BrownSugar
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Posts
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Posts posted by BrownSugar
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Can claim IHEID acceptance. Will be declining of course.
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10 hours ago, SchnozEP said:
I'm on waiting list too. The DGS sent me an email on Friday, asked me if I remain interested in this program. What does it mean?
Probably gauging people’s interest to cut down the waitlist even more. Wouldn’t read too much into it at this point sadly.
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2 hours ago, defcaffeinated said:
Same re: 1/2 funding - I would pay a lot less at a european program (my LSE offer jumps to mind) but wondering whether it's worth it to ask for more funding at MAPSS and try to see if I can afford it, as I think it would be better for my PhD applications particularly having never studied in the US before...
It doesn't hurt to ask, particularly if you can mention other funding offers you have that top theirs (if you have). Otherwise, do not be worried about not having studied in the US that much (depending on which institutions you have studied at/will study at). I've never studied in the US before and still had a decent cycle all things considered.
edit for typo
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7 hours ago, h_lenah said:
Anyone else preparing for the PhD interviews at EUI? Luckily I've gotten a bit of information through common friends but having to present in front of a big panel makes me super nervous ?
I declined my interview offer, but I have friends who have gone through interviews and got offers last year if you want to reach out
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6 hours ago, icemanyeo said:
JUST GOT A FULLY FUNDED OFFER FROM CONCORDIA!!!!!
I am sooooo happy for you!!! Congrats
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7 minutes ago, natpvh72 said:
Thanks for the info. USC is one of my favorites so the wait's killing me.
Edit: Just curious. Have you heard USC say anything about the competitiveness this year? Esp. for IR?
Nothing sorry. For some reason I think most unis only give statistics in rejections.
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1 minute ago, China_IR said:
Sorry to ask again.... But did anyone besides sugar claim the USC acceptance in the result page?
I can't remember if someone claimed it on here. I feel like I saw one. But I know someone else who got his offer just a few days ago (informally).
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Just now, natpvh72 said:
Congrats! Both Chicago and USC a great programs. From what I learn from my prof USC's a great place.
Btw did you receive the USC offer long ago? I applied to USC as well but received nothing so far. Would this means I should assume rejection? Thanks.
Thank you! They said decisions would come throughout February so I can't say what to expect honestly. I received my decision weeks ago, informally from my POI.
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5 minutes ago, PolNerd said:
Hey @BrownSugar, congrats on this cycle. I know this has been litigated already, but I just wanted to add in case one more push could change your calculus. I think turning UChicago for USC is objectively not be the best move. It doesn't matter if you were to teach in the U.S or not, UChicago is arguably a better program and its brand is widely recognized than USC. It will open doors both in academia and industry. Secondly, yes, CA is nice and sunny and all, but this is a decision that will impact your long term career; I will rather go to freezing Chicago if it means I will be able to teach at any of the UC schools and enjoy that weather for the remainder of my career. Also, think about the cost of living in LA, I think Chicago is definitely cheaper which means your stipend will probably go a long way. Anyways, just some points here. If you have truly made your mind, congrats and I wish you the best!
Thank you! I truly appreciate you all taking my best interests into account! I have indeed made up my mind about USC based largely on my experience with its faculty, which seems much more collaborative and supportive which is of utmost importance to me.
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Also got a rejection from Cornell! I also added my stats etc. to the thread I created for results
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I have accepted an offer despite pending decisions because I feel confident in my decision.
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad Institution: Public EU Uni
Major(s)/Minor(s): Law
Undergrad GPA: 3.7, with honours
Type of Grad: Top 3 UK
Grad GPA: Distinction, equivalent to 4.0
GRE: N/A
Any Special Courses: Stats with R, Quant Analysis
Letters of Recommendation: 2 tenured profs, 1 associate prof - all know me very well and I took courses and conducted research with them
Teaching Experience: N/A
Research Experience: 3+ years RA experience, several research internships w/ governmental department
Other: Several publications in peer reviewed journals and blog posts
RESULTS (PHD)
Accepted: USC, UChicago (both funded)
Rejected: Indiana, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, Boston U, LSE
Waitlisted: Georgetown
Pending: 2 EU options
Going to: USC
Lessons
As this was my first and only cycle, I really consider it a success and am so grateful to have gotten any offers given the immense competition.
What I strongly recommend/advise:
1) Have professors (especially the ones writing your recommendations) and current PhD students read your statements. Make sure they are tailored to each department you are applying to and always highlight POIs.
2) Don't apply to places where you don't have fit.
3) Rankings are not everything, especially depending on your expectations of a program, and your end goals/ career trajectory.
4) Don't be hard on yourself if you don't get any offers from 'higher ranked' options or any offers at all. It usually isn't a reflection of your abilities, rather it's a reflection of the reality that there are hundreds of equally qualified and capable scholars out there.
- Dwar, animal_whisperer, polisci_gal and 3 others
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17 minutes ago, defcaffeinated said:
Wow! Well from all you've said, clearly you're an exceptional candidate
. Just out of curiosity, are there many opportunities to get involved with research at LSE in your experience?
There are if you put yourself out there and directly ask professors etc. People who take initiative get the most out of LSE.
