natofone

We should know by the end of February. There isn't much longer to wait.

Transfer into an MS program? Is that even possible?

Do a senior thesis with someone that you would like to write one if your letters. I would also consider taking calculus, statistics, and research methods courses if you are focusing on American politics.

This would end up putting much more of an emphasis on the GRE than undergraduate GPA, no?

We are now two weeks away from the date when schools started notifying their accepted applicants last year: http://thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php?q=(political|government|politics)&t=a&pp=250&o=&p=6 uc-davis, emory, uiuc, michigan state, wisconsin, duke, ohio state all within the first week.

I highly recommend Roots of Revolution: A History of the Populist and Socialist Movements in Nineteenth Century Russia by Franco Venturi.

What are you reading cpaige? I've been reading philosophy lately, since I haven't had much exposure so far.

They add a link right below where they list the recommendation providers. You see it right as you sign on so you don't have to click around. It says: "Decision Status: Available beginning X/X/XXXX Your application decision is now available online "

I was told that it was a waste of time in our discipline.

Not that I know anything, but the econometrics one looks good. Many of my friends currently in grad programs had to take calc 1 and 2 to prep for their methods courses.

Congrats!

Well, my point is that the GRE sure costs less than an undergraduate education...especially at the type of undergraduate institution needed to make you competitive at top graduate schools. You only need access to a public library with internet access to prepare for the GRE.

It seems much easier and less expensive to get a good GRE score than any other element of the application.

Does this chat still exist?

I keep seeing major GPA listed. Is that considered important? What about if your undergrad major is not what you are applying for?

They use the NRC stats from 1995. Look at where nyu is for example.

I struck out completely last year. It was actually a good thing because I would have had to defer anyway because of unexpected family financial obligations, so I wasn't too bummed out. I worked like crazy to help my kid brother with tuition. I also used my time to really dig into the literature of my field and develop a more focused research agenda. I'm much more excited about graduate school now that I've had a year to really figure out exactly what I'd like to study.

Nothing in particular - just a hunch based upon all of the state budget horror stories in the news.

Chicago might be a bit of an anomaly because their strengths are in theory and IR (with a relatively qualitative slant). I don't know how applicable their example is to other schools.

Yes, applying again. Well, my statement wasn't very good. It was much more personal statement than an academic statement of purpose. I took about six months and read most of the literature in the field pertaining to my core topical interests. I then used this background to focus my interests and develop a research agenda. I discussed where my research agenda fits within the existing literature and why each school would be an appropriate place to study based. Also, my undergraduate degree was from an unknown school and my GPA was relatively low, so I couldn't really change that. My strategy is to: A. interest the committee with a very strong SOP and interesting research agenda, and B. give them reasons (strong GRE, grad degree, stats skills, etc.) to look over my mediocre undergraduate performance. I also didn't apply widely enough or include any safety schools. Last year was a tough one because of the economy (not that this year will be any better - likely worse).

You're also a re-applicant cicero? What do you think you did wrong this time and what did you change on your application?

Yes, it is very fake.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Round_the_world_flights

Since we are only a month away from the slow trickle of acceptances and rejections, I was wondering what school(s) people were most excited to hear from and why. Any takers?

We are less than a month away from when the first acceptances started trickling in. Anyone freaking out?