sonnyday

I've thought that for the longest time. There are certain posters with certain questions that sound shady to me. And I can imagine that during a time when they are giving out acceptances, it would be stupid NOT to look on these forums if one has the time to. I could be paranoid, but I am pretty sure there are faculty lurkers here.

I'm the same way. My interests are "diverse" shall we say but I tried to be somewhat cogent with my SOP. I've been out of school for a couple of years; you're not in terrible company if you re-apply. I have a LOT of friends who did the same. At any rate, I just got off the phone w/ a theorist at one of the schools to which I've been admitted. We talked about "my interests in the later chapters of the Phenomenology." Needless to say, I am drinking a beer and playing Tetris right now to decompress

I was accepted over email in mid-Feb. They may still be making acceptance decisions and contacting admits in waves or they are waitlisting you and waiting for other candidates to drop out.

I was just about to post this type of topic! I'm not sure what I should do, but I plan on doing as much background reading as I can. I've gathered up a few syllabuses so far and will start getting some of the readings done. (I'll replace them when the new ones for fall come). I think the math course is a good idea. Other than that, I may move to wherever school I go to in May/June and start acquainting myself with the area. Vacation and relaxation is also a necessity, so I'll try to gather up some funds to go to Puerto Rico for at least two weeks (if not, then we'll do a road trip around the country or something). I'd like to here what others have done or are planning to do too.

I suppose I am in the same situation to some people (Although, I think both schools that I am choosing from are great--the one with the "lower rank" especially). But the way I look at it is that 10 years from now, its the research that I do and the work I put into it, the articles that I publish, the people that I meet at conferences/presentations, that will dictate how far I go after grad school. Honestly, if you produce truly novel and groundbreaking research, no one will care what school you came from when you are giving speeches about it in a hall of scholars/professionals/politicians and the like. That's really what motivates me. What I make of what I am given. I probably won't be doing something on the level of a cure for cancer, but I'll enjoy doing the research and teaching (which I've loved doing since I was a child with stuffed animals). I'm sure that if I wanted to do post-doc research, its my research proposal that will get me the grant, not the school typed on my resume. And in the meantime, I'd rather go to a school where the thick tension of competition and prestige wasn't surrounding me. These schools tend to have the same types of students (they get more WASPy, unisex, uni-class the more "prestigious" they are) and I'd rather be among a diverse group of students with a more laid back, exploratory, familial culture. Here is a good read about rankings: http://people.howstuffworks.com/college-ranking.htm Given that companies use SAT scores, Alumni donations, GPA, faculty funding, google-factor, etc., these variables seem to be VERY cyclical and play on each other, as an increase in these variables don't necessarily mean a better program, but the school name automatically attracts higher scores. Its a chicken and egg argument. How do you filter out a long-established, prestigious NAME in the analysis of these schools/programs? Apparently, they haven't figured out how to do that yet if they are still using these measures.

Me too. But if people are really nice and the process is smooth, website is easy to navigate, they give timely responses, etc., I can't help that it would have a good impression on me overall. So it probably would indirectly influence the decisions I make, even if I try hard to appear "rational".

They may also be alluding to the fact that the decision is possibly coming later than "the next few days or so". I think if you were accepted, they would tell you straight out, and if you were among one of their top candidates duking it out, they'd let you know some how too. But they haven't rejected you straight out either. I'd take it as bad news thought anyway. Better to set your hopes low where they can only go up than to set them high and let them come crashing down. That's my motto.

I think that's a perfect explanation. Scientists basically just study phenomenon by comparing them across different (or similar) variables. For example, a comparativist will study race relations in Brazil, the United States, South Africa, and the Phillipines to get a better scope of what truly motivates/dictates it. Instead of making assumptions about human nature by studying one country, you would study many countries of different characteristics to examine and capture some sort of theme. Many study themes across time, region, class, etc. as well. Personally, I believe that unless we study comparatively, we don't really get an adequate view of what's going on. So really, comparative politics is somewhat of a methodology, or way of studying, but its not like quantitative or qualitative methods, and it can encompass any other of the common fields (american, IR, area studies, etc.) and tends to overlap them.

I'm also applying to Comparative, with an area focus in Africa and the Diaspora, as well as interest in Racial and Gender politics. There doesn't seem to be many scholars in general who have this focus, so we are a bit disadvantaged in many poli sci programs. Many of the programs I applied to were comparativists in Latin America, or talked of gender in terms of European/American politics, but I was hoping to at least be able to use their techniques/theories to be applied to new research in Africa. We shall see if some think this is possible too. I also applied to Howard, which is one of the few in the country that focuses in Africa, I heard they just began this week too. Its definitely all about fit. Funny, I originally began applying in a way to fit myself into each program, trying to give them what they want to hear. But then I realized, just like a mate, they should want me as I am (without the make-up, wigs, eye contacts, etc.) and so the ones that have accepted me are clearly in to ME. I'm happy with that. :-)

For those of you with more than one acceptance, but you know which ones you will reject or have rejected, let's post them here as we figure them out. That way the formally waitlisted or informally waitlisted ("strangely not notified yet") candidates can get a better idea of there chances, and whether they should wait. I probably won't be accepting Maryland. I am not definite yet but will be after I do campus visits next week and I'll post here again.

