CairoKid

I really hope GWU and Georgetown aren't done with their admits, because those were my last hopes at a PhD. I will not be looking forward to the pain and agony of waiting for admissions decisions again next season, but alas, I must do so to pursue my dreams. =P

Thanks for the offer! I do regret not having more people look over my SOP. I'll wait until my cycle ends for sure, and then I'll likely PM you to get some advice. Of course, my SOP will change in some ways to account for anything relevant I do next year. But my interests will remain largely the same, so I would be glad to receive some advice in that regard. Glad to hear you're better. And I'd say you did a very good job turning a negative into a positive, considering the options you have!

Makes perfect sense. I'm so glad I have such wonderful people to help me out. I would have been completely clueless if I hadn't consulted the forums. =)

Yeah, I know I really need to work on the GRE. I took it twice and didn't have time to take it again before application deadlines. I got above 700 in Quantitative, but verbal definitely needs some work. I was just hoping for the best because there was nothing else I could do at that point. My LORs are very strong, I'm sure. All of the professors were ones I'm very close with. I've taken lots of classes with them, talked a lot outside of class, traveled out of the country with two, etc. I know they weren't in the slightest bit weak, aside from considering that they aren't well-known probably. The only LOR writer I would think might have been even slightly critical was one that told me he would write me letters if I wanted. I figure he wouldn't have offered if he was going to write bad letters. I think I definitely made it clear what I want to do, but perhaps wasn't elaborate enough. I think I could have done a better job catering it to specific schools and spent less time talking about what I've done. I don't know. I can definitely make a better SOP next time.

Well that's another good point. Even if I don't get something published, I know my writing sample will be much stronger next season because my honors thesis will be complete and better structured.

I guess I was so set on going straight to PhD, that hoping for an MA program seams like defeat. I know that's stupid because I can certainly become stronger with some additional work in the field. I'm definitely taking the GRE again, whether I do Fulbright or Master's. I tested well on all the practice exams, but then get so anxious when I'm actually being timed. I'm actually seeking help to calm down when testing. haha It's nice to know I'm not alone, but I'm sorry to hear the cycle isn't going well for you either. I hope you hear positive news in the coming weeks, but if not, know that you won't be alone in working on a stronger application for next season. Best of luck!

My SOP could have probably been better, but I think the two major factors playing into all these rejections are my low verbal score on the GRE and the fact that I go to a small, liberal arts college with not-so-famous letter writers. Not sure what to do about LORs considering there isn't anyone very well-recognized at my school.

Thanks for holding out hope. I definitely think I have a better idea as to how to strengthen my application next year, should I need to go through another app season. Though I consulted these forums when applying this past fall, I think I continued to learn more useful information that will help me even more the next time around. I guess I got my hopes up when my professors told me how incredible I would look considering my unique abroad experience; and then got really discouraged to find that I have yet to hear any positive news. Keeping my fingers crossed though!

I believe my cycle is coming to an unfortunate end. =/ I really wanted to start my PhD this fall, but the prospects are looking unlikely. I'm sure Chicago is done with offers; GW and Georgetown, even if they pull through, rarely offer funding - and I clearly cannot afford to do a PhD unfunded; and Washington is also likely done with offers. The Master's are still up in the air, but I can't afford those programs without significant funding. Guess I have to hope for the Fulbright and reapply next season! Congrats to those who have had a good cycle. Though I am jealous, I am quite certain that all of you are better qualified and deserve your offers of admission. Hopefully I look stronger next season.

So sorry guys. I hope you have heard good news from other schools, or will in the near future.

I feel your pain. Same here.

I wonder, if I get accepted, if I can somehow quickly find a job and get them to fund my education. =P Joking. I'm fully aware that I will likely not go to Georgetown or GW, regardless as to whether I get accepted, because I likely wouldn't get funding. 'Tis nice to dream, though.

On the topic of Georgetown though, did anyone else apply for a dual program there (or anywhere for that matter)?

So applicants get jobs that will pay for the degrees? Or do applicants usually already have jobs in DC when applying, and thus know they'll have funding?

I wish I had applied to more programs, and more lower ranked ones. I don't think I picked the right schools given my credentials and interests. =( Boooo. I don't want to apply again and go through this waiting process. Also, I don't have that kind of money to throw around again next year. Perhaps the Fulbright will pull through, but I won't know for sure until June-ish. =/

Rejected from Yale and UPenn. 0/3 now. *sadness* Anyone else not hear anything from Princeton? I didn't get the multi-fonted rejection letter like other people. I assume I am rejected, but I have received nothing.

If I remember correctly from past years' results, it seems as though they start at the beginning of March with acceptances.

I saw a bunch of Princeton rejection emails went out. I still haven't heard. All I have is one official rejection from CUNY, and all silence from elsewhere. I applied to some Master's programs because I'm assuming all PhD rejections at this point.

Wow, I leave for a couple of hours and there are 10 new pages of stuff. Mind blown. First of all, thank you to those who gave me some words of encouragement several pages back. Hopefully there is still hope for me. =) And congrats to everyone who heard good news today!

I guess it's just discouraging to have your first decision letter be a rejection. I mean, I didn't really like the program there, but I was at a loss for what other programs to apply to because I want to concentrate in Middle Eastern politics, particularly on the recent events because I studied abroad last spring in Cairo during the revolution. CUNY didn't seem to have anyone who really focused on Middle Eastern politics. I just figured I could do some stuff through their Middle East Center. I'll pretend like I just wasn't a good fit and hopefully get in elsewhere.

Just got my first email about grad school... rejected from CUNY - my super, super backup program. I only see it going downhill from here. Probably have to apply again next year. =(

cleft chin

open range

Wow! Congrats! You've gotten accepted to some excellent programs thus far.

Now I noticed there is a CUNY PhD admit. Anyone claiming? I emailed them earlier this week, but no word yet. Anyway. Here's to hoping for a busy day full of acceptances for all tomorrow!