Recruitment weekend CU Boulder, Poli Sci

[sarahbet14]

Hoping to get some info on what happened during the recruitment weekend and if you've any pertinent info for those of us still waiting to hear and still considering our options???

[trollin']

Hoping to get some info on what happened during the recruitment weekend and if you've any pertinent info for those of us still waiting to hear and still considering our options???

I was there. I don't know where they stand on future acceptances or a waitlist but I can't say enough good things about the program. While it's not a perfect match for my interests, the intangibles like the department dynamic and overall philosophy of the program are making me seriously consider it over some other higher "ranked" schools I've received offers from. I think it goes back to it being a program on the upswing and the faculty seem genuinely excited about drawing some great candidates and are committed to high quality training. Also, they gave us the impression they're in position to make a few additional hires in the coming year or so, so that could be interesting...

They are supposed to be getting the funding packages squared away for people they've already admitted soon (this week or next, I hope), so it would seem they're still somewhat in the throws of making decisions and pulling together a cohort. I know this is their assistant's first year so it might be even more chaotic than usual over there.

Hope that helps!

[sarahbet14]

I was there. I don't know where they stand on future acceptances or a waitlist but I can't say enough good things about the program. While it's not a perfect match for my interests, the intangibles like the department dynamic and overall philosophy of the program are making me seriously consider it over some other higher "ranked" schools I've received offers from. I think it goes back to it being a program on the upswing and the faculty seem genuinely excited about drawing some great candidates and are committed to high quality training. Also, they gave us the impression they're in position to make a few additional hires in the coming year or so, so that could be interesting...

They are supposed to be getting the funding packages squared away for people they've already admitted soon (this week or next, I hope), so it would seem they're still somewhat in the throws of making decisions and pulling together a cohort. I know this is their assistant's first year so it might be even more chaotic than usual over there.

Hope that helps!

[sarahbet14]

That is helpful! How many people were at the weekend and did they discuss any funding issues (a decrease since previous years??) I've been living in Boulder for the last year and a half or so and have applied to programs elsewhere as well as here. It's great place to live, if a tad bit homogeneous. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about living here. Lily, the grad secretary did tell me that they'd sent the initials offers out (I'm guessing trying to grab those of you who are more likely to go to more competitive programs) but that I shouldn't expect it to be over until April 1st. I know I shot myself in the foot by not making a personal connection with the professors, but working two jobs (not an inexpensive town) and studying for the GRE, writing a sample etc.... I think it felt too forced and I thought letting my stats/background/experience speak for themselves.... Anyway. Would you mind horribly sharing your stats? One of the difficult things here is not knowing who you're competing with....

Mine are: 3.56 cumulative undergrad. degree in history 4.0 last two years. (state school after community college)

California Social Science Teaching Credential, a ton of continuting education classes in both content matter and pedagogy

4 years teaching in an urban school district in So Cal: Economics, Government, World and U.S. History

GRE Verbal 680, Q 480 (haven't taken a math class in 13 years) AW 5

Interested in comparative politics, ir; post-socialist political and economic systems in transition.

3 great letters but have been out of academia for a long time (I'm 34.) And a publishable writing sample.....

[LeftCoast]

That is helpful! How many people were at the weekend and did they discuss any funding issues (a decrease since previous years??) I've been living in Boulder for the last year and a half or so and have applied to programs elsewhere as well as here. It's great place to live, if a tad bit homogeneous. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about living here. Lily, the grad secretary did tell me that they'd sent the initials offers out (I'm guessing trying to grab those of you who are more likely to go to more competitive programs) but that I shouldn't expect it to be over until April 1st. I know I shot myself in the foot by not making a personal connection with the professors, but working two jobs (not an inexpensive town) and studying for the GRE, writing a sample etc.... I think it felt too forced and I thought letting my stats/background/experience speak for themselves.... Anyway. Would you mind horribly sharing your stats? One of the difficult things here is not knowing who you're competing with....

Mine are: 3.56 cumulative undergrad. degree in history 4.0 last two years. (state school after community college)

California Social Science Teaching Credential, a ton of continuting education classes in both content matter and pedagogy

4 years teaching in an urban school district in So Cal: Economics, Government, World and U.S. History

GRE Verbal 680, Q 480 (haven't taken a math class in 13 years) AW 5

Interested in comparative politics, ir; post-socialist political and economic systems in transition.

3 great letters but have been out of academia for a long time (I'm 34.) And a publishable writing sample.....

That is encouraging. I assumed that I had been rejected since I have not heard anything from CU.