Jwnich1

Probably still to early to tell. Perhaps your acquaintance was on the top of the pile - at this point, who knows?

We are getting really close to when programs in my field traditionally start replying to applicants...but we're not QUITE there yet (Maybe another week, to 10 days). I've haven't been so anxious in years!

I wouldn't feel too bad. Although I applied to >10 schools - it all depends on your overall strategy. If you apply to 15 schools and that corresponds to the top 15 programs, well... You see where I'm going. If you applied to 8 over the top 30 or 40 - you probably have a greater chance of acceptance than the first example. It also depends on how good a fit the schools you applied to are, and how competitive your field is overall. I wouldn't worry about anything yet. Positive thoughts, and the best of luck! Justin

A Monty Python AND P.G. Wodehouse fan? or am I reading too much in to it?

I think anytime between now (possibly still a bit early) and mid February is the "sweet spot" for us political scientists. I am getting increasingly nervous as we move towards Feb.

As the owner of a quality dutch oven (Staub, but it was a close call with le cruset) - I can vouch for the fact that it saves TONS of money in the long run. I made turkey chili last night, that will probably do for 3 or 4 dinners. Definitely look for it on sale though; there are tons of great deals (I got mine as a factory second, for about half of retail). Best of luck with your results!

How about Transnistria - a breakaway state that decided they would rather remain Communist and broke away from Moldova! Another fun (former) Communist country fact: Belarus' security service is still called the KGB.

The country of Andorra has 2 co-princes: the President of France, and the Bishop of Urgell (a diocese is Catalonia).

^ I completely agree with this. I've seen minor typos in financial documents, published SCOTUS opinions, endless books, scholarly articles and journals etc. I firmly believe that you read what you "want" to read, not what is actually typed. (i.e. we expect a certain word, and see it, whether or not it is correctly spelled), unless we are scrutinizing something with a fine-tooth comb. While this makes us our own worst editor, I think it also means there's a fair chance that with ad-coms reading through hundreds of applications, it won't get a second look unless its egregious. The kicker: I once saw a (sucessful) application to a top 10 law school: beautifully typed, but with a minor correction in white-out. The individual who submitted it is smart, talented and now a sucessful lawyer, and this apparently did not detract, or at least not enough to deny entry. We're all human, and we all make mistakes. As much as I wish it wasn't true! Best of luck, Justin

BreathingSister - I found the criticism of my undergraduate institution in most areas to be undeserved. While I was never a grad student there, I took a few grad courses, knew a lot of professors and had some grad friends. None spoke poorly of it's quality of education or professors. I'd be more than happy to answer any specific questions or concerns, just PM me!

Indeed, something must change. I am extremely grateful to have a good job in this economy, but I definitely took a side route and now need to return to my plan while I still can. I am slightly jealous that there are Masters / Post-Bacc options for science students. These options are few and far between for the social sciences as far as I can tell. Perhaps I'm wrong?

Or perhaps, in the spirit of intellectual discovery, they'll find your new viewpoint refreshing? If this makes sense to you, then I'd say take the chance and run with it. It sounds like your professor really wants you to attend his program, especially if he asked you to apply and is on the ad-com. I think there's a lot to be said for personal conenctions like that. Best, Justin

That seems like quite a let down. Perhaps phrasing it differently would have been nice. Just remember - I'm sure you will be accepted to one of your other programs. (As foucaultmania said - its all about research interests!), plus now you definitely have a program to attend should the unthinkable happen. I know this is not much of a consolation, but it's not a disaster! Best of luck with your remaining applications! Justin

I completely understand this feeling. My current job drains me, and isn't anywhere near political science - so I feel tired, and sincerely want to return to my field. I really want this and my biggest fear right now is across the board rejection. This has recently been heightened by a couple things. A) One of the schools I've applied to has started to contact their top picks, and all I've heard is silence. I'm slightly mollified by the fact that while I'm a good fit for several professors, I'm not an excellent fit for the department. Exactly one year ago from yesterday/today - people started hearing back from my top choice. So far - slience (however, I don't think anyones heard back from them yet)

A certain cookie from a local bakery. My mom used to buy one for me if I'd done something outstanding.

Hi icthere, Not coming from a field where interviews are the norm, dont take my response as fact. Having said that, I would definitely apply! Any number of things could have happened. Yes, he could have decided he wanted nothing to do with you, and dropped your conversation - but this seems highly unlikely. What seems more likely is any number of things: He is super busy apply for a grant, totally forgot to reply when he meant to ,went on sabbatical and didnt tell you etc etc etc. The bottom line as I see it, is that if you don't apply, you'll never know. If you do, the VERY worst thing that could happen, is you end up right where you are now. Good luck! Justin

I have considered this but ultimately I want to teach and conduct research in an academic setting. The causes of war are still a big, unanswered fundamental question in the field, which I want to work on. Whirlibird - thanks for the words of encouragement, I look forward to cheering tou on as well! What are your primary areas of interest?

I had a similar situation after a poor showing in the 2010 cycle. I feel caught between a rock and a hard spot now, because I took a job out of the field that pays well, but takes up all of my time and doesn't match my interests at all. My plan B would nesscitate moving to a different job to provide more flexibility. I'm at the intersection of methodology, political psychology and IR. Very interested in the causes of war, and crisis bargaining, which bleed in to all of those areas. A fulbright would be an amazing opportunity. Thanks for the ideas! - I really hope I don't need to act on any of them, and I feel very good about this years prospects, but I like to feel like I'm in control of my future too. Best, Justin

Nope, although every time my iPhone vibrates, I jump a foot. I'm really starting to resent all of the silly e-mails I get....

I feel like it's very hard for the social sciences to find intermediate positions. I've seen a lot of listings online for research assistant posts for the hard sciences that only require a bachelors. This route seems like a great opportunity to build a CV. I suppose if I don't get accepted, I'll see if i can attend conferences, maybe start an article etc. I am trying to keep a positive attitude, but I believe in being prepared. Good luck to all! --Justin

So as a second time applicant, abeit with a much stronger application this time, I'm nervous. Sitting around waiting for decisions, really puts my nerves on edge. I'm starting to consider what happens if I'm rejected again; determining a plan B. At first thought, taking courses at a local university, trying to work my way in to a research assistant post etc.crossed my mind. It seems to me though that most local schools won't let me simply "take courses" and most research posts in my field, no matter how junior, require you to have or work towards an advanced degree. Bottom line: What is a political science junkie supposed to do, if he can't get himself in to a PhD program this year? I worked hard, and fervently hope I make it, and I wish everyone else the best, but whose started to think about alternatives?

I'm sort of facebook'd out. As an undergrad, I was an avid facebook user, but now I hardly use it. In the final calculus, I would rather have a hearty congrats from friends (I'm actually friends with) in person. I'd imagine that announcing acceptances in person is also a great way to get a beer bought for you Good luck everyone!

Hi AA24L, I'm in a very similar situation. Looking at IR/Methodology but have a similar GRE Quant score. The impression I've gotten from my undergrad professors is that the GRE is becoming a less valuable tool every year, and that a good number of schools are treating it as a rough first filter (i.e. you combined score hits or exceeds some arbitrary cutoff and you need not worry, otherwise the rest of your app may need to "make up for it" somehow.) The bottom line is that not many schools will reject you on the GRE alone, and if they did (or accepted you on the same basis), would you want to go there anyway? Best of luck, Justin