animal_whisperer

PROFILEType of Undergrad Institution: State School (R2)Major(s)/Minor(s): Political Science and Economics Undergrad GPA: 4.0Type of Grad: N/AGrad GPA: N/AGRE: didn't take Any Special Courses: lots of quant background, even though my subfield and speciality don't require much (or any) quant. Letters of Recommendation: extremely good. All three are professors that worked/supervised me for years. Teaching Experience: Not a TA position, but similar teaching capacities/responsibilities at the undergraduate level Other: research conference presentations, thesis, research grants RESULTSAcceptances: University of Michigan, UChicago, BerkeleyWaitlists: CornellRejections: Princeton, Northwestern LESSONS LEARNED This cycle was very challenging so kudos to everyone that had the energy/resources to go through it!! I don't come from a background that 'preps' you for academia/graduate school, quite the opposite actually. For future applicants that have the odds stacked against them, start preparing early!! Make spreadsheets, go through each faculty profile, go through graduate student profiles, look at recent graduates, recent dissertations, etc..Determining fit is much harder than people make it out to be. I still believe that I was rejected from places that had a much better fit for me. However, you can't tell if your professor of interest is not taking any students this year, going on leave, new hiring happening, grad students with similar research interests are staying longer than expected, or if there's no grad student with similar research interests. This is why it is very important to reach out to grad students that have similar interests. Don't send them vague emails!! Make sure you have done your research and ask questions that can help you determine if you should apply and how to tailor your SOP. A lot of grad students would be happy to help and direct you. Also, look into PhD pipeline programs, diversity visits, and summer research opportunities. Anything to signal basic familiarity with the field would be helpful (depending on your background, extensive knowledge of graduate level political science is not needed nor expected). Also, tailor your SOPs!!! Don't write them with only 1-2 faculty in mind, think about the department and subfield as well. I didn't tailor my SOPs, and I regret that (also, good SOPs take a lot of time). Always happy to connect with future applicants!! Good luck to all. ?

Congrats on the Cornell acceptances everyone!! When were they received?

Nope! A couple people that I know just got a standard rejection letter! You can see on the MAPSS and CIR website how many apps they get as well! (It is clear then that not all apps are forwarded).

Nothing on my portal either...

+++on the last part! Some schools have established stipends (through the graduate school) that you can easily see online. I'm not so sure such departments would increase stipends if they are in line with the established amount.

Based on past years' data, Uchicago rejections come some time later. Berkeley rejections should come a couple of days after acceptances (I'd say end of this week)

Claiming Umich Theory!! The email is from the DGS. Beyond happy especially after Princeton earlier today! Best of luck to everyone

On Umich's website, it says decisions will be out in the first week of February...guess they're behind on schedule. Northwestern used to release decisions in january, so they're def behind.

look up the supervisors posted. It's a troll post same for the BU one above it.

They need to delete that Berkeley troll post too lol

Heard the same as well (the bit about Theory) from someone in the department. Very disappointing indeed if true.

It is one of the most competitive programs unfortunately. We should all hope for the best, but a rejection from a top 3 program hardly means you're unqualified/unprepared for grad school (and maybe this is me just telling myself that to feel less anxious). Best of luck to all today and these coming three weeks!!

Yeah guys keep in mind it's not common to interview for the vast majority of PhDs in US political science programs! There are some schools that have held interviews for years (OSU, UW-Madison), and those will most probably continue with having interviews this year. As for the others, it is unlikely they will start having interviews this year.

Congrats to the Northwestern admits!! Any theory admits?