Jwnich1

Guys don't forget that Monday is a national holiday here in the US. I doubt we'll hear anything Monday.

I just want this process to end. It's nervewracking.

I really do hate trolls. Alas the price we pay for the ease of internet communication. I hope whoever it is isn't laughing too hard

I agree. Doesn't make me any less nervous now that I see more Princeton results showing up... anyone want to claim any of them?

From the msot recent post on the survey: "Ok, I'm done trolling. I had fun watching you losers have a meltdown lol. The Princeton post were mine too, so suck it, you hippy wannabe grad students :-)" I think we have our answer.....

Seems odd that they claim email from POI and all happened in a flash. What would their motivation be for blasting out those emails all at once? at EXACTLY the same time?

I agree, this seems sorta fishy. 4 in a flash, and now nothing?

If the survey is to be believed, Princeton just moved very fast. Acceptances and wait-lists out. Thoughts on holding out hope?

And the first Princeton acceptance just went up - and my inbox is empty....

All the ones accepted seem to be for American politics - perhaps they accepted the other subfields but American got left behind?

As 4 o'clock ticks by here on the east coast, is anyone else starting to get anxious about Princeton?

I wasn't trying to sound callous, my argument was that the GRE is only a signal, and not predictive beyond that. I think you are case in point - you may have a lowish quant score, but it's being compensated for. A lot of the GRE comes down to circumstances (a stressful, timed test, taken once is not a very good indicator in my opinion), and other parts of applications can make up for it. Congrats on the acceptances! Justin

Hang in there! - fit is huge, as well as availability. Say your interest is in political theory with a focus on Marx (just throwing out an example) - well if school X's Marx scholar is already drowning in advisees, you're in trouble. The process is EXTREMELY opaque, just as Megan said.

I agree with you in principle, and being part of the process this year, certainly hate the uncertainty. Just to clarify, I meant that a larger pool of test takers will (in your example) reduce c - as there is more data to compare against an applicants score, the value of c will tend towards 0 (assuming that the shift in format did not structurally weaken the test) - as the test is tested (pun intended!) I contend is that while the test has predictive value, there is little if any predictive value by score. I see it as a 0 or 1 outcome. If you put time in to the process, spend lots of time studying etc then you'll get a score that triggers a signal (a 1), else 0. Schools see this and see it as the signal being sent. (As there is strong evidence that intelligence and GRE score are not nessecarily linked) - it is precisely the disaggregation of this signal (time spent preparing, dedication, tenacity etc) that could prove predictive. This is what leads me to believe there are other factors at play this season. From what I've heard (second hand admittedly), the GRE just isnt given that much weight: a popular phrase I"ve heard is: "A great GRE score won't get you in to a program, but a poor one will probably keep you out" Does your experience differ? Either way - it looks like the process is almost over, and I wish you the best of luck as it comes to a close! Justin

I definitely see your point about the new untested system, however this should be ameliorated as the pool of applicants who have taken it grow. I think my feelings regarding the GRE are more binary than yours - there has been a lot of disagreement over how predictive the GRE is - and while I'm inclined to agree that it has predictive value, I think of it more as a threshold. (i.e. you send the signal, or not) I've seen a lot of variations on "sucessful applicants traditionally score over 700 on at least one section of the GRE" or "Applicants with scores over 1350/1400, are more likely to be sucessful" This leads me to suspect that schools see a good score on the GRE aspredictive to some degree, but after a point gains made at the margin speak more to luck, nutrition, and hours slept the night before etc. If I recall correctly the difference between a 650 and 700 (verbal) on the old test was only 5 - 6 questions - not a huge variance but the difference between 92% (i think) and around 97%.

While I mostly agree with you, I'm not sure the new GRE provides "less" information per se. Just as with the SAT, I suspect it is viewed as a costly signal. (a contention, if i remember correctly, someone else brought up on this forum) If you do well on the GRE, it's a strong signal that you have capital sunk in the process. (If you don't of course, it can be mitigated by other factors!). GPA is also a great signal, but again - not the whole picture. The process this year is driving me nuts, but if leads to better outcomes for everyone, then I'm happy in the end. Best wishes to all! Justin Edited: to address GPA, clean up text.

Meant to put this together with my above post, but not enough coffee yet today. Keep your head up Snow Fox!, I got good news from a school I thought was done sending acceptances (from looking at the survey), I hadn't gotten an interview request from (as some reported) etc. This season seems to be abnormal in that acceptances aren't flowing out all at once, or even at roughly the same time. To quote a cliche: it aint over till its over...

Congrats! ~ if we're thinking the same incident, I know what you mean. I look forward to discussing the cycle and starting a new chapter of my life in the fall, but until I have signed on the dotted line and paid my deposit, I am weary of putting too much information online.

You caught me. Just want to add my best wishes for everyone, I know this is a stressful time! Looking forward to hearing back from Princeton today (fingers crossed) Edit: Perhaps some don't want to claim admits etc in a semi public place. I know it seems paranoid, but nothing is stopping POI's, adcom memebers etc from reading this. Just a thought....

Lion is definitely worth it, IF you have >2 GB of RAM. Lion has been a great upgrade to my 2008 MBP BUT I've got 8GB of RAM. If you're going to upgrade your computer before school, I'd hold off and get it preloaded on a new model. If on the other hand, you're going to be taking your current system it with you, it's probably worth it. Best, Justin

Bredth can be a really good thing! At this point it could indicate that you have diverse interests, and that while you are starting to specialize, you won't go in to a program with blinders on.

I almost lost it with anxiety - but there are relaxation techniques etc that have helped. I've significantly changed my diet, gone to the gym more, etc - it's important to burn off the excess energy that the adrenaline from anxiety is providing. I also found it insanely important to laugh - time with family and friends has been ultra important. In the end, I just had to recognize that I'd done my absolute best with the apps, and now it was completely out of my hands.

^ Was thinking about the same thing. I want to do something low key with my friends and family.

^ I couldnt say it better myself. My first application season was a...disappointment to say the least. The current season seems to be shaping up much better. I am the same person: sure I improved my app here and there, did what I could etc. Deep down though, I'm the same applicant. Don't doubt yourself, or feel hopeless - there are so many factors totally beyond our control! You still have 50% of your apps outstanding, so wait and see. Even if you need to reapply next season, you will get there!

To join the chorus: same situation here. My girlfriend has been working on her masters in VT, in the nonprofit field. my field is political science, but I've been working in finance in NYC between undergrad and starting grad school in Fall 2012. While this has made for rough times, it has made us stronger. I do not relish continuing the long distance bit, especially now since it just ended, but I'm sure we'll work through it! Guys, if it's meant to be - it will work out. I used to hate people saying that to me, but worry gets you nowhere. I wish all of you the best! Justin