balderdash

Ok, so first of all, definitely don't use a service that makes you pay for the pleasure of having your grade converted.

Second, RLemkin, you're doing the calculation wrong. I've never, ever ever ever seen a chart that gives a borderline 2:1 as a 3.0.

For the Scottish 20-point system, here's a conversion chart from St Andrews: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/Grade%20Conversion%20United%20States.pdf . As you can see, a 2.1 that's just barely not a first would be a 3.7, which is accurate. As for the British marking system, you're looking at (very roughly):

74+ 4.0
70-73 3.8
67-69 3.7
65-67 3.5
63-65 3.3
60-62 3.0
55-59 2.7
50-54 2.4
...

And by the way, as I've told a bunch of people: no matter where you're applying, you are not the first using your grading system to do so. They've seen Scottish, British, Ugandan, North Korean, whatever applicants before, and they'll understand the system you use. Follow the directions on the application to the best of your ability and let them do their job by interpreting the scores themselves.

If you misspell "social" in your profile and resurrect a thread that was dead for over three years, then "you are clearly not ready for the rigors of graduate school."

!

Congratulations, that's awesome. How awesome? This awesome.

Congrats from another (lurking!) old-timer.
 
Also, Wisco admits, feel free to PM me any questions.

Actually, OP isn't as thick as some people are making him (?) out to be.

Last year, when I applied, I called the Dep't to ask if writing sample was required, and they said no. Then I called GSAS, and they said yes. I submitted an email inquiry, and eventually GSAS reconciled the two and confirmed to me that the department was correct, and none is required but it is optional.

If you misspell "social" in your profile and resurrect a thread that was dead for over three years, then "you are clearly not ready for the rigors of graduate school."

It's a good point. We'll know in 7 hours either way.

Apologies, and I'm not trying to humblebrag, but: I wrote an article for small news outlet on Wednesday. Today I found out it had been copied and reprinted on another site, including my bio, picture, etc. without my (or the news outlet's) permission. So today has been spent trying to track down the "editor" and convince him that it's wrong to pretend to readers that I wrote an article for his very, very sketchy website. Nightmare...

Thanks, dudes. Also, 3 more recs came in, so we're up to 15/24 here. How're you all?

I agree that really it's a complementary relationship. In the roughest of outlines: quants answer "littler" questions (not in a pejorative sense!) with great rigor, while quals go all meta but are more liable to err and allow their biases to creep in. Obviously, there are exceptions to both. But I think the conversation among those who mobilize divergent methods is really useful for shaping interests and ultimately reaping better research. That might be part of the reason why mixed methods analysis is up-and-coming.

I nominate balderdash for most likely to cultivate a very sage-like beard

RWBG for most likely to develop a predictive model for the likelihood of winning superlatives.

RWBG for most likely to develop a predictive model for the likelihood of winning superlatives.

I'm assuming like any other school all additional funding gets considered when they put together your fellowship offer, so even if you were awarded the UDF you wouldn't make out like a bandit (or rather, like a reasonably well-paid person).

Edit - I don't mean fellowship offer, I mean the amount disbursed for each year. If you get NSF grants, for example, normally your school's funding drops (and your school will eat most of your NSF grant anyway ).

you need to prove that you can do quantitative research apart from your demonstrated qualitative research skills and you need to have recommendations which can speak to your political science research abilities. Just be aware that getting admitted to a poli sci phd maybe even more difficult than getting admitted to a history PhD but as far as I know the job prospects are somewhat better.

A few pages back, I complained (sorry!) about a review of a terrible book that I'm struggling to write. I just thought some people might get a laugh out of two sentences whose inclusion I'm seriously debating:

"Rarely are such large hats hung on pegs so small." Also: "It is only with difficulty that the reader is able to find space for [book] in the scholarly debate."

(Not to be a jerk... but seriously, it's horrid.)

A few pages back, I complained (sorry!) about a review of a terrible book that I'm struggling to write. I just thought some people might get a laugh out of two sentences whose inclusion I'm seriously debating:

"Rarely are such large hats hung on pegs so small." Also: "It is only with difficulty that the reader is able to find space for [book] in the scholarly debate."

(Not to be a jerk... but seriously, it's horrid.)

Just wanted to tell everyone who is on UCLA's funding waitlist: I just turned down their (funded) offer. Hopefully someone on here gets it.

Just wanted to tell everyone who is on UCLA's funding waitlist: I just turned down their (funded) offer. Hopefully someone on here gets it.

Negative, Ghost Rider. Commence relaxation.

I have nothing substantive to add, but I will never say "up shit creek" ever again. This is so much better.

Did they say "by Wednesday"? I spoke to them on Tuesday, I think, and they told me that all decisions would be sent out by next Wednesday but that they hadn't finished sending out admissions. Do you mean instead that they are done sending out acceptances?

In 2010 there were 10 Berkeley acceptances posted, in 2011 8, and so far this year we have 6 (can't remember how many have been claimed). So I would guess they're close to done if not completely done.

Dear Berkeley,

Please stop torturing innocent doctoral program applicants.

Sincerely,

-Me

Also, Doorkeeper - Berkeley is totally up in the air. All decisions will be out by next Wednesday. Columbia has apparently sent out all acceptances and waitlists. Chicago has sent out all admissions and waitlists. According to earlier posts, if you haven't heard from them yet you will probably be getting a rejection soon. No idea how long it will take Columbia - I think they're sifting through the pile of rejections to figure out who to pass along to the MA program for consideration. Chicago I think will send out rejections around the first of March (based on last year's results). Harvard - can't help you there, I'm not in the loop. Good luck with Berkeley!!!

You kidding? I'd do it just for the frequent flyer miles.

I was lucky enough to get a University Fellowship, so funding will be more than adequate years 1 and 4. As for years 2, 3, and 5, I'll have to sort out some external monies. But on the whole, I believe I'll be headed to Madison with adequate finances.

When I got my acceptance back in January, I met with my boss/recommender, who does the work closest to what I want to do. He urged me to attend Madison irrespective of decisions from YPS. When I noted the funding differences, he agreed and told me to follow the money, but that "for serious qualitative Africanist work, even Princeton won't match the training and reputation of Madison." Anyway, the point is that while my little heart will regret the lack of opportunities to wear an orange bow-tie, truly the best option in the long run is the school to which I am headed. So I'm elated that it has worked out.

I was lucky enough to get a University Fellowship, so funding will be more than adequate years 1 and 4. As for years 2, 3, and 5, I'll have to sort out some external monies. But on the whole, I believe I'll be headed to Madison with adequate finances.

When I got my acceptance back in January, I met with my boss/recommender, who does the work closest to what I want to do. He urged me to attend Madison irrespective of decisions from YPS. When I noted the funding differences, he agreed and told me to follow the money, but that "for serious qualitative Africanist work, even Princeton won't match the training and reputation of Madison." Anyway, the point is that while my little heart will regret the lack of opportunities to wear an orange bow-tie, truly the best option in the long run is the school to which I am headed. So I'm elated that it has worked out.