topochica

I got into UT Austin off their waitlist! Heard from them this morning (IR). I am DELIGHTED! And I will be accepting the offer  
I have also contacted Rice to ask them to take my name off their waitlist, so hopefully it might help someone there  

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've heard that it is a good idea to get back into contact with POIs and let them know you are still interested and thank you for their interviews, etc. I think you can express genuine continued interest and say it is your top choice for X, Y, Z reasons without letting on you've been rejected (or accepted) elsewhere.

crybby^^^

I've heard that it is a good idea to get back into contact with POIs and let them know you are still interested and thank you for their interviews, etc. I think you can express genuine continued interest and say it is your top choice for X, Y, Z reasons without letting on you've been rejected (or accepted) elsewhere.

Good point. You could also send an email like that to admissions or whoever you've been in contact with. Good luck!

Good point. You could also send an email like that to admissions or whoever you've been in contact with. Good luck!

I've heard that it is a good idea to get back into contact with POIs and let them know you are still interested and thank you for their interviews, etc. I think you can express genuine continued interest and say it is your top choice for X, Y, Z reasons without letting on you've been rejected (or accepted) elsewhere.

Good point. You could also send an email like that to admissions or whoever you've been in contact with. Good luck!

I've heard that it is a good idea to get back into contact with POIs and let them know you are still interested and thank you for their interviews, etc. I think you can express genuine continued interest and say it is your top choice for X, Y, Z reasons without letting on you've been rejected (or accepted) elsewhere.

I've heard that it is a good idea to get back into contact with POIs and let them know you are still interested and thank you for their interviews, etc. I think you can express genuine continued interest and say it is your top choice for X, Y, Z reasons without letting on you've been rejected (or accepted) elsewhere.

I've heard that it is a good idea to get back into contact with POIs and let them know you are still interested and thank you for their interviews, etc. I think you can express genuine continued interest and say it is your top choice for X, Y, Z reasons without letting on you've been rejected (or accepted) elsewhere.

I can finally claim a Duke rejection! they were sending update to an incorrect email haha. Also want to thank you guys for keeping this place active. It helped me feel less alone during this cycle.

Thank you!! I feel very lucky. And yes, everyone here is super supportive, and I've enjoyed following everyone's decisions. Excited for everyone who has received offers, and to those who haven't gotten the responses they've wanted this cycle, it's so not a reflection of you and your abilities. It's just a weird year

Just want to chime in that you don't have to do this, and those who aren't in a position to do so shouldn't feel any pressure to do this. A kind email and an update on your plans is usually enough. Remember that for your profs this is a part of their job, and it should be something they're happy to do (obviously this depends on how well they know you). I'm not saying you *shouldn't* give gifts if you want to, but it's not the norm, and shouldn't be in my opinion.

Firstly, congratulations to everyone who managed to get admissions during this brutal application cycle. As said before numerous times, not getting an admission is not an indicator of one's abilities since there are so many variables included in this selection process.
As we're approaching to the end of this year's decision timeline, I wanted to ask to those of you who got multiple offers, how do you plan to decline the other offers you managed to get? What kind of email structure do you plan to use? Luckily, I was offered a spot at multiple institutions and I have been in contact with POIs in many of these places, I am not sure how to approach to the POIs with an intention of rejecting their offers. 
Open to all suggestions. 

As my pursuit of a PhD comes to an end, I still feel like I owe my recommenders a bit of gratitude.  Did anyone on the forum provide gifts to their recommenders and, if so, what did you send?  It is a little bit more difficult with most faculty and coworkers operating from home.  Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Yes, it is some demented form of entertainment.  Some of the early admits for some programs were legit.  Others have seemed suspicious.  Don't forget someone was admitted to the 'University of Cumtown,' so there are clearly trolls.  

Claiming an acceptance (with fellowship funding) from Riverside. Totally shocked, as I had no interview or contact since submitting. 

Hi everyone! I had an interview with a professor from CUNY, as ''one of the top ranked candidate''. Although I am still waiting results from several others schools, I wonder what is your opinion on the the CUNY PhD program in Political Science (IR)? As an international candidate, I guess I still lack proper insight on some schools, although I know it cannot compete with any Ivy League. I appreciate CUNY Graduate School for its open and critically oriented environment, but not sure what one can expect in terms of funding which is crucial for an international in NYC.  Besides, has anyone heard anything from Georgetown? 
I appreciate very much any feedback and wish you all success in the upcoming academic endeavour!

Claiming an acceptance (with fellowship funding) from Riverside. Totally shocked, as I had no interview or contact since submitting. 

Claiming an acceptance (with fellowship funding) from Riverside. Totally shocked, as I had no interview or contact since submitting. 

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.)

Thank you everyone who is sending out positive energy - it is much needed. 
I also claim rejections from Duke and Stanford. I think it is time to admit this cycle is over for me. Realistically speaking, I do have other backup plans, and I went into this cycle knowing that it's not likely I'll get anything. Yet, that slightest hope kept me day-dreaming, and I dare to admit that I am frustrated about it. 
Best of luck to everyone still waiting for admission results.
And for myself: Stay strong, don't be caught up with an obsession, and be open to life.