
GopherGrad
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Any MPA/MPP programs with admissions still open?
GopherGrad replied to explodingstressball's topic in Political Science Forum
Milwaukee (from Ojibwe, meaning "the good land"). -
Any MPA/MPP programs with admissions still open?
GopherGrad replied to explodingstressball's topic in Political Science Forum
You've got 10 days on Marquette. I'll be doing some looking into this question and let you know if I find anything else. -
My one MA application is at Marquette, which has a great faculty for my interests. I think over the weekend I'll look at the deadlines for Chicago's CIR and Yale (I already applied Ph.D. at Columbia and Georgetown, and for some reason I'd rather not double-dip) and do some further research. I like Marquette because they don't offer a Ph.D., even though funding seems sparse.
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Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
I joined this board last year around admissions time to scout and whatnot and there was some lady-type then that got in a Harvard, Princeton, MarsU, etc., etc., too. In general, the conventional wisdom about fit seems right, and most of even the best candidates only get into one or two of the super-competitive schools. It would be really interesting to know what drives the results for the couple of applicants a year that really buck that trend. Whatever it is, great work, Baio. -
Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
http://www.poliscijobrumors.com/topic.php?id=35154 Believe at your own risk, and be aware that ordering Lipitor from Canadian pharmacies is a crime. -
Should I explain that my program has been suspended?
GopherGrad replied to wannabee's topic in Political Science Forum
Sorry about all your worries and concerns. It's a lot to juggle. I'd advise that you notify schools, even though they are probably all 75% decided on you. Particularly in the discipline, they'll probably understand the predicament. -
And, yeah, I know it's not over yet. It's like what oasis said; recognize the risks and think about contingencies.
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Thanks for all the advice so far. I'm impressed by how unanimous it is. I think it's intuitive that a Master's program will be better preparation; it sounds like you all think the difference generally justifies the added expense. I will look into other MA programs and get applications ready in case it's necessary. What programs might you suggest? I tried for a bunch of internship-style entry level gigs out of law school and had very little response. I decided to pursue further education for that purpose. I only applied to really competitive schools because I already spent so much time and money on a JD; I think every program I applied to is top 30. I applied to a couple schools with marginal fit, but otherwise I'd be delighted to attend anywhere I applied all the way through.
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Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
Someone leaked that Columbia would be out next week. -
I'm thinking I'm going to get wiped out this application season and I have an inkling why: My BA grades are far below average (~3.5) and I've taken relatively few direct political science classes. My JD grades look terrible (2.9), but they are good on my school's curve, which was very competitive. Observing conversation around this place, it's pretty clear that I'm not as knowledgeable about research in my field as I could be.* None of my letter writers were political scientists. I plan to ask around after the admissions season dies off, but assuming I've properly diagnosed my weakness, I see two options. First, I could re-register at my alma mater and complete a political science BA. I could probably do that in a year (20-24 credits) and could bump my GPA almost .1. Second, I have also applied to one Master's program that specializes in prepping future Ph.D. candidates. Assuming I am admitted to the Master's program, which should I do? Completing the BA would be faster, cheaper and wouldn't require me to move. Time to get new letters is short and the bump to my GPA is minimal, but maybe that doesn't matter if my polisci/final two years GPA really jumps. Master's programs have inflated grades anyway... Which is a better investment? *In a move that would make SOG proud, I relied primarily on my JD and familiarity with the law review-type research in my field to fill in the gaps of my theatre background.
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Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
I've been cooking like crazy. The freezer is almost empty of bones, though, and full of stock and glace, so I'm going to have to come up with something else to do or start eating six times a day. I guess I could start on all the dishes... -
Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
I land mostly on the latter. I applied to WashU, as well, and haven't heard anything. They made my application list after I did my research, but then when I went to write my SoP later I had a really hard time finding faculty whose work fit well. I had zero confidence in fit there and was puzzled by my previous conclusion that I should apply, so I'm totally not surprised to get dinged. -
Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
Of course. Sorry. Something about Nigel reminds me of Remu Aaltonen or Badding or something. Maybe Finns just share that vacant expression. -
Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
Yup, dinged. It's surprising considering there are those who would argue that I'm already qualified to teach polisci. -
Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
Someone else already claimed a rejection, so I'm sure I know what's waiting for me, but I'll give it a try. -
Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
Hahaha. You're never going to believe this. I just got an email from Duke, but I didn't properly log out of ApplyYourself after I checked just now, so I can't read it until it logs me out automatically. -
Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
You mean "log into an existing account", where it would have previously said "Submitted"? That's still what mine says, but I want to make sure I've looked in the right place... -
There's a difference between what a law review will publish and what a polisci journal will. A Venn diagram of the two would have some overlap, but not a ton. Publication in the political science world often requires primary research, for example, and law students receive no training in statistical methods, research design or anything similar. I understand the frustration of feeling like school didn't prepare you for practice; almost everyone feels that way (and I take your original post as a sardonic expression of that angst more than an assertion that you're a better candidate to teach polisci than the average Ph.D.). A lot of the program is meant to teach you to speak legal language and think in the segmented (elements or tests) way that legal briefs are argued. Law school prepared me well to write and argue substantive motions, but I was clueless about forming discovery strategy or negotiating settlements. Those skills and comforts only develop with experience. I promise you that in a couple years those frustrations will vanish. Edit: I take Penelope's meaning, but I also feel great sympathy for starting attorneys. You feel like a lion cub released to fight the hyenas. They're almost always borderline suicidal the first year. If socme123 isn't just another SOG handle, I think it's important to respond frankly and empathetically.
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Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
If schools set largely similar dates by which students must commit, doesn't that leave a fair number of open slots not matched to the right applicants? Maybe I'm just frustrated at the idea that Duke wouldn't bother to reject me until late March. Which reminds me that I've been meaning to ask who your profile pic is. He reminds me of some Finnish rock star or another, but I can't quite put my finger on it. -
Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
Right? Considering nothing about the rejection need be tailored, you'd almost imagine they go out first. Duke accepted people via website yesterday, so they probably don't even need to enter email addresses or anything. -
Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
Told ya so. -
Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
Hi, purled! I agree. I almost liked waiting better. Lucky for me there's at least a month left. balderdash, It still seems more likely that Duke emailed all current admits today; unless the letters are somehow personalized there is no reason to delay the others. I imagine that there is some waitlist (whether announced or not), but I have no idea how long a school waits to pull from the maybes or the ratio of acceptances that go out in the first batch versus the total. I'd keep my fingers crossed, but I only have so many and I'm saving those for Princeton, Harvard, Berkeley, N'western, UCSD, ... I am I on to toes yet? Edit: More or less what I was thinking, but I'm not math-y enough to spell it out. Each rejection should erode the estimated chance at remaining schools based on relative competitiveness of the schools and fit. -
Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
Anything's possible, but with 5 claimed acceptances out of a normal class size of 8-12 it seems unlikely. (Frankly, I'm really surprised that the proportion of Duke admitees that read gradcafe is so high, so I suppose some could be trolls.) -
Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
Sorry. Duke. I didn't get an actual rejection, but it appears that DukeAcceptanceBot sent out it's burst of Happy Robo Mail today and I wasn't on the list. -
Political Science - Fall 2011 Cycle
GopherGrad replied to adaptations's topic in Political Science Forum
Damn. First school out the post for me. Whiff.