elainez

Hi! I'm an international student currently studying in the US. I applied directly from undergrad this cycle, and received a PhD offer from OSU and a waitlist from NU. After the campus visit, I felt OSU may not be a great fit. The department is very strong in public opinion and political attitudes, which is simply tangential to what I want to pursue. Also, I had a somewhat awkward meeting with the faculty I want to work with, which may be a red flag(?). If I couldn't get off NU's waitlist, my outside options are MAPSS and Columbia's MA in Polisci, which award me fellowships of $30,000 and $20,000. My research interests in gender and social movement are interdisciplinary, so I will apply to some sociology programs if reapplying. I understand that each cycle is getting ever more competitive, so I genuinely need some advice regarding the worst-case scenario: shall I turn down my only acceptance and reapply? Thanks so much to anyone replying. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Hi everyone! I'm on the waitlist for Northwestern. Does anyone know about the chances of getting off the waitlist from Northwestern? I tried to search past results, but it looks like they don't typically give waitlists (?) Also, has anyone ever turned down their only acceptance, feeling it's not a good fit? Any information would be greatly appreciated😭

Sorry for the title! I actually have several questions regarding PhD applications. I'm a rising fourth-year undergraduate student currently attending one of the top public universities in the US. I'm an international student, and I'm planning to apply for PhD programs in the US, with the CP subfield. As I didn't decide to apply until my third year, I don't have RA experience in polisci... My research experience mainly consists of my coursework (research papers for classes) and my honors thesis (which I will be doing in the next academic year). Currently, there is one RA opportunity available, and the professor's expertise aligns with my regional focus, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea to pursue an RA position in the application cycle...... Also, as I am doing my school research, I realized that my topical interests are not popular within my regional focus. Most of the faculty focusing on my regional interest are not doing my topical interests. Usually I'm faced with a trade-off... In considering "fit" to a department, do regional or topical interests matter more? Thanks to anyone replying to my questions!!!