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BrownSugar

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Posts posted by BrownSugar

    2020-2021 Application Thread

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    1 minute ago, icemanyeo said:

     

     

    When I need to call people in the USA but am not within the country, I use the Talkatone app (available on iOS and Android). Most of the features are free to use and you only need wi-fi or your data if you have a phone plan in your country.

    I had to make a phone call to the IRS through the Talkatone app recently and it cost me nothing. I also use it to text sometimes if a contact doesn't have iMessage/WhatsApp/Signal.

    Thanks a lot both of you! 

    2020-2021 Application Thread

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted · Edited by BrownSugar

    8 minutes ago, FingersCrossed2021 said:

    Can I ask what subfield you are in? And was it an email or phone call? Anxiously awaiting news from USC as well :) Thank you!!

    CP/American 

    Edit: email from the student office, then a few days later a letter on YouSC

    I had sent an email before getting my decision and they noted decisions would be made by mid-Feb. So stay hopeful! 

    2020-2021 Application Thread

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    5 hours ago, nivy25 said:

    I was planning on applying for IR. I know LORs aren’t everything, but my profile isn’t too bad, and having a PhD alum who’s been in the same program recommend a student must have at least slight benefits I guess. 
     

    Now I really regret not applying. I let the “rankings” affect my decisions even though the program really appealed to me. I thought that money would be better spent on a higher ranked school. 
     

    In my defense, I had spoken to a few current students at Top 20 programs that said rankings mattered a lot (especially in terms of placements) and I got swayed by that. Moreover, I didn’t even have access to this forum then. 
     

    Well, it is what it is. Hopefully I do get into one of the schools I applied to. Really really hoping Emory or NW revert soon. If I don’t get in any place, I’ll definitely try USC next cycle (hopefully it doesn’t come to it though).

    Wishing you best of luck!! I’m sure you’ll end up where is best for you :) 

    2020-2021 Application Thread

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, Charleslee007 said:

    Congrats and glad to hear that!

    But also pity for myself. I guess maybe I should be prepared to receive the rejection from USC now.

    No, don’t count yourself out yet! It might be depending on subfield, and this year is also definitely unprecedented in terms of decision releases. Wishing you luck!! 

    2020-2021 Application Thread

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    18 minutes ago, nivy25 said:

    I almost regret not applying to USC. I feel like I had a good chance, and one of my LOR writers is also an alum of the Political Science PhD program there. 
     

    The only thing that held me back is the ranking. On US News it was like 51, so I got very skeptical.

    One of my professors from my Master’s program recommended it highly as an option, so I trusted his insight re faculty, training and strength etc. more than a ranking :) 

    2020-2021 Application Thread

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    4 minutes ago, polisci_gal said:

    I had a dream last night that I got rejected from BU. Lol. You know it’s bad when admission results start leaking into your subconscious .... ugh this cycle is taking over my life lol

     

    Just now, tryingherbest said:

    Oh no! I feel like BU is causing a lot of stress this week because they usually have decisions out by now! I hope we hear very soon. I feel BU is the best for me, but I can't shake this feeling of dread. 

    I also had a dream about another university a week ago! Hahaha 

    Good luck to both of you!! I hope you get positive news soon. I’m also waiting to hear back, but the fit isn’t the best for me so I’m okay either way. :) 

    2020-2021 Application Thread

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    13 minutes ago, cbsag123 said:

    anybody else feeling particularly anxious today?

    2 minutes ago, Aydemiru said:

    I am expecting too much from today. Time is not passing, it's been like 4 hours in the last hour, at least I felt like that LoL

    Yeah, it’s extra hard today, isn’t it? First day of February, beginning of the week... it’s a lot because I think we all expect or even know at least one decision is going to come. We just don’t know exactly when. 

    2020-2021 Application Thread

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted · Edited by BrownSugar

    17 minutes ago, timeseries said:

    Do you have any names of people who have done this, at the top of your head? I'm curious because I'm from the UK and was told that a UK degree works for the UK and other countries (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, maybe Canada but all three still have a US bias), but the US is really where you want to be as it has the most global mobility. Preferably junior folks, I don't know if PS rockstars like Pippa Norris represent the average PhD graduate (plus she did it ~40 years ago). 

