Hi Prof,
Many thanks for this extremely detailed advice. I understand that this is a period uncertainty and waitlists are unlikely to move at most places this cycle. I don't have other offers- hence I've been more on the edge. But you are right- it is futile to think too much about this given it is beyond one's control at this point. I appreciate you taking time to write this.
I had one question- more so out of curiosity. I understand that I might have got it wrong about thinking how funding works- but is it fair to say that social sciences and political sciences have been a little more unlucky. To my understanding federal funds and grants are predominantly for STEM. Now, that much of it has gone, universities are adjusting for the lost revenue by also cutting cohorts and budgets of soc science programs. I don't wish to make this a "us v them" narrative- but I've been thinking about this. I would be happy to be corrected if I am flawed in my assumptions here. Thank you.