I'm always having cold feet about pretty much everything I do (I also had doubts recently because I have a job that I absolutely love and will be sad to give up). But normally unless there are strikingly obvious reasons for NOT doing something, its just a matter of choosing what path you want to take and not being sure of where either one will lead you--if you decide to work, you'll probably have cold feet about that too. Doesn't mean you shouldn't be doing something or shouldn't move forward; it just means you're human, and you have fears and doubts that are normal. Anything you choose to do to make a living will have its fun or interesting parts, and its really hard ones, if you want to excel in anything. Even football players and rock stars have the practice they must go through. A little sweat doesn't mean you've made the wrong choice. Think of it this way: You're gonna sweat either way at some point--but in what setting/profession do you think it is worth doing so in general? Personally, I'd rather be sweating and bitching throughout doing my own research than while at a desk taking orders from someone else indefinitely and not making the direct impact I want to make in this world. Others might think its better to be working more directly in the field rather than doing research that may not amount to much of anything. Don't dwell on it, but make a choice and stick to it. That's pretty much what everyone else does throughout life.

This is the same thing I've heard. I asked as many female professors and grad panels about this as I could, and they all generally said the best time to have children is after the coursework, before you begin working on your dissertation, as you are generally at home most of the time anyway or in the library. You don't have a steady job anyway, and with a partner you should be fine. I'm at the age where I'd like to have children soon, and i definitely plan on doing so after the coursework phase. I don't think its fair to tell a woman that she can't and that she must choose between kids or a career. Its very doable from what I've heard, and many other women do a lot more by just working on minimum wage or as a single parent. But I must say, I am only choosing to because I have a very supportive husband who will be there to help me. If I was single, I wouldn't try to have children while in grad school (or otherwise really).

I have been playing DDR almost all night every night after work (and in between a few favorite shows). Its sooooo addictive and a great workout. Because I've gotten to the difficult levels, I probably burn like 300 cals in 30 minutes of play. It keeps me from the computer for a while and by the time I am done, I am too exhausted to even think. At work though, its hard to stop drifting to the inbox and gradcafe so I handle that by busying myself with work (and water cooler conversations) away from my desk.

I was wondering the same thing. I asked if they would be able to fund a visit, and they said no (a little annoying) so I've been delaying visiting until I can get some time off at work. I'll call the graduate school and ask tomorrow.

I'm also considering going to Rutgers. So far, it sounds pretty nice. Definitely better than Baltimore (where I live now), but not quite as nice as DC (where I am originally from). BTW, Frencrit, is Rutgers paying for you to come visit? I'd like to visit ASAP but kind of perturbed about having to pay out of pocket.

Yep, we are still awaiting on his decisions. His deadlines were later. That will also determine which program we decide on, although he is willing to relocate with me and work if necessary and re-apply later.

I was contacted by a professor I have been in close contact with at JHU. He said I wasn't accepted outright, but to hold tight because I was at the top of the waitlist and that I was very competitive and there was some sort of "duke out" but I wasn't quite good enough. He's sure that someone will not accept and I might stand another chance but you never know. There was no formal waitlist letter sent to me, so its possible they are waitlisting applicants by not contacting them yet. I got my acceptance letter from Rutgers after Valentine's day. Not sure what they are currently doing. Gender is definitely the strength at Rutgers I was looking at, and one particular professor there works on the intersectionality of Race and Gender. I met her at APSA conference last summer and her work is great. I'm also aware of the gender problem of the faculty at Rutgers, which is very ironic!

That is exactly how I am feeling. My husband is finishing his BA now (due in May) but we're not sure that he will be able to find a job if he does not get accepted (he is also applying in Econ). I am working in DC and living in Baltimore, but I am pretty sure that $1000 for an apartment would be a GREAT deal and probably a bit of a reach. Plus from what I hear from students at College Park, there is a housing shortage and the upperclassmen/grads are the first to have to leave and find off-campus housing, which they do not provide. A two-bedroom apartment in Greenbelt (just about 10 miles away) runs about $1300. The only thing holding me back is that College Park may have a better reputation than Rutgers. But not sure if the struggle is worth it... Hopefully, some others with a better idea will reply. Cool to think we may possibly be classmates soon :-)

