whistler

someone seems to be messing with you. did you call the university? what did they say about wait-list situation?

Let me try to decipher... I was so pissed off when I got the e-mail (not because I was rejected - I kinda got used to it and I was expecting it anyway), I came really close to replying. I got another e-mail on the very same day from Financial Aid Office, asking me to send additional documents. (I will send the documents, who knows maybe I will get some financial support - obviously admission and financial aid have no connection at all). We are lazy, rude, and have no idea about information technologies. So here you go, we won't even write down your name. We made you wait four months to make sure we have enough students. Now, as we do, we will let you know about the decision. Well, we were going to tell you that this year we had the strongest pool, but we didn't want to make you feel even slightly better. This part is just ridiculous. USC made us wait for four months. They sent rejections two months after acceptances. Meanwhile, when people called, they didn't say anything about rejections.... Real classy, what can I say... Who knows, maybe I will get some financial aid at the end of the day. It looks like they are still reviewing my application

your status says "CCAS4-A decision on your application has been made. " then you scroll down and find the link for the letter. Well, they already announced all the acceptances last week, so I wasn't surprised to find the letter either.

I saw my beautiful letter on the website. Our Admissions Committee has undertaken a careful review of your application and supporting documents. The Committee determined that it cannot recommend acceptance, and consequently I must inform you that we are unable to offer you admission to the graduate program in Political Science. I know this will come as unwelcome news. Please be assured that we receive many more applications than we can possibly accept. Many strong candidates have to be denied admission. Thank you for considering The George Washington University.

Well, if that's the case.....I will be here next year, too. I wasted nearly $1000 and quite some time for these applications. (though seriously, why do you lie to the applicants? Bad admissions office! Bad admissions office!) I hope I don't see any of you guys on gradcafe next year

Should we go ahead and remind USC POIR about the applications? I mean, it has been nearly four months, maybe they totally forgot that they were supposed to admit new people to the program.

You know what, you have nothing to lose. Send an e-mail to a professor, the program director, and financial aid office asking about additional funding opportunities. Tell them something about how much you would like to study at that university and how difficult it would be within this economy etc. Worst case scenario, everyone will say 'no' or won't reply.

I am currently in the UC system (MA student). The department was not even sure about our stipends (And they in fact fired on TA). So, yes, you will most probably not get funding at all (you might get a TA position where they pay you around $10-$15 an hour - 20 hrs/wk).

I am currently in the UC system (MA student). The department was not even sure about our stipends (And they in fact fired on TA). So, yes, you will most probably not get funding at all (you might get a TA position where they pay you around $10-$15 an hour - 20 hrs/wk).

Let me put my two cents in as well. For PhD programs, what thesquirrel said is pretty much correct. There are a few PhD programs that accept unfunded candidates (well, at least in political science). Based on my experience, I can say those schools are either really reputable schools or practice-oriented schools. (So either the candidate sees PhD as an investment opportunity or a government/employer pays for the school). Again based on my experience during my PhD applications and my grad studies, your exam scores are quite important. (If you are an international student, your TOEFL score might be more important than your GRE especially if you want to be a TA). Your research interests/willingness to teach are as well important. (If the department needs your research skills, you will get a position.) Although they are called merit awards, you should demonstrate your need, too.

congrats!

Did you get your acceptance from GWU? (I think you were the one who got an unofficial acceptance with funding, right?)

My status says the application is still under review.

Well in fact I am currently in an MA program. Getting published will definitely help me. Unfortunately, right now I don't have any publications and I only have one conference presentation.