this lack of communication, but I do think it is generally a sign that the program is a weaker fit.
One program (which is ranked lowest of those I was accepted to) has done the least amount of courting despite a really strong fit with the program. The financial package is the weakest and because of its rank, I will likely decline the offer.

I really applaud your determination to get into a PhD program But I think you may be overlooking some serious weaknesses in your application profile. You say, "Look at me. I am your ideal candidate," but if you've been rejected 27 times over the course of 10 years, I think there's more to this.
For example, your grad GPA is 3.77. That's a poor GPA for graduate school, akin to to 2.8-3.3 GPA range as an undergrad. Especially since getting an MA is supposed to be used as a leverage to "prove" to PhD admission committees that you can handle PhD level coursework at the bare minimum, this GPA alone is a damaging signal.
There's a lot more you raise that a lot of questions. Like are you really sure your LOR wrote you "GLOWING" letters? That your personal statement was "perfectly crafted"? Or maybe your aggressive reaching out to professors actually backfired on you?
It's absolutely true that there is a lot of arbitrariness in graduate school applications. Specific programs reject wonderful applications for completely random reasons beyond their control. But there is also a lot of overlap. There are students, for example, who get offers from all the schools they apply to. 
To get rejected 27 times over 10 years does suggest that something is "very, very wrong." But it's probably not the admissions committee.

Some brief concluding thoughts as I check out of this year's admission cycle. I found this site very useful throughout the application process. I trawled it when I was a younger undergrad interested in grad school, and it was a good relief valve during the application season. Not many of my friends and peers apply to graduate school, not least sociology, so it was great to have the forum. My experience is anecdotal of course, but I hope people glean something from it.
I applied to 14 schools in this cycle, and I was accepted to 5. All of them were ranked in the top 20. While I wasn't admitted to some of my top choice programs (namely, Harvard and Berkeley), I do have great options available. I'm writing this in the wake of a few rejections, so there may be a strain of ambivalence to my words, but I know that in more sober moments I am very thankful and humbled to have the options I do.
I have a reasonably strong application profile. Without identifying myself, I come from a top 10 liberal arts college. I'm currently a senior. My GPA is within the summa/magna cum lauda range. My GRE scores (verbal/quant/writing) are above the 90th percentile. I have worked as a research assistant, and have dabbled in an independent summer research. 
I applied only to top ranked programs that were strong in what I was interested in (culture/theory/networks). I thought I made a strong case for my admission in each case, but as you can see, I was far from uniformly successful. 
I'm passing on tips and advice that I have accumulated from all over.
Make sure your file is as strong as it can reasonably be. Low test scores can entirely break through application (though high ones don't necessarily make it). Prestige and status of your undergraduate institution matters. There might be very little you can do to change and affect this, but it is wise to cognizant of its effects on your application, and to try to accommodate for this as best as you can. Network early and often with your letter writers. Make sure they know who you are, and how/why you're dedicated to a career in academia. Apply widely! You cannot apply to just a select few and expect to get in, unless you're a bona fide star (and perhaps, even if). I imagine my application profile does not look too dissimilar to that of the modal "good" applicant: in which case you might expect a similar result from mine. Start early! Start preparing your writing sample and personal statements by June, if you can. I started in September or so, and I wish I had started earlier.

Agreed, I think I have placed too much expectation on myself. Plus, my MA is fully funded so why not. 

Unsuccessful applications this year so far (Only tier 1 schools and Alma Mater). Graduating undergraduate applicants from program ranked 50-100. GRE V156 Q165 AW4.0 in one attempt. Lots of research experience with about $10,000 research funding in total and a senior thesis. Material reviewed and commented by four full professors and many others. Might end up in my Alma Mater for master. 
I think there should be a strategy change next time: for those who really want to go to tier 1 schools, I think it would be easier if you can get into any program (other than sociology, literally anyone) in that tier and approach professors from the inside. Just my personal opinion. 

Also rejected from Michigan, and it won't let me submit to the results board. Not phased, it was not a good fit at all. Fit > rank.

it might be the case that people admitted there really don't come here to discuss.

@JessicaLange is spot on with her response, I think. I would add a few related considerations.
Don't just look into HYPSM and Columbia. Some prestige-focused applicants who assume that universities well-known for their undergraduate selectivity must also be as in-demand for doctoral work are A] often not correct and B] can give off the appearance of being interested in PhD programs for the wrong reasons (the "right" reason according to any faculty member at a competitive school is "research" - their research).
To the first point above, USNews rankings (a super blunt instrument - ranks literally come from the average scores given by faculty at competing universities), a much better indicator of "prestige" within academic disciplines, currently ranks Yale 20th in sociology, and a ton of public schools land way ahead of it. The only school you mentioned in the top 5 is Princeton. And as @JessicaLange sort of implied when citing employment stats, rank can REALLY matter. It's an okay proxy for the market outcomes of doctoral students who finish at each program. Someone interested in the academic job market, for example, might choose Berkeley, UNC, Michigan, or Wisconsin, among others, over most of the schools you have listed. To be clear, this is is a huge oversimplification of both the program selection and labor market processes: choosing a program is highly personal, related on the faculty for whom you wish to work, the ways in which your research and methodological interests connect to theirs, funding packages, regional constraints, etc. etc. etc.; getting a job in academia is insanely difficult and does not come to anyone simply because of their school or lab. The point remains, however, that an Ivy League name may not be as impressive to people in the discipline as it is to outsiders. And the people in the discipline are the people who matter (which is why I use ranking to make this point).
The second point I make about purpose for applying relates to the first. Without a strong intellectual reason or interest, it is much harder to get into or get through a doctoral program. Interest in the broad subject of sociology or political science, unfortunately, is often not going to result in an admit. As the majority of a PhD student's time is spent doing research, professors typically look for applicants with well-articulated research interests, especially interests that align with their own body of work. Accordingly, successful PhD students-those who complete the degree-do not place their primary motivation for acquiring the degree in a desire to drink in knowledge from the classroom. Instead, they demonstrate an ability and interest in creating knowledge.
Along these lines, I think it is actually very possible to apply to programs in more than one discipline. But only if your research interests are extremely coherent. The better you know what questions you hope to answer, the more effectively you can communicate how they fit within each academic paradigm. For example, an applicant interested in the ways in which public transportation access and utilization varies socioeconomically, and how this mediates the behaviors of a specific population, could describe their interest to a sociology program in the context of social stratification, or a political science program by considering how this might influence voting behavior. That being said, applying to more than one program type is extremely risky if you aren't certain of why you're doing so.
The process of doing background research on programs is not a short-term activity, but it's really rewarding! If I were in your position, I would learn asuch as possible about the faculty and programs that may be ideal for my research and career aspirations, look at the job outcomes for alumni, and email people whose backgrounds I find compelling.
Good luck!
 
 
 
 
 

It's worth noting that this (usually) isn't how waitlists work. There are a certain number of offers-- say 20 offers aiming for a cohort of 10. So people wouldn't be getting off the waitlist unless there are more than 10 people who don't accept the offer (in this hypothetical scenario). That being said, I am not familiar with the program at UConn. However, because there are a number of moving pieces (rather than one person declines, one person gets off the waitlist), it's not unusual not to hear about getting off of a waitlist until late March/mid April.