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Hi guys! I made this for future use as we get our decisions and complete our cycle in the next couple of months  

Hey! I got my first decision a couple of weeks ago and it was a rejection, from my alma mater so you can imagine I felt like crap for a while, and I’m still waiting on the rest. Then I realized that the rejection was not a reflection on myself, my intelligence or my worth, or even what other admissions committees would think of me. Each uni is different, each perception they have of you against your competitors will be different; the expectations they’ll have of their cohorts will also vary. Just because one or two or 5 unis reject someone doesn’t mean ALL will. I am sure you will end up in the place that is right for you, in terms of academic fit but also in terms of the right atmosphere for you (like support, mental well-being etc.). 
You have a bright future head of you. Take pride and solace in your work, and just be patient.   

Hey! I got my first decision a couple of weeks ago and it was a rejection, from my alma mater so you can imagine I felt like crap for a while, and I’m still waiting on the rest. Then I realized that the rejection was not a reflection on myself, my intelligence or my worth, or even what other admissions committees would think of me. Each uni is different, each perception they have of you against your competitors will be different; the expectations they’ll have of their cohorts will also vary. Just because one or two or 5 unis reject someone doesn’t mean ALL will. I am sure you will end up in the place that is right for you, in terms of academic fit but also in terms of the right atmosphere for you (like support, mental well-being etc.). 
You have a bright future head of you. Take pride and solace in your work, and just be patient.   

Just thought a separate forum area should be made for when the cycle is over for us each individually. Just like in previous years, we can post about our profiles, the various decisions we received, and any advice or insight we have regarding the application process! My cycle won’t be over until April likely, so I have quite a wait  
The following format is what has been used before regarding the profile:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad Institution: 
Major(s)/Minor(s):
Undergrad GPA: 
Type of Grad: 
Grad GPA: 
GRE: 
Any Special Courses:
Letters of Recommendation:
Teaching Experience:
Other: 
 

Hi guys! I made this for future use as we get our decisions and complete our cycle in the next couple of months  

Hi guys! I made this for future use as we get our decisions and complete our cycle in the next couple of months  

Just thought a separate forum area should be made for when the cycle is over for us each individually. Just like in previous years, we can post about our profiles, the various decisions we received, and any advice or insight we have regarding the application process! My cycle won’t be over until April likely, so I have quite a wait  
The following format is what has been used before regarding the profile:
PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad Institution: 
Major(s)/Minor(s):
Undergrad GPA: 
Type of Grad: 
Grad GPA: 
GRE: 
Any Special Courses:
Letters of Recommendation:
Teaching Experience:
Other: 
 

Congratulations!! Wishing you the best of luck  

Are you sure that they’re interviewing all shortlist candidates or just the ones they’re on the fence about? Also maybe not all sub fields are doing interviews? There are a lot of uncertainties around admission and I wouldn’t count yourself out this early! 

Depends on the uni! Boston U for instance said that it’ll be via the portal. 

I wanted to chime in on fit/this cycle! I think fit does matter quite a lot, but given the competitiveness of this year there will inevitably be places in which we feel we are strong fits but still–with increased app numbers + (sometimes) reduced cohorts– it may not work out. I do think fit remains important, however, as it is essential to one getting the research background and having the necessary advising to produce the best dissertation possible in the program. 
I have no real insight on this (from an adcom or anything), but would expect that there will be many strong candidates with strong fits that would get in any other year but essentially with the COVID numbers it doesn't work out. So, please do not discount yourself or your gauge of your own fit!
Closing out with some good (peaceful, distracting, non-application-related) vibes as we enter into another day of the wait™️

As another week of decisions starts in just a few hours (and February, when a lot of decisions are released, is soon coming as well), I want to wish you all best of luck! It’s really comforting to know that I’m not alone in this process and journey and that there are so many people I can reach out to. I also want to remind you to make sure to put yourself first and do whatever you can to minimize your anxieties and stress. I know that whatever happens all of you amazing and brilliant people have great things ahead, and I really hope that we can continue to share great news on this platform!

They definitely are much better in the US. 

I studied at Edinburgh during undergrad. Probably my favorite city ever. 

I completely get that. The thing with Europe is that you also need an actionable PhD proposal at the get go. In the US, it’s obviously flexible since you take courses during the first couple of years, which I now appreciate. 

I studied at Edinburgh during undergrad. Probably my favorite city ever. 

I was on the cusp of applying to Geneva...Kinda regretting taking it off my list now. Also wanted to apply to CEU but I didn't feel strong enough in my theoretical background to do the straight PhDs in most of Europe.

EUI looks amazing, such a gorgeous campus.

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I'm not buying those until someone claims them. Like a few days ago, they use the term PI, which isn't really used in political science in my experience. 

I think most of the GRE-optional schools I applied to had mentioned they wouldn't even consider GRE scores, if submitted, as part of the main review process, but rather only later on as supplemental materials to view an application in a more holistic way.
It also wouldn't make any sense to throw out non-GRE applications since I assume most applicants would not submit them because a below average score "might" be seen as a negative.

I wholeheartedly share this sentiment. 

I wholeheartedly share this sentiment. 

Honestly, I just want to hear from one institution that I got in -- I don't care about hearing from my remaining apps after that, because my heart will be at peace.