whirlibird

Hey guys. Duke's sending out more acceptances, apparently. I'm excited to claim one of them, and hope that there's good news for everyone else, too! We'd be an awesome cohort...just saying.

It ain't over 'til it's over! And we don't need no stinking badges! What are some other ones to throw in...uh... Of course I'm serious. And don't call me Shirley. You. Shall not. PASS! All right, I'm done. Sometimes just being ridiculous is, I think, the best course of action.

Bahhhh...I've decided that, while we all just want to know SOMETHING...the hoping game is harder than the waiting game. It's more cruel. [insert comic sniffling here]

Same here, dudes. Well, here's to optimism for the rest!

This is all really wonderful advice. Thanks, Realist, for not only emphasizing being honest and being nice, but for actually walking the talk with this post. That we should be fortunate enough to be in your position one day, and that we should follow your example and shoot straight with the next generation of hopefuls.

Howdy, polisciftw! I actually do have a question. I'm working full-time abroad and don't think that I'll be able to make any accepted students weekends (assuming I'm accepted to more than one place). What's the best way to get an accurate feel for a department without attending? I'm sure email is always helpful, but do you have any other suggestions for someone unable to make it to the big shindig? Thanks!

That's really terrible, balderdash. You just give us the signal, and we'll go all gradcafe on this jerk. Hot coffee/comments. Imagine the damage. But, in all seriousness, that's some major sass, and that guy deserves a swift kick.

Haha! True, true! For what it's worth, I'll care what you have to say/shout.

Don't you love how this doesn't dissuade any of us? Maybe there's just something wrong with us all...

CP/IR and, for programs with third field requirements (which I am all about), Theory. My applications were specifically for programs that, at least [nominally] encourage reaching across sub-disciplinary lines, since my research interests lie in the influence of domestic politics on foreign policy (CP/IR) and definitions/conceptualizations of regime types, particularly democracy (CP/Theory). It's really cool to hear what everyone's pursuing.

This is all super exciting! No movement anywhere that I applied yet, but I'm just pumped that things are heating up. Congrats, everybody! Well done!

Just wanted to acknowledge our super sweet mind link on this one, brent. Simultaneous for the win.

Haha, amen, tergellian. We should ask our friends over in the Physics forums whether it's actually a proven fact that time slows down while you're waiting to hear back on admissions decisions...

Yessssssss someone understands me!

Hey, guys! Welcome (formally) to the party! I love how things are really heating up now. Whoo! Yeah, and it must also depend for many departments on what the cohort composition was like in years previous, because of advisor distribution, etc. and having certain numbers of students in courses, or what have you. If they took a bajillion IR kids last year they might only take a few this time around, but I think that is must be true that some programs also just take the "best" 20 candidates...though that itself depends on faculty/program fit, etc. I think this entire application process, and corresponding with all of you lovely fellow applicants () has taught me that there is no such thing as a sure thing. Context matters. Haha I think I just subtly outed myself as a Comparativist.

Dude, congrats, guys!! What is UP you're GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL! I feel such a sense of awesome positive solidarity right now. Well in!

You guys remember that "board" game Perfection? You do your best to perfectly place a bunch of weirdly-shaped pieces into their weirdly-shaped holes before the timer runs out and the whole board pops out at you with a loud bang? The whole time you were trying to just focus on the game, but you couldn't help the terrible anxiety over when the board would pop. That sort of sums up my emotional state right about now.

I'm in the same application cycle, so an evaluation from me would mean little to nothing, but Tufnel's advice sounds golden to me. But I did want to comment on a couple of things. First thing, I'm also presenting at a well-known conference in April...is the same conference? Is it in San Diego? I'm all curious. Second thing, Fulbright=100% worth it. I'm doing one right now, and it, more than anything, has allowed me to really solidify my career goals, research interests, and generally gain a multitude of valuable and wonderful experiences and skills. So, if you do get into some awesome programs, see which ones you might be able to defer, but reach for that Fulbright. My two cents anyway. Wish you the best of luck with everything!

I didn't apply to Harvard, but it's really awesome to hear all of that from you, Tufnel. (I'm a big fan of your last year presence and icon choice...just sayin'.) I think that's one of my worries about some programs, particularly those in the top 10. Yeah, maybe the program's exactly what I want, but what if the rest of my cohort are annoyingly pretentious and/or standoffishly competitive? Of course, that I should be so fortunate with admissions offers that there's even a choice, but I've realized, the more I've thought about it, that who my fellow students are really will matter a lot to me. Anyway, I think that especially the HYPS schools have that sort of reputation, maybe, but actual students like you usually have good things to say.

Same. Yeah, not bothering to check my email like crazy yet, but can't resist the pull of the cafe!!

Dude, Justin, as far as I'm concerned, I think you have the perfect mindset right now. Keep it up. By the way, I LOVE your research interests. They're not my primary ones, but that is absolutely fascinating, and more power to you! I am looking forward to cheering you on with acceptances, bro.