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Ayerbender

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Everything posted by Ayerbender

  1. I can't speak for econs' experience (though I'm pretty sure my econ friends, all international, liked it), but I know 3 econ MAPSS students who were admitted directly to UChicago's econ PhD program from MAPSS after the first year (without having to apply). Don't know if that was a 1 time thing or not, though
  2. For what it's worth, my professors have recommended not to go into debt if I can avoid it. And it's not like Berkeley isn't a great school for political science. And it sounds like Berkeley really wants you Unless CIR is so much better and Berkeley has poor placement, I'd say you should go with Berkeley Congrats on the scholarships though!
  3. FYI some top ma programs aren't necessarily unfunded (MAPSS, Oxford, and Cambridge all have funding opportunities for example - don't know about others)
  4. What are your research interests? Where do you want to study? You have advisors and professors at LSE you can talk to, right? Have you spoken to them?
  5. Thanks for the response! It sounded like some of your meetings were pre-scheduled. Did you not reach out to profs for 1 on 1s? Were they scheduled for you usually?
  6. I think 500 words is far too short. That's something 1 page singe-spaced/2 pages double-spaced, right? My "fit" section in my SOPs was 250 words alone; each of my SOPs was roughly 1000 words (2 pages single-spaced). I don't think you can sell yourself successfully with such a short SOP :/
  7. On average, how many professors did you speak with at each school (if you don't mind my asking)?
  8. If you can afford it and if you think you can do just as well (or comparably well) in V/Q on the first go round, I don't see why not
  9. That's about right for new assistant professors, per the ASA (though I suspect salary increased over the past couple years, and salary isn't equivalent to compensation)
  10. How important are the methods courses? I'm concentrating in theory and don't have a strong methods background - I'm afraid a graduate-level methods course would pretty much level me :/ Similarly, how are your experiences with fields outside your own? Did you have upper-level training in other subfields before taking classes in them? Thanks!
  11. I received my acceptance to the program yesterday. I didn't receive a funding package, and after looking at the website, I realized they don't usually fund MA programs. That obviously doesn't speak to the quality of the program - and I will contact them, just in case; maybe I can get something - but I do think it's worth noting.
  12. Why on Earth would you ever talk shit about the professors at the department you are considering attending? o.0
  13. Congrats! Out of curiosity, do you know if you will be attending the program yet? (Feel free to PM if you're more comfortable with that)
  14. Oh, that makes sense. I guess I'm used to NY where the opposite is true Of course!
  15. Thanks for all that advice! It's really helpful. I hope it's ok if I follow up a bit I would recommend AirBnB, as the local hotels are either too expensive or a bit of a trek from campus. You can get a private room or even an apartment for $20-50 per night. I'll definitely look into those. Is everywhere except the areas you mentioned as bad pretty safe for my purposes? In terms of getting a feel for the neighborhood, I would recommend walking along the storefronts on 53rd and 57th street, and eating somewhere like Medici or Valois. Jimmy's (Woodlawn Tap) is the official unofficial local campus watering hole. There's also a pub in the basement of Ida Noyes Hall that serves decent food and has an excellent selection of beer. Harold's Chicken is also legendary. I'll have to check those out! Is there any you would recommend first? I'm guessing these are in the safer area? People will warn you not to venture south of 61st street or west of Cottage Grove Avenue. In my opinion, these concerns are overblown, but it's probably not a great idea to be strolling through Woodlawn or Washington Park after dark, unless you're traveling to the Green or Red Line. Currency Exchange Cafe is an excellent option if you are looking to step outside of the Hyde Park bubble. I'm guessing that Washington Park is a park,but where is Woodlawn? Is that the area south of 61st street? And if south of 61st street isn't great, why are so many of the good restaurants between 53-57? Should I just visit those during the day? From what I understand, the MAPSS kids are somewhat close and friendly to one another, but the situation of so many students attempting to impress their professor to get a good LOR in the span of a year can make the seminar environment somewhat competitive. The professors vary in how much they invest in MAPSS students, but you're going to need to work to get noticed. There will be MAPSS students to talk to during Campus Days, but make sure you go out of your way to seek out the PT ones and interrogate them about their experience. I may be able to help with that, PM me if interested. I'll PM, thanks! Don't go into graduate housing. It is more expensive, smaller and generally more run-down than the rest of the apartments in Hyde Park. Get an off-campus apartment with a couple of roommates or a studio. UChicago Marketplace is a great site to find roomates or sublets for $450-700 per month per room. ok, thanks! I'll check that out It is hard. The main things that make it difficult are 1) the reading load, 2) the imperative to finish a master's thesis AND take a full course load within 9-12 months, and 3) the breakneck pace of the quarter system. You can prepare for the workload by getting started on developing your thesis question before you even enter the program, and learn how to skim texts efficiently for the core ideas (as you will find reading everything that is assigned to be a near impossibility. I also know students who spend their winter break completing a rough draft of their thesis have a much easier go of it during the winter and spring, and often graduate on time in June (only 20% of students do, most graduate in August). Ok, I'll try figuring out my thesis question over the summer. Thanks! Your preceptor might have strong opinions about what courses you should take, but in the end, it's your decision. I had a friend who ignored her preceptor's advice at every turn, and things worked out just fine for her. I would trust your professors the most, as they will have the best idea of what admissions committees are looking for. That's sensible You definitely will see the same students over and over again as a MAPSS political theory student. This actually helps you form friendships, so I'd take it as a plus. UChicago in general is known as an anti-social place, but I don't think that's necessarily true anymore. Just make an effort to see people and ask them to do stuff, you'll be happy enough. Yeah, I'm definitely not complaining. I just wasn't sure how cut-throat/backstabbing it could be. (For reference: a few times in undergrad, I did get screwed over by "friends" trying to get the best grade they could, more than once.) Get ready to work. Unlike some 1-year master's programs (especially in Europe), this isn't a glorified gap year. It will kick your ass if you don't stay on top of things and hunt opportunities. And for god's sake, go to office hours. The relationships you form with your professors are probably the most important thing that the program provides. Yes! I definitely plan to take advantage of office hours. In your experience, are office hours generally course-focused? I know some professors are happy to meet and chat, others are business-oriented. I'm guessing it's a mix?