Nocturne, you and I are so alike its not even funny. Ditto to everything, except my mother is now working on her Associates degree (she does understand it may mean higher pay at her job) and had a Secretarial Degree long ago. My father got his GED, and also died in 2006 from self-inflicted damage also (lung cancer from cigarettes, diabetes, alcoholism). My younger sister also just had a baby, but my mother for some reason wants ME to have one. (Mainly because I am married, and I'll be one of the few women in my extended family not to have a baby out of wedlock). My entire family, when I am tell them I am applying for a doctorate degree: "Didn't you finish? Why are you choosing to be in school? Do you like school or something?" And no one understands a Ph.D at all. My husband and I dropped out of college after our first year in college also (we lived separate that year sort of, and they didn't have married housing so we had to live off campus), because working and going to school was hard at first. It took me about 6 years to get my bachelors because I worked throughout, my husband has one more semester left (it will take him 7 years). We also attended community college and transferred the basic courses to save money. We lived in a crappy apartment in the sh*tty part of Baltimore (still live there now), of course, most other students are living in the out-lying suburbs in the county and wouldn't even venture towards our neighborhood (the blue-light area is commonly seen as a no-zone for students). Metrosxual, We also have the conflict with both our families: they think we are "high-sidity" and "Bougie" because of the way we dress, or the fact that I eat caprese salads and refuse to buy microwave dinners and McDonalds constantly. Though, my mother is a semi-vegetarian, I am sure I get some of that from her, and she gets it too, but she's still stuck with the canned veggies Needless to say, I am low-income and first generation. But I am aware that I've gotten where I am on my own merits, and even with disadvantages I can make my own success regardless of what school I get into. My work experiences during college were my strengths for getting a great job now, and I think for getting into graduate school also. I think without this background, I wouldn't have the perseverance I have now, nor the thick-skin and resilience it takes to bounce back and shrug off the disappointments and heartaches that come my way. Not that I don't care, but I don't stress out over life like many other wealthy students do. I love this thread. Very encouraging. :-)

With the offers that I have, I am trying to decide how much is actually necessary to survive comfortably. The first is 20,000 stipend at Rutgers in New Brunswick, NJ. (this seems fair from what I have seen; rent is pretty similar to MD) The second is 14,000 at U of Maryland in College Park, MD. (mad expensive COL, and this just doesn't seem to be enough to live off of at all) So, that being said, what stipend or fellowship did you receive to attend a doctoral program? Is it enough to adequately cover you and in what city? Can you give a quick breakdown of your expenses, and are you able to save money? Do you have to work part-time (secretly)?

Thanks, Wesson. I'll be majoring in Comparative Politics and my areas of focus are quite specialized in the sense that they are pretty rare in Poli Sci in general (not many scholars/professors work in this area, and most are only at the Ivy Leagues): Racial Politics, sub-Saharan Africa and the African Diaspora, and Gender and Development.

So far, I have gotten two acceptances at Rutgers and UMCP. Rejected at 4 others, waitlisted at 1, and awaiting decisions from 4 more. I am currently trying to choose between the two, as Rutgers has offered me an excellent full funding fellowship for 5 years and UMCP has offered me basically nothing (a stipend I couldn't possibly live off of as a GA for only 4 years and limited tuition remission). Maryland is ranked higher, but the cost of living here is outrageously high. I'm from the area, so I know what they are offering me is a joke. Rutgers has a lower ranking, but I'm wondering how low. I actually like their program better, based on reviewing their websites and faculty with very similar research to mine, but I wonder if going to Rutgers will lessen my job prospects in the future, while UMCP may better them (they have had a higher placement rate in the past than rutgers) because it is commonly seen as a good program in Govt and Politics. So I'd like your impression, because it seems that the impression the name gives heavily impacts whether a research facility/university wants to hire someone regardless of the work they have done there. Where would you rank Rutgers' Poli Sci doctoral program vs. UMCP? Or do you even view UMCP as that much better?

We applied to all the same schools, and cast a wide net. But my husband made it clear that he will move if I get in to a top school and I'd move with him if did. And then apply the next year. Either way, we'll be happy no matter what happens. SO and Career doesn't have to be mutually exclusive.

I live in Baltimore, and I'd cross that off of your list immediately. I'm a city-girl originally from DC, so I don't have too much problem with urban life. But many can't deal with the high crime, traffic and whatnot. And Baltimore's got the worst of it all. HOWEVER, if you are thinking of Johns Hopkins, it has an absolutely beautiful campus, Baltimore's only 30 minutes away from DC (a bus takes you there too), and you wouldn't even feel like you are in B-More. You may not want to venture outside that area, but its quite nice. I am applying to JH and I'd go in a heartbeat, although I hate living on the west side. Go for San Diego though.

My husband made the mistake of telling my mother-in-law that we were applying to Princeton for grad school among others. Next thing I know, a month later at Christmas uncles, BIL, SIL, etc. whenever they got the chance asked, "So I here you're going to Princeton!" with huge smiles on their faces. Talk about high expectations. I kept correcting them, but for some reason they don't quite understand the difference between applying and attending. So much pressure, I don't know how to let them down now that I've gotten the rejection letter last Friday. But I definitely won't fake it to anyone. I too wish we'd told no one that we were even applying. The way I see it, ten years from now, regardless of the school I go to, I'll be making big discoveries, giving seminars, called Dr. ________, and no one will be thinking of the rejections I got. Because really, my success is up to me (although I know the school I attend can make it harder or easier). These big dreams are what keep me going.