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I have had my share of ups and downs with this whole process. I originally was going to apply last year, but was living abroad and everything bad seemed to happen. I had to have emergency dental surgery, I was in a hospital for over a week because I got this virus and was literally almost on my death bed, etc. This year when I did apply I tried to be as organized as possible but it was somewhat chaotic at times. One of my former professors was doing field work, so it was almost impossible to reach him at almost all times. My computer got the most malicious computer virus I had ever seen and deleted all of my files a week after I submitted all my apps, so in a way I was lucky but somethings I didn't have secondary copies of so still kind of upset about this. Also, I have had a few problems with programs that have two part applications, where the program simply doesn't receive my app. even though it was sent 3 times.

^Can't win them all. Maybe I need to just re-evaluate who I choose as friends, LOL.

Just the other day, I received a rejection via snail mail and my friend says, "oh well, pittsburgh was too far away anyways," but it didn't end there they also said, "you already got accepted somewhere else so who cares". The program was my first choice.

I claim the rejection from Pitt. I tried to at least add a comment for those wondering about them. Best of luck to all of those still waiting on them, it's a solid program.

First off, good thread to start. Most of my apps are for programs outside the top 15 or 20, with the exception of Ohio State, so I feel a little bit more comfortable now. I wouldn't say you are rejected by a few of those quite yet. I know Iowa for instance typically doesn't release decisions until late Feb-mid March. I think the one post for them probably just was some exceptional candidate. The one thing I would worry about them is getting funding because they are a fairly small department and only can typically afford to fund around 6 new students.

While you do state the basics there are a number of things you should be aware of when even comparing top programs' packages. For instance, the cost of living varies by various parts of the country. More importantly though you should see how the funding is broken down. You obviously have your stipend, plus summer funding, but you also want to know if travel expenses have to be covered mostly by you when attending conferences or doing research. Is there a possibilty to receive more funding if needed during your dissertation stage? A lot of questions need to be answered to compare them. Is insurance provided as well, etc. I can tell you just by the stipend, you won't find a program in the Midwest that can really compete with it. For instance, Northwestern's stipend is usually at least 2K less than Chicago. I compare these two just because I know this and I had lived in Chicagoland for a long time.

I was told something similar when I contacted them to check if all my admission materials were in. The DGS there said admission decisions may be sent out later than normal because of program restructuring. Who knows, hopefully we'll be hearing something soon.

First off, if you are feeling uneasy about your prospects you could always apply to a program with a Feb 1st or 15th deadline. Some of the programs you mention will announce decisions by then hopefully, so you may be able to throw another app in if you really wanted to. I do think you have a fairly good range of programs though. Secondly, the GRE is typically one of the least important factors, but I will note that with applying to state schools this is often how they weed some of the apps out and how they decide funding. Lastly, I wanted to note that while your research interests do align well with faculty from each program they typically aren't the most well-known professors from each department which does help in a way. I know with OSU and Pittsburgh this is the case, because I am also applying to those programs. I do want to note something you did seem to do and all of us should consider, (I think Penelope Higgins said something similar awhile back if I recall) don't let the research method limit your search let it be more about the questions you want to answer. For instance, some of the programs you listed do seem to use more quant. methods than others. Best of luck to you.

A lot of us will have a difficult time in saying whether you have a good chance or not, because the admissions game is not an exact science. Even people that have done the process before will say you can be accepted to places like Ohio State and be denied by programs like Vanderbilt or vice versa. With that said, it looks like you are using a tactic that is quite common, personally speaking I am using a similar strategy, where you apply to a number of programs in the top 40 and hope you will have the opportunity to compare offers. As long as references and you SOP are good enough you have a chance to get into a few. Again, just look at admission statistics and you will see some of the programs you are applying to are very competitive at acceptance rates around 10% while others are less competitive at around 30 percent. That should give you an idea of your chances at various programs. Secondly, you did mention you have a low GRE, are we talking about thegradcafe low or actually low? While it really isn't a huge factor in the process, I know just by talking to a few of the programs you mention they do use cutoffs occasionally. Sorry, I couldn't be that helpful but really I think many others would mimc some of the things I mentioned.

ohsnap, Congrats!!! Hopefully, this means we will all be hearing good news soon.