  16. Thanks so much for your input! I hope you don't mind if I follow up a bit Yeah, MAPSS is my top choice right now (barring a significantly better offer such as a funded PhD program or a full ride at another MA program, including room and board). But I do want to have more information to make sure I'm making the right choice Ok, 3 20 page papers isn't too terrible. I'm guessing 3 classes each quarter? Re: Housing: that's a relief. I was thinking it would be $1,500/mo, which is what some of my friends in NYC are paying. Was wondering how I would afford that. Thanks! How did you find your roommate, if you don't mind my asking? Re: knowing people: ok, that makes a lot of sense. I saw on a couple blogs that you don't get close to anyone because of the pacing, but it looks like those were wrong? Regarding effort: I definitely plan to put as much effort in as I can. I didn't consider the size of the program would make it harder in some ways, so I will make sure to keep that in mind as I move forward. After all, the reason I'm going is to stand out for graduate schools haha, and just treading water will get me through, but won't cut it with the bigger fish in the sea I know you said you didn't do theory. How hard is it to get to know people outside of your subfield? I've always valued the knowledge persons who aren't in theory have, because they often provide a different way of looking at the world. Do students in different subfields interact frequently?
  17. MAPSS is first week of April. I assume PhD is some time else Sorry I can't be more helpful
  18. 2/3rds tuition scholarship! I will try to get a little bit more if I can, since I'm still out a lot, but I'm definitely excited
  19. I was admitted to MAPSS a few days ago, and am really excited about the program! I was wondering if anyone who is a current/former student could give some insight into the program, since most of the threads on MAPSS appear to be a few years old I have a few questions below that are currently on my mind, but if anyone has anything to add that I didn't think of, please feel free to do so Hopefully I don't exhaust all questions before visitation days! Do the visitation days give a good feel for the program? I know that we will have to figure out our own housing and (to the best of my knowledge) there isn't any student hosting for MAPSS. Do you have any suggestions on good places to stay for a few nights? (Hotels, couch surfing websites, etc.?) Also, what is the best way to get to UChicago? Are there any places near the university you would recommend visiting, to get a feel for the neighborhood. Are there any places you would recommend we not go to? Something I'm really looking forward to on visitation days is meeting current students and professors - especially in theory. Obviously, I can find professors via the Political Science page. How easy is it to mix and mingle with current students, and get an idea about theorist-specific experience within MAPSS? (Obviously, if you are a theorist currently in MAPSS (or an alum of MAPSS), I'd love to hear from you haha) How is graduate housing? I saw on the old threads that there is (was) a pest problem in graduate school housing. Is that still the case? How manageable is the pest problem? In the alternative, what do you recommend for housing? What's the workload like? More specifically, how do you recommend I prepare myself for the workload? I saw at least one post suggesting study groups. Are these common? How well do you get to know other MAPSS students in your field? I'm given to understand that your preceptor has a heavy influence in the courses you take. Is this true? If so, does that mean you are with the same people in most of your classes? (If I'm concentrating in theory, will that mean I am mostly with other theorists? Will I be grouped with political science as a whole?) I heard the program can be described as "antisocial", because of the workload, thesis, and pacing. I'm fine with that, but has that been your experience? Do you recommend the 10-day September math program? For a theorist who hasn't taken math since Calc II? How are the workshops? I'm particularly interested in the Political Theory workshop, 3CT, and the Contemporary European Philosophy workshop. (The social theory workshop to a lesser extent right now - though obviously its themes are relevant to any good political theoretical work.) Does anyone know anything about these workshops that can give some insight? What did you (do you) like the most about the program? What are some negatives prospective students should know? Also, are there any other prospective students strongly considering MAPSS? Anyone going to the visitation days?
  20. I didn't hear back from the PhD program, no. But I was told it's an either/or: you don't get admitted both (which makes sense) Because I overthink everything, have impostor syndrome, and am very, very dumb...
  21. Yup! I got into MAPSS (I posted earlier, but panic-hid the post when no one else posted, and only then realized "hide" = "delete" on these forums...) But it was an email, so you might still have hope
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