mdnicx42

What are the best schools for IPE? I'm specifically interested in global governance issues - the role of states and multilateral orgs. in the global economy. I am particularly interested in labor markets, although I'd also be interested in departments strong in trade-related issues. Any thoughts?

So, I think I'd ultimately like to do a policy or political economy Ph.D such as the one at WWS or Harvard's Political Economy and Government program. I'd like to focus on the political economy of development (migration in particular). However, I know that these programs are ridiculously competitive...and I just have an undergrad degree right now, and I don't know if this would be perceived as rigorous enough. I'm trying to decide whether I should just go for masters for the moment... I went to an Ivy and doubled in econ and IR and have strong grades and math preparation but some of my intermediate and upper level econ classes were Bs. I have 3 years of central bank research experience and several (unrelated) major research grants under my belt, though - and should have good letters from both political scientists and economists discussing my econometric and programming abilities. To those of you who are applying or have applied to policy PhD programs, what kind of work experience did you have? what kinds of quantitative preparation? is it imperative to get an MPP or something prior to applying for PhD programs like the ones I mentioned above? Thanks!

Well, finally got a rejection from Northwestern. Unless UCLA pulls through with funding- probably pretty unlikely - then I'm done for the year.

Yeah, I'm on the regular waitlist and realize that I will probably not get funding from UCLA if I'm bumped up. I'm thinking I've been waitlisted by Northwestern at this point, though, although I realize that my chances of getting an offer there are probably pretty low.

As a person whose last hope for a funded offer this year might be getting accepted from a waitlist, it might help some of us if those who don't plan to accept waitlist offers send a note to the appropriate department letting them know that you're no longer interested. I don't know what concrete good it will do, but such a note could potentially save the department from having to issue additional offers and relieve some stress off of those anxiously waiting.

I am still waiting on NU...anyone else still waiting at this point?

I'm still in Northwestern limbo. Good sign, or a sign that they've lost my application? :|

Another question for those in Northwestern limbo: Did any of you apply for the interdisciplinary clusters? I wonder if that can cause delays for some applications. Probably not, but just a thought...

I e-mailed Georgetown to ask them about funding and I got a rather terse e-mail saying that all funding decisions have been finalized and that I was not chosen for funding. They didn't sugar-coat it at all.

Hmm, still nothing from Northwestern here...

My feeling is that those of us that still haven't heard from NW are on their unofficial waitlist. It doesn't seem like they've officially notified people of their waitlist status for several years. Out of curiosity, those who are still waiting on NW, what are your subfields? I'm comparative.

Still no word from Northwestern. Keeping fingers crossed...

How about comparative people planning to turn down their UCLA offer or their Georgetown funding offer?

I'm in a similar predicament. But what about securing outside fellowships after starting? I know of a number of people in comparative in various schools that have gotten pretty generous FLAS grants. I speak a Middle Eastern language and am learning a second - I'm hoping that might be a realistic possibility! And so many state schools are in dire straits right now that I think the game might have fundamentally changed. An unfunded offer doesn't necessarily mean that you're not going to be valued given the current situations facing many state schools... I'd also like to think that there might be job options outside of academia for me if that doesn't pan out (and indeed for many of us). I know we really want to go into academia, but might not other jobs be open to many of us if we continue to develop/cultivate relevant skill sets? Just some thoughts. Opinions?

Comparative / Middle East.

Also in at Georgetown, but also no word on funding.

I'm also still waiting on NYU. We're probably on some kind of wait-list.

I'm also comparative.

Also waiting on Northwestern...

In the past, Georgetown has admitted a lot more than 25: http://government.georgetown.edu/57323.html I know times have changed, but it seems unlikely that they'd cut their classes THAT much given that they don't fund many of the people they accept. I have a feeling they're doing things by subfield.

Do we think MIT notified all of its admits by phone today? Or might a few more trickle in? Things aren't looking to great for me at this point. I DO wonder what's going on at NYU and Northwestern, though...maybe there's still hope...

Also waitlisted at UCLA. It's the only thing close to an acceptance that I've gotten thus far, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. 4 schools to go, though.

Do you all think UCLA sent out all of its admits yet? I saw a lot of admits, rejections, and waitlisted folks but I have heard nothing...

Is anyone else still waiting on UCLA?

I heard somewhere that NW issues decisions at different times based on subfield. For example, that as of a week or so ago theory decisions had been made but comparative and IR are still ongoing. Does anyone know anything that can confirm or refute this?