Jwnich1

I'm not saying to completely forget about all your commitments and flee. I do think however that picking the best program on merits is the best in the long run. It saves on tons of resentment later: the "if I'd onl gone to program X but I stayed for you" etc. All I'm saying is that this is a huge undertaking and tough choices now might actually save marriages later. This is one point of view, I'm not trying to force others to agree or lecture. It's just the product of a lot of thought on this very issue...

*the following is my opinion, take with shaker of salt* Orst - not saying this is what you're suggesting - just throwing out a warning I won't be liked for this: id say fight the urge - do NOT pick a school based on a significant other. Just don't kidlets. I know this sounds harsh but this is too much of an important, life-altering investment that takes blood, sweat and lost treasure. If you hate your program, you're not going to get through it, or get through it sane.... If you two love each other, then you'll make it work. I am in the position of having a long term s.o. - so I know the urge to pick a program that makes things easy.. But I know if I were to do that and not choose one of the two I know are better for me, eventually I'd resent it. (and probably not find a job in my subfield, at least not right away).

Your edit made my day. I've felt like posting things like that a few times! I was laughing so hard, I scared the lady sitting next to me on the train... Edit: read it as knock yourself out, as in unconscious. Work today didn't do anything for my mental state. Whoops

For what it's worth, I'd be happy to look at your SOP either now or before you reapply. I'm far from an expert, but I've got a couple cycles behind me now and I'm another pair of eyes. PM me if you're interested. I'm glad you're not giving up. Second time is a charm for lots of people. I wish you the absoulute best. Justin

Probably the absolute best package I've seen. Congrats!

I would say absolutely try to fix the GRE if you can. (Programs sometimes have unofficial cutoffs like: should score over 700 on both sections, scores over 1350 total are competitive etc). The LOR's shouldnt be an issue as long as they are strong. I'm pretty sure one of my writers hasn't published a paper in 30 years. The letter is really about content. I think that a glowing letter from No_Name_Prof is 10x better than a mediocre letter from Famous_Prof. Are your professors willing to share the gist of what they wrote? A useful phrase I picked up when asking a professor to write was "Professor X, I am [applying / reapplying] this year to graduate programs in political science. We had classes X, Y and Z together and I feel like you can accurately portray the quality of my work. Do you feel you could write me a STRONG letter of rec?" I used this approach because I've heard horror stories about professors agreeing to write LORs for students, and then ripping them apart. Of course, most profs who don't like you / your work / whatever will politely demure, telling you that you might be better served asking someone else. Edit: Don't downplay the role of the SOP either. There has been some discussion about how much fit really matters, but I'm on the side of it counting for a ton. I punched a bit above my weight where I could show fit, and got shot down at lower ranked schools where I couldn't. Flat out rejection from UMass, probable rejection from Maryland and Syracuse... admits with funding at Rochester and Madison. Make sure your SOP clearly states what you want to do, and addresses why school X is the right place for it. (It certainly can't hurt)

I completely agree here. I also had to repeat the cycle. (round 2 was EXPONENTIALLY BETTER than round 1, where I got 1 admit, no funding) - Yes I did some things to boost my competitivness (I fixed a mediocre GRE score), but I am still fundamentally the same person. If there is a weakness to your app (low GRE, a letter of rec you think might be poor or mediocre etc) then take this year to fix it, otherwise just work on focusing your SOP, and try again. Best of luck, and keep your head up! Justin

I would imagine so - did see a Rochester waitlist show up on the survey, so maybe you'll hear from them soon?

I'd also just like to chime in to say that departments "know" when you're stretching. I had positive results with schools who I made a compelling case for in my SOP. Those schools where I wasn't quite as good a fit but I tried to make the case anyway - they didn't buy it. I kinda see them like ... parents....they know when you're just trying to be clever...

That might have been the best one yet! The real question is: what are we ranking? Is it placement? faculty output? prestige? an amalgam? does this even make sense? This is like asking which car is "best"? You'll get different answers from the 20 yr old environmentalist driving a used Prius who volunteers with Green Peace, and the 60 yr old financial exec driving a Porsche....

