jamesc6

PROFILE Type of Undergrad Institution: R2 state school Major(s)/Minor(s): political science, area studies Undergrad GPA: 3.9 Type of Grad: N/A Grad GPA: N/A GRE: 170V/167Q/5.0W Any Special Courses: 2 grad seminars, data analysis (R and Python), one stats course Letters of Recommendation: 1 professor, 2 associate professors, all had supervised research projects Teaching Experience: N/A Research Experience: some work in R, undergrad thesis Writing Sample: section of undergrad thesis, kind of related to research interest Other: RESULTS Acceptances: 2 T25, 1 T40, all $$ Waitlists: 2 T15, 1 T40 Rejections: UCSD, UVA, Princeton, Chicago, Yale, Cornell, Gtown (assumed) Going to: not sure yet LESSONS LEARNED: 1. If I had planned on applying to PhDs earlier, I would definitely have taken more straight math classes. I had coding and applied experience, but I don't think that was enough to signal my quant prep. Coming straight from a no-name state school, I also think taking the GRE and doing well on it was critical to my successes. The best schools I got into required the GRE, and I can only assume it helped me. 2. I think a writing sample more closely related to my research areas would have been good. I don't think it's essential, but I could have set myself up better there. My sample was strong and I contextualized it in my SOP, but I fear it might have introduced some questions about my interests that I could have avoided. 3. There's no such thing as a safety school! Other than my CHYMPS rejections (not unexpected), I was accepted to and rejected from schools across the spectrum. Also, if you're picking a T40 school to apply to, don't make it Georgetown (seems like everybody does). 4. Only apply to schools you would go to! This seems obvious. My preferences definitely shifted throughout the app process and waiting for results, but I would have happily gone to any school that accepted me. I was also lucky to get some acceptances early on, which made the weeks of rejection much easier to handle. I totally agree with @Habermas - start imagining your life instead of agonizing. 5. I'm sure fit is important, but I thought I had a solid fit with professors everywhere I applied, and I don't see much of a correlation between that and where I got in. I don't know the right balance between how many profs to mention and how much detail to go into, but I would say some thematic interests and some methodological interests is a good bet. DON'T stick to experts in only one area (for CP). 6. I'm going to disagree with what others have said here about SOP reviewers - the people in your life who aren't poli sci profs will be looking for something different than adcoms. Your SOP should focus on the questions you want to ask, preparation, and fit, and the important stuff should go first, not a personal story of your first interest in politics. Save civilian reviews for later, once you've decided on content. 7. This cycle sucked! I was waitlisted at places where I might have gotten in normally, and who knows how much waitlists will move this year. I feel really lucky to have been accepted to some great programs where I know I'll be happy. Good luck to you all.

I don't really think next cycle will be easier. Everyone who decided to wait this cycle out, plus a lot of people who didn't get in this year, will be applying again next year, when cohorts will probably stay small. I also think the ongoing effects of COVID are going to be devastating to doctoral programs for years. So congrats on your acceptance during this year's brutal cycle!

Yes, unfortunately, you're right

If you're looking for something to do for a year and planning on reapplying next year, I definitely recommend Americorps programs! I got fee waivers to almost all the schools I applied to, which allowed me to apply to a lot more places and was a huge burden lifted during the application process. I'm not getting much research experience, but I am doing good work and getting paid enough to live on.

Heard from two places where I got waitlisted that in a normal year they would have admitted me, but couldn't this year because of COVID. Not sure how much this helps but I'm sure it's true for a lot of us.

also, use R Studio! Really improves the user experience in R and easier to find and correct your mistakes

I was accepted at UT and my portal still says "In review"

Also received a waitlist email from Indiana this morning