shavasana

Congrats to everyone getting good news today! ...and remember, it's early. Lots of day left to hear good news for everyone else! *fingers crossed for everybody*

I am going to defend Tergellian again. What in God's name is people's problem with this? She has clearly stated that she is incredibly grateful for her opportunities, just asking what her options are. Aren't we all playing every possible scenario in our heads about the way our futures are going to go? I would think that it would behoove us to be supportive and helpful. Some of the comments on this thread have been wonderfully helpful. I for one, didn't know that it was possible to be a visiting student (something that might be very useful during my dissertation research given the very interdisciplinary nature of my work.) So I say shame on anyone for openly disparaging a poster who (if you check other threads) has been incredibly supportive of other applicants' successes.

OK kids. MIT acceptance posted. *cue giant ball of nerves* Who can I congratulate?

OK, I've been lurking here for a while. Anyone have any news on George Washington?

I'm primarily IR, although I do a lot of regional work on the Middle East. I'll definitely be there on the 9th, as it's just a short-ish drive.

You got into Chicago? What's your subfield?

Just started this thread to see how many people in this forum are going straight from undergrad (me) or how much professional experience people have going in. Pros/cons to each?

Hey guys! Let's be supportive. If people can't ask honest questions they have here, where can they? No need to call people "spoiled" or a "brat" for wondering.

I just want to second whirlibird about the wonderful positivity on this thread. Also, cute animals: http://i.imgur.com/iLP5B.jpg How can you be sad about anything when looking at that little guy?

I am heading down. I took winter quarter off, but I'm an undergrad at Northwestern so it's not far for me

Congrats on today's acceptances!!! Any of the Chicago admits going to event on March 9?

Thank you SO much. I'm incredibly excited. I haven't heard from Duke either...no news is, well just no news. Maybe they're still deciding? Who knows.

I'm claiming one of the IR admits for Chicago. Congrats to everyone who got in! Who's going to the visit weekend March 9?

My thoughts on the game (from a girl who actually really loves sports): I hate the Patriots, but the game wasn't all that exciting. Surprisingly, I loved the half-time show. Also I have a sneaking suspicion that Cee Lo Green wearing that sparkly drum major outfit all the time. Which, in my opinion is awesome.

Well my thesis focussed on Al-Jazeera, Al-Ahram, and Al-Hayat's coverage of Iraq, so it's really regional. But I'm really interested in Saudi media, other Gult states (espeically Qatar, of course) and I lived in Jordan so I find them fascinating. I also work on Iranian media and am looking to do some comparative work on Arabic/Persian media. I'm definitely looking into how media coverage and press freedom influences popular movement and governmental (and inter-governmental) decision-making in the region.

Well, I'm either still in the running or they're using my application as a good laugh

@kolja00 I'm IR and security, although my subfield is kind of subjective. I work on the intersection of security issues and media in the Middle East, so my subfield is really at the discretion of the department.

So what do we think for people (me) who haven't heard anything from Duke yet? Guesses?

@tergellian I was in Dushanbe primarily, but I also spent some time in Khojand. (And 3 hours in Samarkand, Uzbekistan due to some bad weather on the way in.) I was living across the street from Parliament for a couple of months, so that was definitely an experience to tell the kids about...you know. Someday.

1# I also want to know which 'Stan. Just got back from Tajikistan a few months ago...incredibly interesting and beautiful. 2: For anyone still waiting, Duke says they still haven't sent out the majority of their acceptances. (Gives me hope, but I thought I'd add a bit of joy to everyone's weekend.)

Hopefully? I'm just the least patient person ever to walk the earth. {True confession: I learned Javascript and PHP just to pass the time while I was waiting for decisions. So sad...}

Does anyone know if Duke is done sending out decisions? I've seen a few up over the last 2 days, but I thought that they usually send out rejections the next day? Help? If you can't tell, I'm an absolute nervous wreck.