Tedmonkey

I went through that last year. It sucks. I ended up with 11 rejections without a single interview, let alone wait list or acceptance. The only thing that is helpful is to start making contingency plans and figure out things you can do to improve the application package for the next round. I was finishing my MA when I got all those rejections so I took a gap year (luckily my spouse could support us for me to do that) and focused on studying to retake the GRE for a higher score and doing some independent research to present at another conference. This year I was more selective about the programs I applied to and made sure they were better research fits that last year's batch. So far I have got 1 rejection, 1 interview, 1 acceptance, and 2 others pending (in addition to the interview school). The gap year also gave me a chance to step back and reevaluate my goals and make sure that this is the plan I want to pursue and not just because it is the next thing. Also, find something to distract you like a hobby, job, school work, games, books, really anything that can take some of your focus off obsessing over something that is now out of your control. I also would not contact them as at this point it would likely come off as desperate and may damage your chances if they are on the fence between you and someone else.

Just wanted to point out that this is the Political Science PhD thread and so you may want to go over to the Ed.D forums to get better information.

Just wanted to point out that this is the Political Science PhD thread and so you may want to go over to the Ed.D forums to get better information.

Last cycle was unsuccessful for me. I ended up taking a gap year and am currently working on a research paper independently and submitted it to present at conference. Also, I studied and retook the GRE, since I knew it could stand to improve that, and doing some intensive sorting of schools to apply to the next round. Trying to get work failed for me as well, even with a Master's in hand, but luckily my spouse was able to support me focusing on improving me applications. Things worked out this year to be accepted to multiple programs, so I guess something in there worked. My suggestion is to soul search on what you need to do and get creative on ways to do research.

Last cycle was unsuccessful for me. I ended up taking a gap year and am currently working on a research paper independently and submitted it to present at conference. Also, I studied and retook the GRE, since I knew it could stand to improve that, and doing some intensive sorting of schools to apply to the next round. Trying to get work failed for me as well, even with a Master's in hand, but luckily my spouse was able to support me focusing on improving me applications. Things worked out this year to be accepted to multiple programs, so I guess something in there worked. My suggestion is to soul search on what you need to do and get creative on ways to do research.

Last cycle was unsuccessful for me. I ended up taking a gap year and am currently working on a research paper independently and submitted it to present at conference. Also, I studied and retook the GRE, since I knew it could stand to improve that, and doing some intensive sorting of schools to apply to the next round. Trying to get work failed for me as well, even with a Master's in hand, but luckily my spouse was able to support me focusing on improving me applications. Things worked out this year to be accepted to multiple programs, so I guess something in there worked. My suggestion is to soul search on what you need to do and get creative on ways to do research.

Last cycle was unsuccessful for me. I ended up taking a gap year and am currently working on a research paper independently and submitted it to present at conference. Also, I studied and retook the GRE, since I knew it could stand to improve that, and doing some intensive sorting of schools to apply to the next round. Trying to get work failed for me as well, even with a Master's in hand, but luckily my spouse was able to support me focusing on improving me applications. Things worked out this year to be accepted to multiple programs, so I guess something in there worked. My suggestion is to soul search on what you need to do and get creative on ways to do research.

When looking at PhD programs you always use the ranking of the PhD program and not the university as a whole. US News does renew the list every year but from the years I have looked at there usually isn't any major changes unless something serious happened with a department. I believe you can find the old rankings with a simple Google search if you are interested in looking them up yourself. 

Don't give up hope until all schools have responded. However, if you do need to reapply next round I can let you know what I did for my second round that has been successful. I studied and retook the GRE to improve my scores, I personalized all of my SOPs with detailed information on my fit to each individual department, I also have been working on an independent research paper and submitted it to present at conference (and was accepted). One other thing I did was to create an Excel file of every PhD program in the country, and a few Canadian ones, where I created a formula that weighted different factors of fit. For example, since my research deals with the LGBTQ community, does the school contain a PhD, Master's, or Graduate Certificate in a field related to gender or sexuality studies or political science faculty that did research in this area. These columns were weighted at 3 times value, other things that are more wish list were weighted at 1 times value, and some between at 2. Then I sorted by the total of the weighted value and chose high, mid, and low ranked schools to apply to. Last year I applied to 11 schools and got 10 rejections and 1 wait list (that failed). This time I only applied to 5 schools and so far am at 2a/0w/1r/1p and 1 withdrawn application (back-up school and already got in somewhere I prefer more). The school I am thinking of going to, at this point, is ranked around 50 so a solidly mid-ranked school. Also, reevaluate your reference letter sources and see if you could have done better there.

I've got an invitation for Arizona State's visitation day in three weeks. They said in the email to were business casual. Button-up or blouse and slacks or khakis would be perfectly acceptable and no tie or jacket needed.

Don't give up hope until all schools have responded. However, if you do need to reapply next round I can let you know what I did for my second round that has been successful. I studied and retook the GRE to improve my scores, I personalized all of my SOPs with detailed information on my fit to each individual department, I also have been working on an independent research paper and submitted it to present at conference (and was accepted). One other thing I did was to create an Excel file of every PhD program in the country, and a few Canadian ones, where I created a formula that weighted different factors of fit. For example, since my research deals with the LGBTQ community, does the school contain a PhD, Master's, or Graduate Certificate in a field related to gender or sexuality studies or political science faculty that did research in this area. These columns were weighted at 3 times value, other things that are more wish list were weighted at 1 times value, and some between at 2. Then I sorted by the total of the weighted value and chose high, mid, and low ranked schools to apply to. Last year I applied to 11 schools and got 10 rejections and 1 wait list (that failed). This time I only applied to 5 schools and so far am at 2a/0w/1r/1p and 1 withdrawn application (back-up school and already got in somewhere I prefer more). The school I am thinking of going to, at this point, is ranked around 50 so a solidly mid-ranked school. Also, reevaluate your reference letter sources and see if you could have done better there.

