PolNerd

When should we expect Maryland to release decisions? Also do they normally conduct interviews? Any one receive an interview request for this cycle?

I just checked my portal a week ago and it said App Status: Decided (I was checking daily, as I am sure you can relate to) with a letter of admission. I haven't heard from the department itself (no email/no phone call).
I applied for IR/CP.

I just contacted NW. They said they have to input letters to the system of 500-600 ish applicants for this year. We should have decisions by Friday. Six people have already claimed acceptance on the forums, so honestly, it seems they likely entered acceptance first and for those of us who haven't heard by now, it is more likely a rejection.

I just contacted NW. They said they have to input letters to the system of 500-600 ish applicants for this year. We should have decisions by Friday. Six people have already claimed acceptance on the forums, so honestly, it seems they likely entered acceptance first and for those of us who haven't heard by now, it is more likely a rejection.

We gotta eat. 

We gotta eat. 

We gotta eat. 

Again, don't want to be the Debbie Downer here, but I remember you mentioning having several years of prior work experience and an MPP (?). If the market is even worse six years down the line than it is now, there's nothing wrong with doing ac-adjacent work while job searching in academia. Continue writing papers, attend policy-themed conferences, maintain professionalization in research while doing the PhD and you should be relatively safe afterwards. I can't speak to the income hit during your PhD though, that's a very personal decision.

Of course this is a highly personal decision, but as someone a few years into a political science PhD, I'd implore you to reconsider this (or at the very least give Chicago an honest chance) if you seriously want to get a tenure track job, and especially if you are interested in getting an R1 job. Getting an R1 job out of USC is nowhere near the norm. Ask professors at both schools which program they think will better equip you for your future goals -- yes they want you to come to their school, but they also want you to achieve your highest potential regardless. 
The advantages of coming from a top (as defined by the rankings) are massive. There's not a big difference in between, say Chicago or Ohio State. But the prestige differential in political science in between UChicago and USC is very large.
That being said, if your long-term interests involves California or if you never really cared for an R1 job, it's much less a big deal. 

According to this website https://academicpositions.com/career-advice/phd-professor-and-postdoc-salaries-in-the-united-states it is around 70k. 
I think whats more important to ask yourself right now is - in the long term, what career will make you the happiest? 

I love research (and honestly research that have policy relevance - maybe a TT position at the IR policy schools like Elliott or Denver could be a great fit) and I have very strong "independent" streak to put it lightly, haha so academia seems like the place I will be happy in. But the horrible TT market and the financial aspect of giving up 5 years of salary equivalent to a TT position is giving me second thoughts.

This is fair. I think its really important to consider what the future will hold in terms of job prospectives, but so much can happen in 5 years time that might change the world as we know it (i.e., COVID). I know this sounds really cheesy, but I would say follow your heart and your passion, and trust that something will work out for you! Especially if you are admitted to a pretty good school or a place that you would be able to really thrive in - these will definitely help you in the future during your application process for TT jobs.
Ultimately, the future is uncertain for everyone. So just do what feels right for you.

It is for the PhD. I read the email early this morning but it came in sometime last night  

Hey lovemyboy, could I suggest you rethink and find healthy ways to cope with app/grad school? It seems most of your posts on here is mostly being sad and losing hope. That is definitely not an approach that will help you succeed. I know this process is full of anxiety and at times self-doubt, but if you cannot at the core believe you deserve your place and the ability to see a rejection as a fuel to prove someone wrong, I am not sure the road ahead will be easy because grad school will be tough and there will be many, many, many rejections.

Hey lovemyboy, could I suggest you rethink and find healthy ways to cope with app/grad school? It seems most of your posts on here is mostly being sad and losing hope. That is definitely not an approach that will help you succeed. I know this process is full of anxiety and at times self-doubt, but if you cannot at the core believe you deserve your place and the ability to see a rejection as a fuel to prove someone wrong, I am not sure the road ahead will be easy because grad school will be tough and there will be many, many, many rejections.

Hey lovemyboy, could I suggest you rethink and find healthy ways to cope with app/grad school? It seems most of your posts on here is mostly being sad and losing hope. That is definitely not an approach that will help you succeed. I know this process is full of anxiety and at times self-doubt, but if you cannot at the core believe you deserve your place and the ability to see a rejection as a fuel to prove someone wrong, I am not sure the road ahead will be easy because grad school will be tough and there will be many, many, many rejections.

Something that helps me deal with anxiety is becoming aware that my end goal is not having a PhD per se, it's actually the knowledge and community that grad school and academia provide. Knowing this, I am mindful that there will remain many other ways for me to achieve these goals with or without a PhD.
It's an exercise of self-confidence; it helps just knowing that, no matter what, we are going to be OK.

Hey lovemyboy, could I suggest you rethink and find healthy ways to cope with app/grad school? It seems most of your posts on here is mostly being sad and losing hope. That is definitely not an approach that will help you succeed. I know this process is full of anxiety and at times self-doubt, but if you cannot at the core believe you deserve your place and the ability to see a rejection as a fuel to prove someone wrong, I am not sure the road ahead will be easy because grad school will be tough and there will be many, many, many rejections.

Hey lovemyboy, could I suggest you rethink and find healthy ways to cope with app/grad school? It seems most of your posts on here is mostly being sad and losing hope. That is definitely not an approach that will help you succeed. I know this process is full of anxiety and at times self-doubt, but if you cannot at the core believe you deserve your place and the ability to see a rejection as a fuel to prove someone wrong, I am not sure the road ahead will be easy because grad school will be tough and there will be many, many, many rejections.

Hey lovemyboy, could I suggest you rethink and find healthy ways to cope with app/grad school? It seems most of your posts on here is mostly being sad and losing hope. That is definitely not an approach that will help you succeed. I know this process is full of anxiety and at times self-doubt, but if you cannot at the core believe you deserve your place and the ability to see a rejection as a fuel to prove someone wrong, I am not sure the road ahead will be easy because grad school will be tough and there will be many, many, many rejections.

Hey lovemyboy, could I suggest you rethink and find healthy ways to cope with app/grad school? It seems most of your posts on here is mostly being sad and losing hope. That is definitely not an approach that will help you succeed. I know this process is full of anxiety and at times self-doubt, but if you cannot at the core believe you deserve your place and the ability to see a rejection as a fuel to prove someone wrong, I am not sure the road ahead will be easy because grad school will be tough and there will be many, many, many rejections.

12:34 est

Any IR admits or waitlist for Princeton? Seems like its CP and AP.

Also for those who received admits or waitlist for Princeton, could you please share what time you received the email?

Any IR admits or waitlist for Princeton? Seems like its CP and AP.