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3 minutes ago, defcaffeinated said:
That makes a lot of sense thank you! Thankfully I have savings from working this year and can pick up a part time job (I'm working full time and studying full time right now, so just a part time job next year would be a lot easier haha). Just hope I get in! Kind of freaked myself out by looking at admissions stats from last yr - 192 apps, 66 offers which is nice but if it's doubled/tripled this yr...
Keep your hopes up!! My program was 450+ applicants with around 40 offers and I still got an offer with an upper second undergrad
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2 hours ago, defcaffeinated said:
Thanks for all your advice and congrats on your results this cycle!! Seriously just amazing! I've applied to LSE and should be hearing back soon, so fingers crossed I get in as it looks like applicant numbers for some courses have doubled. It is pretty expensive, but thankfully I can live at home if I stay in London (even though I don't want to and it's not a great working environment) but I am pretty sure even just tuition is more than the maximum masters loan you can get. I'm kind of in the stage of planning for not getting in, or getting in and not being able to afford it. Do you think going to a less well known or smaller school and potentially having access to more research opportunities could make up for the lack of name brand recognition?
Thank you!! I completely understand the expense issue. I think if you get a Distinction in your degree and dissertation and make an excellent impression on professors, it could make up for the lack of name brand recognition to some extent. I want to say ‘for sure’, but I don’t know how all ad coms will look at it. What I can tell you is that I was told by people on the ad coms where I got in that several professors on the committees advocated for my acceptance given the name brand recognition of my alma mater - they immediately knew the high caliber research and training I would’ve done/gotten and also recognized/know of the work of each professor that recommended me. I didn’t even bother getting letters from my undergrad because nothing could beat letters from my last uni. So I think name brand matters to a great extent if applying from foreign universities during such a rough cycle. Obviously can’t tell you what next cycle will be like but I can’t imagine it gets much easier ?
edit for typo
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18 minutes ago, Crossed_fingers said:
Are you willing to share what reasons they gave?
Tbh they didn’t go into details, merely mentioned placement history, not much prestige etc. I was never considering it myself so they didn’t feel the need to explain bar saying don’t apply anyway.
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Got a Yale reject! Surprisingly not upset
I won’t be waiting on anymore applications. I’ll be accepting USC’s offer!!
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On 2/19/2020 at 3:25 PM, kaze_ng said:
Hey guys,
So I'm just curious about what you guys think about FSU's poli sci department? I tried to look for information about the department on PSR, but that place is not, uh, very nice. So if you can let me know what are your thoughts about the program, that would be great!
As a back-up sure, but it shouldn't be in your top 5 choices if you know what I mean. I was advised to not even apply there by professors.
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Actually, LSE's funding deadline is April. If you apply by the end of this month, you would have a decent shot at funding. In addition, many UK master's are usually 12 months (especially London unis like LSE). Therefore, you won't have an issue with time because you can't apply after only one semester since you'd be graduating in Nov/Dec. For instance, my UK master's was Sep 2019-Sep 2020 and I applied in November 2020 for my PhDs. Therefore, a one year MSc is enough to get to know your professors well and for them to get to know you too (both schools I got into thus far praised my letters). It's up to you to make a good impression as a student and researcher when writing your dissertation
Above poster is right about one year US programs though.
Edit for typo
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Good morning and good luck this week!! Hoping we hear from Yale sometime ??
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22 minutes ago, defcaffeinated said:
Hi all,
I'm currently looking into one year MA programmes in Theory (or general politics, maybe philosophy progs that are good for theory). I'm open to programmes in different countries (though I feel like a lot of US programmes are 2 years and/or closed for fall apps) but am primarily looking in the UK. I've had a look at KCL, LSE and York, but as I would like to apply for PhDs in the US, maybe Canada after finishing my masters, I was wondering if people know if any schools or programmes are more well respected than others in the UK (bar the obvious, LSE, Oxbridge).
Thanks in advance, and if anyone is in a similar position feel free to msg me!
I’m an American with a Master’s from the UK.
Oxbridge and LSE are your best bets hands down if you want to go to a R1. I can’t really recommend going anywhere else in the UK and having the same level of name and prestige recognition. KCL (unless it’s IR or War Studies) and UCL are simply not as known in the US, and York is definitely not known so I really wouldn’t even consider it. Edinburgh has a good reputation so you could check there.
edit for typo
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2 hours ago, StarkDark1 said:
Is it likely that Cornell has sent out all the acceptances?
Yes. There’s probably also a waitlist but I wouldn’t keep your hopes up given this cycle. Official letters are supposed to come by early March, rejection or not.
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I know it's Saturday and all I can do is just wait, but I am struggling inside to wait patiently for Yale. I am super happy with and thankful for my offers I already have and don't want to come across as anything else. I just really love their program and think I have a really great fit so I'm still super hopeful for some positive news. Anyway, I guess I just wanted to vent my feelings to people I know will understand me
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Here’s to hoping next week is filled with acceptances for everyone!!
I think everyone who’s waiting on Georgetown should finally hear (given what was said in the email). And, I’m strongly hoping we hear from Yale on Friday instead of the week after ??
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8 minutes ago, StarkDark1 said:
Out of curiosity what things did you hear?
I'll msg you privately.
Edit: If anyone wants to know as well, msg me pls. I don't want to post publicly because it's not my personal experience and I don't want to be an outright influence on people.
2020-2021 Application Thread
in Political Science Forum
Posted
Yes, full funding