I feel it is more professional to reply to the emails than to ignore them. Although they have already accepted you, you don't want to start a program somewhere with them already thinking you are unresponsive and unprofessional. I basically thanked them for the congratulations and for reaching out and mentioned that all of my questions so far have already been answered but I would keep them in mind for any future questions.

I had one of these a week or two ago. Basically, it is a chance for them to answer your questions about their department and to try to sell you on picking them out of your acceptances. Best suggestion is to write out your questions ahead of time. This is a great time to ask things about the publication rate of PhD students in their program, the activity level of the department in conferences, if there is any funding for visit days, questions about the city the school is in, ect... Even if you feel like you know everything you need to know to make a decision, ask something. This will indicate to them you have interest in their department. As far as things to avoid, I would avoid any indication of where that school fits in your personal ranking of your applications/acceptances. You wouldn't want to tell them they are your second choice school and then not get an offer (or get a substandard offer) from your top choice and end up going there. Really, there is nothing to be nervous about with it. It is pretty casual and just a way for them to sell their department to you and personally introduce themselves.

It can be very defeating. Last year I applied to 11 schools, all ranked in the top 100 but spread out throughout the rankings. I only got one wait list, that didn't open up, and no acceptances. I already have a Master's so I ended up taking the year to study and retake the GRE, reevaluate fit for the schools I was applying to, work out much more personalized SOP's and made them individualized per program, and I started an independent research paper that I submitted to present at a conference (luckily it was accepted) to boost my CV some. Like you I have some limits on my applications this year but instead of location, my limit was how many I could afford to apply to. In the end, I could only apply to 5 schools this year but I already have an acceptance and had an interview from another school (that I should hear from any day...). Sometimes taking a step back and reevaluating whether this is really what you want and where the best fit is can be a huge benefit even if it doesn't feel like it when you get all the rejections and you feel delayed a year from your future. Hopefully my experience helps.

It can be very defeating. Last year I applied to 11 schools, all ranked in the top 100 but spread out throughout the rankings. I only got one wait list, that didn't open up, and no acceptances. I already have a Master's so I ended up taking the year to study and retake the GRE, reevaluate fit for the schools I was applying to, work out much more personalized SOP's and made them individualized per program, and I started an independent research paper that I submitted to present at a conference (luckily it was accepted) to boost my CV some. Like you I have some limits on my applications this year but instead of location, my limit was how many I could afford to apply to. In the end, I could only apply to 5 schools this year but I already have an acceptance and had an interview from another school (that I should hear from any day...). Sometimes taking a step back and reevaluating whether this is really what you want and where the best fit is can be a huge benefit even if it doesn't feel like it when you get all the rejections and you feel delayed a year from your future. Hopefully my experience helps.

It can be very defeating. Last year I applied to 11 schools, all ranked in the top 100 but spread out throughout the rankings. I only got one wait list, that didn't open up, and no acceptances. I already have a Master's so I ended up taking the year to study and retake the GRE, reevaluate fit for the schools I was applying to, work out much more personalized SOP's and made them individualized per program, and I started an independent research paper that I submitted to present at a conference (luckily it was accepted) to boost my CV some. Like you I have some limits on my applications this year but instead of location, my limit was how many I could afford to apply to. In the end, I could only apply to 5 schools this year but I already have an acceptance and had an interview from another school (that I should hear from any day...). Sometimes taking a step back and reevaluating whether this is really what you want and where the best fit is can be a huge benefit even if it doesn't feel like it when you get all the rejections and you feel delayed a year from your future. Hopefully my experience helps.

It can be very defeating. Last year I applied to 11 schools, all ranked in the top 100 but spread out throughout the rankings. I only got one wait list, that didn't open up, and no acceptances. I already have a Master's so I ended up taking the year to study and retake the GRE, reevaluate fit for the schools I was applying to, work out much more personalized SOP's and made them individualized per program, and I started an independent research paper that I submitted to present at a conference (luckily it was accepted) to boost my CV some. Like you I have some limits on my applications this year but instead of location, my limit was how many I could afford to apply to. In the end, I could only apply to 5 schools this year but I already have an acceptance and had an interview from another school (that I should hear from any day...). Sometimes taking a step back and reevaluating whether this is really what you want and where the best fit is can be a huge benefit even if it doesn't feel like it when you get all the rejections and you feel delayed a year from your future. Hopefully my experience helps.

The first University of Kentucky acceptance entered into the results page is me. I also have an interview this week with Arizona State University and have a rejection from Ohio State. It appears Arizona State usually gets the results out shortly after interviews (which are M-W this upcoming week, at least for whatever grouping I'm in) so I would expect ASU results to come out this week as well. I just wish CUNY gave results earlier! There and University of Cincinnati are the only two I'll have left and I don't expect results from either for at least a month.