CGMJ

I assume you're planning to talk about your experience with these orgs in your statement, since it's part of your background? If so, perhaps you can work in a hint about this when talking about future research goals. For example, discuss your work with these organizations and how it had shaped your current research, and then say something about how you're interested in applying polisci theory/methods to similar questions. However, if it were me I would avoid explicitly talking about any financing or specific plans, since I think you're right that many programs avoid candidates who sounds too wedded to the policy/implementation world. For some professors, however, the knowledge that you already have connections with donors/NGOs will positively signal potential for future research/funding opportunities without having to say it explicitly. But maybe people have different thoughts...

Ditto! You can demonstrate writing abilities in your SOP and writing sample.

I agree with cooperstreet, take the GREs again if you have time and focus on the quant section. It will likely make a big difference in your application and it's one of the few things you may still have control over improving.

I agree with everyone above; I also did a Masters in the UK and changed to the British spelling while there (which incidentally stuck so now I spell words incorrectly in the US ). But I think the more important issue is that you want to avoid anything that makes the reader focus on your spelling/writing/typesetting rather than on your content!

I would say that the best place to address any low grades issues is in a LOR; I would completely avoid it in the SOP. However, it would be odd not to mention your science background in the SOP as part of the framework for your intellectual development/current interests. Don't spend too much space on this, but you could begin with what drew you to the social sciences (in contrast to the natural sciences?). Perhaps your scientific training has informed your research questions or given you a different perspective on topics and/or methods? Good luck!

Hahaha, yes. I wonder if they'll be dropping the acronym!

I agree with peternewman89, Quigley and Lemeard. The whole process is incredibly stochastic and it's impossible to say what will matter most to a particular admissions committee at a particular school on the particular day they happen to review your application. It's certainly not an overall deal-breaker, but the rest of the application will have to be strong if you're hoping to beat the odds at the most competitive programs. I had a relatively low quant score of 154 and was lucky enough to be accepted to a top 10 program--though I would be surprised if the score wasn't a factor in my low overall acceptance rate of 2/16.

We are all impressed

Do you mean other than http://www.poliscirumors.com/ ?

That would be really helpful!

Congrats to all the new admits!

Congrats!!!

I'm waiting on UCLA and Harvard. I emailed Harvard but haven't gotten a response (I'm sure Thom has gotten hundreds of emails since people started posting that he emailed them their rejections, so he's probably just backed up!).

This is immensely helpful, thanks!

Sorry to hear that! And good luck with UNC, there's still hope!

Thanks! This is what I was told as well. I would assume the remaining offers will have less funding than the first round (or be wait listed for funding), but if anyone has heard anything different, please do share!

Maybe it's a good sign? (i.e., some sort of informal wait list?) That's what I'm hoping about UCLA...

No idea about the other spots, the letter was fairly vague and said more details would follow. There are a bunch of great people at Georgetown, but I would like to work with Heydemann and Brumberg in particular (my focus is on MENA).

Thanks raptureonfire and everyone else too! I applied for comparative. And in case anyone is wondering, the status on Georgetown applyyourself hasn't changed.

Thanks! I feel super lucky after so many rejections!

In at Georgetown with assistantship (though not sure how much, no details in letter)!

Exactly! And really excited about UCSD.

Has anyone claimed the lone Georgetown rejection? Seems odd...

Yes! And thankfully they notified early, otherwise I would be a wreck after 12 straight rejections... Still holding out hope for UCLA, but they may be waiting to see how many people decline their offers before making final decisions.

Out at NYU, not a surprise at this point.