Jwnich1

I've made firm plans to attend UW-Madison and Rochester. Can I expect to see any of you at either? Edit: feel free to PM me if you dont want to post here!

I've been a cube dweller too long now (ok less than 2 years, but it feels like an eternity) - everything at work is shrouded in secrecy...you must never ask anyone else their salary etc.

Very much off topic! My apologies as well! I did much the same thing. It was what I did after the stress of writing my SOP. If some of us end up in the same program, I can tell what some evenings are going to be used for! (assuming there is ANY downtime whatsoever)

Don't give up yet! there is still hope - I've heard it a million times: fit is THE more important thing. I am sending my best wishes!

This is very true - I think this year there may be some divergence though. Another (very unscientific!) look at people on the market from the CHYMPS programs shows that Princeton has a TON of theorists on the market. They seem to have a bit of a glut in that regard. Maybe they'll focus more on other subfields? (Also maybe wishful thinking)

Hmm perhaps a bit understated then. I was going off of an unscientific look at the survey. A quick look at The survey of graduate schools survey (GSS) indicates 17 incoming students in 2007. Princetons own web page says they admit on average 40 but over time are aiming to admit 20. (whatever that really means). Good call! My mistake! I was thinking in terms of incoming not acceptances. Although I'd imagine it would be hard to turn down Princeton (personal feelings getting in the way of objectivity perhaps!)

They seem pretty consistent around the 20th of Feb each year (judging by the survey, and we all know how that turned out on Friday). My educated guess is that there will be no news on Monday, but Tuesday and Wednesday are prime for some acceptances. I've heard they admit a relatively large # of people, maybe 15 - 20. I take it you're anxiously waiting for them too?

Thanks! Absolutely brilliant TV - best I've seen in a long time. I wish there were more than 6 episodes though. Season 3 promises to be fantastic, but at only 3 a season, there are long gaps to fill. I do love his name. I've got to say I thought I was probably the only one obsessed with relatively obscure British TV (well, obscure if you're in the States!)

Completely agreed. However they also include an APSA membership, conference travel etc. I'm wondering how it compares when you also factor in the lowish cost of living in Wisconsin. Is this a topic we can broach whilst visiting? (ask other grads how living on the stipend works out)

Yes I just saw it last week, did you enjoy it? I heard they're considering turning it in to a "young Morse" series. I need something to fill the void now that I've seen all of Sherlock - maybe this will do it.

Father is British and left school at 16. Through a long chain of events (and a lot of self learning) he's been quite successful Mom is a college grad, with 3 masters degrees to her name, and will be in starting a PhD program in a different field. Also: Inspector Morse is amazing. As is Lewis on his own. - and of course my favorite Midsommer Murders.

In my conversation with Wisconsin, they were adamant that their health care was worth the differential between their stipend and most others. (a fact repeated in the letter) Does anyone know what the deal is? (low / no copay, prescription drug plan etc?) FWIW some googling revealed that Wisconsin is notoriously stingy with stipends (blog entries by students in other depts etc)

I try to reply to each of them. I think it's only polite to acknowledge it. I know some feel like this may "lead programs on" but given the competitive pool- the prevailing wisdom is that they'll "move on quickly"

Agreed. I have a feeling that the people who gravitate to gradcafe will do great things. I'm just amazed at the shift in rankings prestige. (and associated confusion). I've even heard "The Fall of Chicago" referenced. Anyway my musings aside. Thank you for the comforting words.

Thanks for the useful advice! I have such a weird mix of admits and rejects that I'm having more and more trouble deciding as I keep doing research. What seemed like a clear cut choice no longer is. Unfortunately I've been out of school for a few years, so I no longer have an advisor, just the interwebs. Best of luck to all!

I'm another one on this line. Since I've double majored in economics and took some formal theory classes - I've tended towards a more IR - centric approach. Still a hard line to walk!

RWBG - this is precisely my point (admittedly I made it badly). None of the ranking are really accurate when there is a specialization or focus beyond broad subfield. In the end is placement not the most important thing for us in the end? (not the only of course!)

I'm sorry to hear this guys. I am still waiting for an up or down vote. Waits killin me.

I sent the OP a private message about this but for everyone else consider Rutgers for Marx / critical theory. They have Steven Bronner and several others.

Guys no offense but messages like this aren't helpful. I mean no offense but it's way too early in the cycle to make firm decisions - and rank isn't everything. I know this is a stressful time for everyone but entreaties like this only add to it.

I've heard the same. One professor told me that this has been the strongest applicant pool in many years. Perhaps everyone is told this - just relating my experience.

Imagine for instance a hypothetical candidate trying to decide between Rochester (top 10 - 20 in S rankings, 20 - 30 in R rankings) vs UW - Madison which is almost exactly vice versa. Aside from all of the other factors, which one is "more highly ranked". I'd say it's a toss up. thoughts? Edit: I picked these schools because they are illustrative of a situation where R and S diverge significantly. (and USNWR throws it all off by ranking them almost exactly the same). I'm not trolling or trying to start a "this school is better" war.

In the end it would seem that S is more important than R for rankings for the purposes you mentioned. In the end does actual quality "matter" as much for placement purposes as quality as perceived by a search committee? (assuming that the skills imparted by any ~top 30 program will be roughly the same by subfield / interest)

Congratulations! Have you seen the Yale campus? It's gorgeous!

There was concern about Rochester as well, but I will lay that to rest and claim one.