BrownSugar

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 

Welp...never give up! Having to redo my profile.
PROFILE
Type of Undergrad Institution:  Midwest SLAC
Major(s)/Minor(s): Conflict Studies
Undergrad GPA:  3.99 CGPA / 4.00 Major GPA
Type of Grad:  Chinese C9 - Chinese Ivy
Grad GPA:  4.00
GRE:   N/A
Any Special Courses: Graduate-level Econ, Intro Stats Class, SWE classes in Java and MySQL, Honors Thesis, Graduate-level Political Econ
Letters of Recommendation: 1 Professor, 1 Associate, 1 Emerita
Teaching Experience: Taught as a lab assistant in Languages dept.
Other: Lots of conference presentation experience, two undergrad pubs 
RESULTS (PHD)
Acceptances: Concordia
Rejections: Princeton, Chicago, Michigan, Berkeley, Rice, Cornell, Yale
GOING TO: Concordia
 
LESSONS LEARNED
1. Unless you're in theory, quantitative skills matter more and more every year: The field is leaning towards quant methods as time goes on, so get some coding/technical (R) and stats experience under your belt as soon as you can.
2. Competition for spots is getting much more intense: A lot of schools reduced cohorts of 15-20 people down to 8 this year.
3. Connect with professors early: Don't wait until October or November to email a POI. The sooner you can get in touch with them, the better.
4. Fit is just as important as departmental knowledge: You might have two professors you are interested in working in, but they are leaving the department that year. Fit and information are two of your best assets. This ties into point 3 as well.
5. Don't beat yourself up: Most applications to graduate school are not successful. Rejections are not a reflection on your academic abilities or your personal worth. Make sure you have a good support system and healthy coping mechanisms before going into application season because your stress levels and patience will be tested.
6. Don't count yourself out until the end: I really thought I would be rejected from all my PhD programs, but at the end I managed to receive one fully-funded offer! I am really grateful.

Really excited! I love Montreal (and grew up as a native French speaker, so excited to be back in that environment) -- the faculty seem very supportive, and they have broad expertise in the research I want to do (LAC, ethnic conflict/nationalism). And to top it off, I already have an established support network since many family members + friends live in the city, so I won't have to brave the cold alone.
 
thank you ☺️

JUST GOT A FULLY FUNDED OFFER FROM CONCORDIA!!!!!

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. 

I totally and completely agree with you but this thread will be useful for those people that aren’t interested in quant methods. They may be looking for programs with more diversity in their methods departments and that’s valid.

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. 

I just got a call from the program director for Government & Social Policy at Harvard letting me know I've been accepted!
Really can't believe it, I had completely given up hope for this cycle.

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. 

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. 

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. 

Pretty sure on like a greater institutional and global level, UBC is ranked significantly higher than BU and UC Irvine (at least according to QS). I know they have a really strong political science dept as well and I think it would be worth seriously looking into who is working there. They might have some great names in your particular subfield which would likely hold some more weight as well when you hit the job market if end up working w them

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Quick response: I think it's permanent, especially if universities/departments believe they can operate with less grad students and manage the same teaching loads. I think the reduction in cohort sizes was long overdue because of the abysmal job market, the pandemic was just the "perfect" time to make it official.

I would also like to point out that most of the top US programs are VERY orthodox and VERY narrow-minded in what constitutes "worth pursuing." To the point that there are many good (and scholarly articles) out there about how political science is writing itself out of relevancy. I didn't apply to any top 10 programs this time for that reason, because I am passionate about my research and much life and professional experience has convinced me of its relevance. I was specifically told by a political science professor this year to keep in mind that, "just because it is a compelling real-world political problem, doesn't make it an interesting political science question." While I can see how that might theoretically be the case, there is still a huge problem with the privileged ivory tower getting to decide which random and often irrelevant political science questions deserve attention this decade. I have no idea what your specific research focuses on, but if you are passionate it, don't give up. Don't let a very small portion of the profession that has made up the rules on what is worth pursuing or not tell you otherwise. The rules are constantly rewritten and the more scholars that are out there pursuing interesting, relevant, cutting edge work, the more that becomes the norm. I'd urge you to seek out other scholars who are interested in similar questions, and worry less about the rankings of the programs they are at (not that you didn't do that this time - I don't want to assume!). But I do know that a lot of amazing academics who wrote the book on something didn't come from top ten or top twenty programs, but wound up redefining how those programs taught. 
I'll get off of my soap box now! Sorry for the ramble, I know I don't know you, but you've been a good influence on this forum and I hate to see great potential scholars disheartened by a system that isn't designed to create innovation and advancement but rather to replicate itself over and over again. I hope the future sees an army of political science renegades constantly redefining the profession we are all so passionate about!
(To be clear, I'm not putting down anyone who goes to or got into a top 10 program - that is amazing, and if your research interests fit go get it! I'm just advocating that there are other very relevant areas of research outside of what some of those programs are willing to consider.)

Thanks for this - I've heard great things about the History of Political Thought course at QMUL specifically (from people who went there)! I am applying this year. I'm waiting to hear from MAPSS and LSE but just thinking about what happens if I don't get in or can't afford them. I've heard that problem with one-year programmes before but I think depending on how the first semester goes it might be okay, I'd probably want one of my letters to be from my undergrad thesis supervisor, one from someone I'm currently doing research with and one from a masters prof.  
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?

Got a Yale reject! Surprisingly not upset  I won’t be waiting on anymore applications. I’ll be accepting USC’s offer!!