dhekiya

Thx guys for ur advice!

I had set my mind on going to Chicago but recently got an admission from Boston and Im in a huge dilemma. My interest is in Poli sci, more specifically the political changes in Egypt n the Middle East and the role of the civil society/org in these changes. The issue of secularism and Islamic society are obviously going to be a big deal in this resarch. Both Chicago and Boston have a good faculty in the area. Boston is fully funded with a 20k yr stipend. For Chicago I will have to come up with an additional 40k or more for one yr altho i got half scholarship. Obviously the financial perks of BU matter a lot but Ive heard that MAPSS has high chances of securing a god PhD program (albeit proly in2015 Fall adlnd well, Im not getting any younger). Chicago also has, lets face it, more prestige. Any advice? Thx!!!

If I don't have a specific thesis layout yet... would it be best not to set up meetings with professors during the Campus Day? I just don't want to make a fool of myself before even classes begin. But on the other hand, I feel like I should come up with 'something' just for the sake of meeting them in advance. What would you guys advise? Meet potential advisors in April? Or charm them once school starts? Also, how big are the classes the MAPSS students take? Is it a small number of students for each class? I'm sure it depends on the classes, but just roughly? Thx!

Hey~ I had an acceptance letter from U of C at their MAPSS (got rejected from their PhD in Poli Sci) and after I've emailed BU to find out if they had a decision made abt my application, I received quite a positive letter from the DGS telling me that they liked my file but were not sure if I were a good fit because the professor I wrote I wanted to work with was going to retire. So now I'm torn... on the one hand, Chicago is more prestigious than BU I guess. But on the other hand, assuming BU still intends on accepting me if I tell them I'm willing to work with another faculty member, then I have at least the next 5 yrs secured, while with the MAPSS I'll have to go through hell once again to figure out what to do next in my life after 1 yr. Another thing is funding. I'm not sure if BU would be willing to offer me full funding... I got half tuition funding at MAPSS... Any advice? Any insight will be greatly appreciated. Thx!

Thx for the great responses. Is there any other graduate housing on campus besides the International House? How certain and accurate do you have to be about the topic of your thesis when starting the program? Do most students come with a specific idea of what they want to write about? Thx again!

All right, thx for the advice! I will do that.

Hey, has anyone heard from Boston U for their PhD program in Poli Sci? I know from the research results that some have, but the number seemed too small. I was wondering if anyone knew what's going on there... Thx!

Wow, this thread has been extremely helpful. I'm planning to go to the Campus visit. Is it best that I contact the professors I am interested working with in advance to set up a meeting? I guess I'll have to prepare specific questions for these professors, right? What are the three days of Campus visit like? Also, on perhaps a less important note, will I have to wear smth formal at some point during the visit? Like the reception or smth.

I applied to a PhD program at UC, got rejected, but got an offer for MAPSS instead. Pretty excited still, since all my other applications didn't work out. I'm planning to check out the Campus visit. Anyone else going there? Any advise from pple who have been there? Thx in advance!

oh my god April??? What's taking them so long? geez.... thx for the info!!!!

I've had most of my results so far, and since they are ALL rejections, I only have these two schools left. On the one hand, me thinks it's time to look for a job, on the other, I have this tiny bit of hope. Does anyone know if their decision for the PhD program has been all out? I know some have received notifications from one or the other (by the way, BU = Boston U.), but there doesn't seem to be too many on the forum. I just want to make absolutely sure before I go through another hell that is the job market...

I think I overestimated myself... applied to too high-ranking schools (although at the time I didn't think so). But then, if I could go way back, I would have studied better in undergrad (altho I redeemed myself in my MA,but that doesn't seem to count), would have published papers, would have done more research in my area of interest, blah blah The list never ends.