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possibleirphd

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Posts posted by possibleirphd

    2017-2018 Application Cycle

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    7 minutes ago, katieb93 said:

    Like is it worth it to spend another $1,000 on applications?

    i could have actually enjoyed my life with that money. 

    Feels like a PHD is just that for me - a dream.

    Try and get waivers! I even emailed some schools saying “really wanna apply, don’t have money to, etc.” and got fee waivers that way. Another person on this thread mentioned not to be afraid to ask your school what they can do for you! I wouldn’t give up if this is what you want to do. 

    Another thing that really helped was getting feedback from grad students at said programs to help with statements, how faculty are, etc. 

    Plus, you have us! PM if you need help on that kinda stuff, can’t say I can help you get into the school of your dreams but I know a lot of people willing to help!

    2017-2018 Application Cycle

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    10 minutes ago, Throwaway_polisci said:

    Just want to be honest that Berkeley seems fairly far along in the visits process, e.g. they've been communicating with admits about dates and flight reimbursements and whatnot. However I still haven't received any funding info from them, which might imply that there are some kinks they're working out e.g. their waitlist.

    I appreciate your honesty! I just wish they would send those notifications already! It’s been a while since they started accepting people on this thread.

    2017-2018 Application Cycle

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    5 minutes ago, Clytemnahstra said:

    I mentioned this earlier, but of the 13 schools to which I applied (I mistakenly said 12 in a previous post) only 4 have gotten back: Penn (interview), Wisconsin Madison, UCLA, and Princeton. If schools like Duke and Northwestern have sent out acceptances and rejections how I should interpret the silent treatment I feel like I'm receiving? Is it possible that my application is being further reviewed, or that I may be waitlisted?

    Same boat as you with Duke... I am not sure how to interpret it.

    Also, are we assuming Berkeley sent out all their acceptances already? I’m trying to hold out hope

    2017-2018 Application Cycle

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    Just now, megabee said:

    On the money topic, I have some tips? I dunno how useful they will be for the people on here who have mostly already paid for these things (hence why I'm not specifically tagging or quoting anyone), and it still comes out to be very expensive, but I found a lot of ways to cut my costs. Maybe one of you will pass this info on to someone asking for your advice next application season.

    Another disclaimer: Most of these things are contingent upon current attendance at an institution for undergrad/masters. So:

    1. If you attend school, your institution may offer a half off GRE voucher through the learning center or financial aid office. This is especially true of large, public universities with grad programs. You may need to provide proof of recieving financial aid or proof of income. My institution had no limit on how many vouchers a person could get, but it's still an expensive $100 bucks per exam. I took it twice, reasoning that I paid the same as anyone else taking it once.

    2. Used bookstores can have lots of great GRE study materials. I got the huge Kaplan quant book for like $4. However, the free math review and two free practice tests provided by ETS helped a lot. In addition, check with your institution's learning center or equivalent for GRE courses. Mine offered a Friday night prep course at ~$30 for 6 weeks.

    3. Most graduate schools have a system in place for those who cannot afford the application fee. I structured my entire list around these systems. Some schools are jerks about it and will absolutely not waive the application fee for any reason. In the end, I paid for 2/9 schools and got the rest to waive those fees. Some schools make it incredibly difficult. UPenn never responded to my emailed documentation in spite of having a fee waiver program. I ended up paying there since the due date came and still no waiver. Other schools make it incredibly easy. UCLA in particular comes to mind - their waiver was built into the application and made it easy to add in the documentation.

    As I said, I know a lot of this stuff isn't applicable or maybe some of you already knew and used these resources but hey, it's 8 AM and I haven't heard from Stanford so I'm bored.

    This is important! I also used waivers and even emailed a couple schools that said they "didn't" have waivers and ended up getting them. Not worth paying $$$ with a chance of getting rejected. I did not pay the app fee for any of the schools I applied to! Wish I was aware of the GRE voucher bc that did end up costing me quite a bit. Also Magoosh guys, the Princeton Review was not helpful (IMO). 