At my old school the department used to be open on Saturday mornings. This may actually be a great time to call if people are around - not as hectic etc. I agree with everyone else. You paid in money and stress to be considered - id keep calling until I got my money's with. That kind of treatment is not on in my books.

Not trying to start another rankings discussion or be disrespectful but I'm not so sure - every school in the "top 40" has been ranked by one survey or another in the "top 20" at some point - and no survey exists that anyone likes. I'd say there's a good deal of turbulence among the 40 schools in the top 20....

I want to add my congrats as well to Ironheel!! - It's far too long in coming! @ Whirlibird - I am pretty upset at having to turn down one of the two schools that tied for "dream school" status when I was applying. I never once imagined I would need to choose between the two. (I could just barely imagine being accepted by one, let alone both) Just when I think I've pretty much made up my mind, a little niggling thought blows the choice wide open again. I am going to have to visit and keep my mind open and decide on merits, but ultimately turning one of them down will give me fits. Don't get me wrong, I see myself as truly blessed to be in this situation, and I will forever be thankful for all of the support I've received, especially here! Justin

Check out google scholar (http://scholar.google.com/), and look at citations. You will often see the same people cite each other, publish together, respond to one another etc. This is a really good rough measure of "network" - but not really scientific. Low citations can indicate irrelevance (not always the case of course!), really high numbers can indicate being part of a highly productive research group etc. edit: added link.

Balderdash - I find myself disagreeing with you a bit, provided a few more assumptions are made: If you have identified a star at a lower-ranked institution, and know ex ante that you can work with them, they are comfortable, and that they tend to place their candidates well - then I submit it is a viable plan. edit: It's still risky, but then again the whole endevour is a bit risky. Just providing an alternative point of view to consider.

you only need to fill out a FAFSA if you want to take out loans. If your funding is a fellowship / RA / TA position, you can live FAFSA free AFAIK!

To lighten the mood a bit: http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=294

Just a thought: how specific was your statement? I notice that you have IR, theory and area studies (comparative?) all listed in your sig. Did you tie them together somehow to form a specific research question / area?

The idea of taking out loans makes me a bit nervous. It very well may be worth doing however. I did see that they actively try to help find you outside funding which is nice...

Congrats! that looks fantastic. (definitely a livable sum in Madison!) - I'm sorry to hear about the FLAS not working - a real bummer. Perhaps it's just that I come from a really high cost of living area, but I'm having a hard time imagining that 11-13k will sustain me for 9 months to a year (depending on summer opportunities). Does anyone know first (or second) hand, what the quality of life is whilst living on a UWM stipend? (I'm not looking for extravagence here, but a decent apartment with roomies, food, a small social life etc)

I am trying to figure the same thing. Unfortunately my girlfriend will be in a different time zone, should I go to UWM. Congrats on the fellowship balderdash! Which one was it? (if you dont mind me asking) - I would think you'd be a great candidate for the FLAS as well...

While I agree completely with you; I will submit that we are all betting on where a department will be in 5-7ish years...

I completely agree! Rank of school isnt everything - the work / reputation of potential advisors matters a lot - especially when dealing with very specific issues. As Megan said, visiting is also important. (that top tier school in the middle of a city that accepted you may not be the place for you, if you discover your asthma acts up around lots of car exhaust....) Constantly bugging people to withdraw apps won't help. If you're on a wait list, and they withdraw eventually - you'll get your letter. If you were going to be accepted or rejected, this will happen regardless of others decisions. I wish everyone the best, and implore you to be respectful of others feelings. We just concluded (or are concluding) a tough, stressful period. I am sure the vast majority won't hoard offers until April 15.

Great idea. In addition to Rochester and Madison, I will also be visiting Illinois if anyone is going. (They set up student visits individually, so we may not be there on the same day but we can still share our thoughts.)

Alas this is going to take a massive amount of cognitive dissonance for me, since I'm interested in methods..... If the name Dirk Gently rings any bells for anyone... (too obscure?)