IRToni

Wanting doesn't make it happen, unfortunately. How is time running out? Honestly, I believe that as long as you're so fixated on getting this one thing, you won't be happy. Let's say you meet Mr. Perfect (whatever that is...) tomorrow. Would you be happy then? Or would you keep pushing/worrying about getting married, and therefore be unhappy? You guys marry, you don't get pregnant instantly. Same worrying/being unhappy. You do get pregnant, and suddenly have everything you ever wanted. Are you happy? If your happiness is dependent on external circumstances, you'll never truly be happy! Because of health issues, I am currently not allowed to do sports, which usually is my major group hobby. This just means that I looked for something else to do, and now go to a board game evening twice a week. There's a cool core group that I see almost every time, but also new people to meet. I'm actively NOT looking for a BF, because I know I'll be leaving again soon. Most of my co-workers are in relationships, and many of my best friends are as well. While it sometimes can be annoying, if all they ever talk about is their SO, if they do annoy me, I talk to them about it. Mostly, I'm happy they are happy, but I'm also glad I don't have to take someone else into consideration at this point. Seriously? He didn't pay, so that's a major Nono? Why should he pay? Why don't you pay? Aren't you impolite not to offer to pay? You have a job, right? It's not like (in the old days), when guys had to pay because women didn't have an income. Also, you don't have to decide right now if you're into him (though, if you have to think, you're probably not, at least not at this point).

I thought M was for Michigan! When I didn't freak about not hearing from Columbia yet, I realized I probably didn't wanna go there as badly as expected. If, by some miracle, I do get accepted (did any IR people hear back yet?), it'll be a discussion, cause I'd love living in NYC, but...

Two CP admits popping up, one WL (no subfield mentioned). Judging from last year's numbers, they can't be done admitting yet, though!

Congrats! You really are crushing this cycle!

Congrats to all the Columbia admits so far! Last year, they sent out two rounds of admits+ one round of WL admits, wondering what's happening this year!

My offer didn't mention health insurance, but actually includes health insurance, so I'd just ask!

Cal-Tech doesn't even have a PoliSci PhD. It's a niche program, even more niche than Rochester, in my opinion. It's amazing at what it does, but completely disregards at least 70% of the discipline!

I wouldn't agree with this. Don't know about the US, but in Germany, a degree from Harvard/stanford would at least get you an interview, pretty much independent of your other stuff, whereas a degree from UCSD or Michigan (e.g.) would probably not give you an interview, so they'd look at what you've done/your skills etc.

I've been wondering about that. Consensus seems to be either Columbia or California (for Berkeley), although apparently it used to stand for Chicago, which has experienced a huge drop in the last 20 yers or so.

Wouldn't Murphy's law suggest that they'd be calling you, then? Considering you have these hiccups etc.

I would agree with this. CHYMPS is often thrown around as being in a class of its own, at least in terms of name recognition, but if anything, I would say it's more like Tier 1A and Tier 1B than Tier 1 and 2. It does, however, also depend on what you're looking at. I think programs are diverse enough that within those most differences depend more on what you get out of it!

Did you have an interview? Mine still says "Under consideration by department", but then again, the graduate school withdrew it before reinstating, so might take longer!

Is this the study you're referencing? http://chronicle.com/article/PhDs-From-Top/136113/ If so, it actually says that 11 programs get 50% of the hires. I think, the first four (Princeton, Stanford, Michigan, Harvard, not in this order) get 50% of these, while the next 7 (including UCSD, Yale etc) get another 50% (of those 50%), meaning each of these groups gets 25%. This would mean that there is some sort of cut-off after 11 (the top-10).

The last couple years, many people included an offer for PM. Don't give up hope just yet, though, all you need is one!

You're right. Your first choice is lower-ranked than I expected, though placement is much better than rank would expect. I would wait for your actual first choice to send out decisions (should be soon, right?), and if you don't get in, approach uni A about possibly upping your funding offer!

Didn't all of the UCs sign the agreement? Or is the deadline for admission, not the financial offer (UCLA doesn't fund everyone, do they?). Strange!

Adding Stanford in the mix here! We're also still awaiting the official Chicago blood bath!

In the case of Phd admissions, most schools do actually follow this rule to the letter, i.e. the 15th tends to be the due date. However, many schools regularly send reminder emails to their admittees to please let the school know if they are sure they're rejecting the offer, so that traditionally, many school's WL decisions have happened around the end of March already (see the results page)!

How large is the difference in ranking? I suspect I know which programs you're talking about, and my feeling would be that unfortunately, the difference in ranking is large enough that your chances for success are quite low. However, it doesn't hurt to ask, and I can't imagine that asking would have any negative ramifications for you. Since it seems that one is a clear favorite of yours, I would make them aware of this. However, I would wait for other decisions to come in, and see whether the situation remains the same.

Does this then equal only 4 years of guaranteed funding? That would be a red flag for me, since average time to completion is closer to 6 or 7 at most places, and 5 years of funding should be standard! Regarding TA/stipend: Depends on the school! State schools tend to have more TA commitments than private ones, for obvious reasons. I would say TA-ing in years 1+2 might be annoying, since you're still taking classes (especially year 1 TA-ing might be difficult), though people have managed before! I would say a good offer is one that guarantees funding for 5 years, doesn't unduly burden you to TA (different people have different opinions on this), and provides enough money for you to live on (expected)! Check out COL estimators etc. for this aspect! Also look at what kind of health insurance and fees are included in the package, as this might make an important difference in your take-home stipend/money!

I did it with my external fellowship, basically. I would write whomever sent you the financial offer, in the following vein (and only if it really is one of your top choices, BTW). "Thanks for your offer of admission, I am very excited to be learning more about your program. ... school is one of my top choices. However, naturally, I am also concerned with finances, as I will be committing to a program for 5 years. This program (preferably one that the school perceives at least as equally ranked/reputable, you probably won't get a better offer from Princeton when you show them your an offer from a T-25, e.g.) has offered me... in terms of funding. Is there any flexibility in your budget to match this offer? (It also might not help to identify certain things you'd like to have, e.g. provide me with 4 summers of funding/increase professional development funds?)." Nice, respectful and honest seems to be the way to go here. They won't rescind your offer, the worst thing that'll happen is that they tell you they don't have the leeway to do that, or explain why their funding stretches further than you expect (e.g. health insurance)

That's what I heard as well. Also note that some schools won't do that at all (Michigan basically said: Everyone gets the same stipend), while others will match offers to some degree, taking cost of living etc. into account. While many schools don't have much flexibility in their basic stipend, they might add guaranteed summer funding, decrease TA commitments etc. Having an external fellowship can also help with negotiations, since some schools are willing to add at least a portion of what they are saving because of the fellowship to your stipend etc. (happened for me).

Thanks, guys! I also have another question: People talk a lot about "accruing credit scores", which apparently only works through taking out loans/credit cards and paying them back? How exactly does this system work? And what do you need credit for?

You should do that, especially as you have other amazing options for AP!

Just had a really strange, rattling nightmare! Got rejected by Columbia, and got a WL from Stanford for an MA, complete with fake numbers and everything! Soo strange, because it was so very specific (and made up a program that doesn't exist at Stanford, since I was WL at a joint PoliSci/Sociology M.A., which also doesn't make any sense whatsoever for my interests!). Good thing I don't believe in premonitions!