uchenyy

On the one hand, my professors are terrific, and they're all putting in an effort to make this semester as "normal" as possible. On the other hand, I feel a bit intellectually stale. I really miss the spontaneity of normal times. 

On the one hand, my professors are terrific, and they're all putting in an effort to make this semester as "normal" as possible. On the other hand, I feel a bit intellectually stale. I really miss the spontaneity of normal times. 

I would say that the difference is negligible. Both offer excellent programs. I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to get into a top program coming out of either department.

I think this user is trying to say that one should attempt to obtain some sort of written confirmation from the DGA/DGS in his/her/their future department ensuring that his/her/their offer still stands in light of the current situation. Unless one's original acceptance letter or university GS website includes a line about the circumstances under which a decision could be revoked, I wouldn't worry too much about this. 
I, for example, spoke with my DGA before April 15 about the materials that I need to submit in order to accept my offer, and he told me--completely unprompted, I should add--that he hopes to see me on campus in the fall, but at the least over Zoom (i.e., the offer will not be revoked).

I think this user is trying to say that one should attempt to obtain some sort of written confirmation from the DGA/DGS in his/her/their future department ensuring that his/her/their offer still stands in light of the current situation. Unless one's original acceptance letter or university GS website includes a line about the circumstances under which a decision could be revoked, I wouldn't worry too much about this. 
I, for example, spoke with my DGA before April 15 about the materials that I need to submit in order to accept my offer, and he told me--completely unprompted, I should add--that he hopes to see me on campus in the fall, but at the least over Zoom (i.e., the offer will not be revoked).

This.

If it makes anyone feel better, I was told by a professor at the program I'll be attending in the fall that if classes cannot be held on campus, they will at least be held via Zoom (i.e., offers will not be rescinded). 

To be honest, I would be pretty happy with this kind of situation. Of course, I'd be even happier if the situation improves and we see a more "normal" arrangement, but this would much better than moving everything online. I do think we may be in a somewhat "lucky" situation as graduate students, given that our classes will be small anyway.

Did you actually read the article? The university has not yet made this decision. Like most other institutions in the US, CSU wants its faculty to be ready to teach online, should the situation not be safe enough to hold in-person classes by then: 
“To make sure we are prepared for all variables, but with the goal that we can offer in-person instruction, we are asking our faculty to be prepared to start the semester teaching virtually.The university said it would be flexible and finalize its decision “as the facts and circumstances become clear.”
Come on, folks. Let's not use this forum to spread information that has not yet been confirmed. 

Alright. As I said, I apologize. I'm not looking to bicker. You're exactly right. This is a discussion forum. You shared your opinion, and I responded by sharing mine.

That is a journalist extrapolating. Read the provosts update on Cal State Fullerton’s Website on April 22nd:
Clarification on fall semester from Provost Pamella Oliver:
It is the complete hope of Cal State Fullerton to have traditional instruction in the fall. But like every university in America, we are working through the many unknowns of the current pandemic.
There were reports I said that Fullerton is cancelling classes and going fully virtual for the fall. Let me be clear, that is false. What I said is -that we need to prepare for all variables.
http://coronavirus.fullerton.edu
 
 
 

This.

This.

If it makes anyone feel better, I was told by a professor at the program I'll be attending in the fall that if classes cannot be held on campus, they will at least be held via Zoom (i.e., offers will not be rescinded). 

If it makes anyone feel better, I was told by a professor at the program I'll be attending in the fall that if classes cannot be held on campus, they will at least be held via Zoom (i.e., offers will not be rescinded). 

I believe the Arizona Philosophy department is doing something along those lines, or giving priority consideration for applicants who were admitted this year but are forced to reapply next year. Personally, I would not want to reapply to a school that pulled their funding offer. While I understand that it's not the departments that's doing it, it shows systemic issues within the administration and the value that they place on grad students within the institution. 

Requesting an extension while waiting for funding is one thing. Requesting it does nothing for the school - think about it. If they grant, all they are doing is increasing the probability you don't go there. Wait until April 15th to accept the offer if you don't hear back. If you hear back from your waitlisted school after April 15th, it is up to you to decide if you want to cut ties/lose the deposit if there is one (this happens occasionally, you wouldn't be the first person to do it). By asking for an extension, you are more or less implying to the school and faculty you were accepted at that they are not your first choice. Not all, but some faculty will take that personally as you thinking they are not a good enough advisor/researcher. It sounds stupid, but that is how a lot of people in this field work. Don't ask for an extension unless you are waiting for funding information. 

CUNY has emailed me with a rejection to the PhD program and an acceptance to the MA program. Obviously it's not everything I wanted, but I will be entering this program in hopes of better positioning myself for future PhD applications. Thank you to everyone for the support during this cycle. 

I agree. Also, how committed are you to political psychology? Your interests may change, and at least at Minnesota you'd have a more diverse set of faculty to work with.

So I know nothing about political psychology, but I just wanted to say that going off a report published in 2007 is super risky. While it does take a while for things to change in academia, 13 years is a pretty long time. I’d check the placement for the last 5-6 years and go off that, anything over that mark is kinda unusable as too many factors changed. 
That’s even more so with data from 07, which is just before the recession. The market before the financial crisis is waaaaaaaaaaay different then the market after it.

I declined my offer from Minnesota a couple of minutes ago. I hope this helps someone on the waitlist! 

I declined my offer from Minnesota a couple of minutes ago. I hope this helps someone on the waitlist! 

I am currently finishing up my MA in Russian and East European Studies and will begin my PhD in Political Science in August. I second the questions and answers offered by the previous poster. If you are looking to acquire language and area expertise, go to Yale. I didn't have these things and the area studies MA has provided me with the resources to acquire them. If you already have those things, then go to UCSD. 
Note that Yale, to the best of my knowledge, doesn't have a political scientist focusing on Russia on the faculty. Svolik and Mares do occasional work on Eastern Europe, but they focus primarily on domestic politics (authoritarian regime dynamics and political economy, respectively). I'm sure there are a couple of scholars there whose theoretical interests align with you own, but IR isn't my area. 

Allow me to present a different take on the visit's cancellation. Many foreign admits, like myself, can't be present for some reason. It will be nice to have the chance to participate in that even though it would be online. I don't think that will reach any faculty, but they should tape these events to have something  that they can present to future foreign admin  

I accepted my offer at UNC-Chapel Hill. I based my decision on (1) my excellent fit with the department, (2) the department's rank, (3) several conversations with a recent graduate of the program, and (4) excellent conversations with the CP subfield chair and DGA. I am thrilled to join this department in August!