StarkDark1

I haven't published anything and I don't have that much to write in a CV, other than my GPA and BA/MA projects, which I already discuss in my SOP. I just want to leave the optionla resume section blank, but was wondering if this is a bad move.

The program portal says it should be no fewer than 200 words, but not specify an exact limit. This program only asks for a personal statement-- no diversity statement or statement of intent.

I'm planning on specializing in political theory and applying to places like Irvine, Boston University, Cornell etc. I think my Verbal and Writing score are fine, but my Quantitative is meh. Does it matter since I want to go into theory though? Do you think the advantages outweigh the downsides in submitting it or no?

Undergrad GPA: 3.98. Honors program, specialization in comparative politics. Uni is #70 - #80 in US. MA GPA: 3.95. Small cultural studies program. Uni is #6 - #10 in Canada. Decent but little name recognition in US. GRE: 165 verbal, 155 quantitative, 5.0 writing. Writing sample: Decent I guess. Well-written but probably not as original or innovative as I'd like. A paper on Nietzsche. LORs: Decent. I never became very close with them, but they appreciate my work. Not stellar or highly individualized, but they will be good recs. Research experience: Honors thesis for my BA and an MA thesis. No published papers or conferences (this is probably the big downside of my application) I want to do my PhD in political theory. Right now my list includes Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, Boston University, University of Washington, and University of Colorado Boulder. Are these within reach? Also what are some examples of programs that you'd say are within range?

I've heard that the GPA is not all that important. That it can give you a slight boost if it's very high, but that it isn't a huge factor. I was curious about this. My undergrad GPA was 3.98 and my MA GPA was 3.95, and I was curious how much this would be of assistance.

Just NW

Claiming a rejection from Northwestern. Got the email today. Will be applying to NW again next year. Good luck to people who still haven't heard back yet!

Yeah, this is driving me crazy (as you can probably tell by my constant posts here). ?

I realize it varies from program to program, but I was curious, generally speaking, how likely you are to be accepted off a waitlist (official or unofficial). For example, Northwestern sent out acceptances and rejections weeks ago, but I still haven't heard back. Looks like I'm on the unofficial waitlist. I sent an email to Northwestern asking about it, but no response. My question is, how much hope should I have for being accepted? Am I just setting myself up for disappointment? Northwestern usually gets around 300 applications a year and accepts around 30. Around 17 or 18 usually take the offer.

Still no word from Northwestern....

The top 20 programs seem to be heavily positivist and not at all geared toward critical theory. Was curious about left-wing politics departments.

UChicago obviously has great resources, but the MA program in humanities is crazy expensive. I was accepted last year, but I declined. Tuition + living expenses is 90,000 dollars. I got a 10,000 dollar scholarship, and judging by others' results here, it seems the average for scholarships is 10,000 to 20,000 dollars (rarely 30,000). UChicago seems to fund their Ph.D. programs through their MA (correct me if I'm wrong). If you have independent wealth or get one of the rare larger scholarships, it can be a good option. But IMO it's not worth taking out tens of thousands in loans for a 1 year MA.

I emailed but got no response. I'll just call them tomorrow, I think.

Yeah, I'm still waiting to hear back...

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad Institution: #77 in country Major(s)/Minor(s): BA in Political science Undergrad GPA: 3.98 Type of Grad: Just started an MA Grad GPA: N/A GRE: V165/Q155/AWA5 Any Special Courses: n/a Letters of Recommendation: 2 poli sci profs, one English prof Research Experience: one honors thesis, one independent study relevant to SOP Teaching Experience: TA'ing for first time as MA student Subfield/Research Interests: Comparative politics Other: RESULTS: Acceptances($$ or no $$): Waitlists: Northwestern Rejections: Pending: Going to:

Damn, this stress is killing me. ?Still haven't heard word from Northwestern. Guess I'm on the unofficial wait list...

Why has no one claimed any of the Northwestern acceptances?

Still no word from Northwestern. ?Maybe there's an unofficial waitlist...

Thanks so much! Just sent it over.

Would anyone be willing to read my SOP? I already submitted the apps, but just curious for feedback.

Same!

Thanks for the info. There were a ton of rejections today (7 or 8). Do you think this means that acceptance is less likely? Or do you think that there is still a good chance that there a significant number of acceptances left?

Damn it, I want to hear back from Northwestern. This is killing me. It's the only program I applied to. ?

Kind of confused why no one has claimed a Northwestern acceptance when the list says 7 people have been accepted ?

I can't help but suspect that Northwestern is done sending out acceptances. ? The first acceptance on the list said they got the letter on the 17th. The latest said they got it on the 28th. That's a pretty big gap of time, and there are already 7 admits on the list (1 looks sketchy with a super low GRE though). I don't want to give myself false hope, so I've half-resigned myself to rejection at this point.