    ETA: I'm also guessing it might be subfield dependent - theory, in particular, might draw from the UK more than, say, American Politics.

    I actually don’t explicitly know anyone. What I said in my last two posts was merely what my professors directly told me when I asked them if I should pursue my PhD in the US, UK or EU, and they didn’t mention any particular scholars. I took them for their word. Like I said in my former post, I’d certainly recommend someone doing a US PhD over doing a UK one followed by a US post-doc but it’s a valid route nonetheless. 
    Perhaps @afjackieknows someone? 
     

    Edit: I want to point out that I advocate the US PhD more strongly NOT because I think it is “better” but merely because I know it allows for the most career flexibility and growth in practice. I myself have applied for a couple EU PhDs just in case the US didn’t work out because I wanted to have more options to be able to accept an offer in my first cycle, rather than trying again just to be in the US. 

    2020-2021 Application Thread

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    2 hours ago, afjackie said:

    Even a few of the UK professors I interviewed with mentioned the downfalls of getting a UK PhD if I wanted to get a university position in the US, so the disadvantage is real. However, everyone I spoke with also said that if you get a UK PhD and then do a prestigious post-doc in the US, you will at that point be considered at the same level of competitiveness as those with US PhDs. 

    This is a great point. If you make certain choices after completing a UK PhD, you can make up for it not being an American one or at least complement/supplement it with post-doc or fellowship positions at US universities. 

    2020-2021 Application Thread

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted · Edited by BrownSugar

    39 minutes ago, TheorySqueez said:

    I have been offered (and have now accepted) a 4-year funded doctoral scholarship at UCL. However, I am worrying that going to UCL may make it harder to work in the US post-graduation because it is relatively unknown to academics in the States.

     

    My question is: how well known/well regarded is UCL in the US? How does it stack up in the imagination compared to schools there (Compared to Ivies/R1 etc.)? Finding good answers on this is difficult, so thought I would put the feelers out on here.

    Also happy to give the following:

    Acceptances from LSE, UCL, and Warwick (all Politics/Political Science – just in case anyone was wondering).

    American here, with an LSE MSc. I had similar questions and fortunately I had very blunt professors at LSE who did their PhDs in both the US and UK. Their advice is as follows:

    If you want the option of working in the US, the poli sci job market is the most competitive compared to other countries' and a US degree is the best option. It is far more difficult and sometimes impossible to get good positions with a foreign PhD in poli sci. On the other hand, a US PhD is very attractive in the UK/East Asia etc., and would make you as equally competitive in those markets. A UK PhD will limit you in terms of competitiveness and possibly disadvantage you if you seek a job outside the UK/EU. 

    As I mentioned, this advice came from professors who got their PhDs from Yale, WashU and UK universities. So I would strongly suggest considering US options if you have them. If not, I see you have accepted UCL's offer, and as the above poster mentioned, it is an EXCELLENT institution. I would merely be aware of the practical limitations and reality of the job market (if you wish to continue in academia outside the UK/EU). You will lack competitiveness in the US with a UCL degree as opposed to a US (particularly R1) degree. That just seems to be a fact. 

     

    2020-2021 Application Thread

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted · Edited by BrownSugar

    12 minutes ago, afjackie said:

    Hey everyone! I got an official offer of admissions from the University of Manchester today - first confirmed acceptance! Won't know about funding until March, though...

    Accepted Interview(ed) Pending Rejected

    Northwestern, Graduate Institute Geneva, Notre Dame (Kroc/Peace Studies and PoliSci), Manchester, Edinburgh, U Denver (Josef Korbel/International Studies), UC Irvine.

    Congrats!! Best of luck with funding! 

    Edit: There's an official group on FB for Grad Institute Geneva applicants if you want to join/ haven't yet! 

    2020-2021 Application Thread

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    32 minutes ago, NeedaMormon said:

     

    It's humbling to think that these schools essentially want to pay me to be there. I've felt "imposter syndrome" for a while now, and while I don't think that's gonna stop anytime soon, it's reassuring that schools (no matter the ranking) see potential in me.

    So happy for you! I know exactly what you mean :) 

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