dr.strange

No. You being rejected is simply due to a lack of supply of PhD positions. To my understanding, paid European positions are as competitive as PhD programs in the US simply because they are funded. If you apply to self-funded positions (common in the UK, but I personally DO NOT recommend it), you probably would get a very different outcome, but then you have to figure out funding. When it comes to managing the literature, I think you need a better strategy in doing so. Some of my friends spreadsheet every article they've come across so you could easily find whatever you need by searching for keywords. I myself maintain a lot of notes in Word, but I think I'm going to switch to the spreadsheeting strategy once I start in the fall. Good luck!

If I'm not mistaken, there is no thread for UNC admits this year yet so I'm opening one now. Anyone else heading to UNC this fall?

UNC Chapel Hill, very excited!

Second this. Also helpful are Sweave/ Knitr if you already know R. These are for making reproducible PDF documents using LaTex.

I did a 2-year program before applying in this cycle. Here in the Netherlands you have both the 1-year regular master and the 2-year research master. Content differences aside, time is extremely important. In a 2-year program you get to build up your profile more. During my research master, I published a paper, attended a conference and was able to revise for the GRE during the summer without any disruption. I'd definitely do the 2-year program if you could afford it.

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad Institution: Low-ranked Public University from Asia Major(s)/Minor(s): Political Science Undergrad GPA: 3.81 (First of Class) Type of Grad: Top Dutch research university, 2-year Research Master in Political Science & Public Administration Grad GPA: 4.00/4.00 GRE: 155Q (shit) /160V/5.0W Any Special Courses: Intro to Quantitative Methods (basic stuff, multiple regression), Advanced Methods (time series, intro to multi-level modelling), Intro to Qualitative Methods as part of the research master Letters of Recommendation: Undergrad thesis supervisor that I also RAed with for the summer; Master's thesis supervisor who is well known in the field; Assistant Prof that whom I followed 3 research seminars with during the research master. Research Experience: 1x sole author article in a peer-reviewed journal; 1x paper presentation at a major political science conference; acknowledgments for editing a journal article (unrelated to my research interests) during my summer RA; Teaching Experience: -/- Subfield/Research Interests: Comparative; Multi-level governance; Territorial Politics RESULTS: Acceptances($$ or no $$): UNC-Chapel Hill ($$), Cambridge (No $), LSE (No $), UCL (No $), NYU (MA) Waitlists: None Rejections: Northwestern, Penn, UCSD, Hopkins, Pending: Funding decision for the UK Schools, but unlikely Going to: UNC-Chapel Hill LESSONS LEARNED: -GRE is only helpful as a life saver for weaknesses in your profile. In my case, it is the other way around - my quant experience helped cover my rather low Q score. -Fit is extremely important. In fact, you should only apply to schools that fit you strictly, otherwise it's just a waste of the application fees. I believe the reason for my admit at Chapel Hill is that my research interests completely align with the department over there. I have talked to my POIs afterwards and they have also emphasised this during the meeting. -The UK funding process is just painful. Don't even think about doing it. The fact that they get your hopes high up then crush you by declining you funding is the worst; or they are just slow af so it's impossible to choose between waiting for them, or to go to a funded program in the US instead. I'd rather receive a rejection. SOP: Standard 500 words SOP. Available on request.

Almost every failed PhD applicant at the NYU is offered their MA. That's why I said it seems a bit unfair to the folks who applied to just the MA (assuming someone will actually take the offer).

Same. I feel a bit weird because I applied to their MA before and was rejected. To me it's a bit unfair to the master applicants because they might have to compete with the PhD applicants for a place in the MA. Anyway, this short rant aside, my cycle on the US side is over. Waiting on funding decisions from some UK schools before I can wrap this cycle up..

As your work will go through blinded peer-review, anyone with a good piece of work *theoretically* should be able to publish. Of course, being out of school means that you might not be able to receive feedback from professors/ lecturers , but that per se should not bar you from publishing.

It's definitely possible. I published a research seminar article of mine in 9 months. Submitted in late August, got a R&R in October, re-submitted after a week from the R&R prompt and was accepted in early December. Of course, it's not in a top-notch journal like APSR or AJPS, but I'd say it did boost my CV.

Also waiting on them. Last school of this cycle (assuming rejection from NYU)

I'm not going. The departmental subsidy does not cover the costs of a return flight ticket. I arranged a skype call with my POI and asked a lot of questions by e-mail instead.

I don't think anyone has received a rejection from NYU yet, so I think they are just slacking off like Northwestern did I am a CP applicant, and my quantitative skills is actually a life saver for my not-so-bright Q score in the GRE! So I would say yes. But of course, that depends on the department you are applying to, and what your proposed research approach is.

By email. First I've received an email from the system that says I am accepted onto the course, then another email from the department on the funding nomination.

Claiming another LSE admit, with a recommendation for funding (LSE PhD studentships). Very excited now!