Zahar Berkut

So, I am sad to say that I received my last rejection today, and I have now gone 0 for 6. I knew in advance that there was a risk to applying to this number of (highly competitive) programs and I guessed where the weaknesses in my applications might be, but I believed I had a non-zero chance and I went for it. No regrets, and I am already planning for next year. The problem right now is thinking about how exactly to improve my application, and with so many variables in the admissions process, I do not feel I can completely/accurately asses it. So if there is anyone right now who is riding a wave of good will and would be willing to talk to me further-- especially comparative, but also IR-- please send me a PM. I bit more about myself: as an undergrad, I focused mainly on political theory, IR/security studies, and some IR theory, writing something like a senior thesis on classical, canonical IR thinkers. I spent a year abroad after finishing my BA in my region of interest, and followed up with a master's in area studies, where I wrote the equivalent of a thesis (the program was one year and did not formally support one) on an issue in political economy in the country I had lived over the prior year. There I took a few more comparative courses, before moving back to the region to work and improve my language skills. My undergrad department offered zero methodological training, so I consider that my main shortcoming. But it is also entirely possible that I don't know the comparative literature as well as I thought I did. I'll add more if anyone is willing to talk shop. I truly to congratulate everyone who did well this cycle, especially those who applied multiple cycles. And to those like myself who didn't get what we wanted the first time we asked for it-- let's keep on fighting!

You get an up-vote for that! I guess that'll be first generation Doctor as well?

I recall that form asking applicants to check whether they are descendants of John Harvard, some military officer from Massachusetts, and/or other people who gave a lot of money to the university.

Some people seemed to think the Harvard ones were trolls, but who knows. Maybe someone will claim a posting here and provide more details.

Yeah, couldn't tell if it was for real or not. I know that we all take this stuff seriously, enough so to dedicate 5/7-to-life to it, but really, perspective matters.

Interesting, they seem to be doing it piecemeal and very slowly. Judging by the boards, most people have still probably heard nothing.

Whoops, I totally mixed up two professors on their faculty!

Huge congrats! I take it you're comparative, then?

Instead of getting a day off on Monday, the work day will "officially" be one hour shorter, and a day off will be granted at the beginning of November. I do not understand the reasoning for this.

Someone posted in the results search "Emailed GSAS, "No decision has been recorded on your application. We expect that the faculty committee on admissions will return all Ph.D. decisions by early to mid March. You will be notified via email when a decision has been reached." This seems surprising to me, since they sent out so many acceptances, a few waitlists, and visitation info. Maybe there will be a second wave, but my best guess right now is to interpret this as "rejected, but not handling individual inquiries."

Noticed someone posted a rejection from UCLA. Was that in response to an inquiry? Not that I have any hope left, I'd just like to stick a nail in that coffin, along with what will likely be all of my apps this cycle. Bleh!

Congrats to all the Columbia admits. And a giant UGH for everyone who applied and didn't hear anything yet.

Columbia news is dated Jan 30, I'd just call it terrible timing for an update (all due respect to whoever posted it!).

I've heard mixed opinions on this, and while I understand the reasoning, I find it difficult to believe it applies as much to elite schools like Toronto, where I would expect any Canadian would be very happy to do three degrees-- and which people from everywhere else also view with great respect. That would be a good question to put to your professors, though, if you plan to continue to a PhD.

Every program is different, but it seems unlikely that being an international student is itself a disadvantage (aside from the standard difficulties with interpreting a transcript from an unfamiliar university system). Many area studies programs use the FLAS grant that is only eligible to US citizens to recruit, and fairly consistently accept international students who either pay tuition themselves or are able to do so through a home government grant. My own master's program has almost always had at least one international student (in a very small cohort), and always receives international applications. So the short answer is, don't worry! I am very sorry about Duke, but if you have applied anywhere else, you still have a fair chance.