BobBobBob

Will definitely take note of @futureadjunct and @1821123's points. 
But saying that the process is chaotic and random doesn't do any good to future applicants I think? Advice here could very well turn out to be totally irrelevant to the adcomm but at least they give people applying next year a sense of direction to improve their profiles.
There are people here who got into almost every program they applied. Maybe there is something that can be said about their applications.

Will definitely take note of @futureadjunct and @1821123's points. 
But saying that the process is chaotic and random doesn't do any good to future applicants I think? Advice here could very well turn out to be totally irrelevant to the adcomm but at least they give people applying next year a sense of direction to improve their profiles.
There are people here who got into almost every program they applied. Maybe there is something that can be said about their applications.

I got into Maryland
Holy shit I thought I was going to strike out. I'm so freaking happy right now. I actually don't have to go back to Japan now to do PhD work.

I think, in the next couple of weeks of so, we will see a huge influx of decisions from schools we haven't heard and rejections from those that already sent out acceptances. 
In the meantime, for those that are waitlisted and want to fight for a spot, email their DGS about any offers you have received from other schools and express your enthusiasm about their programs. On the one hand, show them that you are a competitive candidate. On the other hand, tell them their program remains your top choice. Maybe also ask your recommenders to write an additional letter of support if possible, though I'm not too familiar with how this works. Maybe others can chip in on this.
For those already with their hands full of offers, maybe consider declining some schools that you definitely will not go already. Doesn't make any difference for you but may make a huge difference for someone else.
Hang tight folks. We've come this far.

I think, in the next couple of weeks of so, we will see a huge influx of decisions from schools we haven't heard and rejections from those that already sent out acceptances. 
In the meantime, for those that are waitlisted and want to fight for a spot, email their DGS about any offers you have received from other schools and express your enthusiasm about their programs. On the one hand, show them that you are a competitive candidate. On the other hand, tell them their program remains your top choice. Maybe also ask your recommenders to write an additional letter of support if possible, though I'm not too familiar with how this works. Maybe others can chip in on this.
For those already with their hands full of offers, maybe consider declining some schools that you definitely will not go already. Doesn't make any difference for you but may make a huge difference for someone else.
Hang tight folks. We've come this far.

I think, in the next couple of weeks of so, we will see a huge influx of decisions from schools we haven't heard and rejections from those that already sent out acceptances. 
In the meantime, for those that are waitlisted and want to fight for a spot, email their DGS about any offers you have received from other schools and express your enthusiasm about their programs. On the one hand, show them that you are a competitive candidate. On the other hand, tell them their program remains your top choice. Maybe also ask your recommenders to write an additional letter of support if possible, though I'm not too familiar with how this works. Maybe others can chip in on this.
For those already with their hands full of offers, maybe consider declining some schools that you definitely will not go already. Doesn't make any difference for you but may make a huge difference for someone else.
Hang tight folks. We've come this far.

Would anyone be interested in helping me build a regression model to help calculate the probability of admission at any given program for political scientists?
 
I tried to make estimates for myself using GRE scores/ranges, a program fit estimate, personal connections/whether or not I received recruitment contacting from the program and the quality of the application I sent off. I believe now after being waitlisted at Brandeis and partly (though less so) because I was waitlisted at WashU, that one factor I failed to control for was program size. My research experience was also a constant for myself, so that would be something I would be interested in looking at. Obviously GPA and undergrad institution rank would be important factors to look at. 
Anyways, if I'm going to do so, it will require data. That's where some of you come in. I am capable of coding the regression in R, but may also need someone to translate this into a workable model in HTML. Otherwise, I could just post the regression model here somewhere and allow people to calculate their own odds of admissions if they are interested.  
 
This is part of my ongoing project to provide more information to people who are at the beginning of this process (I plan on posting useful data for new applicants in March). PM me if you are interested in providing me with data and I will send you back a survey once I write it.

To the post above, it was acceptance. Attached with email from department chair and info on visit.

Chicago's email came from Kathy in the department. Over 400 applications reviewed. Also highest stipend amount I've seen so far. high 20s.

I'm from Michigan, and although Ann Arbor is a moderately expensive city, I think $20,000+ would be sufficient. 

Hi all! I have been admitted to a couple of public schools (UCSD and Michigan to be exact), I'm wondering if fundings provided by these schools are enough to cover the cost of living in wherever they are located. Or generally how does it feel to live on a 20K+ funding? Input and experience from other schools are equally welcome as I think a many people share the same concern with regards to funding/life as a PhD. Thank you in advance!

The OP of that post also wrote another thread that might answer a lot of the questions people here seem to be asking. I wish I had chanced upon this prior to application season, tbh. Here's the link for anyone interested: 
 

Since people are probably planning their campus visits:
https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/51130-questions-to-ask-during-your-visits/

Since people are probably planning their campus visits:
https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/51130-questions-to-ask-during-your-visits/

Since people are probably planning their campus visits:
https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/51130-questions-to-ask-during-your-visits/

Since people are probably planning their campus visits:
https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/51130-questions-to-ask-during-your-visits/

For all of us looking for motivations/confidence boost:
https://www.princeton.edu/~joha/Johannes_Haushofer_CV_of_Failures.pdf
https://twitter.com/mwalibali/status/960882000163897345
 

I am an international student and I got into 5 schools when I applied. They all had different visiting weekends, but they of course wouldn't cover the costs of overseas airfare, so I chose one I definitely wanted to see, and scheduled alternate days to visit the other schools while I was in the US. The private schools were in fact more welcoming to the idea, and offered to cover some of the costs of my trip.
I think you should definitely go to your first choice, and email the other departments that have conflicting days and propose different dates. Good luck and congrats! 

For all of us looking for motivations/confidence boost:
https://www.princeton.edu/~joha/Johannes_Haushofer_CV_of_Failures.pdf
https://twitter.com/mwalibali/status/960882000163897345
 

For all of us looking for motivations/confidence boost:
https://www.princeton.edu/~joha/Johannes_Haushofer_CV_of_Failures.pdf
https://twitter.com/mwalibali/status/960882000163897345
 

For all of us looking for motivations/confidence boost:
https://www.princeton.edu/~joha/Johannes_Haushofer_CV_of_Failures.pdf
https://twitter.com/mwalibali/status/960882000163897345
 

For all of us looking for motivations/confidence boost:
https://www.princeton.edu/~joha/Johannes_Haushofer_CV_of_Failures.pdf
https://twitter.com/mwalibali/status/960882000163897345
 

UChicago's list has been submitted to the dean since last week. It's just up to the graduate admission office when they can get the files ready and realease decisions.

By correlation, typos get people into grad school

UChicago's list has been submitted to the dean since last week. It's just up to the graduate admission office when they can get the files ready and realease decisions.