RngrDngr

Anyone headed to Gainesville next weekend?

Are you going to visit UGA? I emailed and they do not have a scheduled weekend but will set up a visit. I'm going to wait for a funding decision before I make the trip up, but I'm hoping to get some other people's thoughts on the department. As of now it looks like I'm going to be studying behavior at UF.

Where was this advice 7 months ago? I kid, of course. I searched the internet for advice on writing a letter and pulled from a few different sources, none of which were PoliSci. I thought I had a pretty strong letter but I've come to realize that I may have been too broad in my research interests. I tried to sell myself as an individual, not as a researcher in political science. Great thread. I'm going to bookmark it and years down the road when I'm enjoying a spot at a 4-4 institution (I seriously think I'm the only one on GC that actually wants to be at a teaching institution), I will share it with interested undergrads.

Agreed. I'm anxious to see what kind of funding they offer. My wife is an elementary school teacher here in GA, so I don't need a huge stipend (assuming she can find employment), but I would like tuition covered and travel/research money for presenting at conferences.

I'm with you. I'm turning 32 next month and I want nothing more than to work at a regional institution where I my focus can be on advising and mentoring as much as research. I'm currently working as an academic advisor and I've taught an undergraduate course (a perspectives course on critical thinking). For me, that's where the reward is. Sure, getting my first published article will be rewarding as well, but being able to continue doing what I do now (advising and mentoring) while being able to teach in a field I love is my dream.

Maybe they are still lurking. To be honest, even with this thread, I was hesitant to state I applied to UGA and UF. FSU is a safety school for many but it has been my top pick since I started researching graduate schools. It is a little intimidating to be around intelligent folk. At my mid-sized regional institution, I'm a big fish in a small pond. It was a bit of an eye opener to browse GC and see just how big the PoliSci world is and how I'm just a medium sized fish in a large pond (which I'm completely fine with and proud of). I think it needed to be said and it was great to read.

I'm far from an expert in these matters but it looks like of the OSU postings, they have all been in IR (two didn't list a subfield). Last year, people submitted results on 2/4, 2/5, and 2/8. Since the first notices started coming in Monday (2/6), I would say wait until tomorrow afternoon/evening before giving up hope. Of course, this is just me justifying why I haven't heard anything. With my GRE Verbal score and OSU not accepting writing samples, I'm a real long shot, but here's to wishful thinking. Either way, good luck. I have a feeling today will be the day we see a lot of posts on the results page from OSU.

Congrats on the FSU acceptance. I'm hoping I fill find the better side of their wait list when it is all sorted out. Which faculty did you list as POIs when you submitted your application? I went with Drs. Maestas, Jerit, and Ryan.

I was just wait listed at FSU so I'm assuming they'll be sending out acceptance notifications soon.

Thanks for starting the topic. I've been wondering if I was the only lurker not applying to top tier programs. I've applied to Florida State, Florida, Georgia, and Ohio State (my one stab at something higher). I have great letters and a great SOP (so I've been told), but I went to a small regional university in the south for my undergrad and MPA so I am not too optimistic about OSU. My wife and I are content with staying in the region (we currently live in south Georgia) so our son (almost 3 years old) can be close to grandparents. I'm really hoping to get a call/email from FSU, I'm in at Georgia (awaiting funding info), and unless Florida offers a substantial package, I'm not really considering it now that I'm in at UGA. Of course, OSU trumps all of these and we'll gladly pack up and move if they'll have me. By the looks of it, I should know sometime this week. As for your options, I'm envious of Oregon. I was stationed in the Pacific Northwest for 4 years and I miss it.