vadis

I just got my last applicant decision (another rejection). All in all, two acceptances and five rejections. My choice between the two schools is pretty easy, since one is fully funded and one is not. I was waiting until all of the cards were on the table to make my decision, and now I think the path is pretty clear. This whole process has been nerve wracking! I have had to fight for my self esteem, since I can be a little sensitive to rejection. However, I think this process taught me a lot about myself- and probably a lot about a future working in academia, too. Now I have slightly less than five months to pack my stuff and move across the country for a new adventure. I wish all of you amazing luck and success in the rest of your application decisions, choices, and futures!

I also applied to PhD programs after having finished undergrad a decade ago. I did not really speak with my old professors prior to applying, other than to ask for recommendation letters. I wasn't aware that such camps existed, so I definitely did not attend any camps. I don't remember there being anything like this at my undergraduate institution, or even a lot of discussion about graduate school generally. When I decided to apply, I bought "Graduate Admissions Essays" by Donald Asher and a GRE study book and worked my way through both of those. I work at a university hospital, so I know plenty of people with PhDs (even if they are in biomedical sciences or similar fields, not poli sci) who were able to give me advice. I was lucky to have access to the writing center at the university that I work at- even though I'm not faculty or a student, they were a super valuable resource in preparing my application materials and to give advice. Also, I attended every virtual graduate school fair I could feasibly attend and asked lots of questions. I'm very glad that I sought out external information, since parts of the application process are not intuitive and are very different from something like applying to undergrad or applying to a more traditional job. While most of my applications were rejected, I still have one fully funded offer and one unfunded offer- I think my success here is due to seeking this information before applying (and of course all the lovely people that gave me good advice along the way).

I second the idea of going straight for the PhD, if you know you want to go into academia. I went the master's route because I did not think I wanted to go into academia (to make a long story short, after grad school I worked in the field for about 7 years. I started teaching community college to make extra money and fell in love with it, and felt like I wanted to contribute rather than just regurgitate other peoples' research, and eventually realized I need to go for the PhD. Thus, applying for programs in my 30s with a bunch of extra student loan debt. 😁 If you have a clear idea now that this is what you want to do, go for the PhD. I applied this cycle to seven programs and only one required a master's as a prerequisite. You are also much more likely to get a fully funded PhD, since most master's programs don't offer that level of funding. Don't sell yourself too short on where you will be competitive. If I've learned anything over the last few months, it is that fit is everything and there really isn't a "safe" school. I was rejected from my safe school that doesn't fully fund their PhDs (I got into the master's program during my first round of grad school apps), but I got a really generous funding package from a more prestigious school that I thought was a long shot. It was a better fit and better timing, and probably some luck! If you see a school you really like and is a good fit, just go for it- you never know if it might be your time. At the same time, it won't be an effective strategy to just go down the list of "top" schools and apply to them all. I agree with JPYSD about being selective regarding fit. You should be very clear on which professors you want to work with and why their research interests match yours, as well as what the program offers that resonates with you in a very specific way. If you can contact professors ahead of time and make a connection, even better. Go to virtual recruitment fairs, ask questions by email, etc. If you make a good impression, the name recognition could help your application chances (I think. I don't have any data on this, but it stands to reason and if not true, it won't hurt your chances either). Good luck with your applications! It sounds like you are getting a good early start.

That's cold 😕

I applied to UCSC but I have not heard a peep so far. Good luck to you!

I'm wishing you lots of luck and good timing for your pending applications. I know several brilliant people with PhDs currently working in academia who got rejected by every school on their first round applying to programs. All of them had the same advice for if I wound up in the same boat- don't give up, learn from your mistakes and do an even better job of applications next year, funding/faculty availability is half of it so keep trying, yada yada. While it sucks to not get in to the program you really wanted (I just did this with my UCB rejection...not going to lie, I cried a lot) all you really need is one yes. All that to say, I hope something good is coming your way in the next few weeks!

Same, I just now got the email. I'm very disappointed because it was my dream program, but it is not totally unexpected this late into the month. 😭

While it is quiet... I'm travelling soon to go to a visitation day for one of the programs I was accepted to. I don't have the full schedule yet, but it looks like I will get to meet with faculty and current students, tour campus, and whatnot. I'm trying to figure out how to prepare and what to pack (they aren't paying for checked luggage lol). Has anyone been to one of these visits, and if so do you have any advice on what to ask, what to wear (are these things pretty formal, or is business casual ok), etc? There is some good advice a few pages back about questions for the faculty/dept chair, but I need the scoop on how to make a good impression and get the info I need 🙃

I'm still waiting on Berkeley as well (American subfield). I'm stressing a little bit since there were those few CP/IR acceptances a few weeks back, but I haven't seen anyone claiming American yet. I'm hoping they just haven't made decisions yet for this subfield or something.

I applied to UCSC and haven't heard anything back yet. I also haven't heard back from Berkeley. The decisions I saw posted here were for IR and CP only, so I'm not sure whether or not to hold on to hope. Has anyone heard back from the American Politics subfield? I applied to Merced as well (I guess I really want to move to California lol) and already got accepted and they scheduled me to fly out there and visit and stuff. I'm discouraged that the other two UC schools are taking a long time

I'm in a similar situation in that I've had a lot of "life stuff" happen to me between my last grad school venture and applying to programs, including major illness I also definitely hear the voice that I'm too old, too sick, etc. I am lucky to work at two colleges, in that I've had good moral support from my colleagues who have been through a PhD and/or med school telling me I'm neither too old, nor too sick. The time for postponing is over! So far I haven't been able to get any schools to accept prior coursework just due to how long ago it was, but that's awesome that you were able to!

I will turn 33 in the fall during the first semester of my PhD. I finished my master's almost a decade ago. This whole application process has been pretty brutal in terms of making me feel old. I'm trying to just own the fact that I already teach political science at community college and have professional experience in the field- I'll leave being young and promising to the kiddos 😅 My spouse finished his PhD last year at 41. Time is going to pass anyway, might as well have the degree at the end of it.