I can't answer the first given I am younger but hopefully someone can, but as for the second, there are definitely a few things you can do to be ready for the process. Working on a rough draft of a SOP is always beneficial given you will come to realize that you will edit it probably at least 5 times. First, I think making a list of what you want out of the process is always helpful. This can be beneficial both for your SOP and when narrowing down programs. For instance, if you want to teach/research at a R1 institution obviously the quality of programs you look at are going to be higher than that of if you want to teach at a smaller lesser known school. Secondly, you can always start asking people about recommendations. This could cut the time down dramatically, plus you will have less stress later when applying. Finally, I think one thing that helps the most is reading. Read prospective advisors work and their profiles and possibly contact a few. I say the next thing from experience, you may think you want to work with Prof A because of similar research ideas, but they could be a total d-bag. Look up admission data for programs that interests you. Both before and after taking the GRE. Overall, I think getting organized definitely helps expedite the process the most out of anything.

Just by looking at the results survey, it seems like they are are running pretty close to what they were last year and should have decisions trickling out at the end of this month. Hopefully, you'll be hearing good news soon.

I want to mimic starlajane's comments. I had sent my scores on my test day, and all but one school had confirmed they had received them. With the other program, I contacted the department which I am applying and sent them a photocopy of my score report along with the cycle number and the date ETS sent the scores. I was told this would work and they will be able to access them now given they may have been misfiled them before. If they aren't able to locate them, ETS has said they do offer one-time exceptions to resend a score to a given institution.

First off, are you looking to get a PhD in political science, with specializations is IR and public policy, or are you looking more into a PhD in the field Public Policy, IR/International Affairs? If it's the latter your questions can probably be better asked in the government affairs forum: http://forum.thegradcafe.com/forum/11-government-affairs/ . I will note that in the latter work experience is sometimes/often more important at top programs. Secondly, since you mentioned you haven't been in the academic world for around 15 years or so, I would first recommend taking the GRE. If you have already in the past 5 years than you should be okay in this aspect. Thirdly, when it comes to recommendations. I would probably recommend that you ask people who you have taken post-grad courses with because they probably would remember you better. If you had previously written something spectacular, MA advisors may remember you but after 15 years may be retired so may not be your best bet. Also, when are you looking at applying? You may want to hold off calling if you aren't applying for the 2012-13 academic year just because programs are currently dealing with this years application season. In the meantime, I would suggest reading and researching what programs have faculty that match your academic interests if you haven't done so already. Maybe someone else can chime in on other things but hopefully for now that helps.

dimanche0859, I had used your recipe for peppermint bark over the holidays and it turned out well. Actually, I made over 400 truffles, 250 buckeyes, 250 turtles, 2 batches of the peppermint bark you listed, and then tons of cookies and I swear all my friends and family must have gained at least 5 lbs from all the treats I made. For the second batch I made, I played around with the recipe and added a little bit of green food coloring and a little bit of red food coloring to the white chocolate and the end results were great. I literally have hundreds of recipes I make and really this is because I feel like everywhere I travel gives me different ideas, but for the time being I am still sort of in holiday mode so decided to include a fairly simple sweet. Buckeyes 1/2 cup butter, melted (I typically use half margarine and half butter because it helps reduce costs) 1 pound confectioners' sugar 1 1/2 cups peanut butter (Typically most people use creamy peanut butter but you can use crunchy and it is just as good) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 tablespoon shortening Combine the butter/margarine, confectioners' sugar, peanut butter and the vanilla together and mix well. Refrigerate until the mixture is firm. Once firm take the mixture and roll it into 1 inch balls, inserting a toothpick in each one for easy dipping. Place them on either wax or parchment paper and place them back in the refrigerator. I have done this not having enough toothpicks and as long as the peanut butter mixture isn't completely frozen it can be done. While the mixture is the refrigerator set up a double boiler to melt the chocolate chips and shortening, stirring constantly. You can also do this in the microwave but be cautious and only microwave the mixture in 20 second intervals or so, so the chocolate doesn't burn. Take each peanut butter ball and dip it into the melted chocolate. Be careful to leave a small uncovered area so balls resemble buckeyes. Place the buckeyes back on waxed paper and take out the toothpick. You can then use your finger to blend in the toothpick hole. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm and enjoy.

cunninlynguist, you must have read my mind. I just submitted the FAFSA. Hopefully, I won't need any loans but really that depends on my options, since I know some of the programs are more stingy than others.

balderdash, at first when reading your post I was getting freaked out thinking they messed up your application entirely. I know they don't have a very cheap application, so it's definitely good to hear they got it together. Looking at the results survey, it looks like they have some time to get everything organized though before they start making and sending out decisions.

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Hopefully, everyone has had a good holiday season. A little less than a month until results start coming in, and hopefully we will all start hearing good news.

Just got a confirmation message saying that my transcripts and final LOR's were received. Now onto waiting impatiently for about a month.

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