informationbomb

I think that's a bit hasty. The major problem with the NYU MA is paying for it, but that doesn't necessarily make it a 'cash-cow' scenario. If cash is indeed not a problem, you should go for it (unless, of course, you have a PhD offer, which I'm guessing you don't). Looking over the past few years of courses offered, there seems to be significant overlap between MA and PhD classes, so I wouldn't be worried about being taught by second-rate professors or some such thing (I think aside from the required classes for the PhDs, all the rest of the classes are cross-listed, no?) I'm in theory, and most if not all of the big names are teaching at the MA level. Also, for Fall 2010 (last semester), I counted 40+ classes, so its absurd to think that you won't be able to take classes with recognized people. Also, remember that you do have to write a thesis, and you'll have a supervisor for that, so there's definite contact there as well. And from what I hear, NYU is a great place to learn your methods, that some have made careers out of their degree (esp if you're a quant person and you do a decent internship in your MA), and that some students do actually place quite well in PhD programs (I think Penelope Higgins, a faculty member who has a presence on these boards, said something to that effect). So whats the problem? From what I can tell, its incoming class size. Apparently, last year there were close to 90 MA students, which seem like a ton. Trying to stand out in that crowd, especially when most are trying to do what you're doing (get recs, A's, shot at PhD's), is going to be daunting. Though perhaps the number of classes disperses the crowd. For what its worth, the MA advisor told me there are usually only 7-10 students in theory classes... Anyhow, I personally would jump at the chance of doing the NYU MA. I can't afford it, so its probably not going to happen. If I were you, I'd speak to the masters students at NYU and ask them every question you can think of, and ask them especially what they don't like about the program. If they are happy, you can make it work.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I know for a fact that all of Toronto's offers are out, both the MA and the PhD, both acceptances and waitlists.

Did everyone who applied to Columbia receive a rejection? I haven't heard *anything*. Anyone care to speculate on that fact?

Apparently, Berkeley got 450+ applications. I contacted the grad admin

Exactly! I too was quite surprised to find out about this. Isn't the idea that you're supposed to be judged primarily on your actual work? Clearly, all the numbers and CV entries are indicative of your potential, but shouldn't someone at least read something you've written? I worry that without a writing sample, it becomes a game of prestige: letters from the right people, the right numbers, the right university, etc etc. Or is the idea that if all the profs at your institution who read your work and gave you an A thought it was good enough, adcom members don't need to? Still sounds pretty strange to me. Maybe its because I'm a theory applicant and I can't imagine judging another theory applicant without reading their theories... Does anyone know if there are any other political science depts that don't require / don't pay attention to writing samples?

I just had a question for the Harvard admits: Does Harvard not want a writing sample? Did all you Harvard admits not submit any of your work? This seems strange... On the Government admissions website <http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/programs_of_study/government.php>, it says "Applicants are requested not to submit writing samples". Same goes for the Yale admits. A writing sample is not required, says the FAQ here: <http://www.yale.edu/polisci/gradprogram/applying.html> What gives?

With the GRE discussion, my question got left behind, so I'll ask it again: If an applicant is applying, say, for the second or third time, what effect, if any, does it have on his or her chances? I'm guessing adcom members are aware of the fact that the student applied and was rejected before. Is that taken as a strike against the applicant, or is not much made of it? Would you advise applicants not to reapply to schools they've already been rejected from once or twice before? If 80% of the applicant pool were plausible candidates for admission, it seems that being rejected should not count too heavily against one's future applications... Thanks!

Thanks for the replies, Realist and Penelope. I forgot to ask one last question: if an applicant is applying, say, for the second or third time, what effect, if any, does it have on his or her chances? I'm guessing adcom members are aware of the fact that the student applied and was rejected before? Is that taken as a strike against the applicant, or is not much made of it? Thanks!

I just had a quick question for The Realist (and/or Penelope): do you know if international students (non-US residents/citizens) are at any kind of disadvantage? I know for some Canadian schools or depts there is often a percentage cap with regards to international acceptances (say, maximum 30% of the offers are made to international students), as they greatly prefer home-grown applicants. Does anything like this happen in the States as far as you know? Also, do minorities or women have any kind of advantage as far as you can tell? Otherwise, thanks for your help and kindness - I really appreciate that you took the time to write all that out, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this regard.

Just curious: how exactly does one 'drop a line' to the admissions committee? Would that be an email to the grad administrator? Or would it be directed at a specific professor? I think the contact for feedback is definitely good advice, but I'd like to know if anyone here has done it successfully in the past, and if so, how.

Congratulations, sneezy and wannabee! Really, that is fantastic news. Even though I didn't apply to Yale, I'm curious enough to ask both of you: what's your profile look like? do you have fantastic stats? some 'x' factor that you think got you in? No need to reveal specifics - I'd just like to get a ballpark estimate as to what a Yale acceptee reads like on paper Congratulations again!

Looks like all Chicago acceptances are out - they're piling up on TGC. Anyone got in for theory?

Any of the Chicago admits in Theory? Seems that only comparative folk got accepted so far. Also, is Berkeley *still* sending out acceptances? Anyone claiming the comparative acceptance from today?

Congrats! When / how were you notified? Any idea whether I should just write Berkeley off?

Also a political theory applicant. No admits, but no rejections either. Here's to hearing something this week!

Nothing from Columbia for me as well, so make that 'at least six of us'. And I'm guessing there are a bunch of other lurkers here who have yet to have their inboxes graced by Columbia.