    2017-2018 Application Cycle

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    11 minutes ago, Albert01 said:

    Anyone waiting for Columbia? Given the records of 2017 and 2016, it may announce today or tmr.

    Plus, what happened to the school's reputation? I heard some of my profs discounted  it (one told me that if I get in both of Columbia anf NYU, I "definitely" should select NYU - fyi, he is not from NYU) which I think a great institution and having prominent faculties such as Jon Elster and Michael Doyle. (I dont want to start a stupid debate on which is better between the two - both are great. NYU is just an example here.)

    Furthermore, I see not much of Columbia applicants here. Is it 'unpopular' at least among the cohort of here? If that's the case, why?

    Also waiting to hear back from them. I hope they announce soon! I still think its a great program. Its definitely the quant that gives NYU the upper hand though. 

    2017-2018 Application Cycle

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    Just now, LosingHope said:

    Guys, I've been lurking for a bit and I really don't know where else to say this. I applied to UT-Austin, Northwestern, Indiana, Berkeley, Wisconsin, Georgia, and UCSD. I haven't heard back from anyone except for UCSD and Wisconsin who rejected me. Reading this, I can heavily assume I've been rejected from everywhere as many people are getting Indiana and UT-Austin admits, on top of Northwestern and Berkeley having already sent out letters to their applicants. 

    Honestly, I've been feeling depressed and somewhat suicidal lately. I have nothing else to look to after this. I worked so hard to do all of these things, and it just makes me so angry and sad that I haven't been able to get into anywhere. I know people like to joke about, "Oh, you've struckout" but I honestly believe this is a real possibility at this point. I have no one to talk to, no one to speak with, and nothing else to pursue in life. 

    If I can't even get into one program, I feel like everything I've done so far in my life has been pointless. I'm sorry for the rant here. I really don't know where else to put it.

    Do not feel discouraged. A LOT of people reapply in the next cycle and know how to make their apps stronger. Maybe a Masters? All in all, it'll be okay in the end. It is a lonely road when applying to PhD programs, but please feel free to PM if you want. 

    2017-2018 Application Cycle

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    1 hour ago, SerenityNow! said:

    @possibleirphd yes! After seeing all three options (r/a/w) on the board I wonder if they have just completely forgotten about our apps! I know they at least looked at mine because they had a question about my UG transcript - I had to transfer during UG and one of the transcripts represents that weirdly. I was trying to tell myself I haven’t received it yet because I’m at the very end alphabetically (a classic reason for getting things late) but that no longer seems very plausible haha. I’m just glad I’m not alone!

    That is also my exact reasoning! Lol idk at this point we better be waitlisted bc it would be cruel to just reject us after waiting for so long. Best of luck for the rest of your apps! Also lmk when you hear back from Duke! Lol

    2017-2018 Application Cycle

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    6 minutes ago, SerenityNow! said:

    Is anyone else still waiting to hear from Duke or Michigan? I haven’t received an email from either, even checked spam, and both portals are unchanged with no option to view decision. I have even cleared the cookies and caches, tried different browsers etc... anyone else in this situation? 

    Didn’t apply to Michigan, but can speak for Duke. Honestly, I do not understand the hold up because acceptances/waitlists/rejections have been sent. What happened to our applications lol I’m going crazy waiting 

    2017-2018 Application Cycle

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    26 minutes ago, Clytemnahstra said:

    I'm still waiting on Duke, as well as UCLA and NW. My inbox has been conspicuously quiet...

    Well since I’m not the only one, I will safely assume that they are not done making decisions regarding waitlist vs reject. But same, I haven’t heard anything since Princeton rejects last week and I really want to hear something (positive) from Berkeley.

    2017-2018 Application Cycle

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    25 minutes ago, NCPolPsych said:

    To those waiting for Duke-- If you log onto the portal and it has the grey box that says "Decision not yet available," be sure to clear your cache & cookies and reload the page. Mine said that, but I actually had my waitlist (yuck) decision waiting for me. Good luck everyone! And please Duke admits that arent going let them know :)

    Did you get an email first that your decision was ready?

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