nevernottryingtounderstand

Thank you! That gives me some hope. So far, it's two schools, and somehow it's especially nerve-racking if you see the other acceptances, waitlists, etc. and you hear nothing...

So - has anyone here received an acceptance noticeably after the first acceptances and waitlists had gone out? Without a previous notification that they were on the waitlist? Still hoping to get accepted into some more programs and trying to stay positive here...

I have - with Emory. They said they don't give feedback; they need to get the admitted students enrolled and have their full amount of usual responsibilities on top. They also mentioned that they consider it unfair to students who don't reach out to give feedback to the ones who do. I guess it still doesn't hurt to try if it is a smaller program...

Thank you! Did you email any other programs by any chance? Right there in the same boat with you, wondering if there will be an acceptance eventually...

I believe UGA has sent out acceptances on multiple dates last year so maybe they are just not there yet. At least that‘s what I‘m hoping…

I would - I received an email informing me about a change on the portal and there was the rejection. The fact that you haven’t received said automated email might actually be a good sign. I would politely ask when you can expect a decision - maybe not mention people on GradCafe celebrating or bawling their eyes out already ?

Austin now updated my status as well - rejection, as I already assumed... ?

Austin seems to have admitted a bunch of people today - I guess not hearing back isn't the best sign ? My status is still 'in review' but not keeping my hopes up...

Anyone here claiming the UGA acceptance posted today?

I'm afraid that's just how this waiting game works. The longer the wait the more we worry but in the end - we only need one! Here's to hoping and the right one coming along...

Fingers crossed for all of us! ?

Please don't! I have not commented on any of the previous posts and have really held my tongue not to engage so far, and honestly - it would be fantastic if the GRE didn't matter at all since being out of school for over 20 years wasn't all too beneficial for my quant score - but how sad would it be if we were to discourage opposite opinions and try to silence those who state them just because we want the world to be a certain way. We shouldn't and won't be able to shape everything the way we want by ignoring those who challenge our beliefs, we should see the discourse as an opportunity to re-evaluate what we believe to be true and come to informed decisions after weighing all the evidence. You have contributed so much to this forum, have given advice again and again, and invested your time and energy to help us, who come after you, navigate our way through the application process and more, please don't leave.

Finishing up my last three - I am done with this... Can't wait for it to be over - until the anxiety starts to kick in about when the responses will come in ?

Hey all, I heard horror stories about last year as well. Decided to apply to nine, we'll see where this takes me... Fingers crossed to all of us!!!

Thank you, that's super helpful! My Master's thesis advisor will be one of my recommenders, the writing sample is also from the field of IR. I guess what intimidated me so much was all the sample SOPs that I found that list numerous theories the applicants have worked with before, all the RA positions etc. and I have mainly been teaching, advising bachelor's theses etc. but not been able to do that much research myself in recent years...

Thank you! Absolutely valid questions. I want a political science Ph.D. because I have been working in the field I am hoping to focus on for about 6 years now, albeit focusing on the legal aspects of it. I am nevertheless certain I have a sound foundation of knowledge I can rely on, I also have a pretty clearly defined research question and can position it in existing literature. My second Master's thesis was in IR, I just never received the solid base of political science. I am 100% certain that I have the tools and the determination to finish if I get accepted, the question is not whether I can do it and know what I'm in for but rather how I can convince a selection committee that I am a good fit, despite my diverse background. I mean - I can't be the only one who received an interdisciplinary Master's degree and then went on to focus on only one of the disciplines?

Hi everyone, as fall 2022 application season is drawing closer I am seriously wondering how to obtain acceptance to a Ph.D. program without substantive previous knowledge in political sciences. I have two European Master's degrees (GPA 3.6 and 3.8), one of which has a focus on European economics, politics and law. Since this was a postgraduate program I never received any formal training in political sciences per se. My first degree was interpreting, I speak 3 languages besides English but obviously no real foundation in political science either. I teach European law with a Human Rights focus at a European university right now if that makes a difference. Most programs I have been looking at do not requite any previous studies in political sciences but I am wondering what to write into my statement of purpose then? I mean - I can't really argue the point that I want to intensify my research or gain deeper understanding of a specific field if I have never formally studied it? Any recommendations how to write a convincing statement of purpose despite all that? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!