2020-2021 Application Thread

[BrownSugar]

Just now, ballofstress said:

Thank you so much! Do you think this means all acceptances have already mostly gone out or are they just coming randomly/in batches? 

I think it's random or batches, that's how they made it seem to me! My portal hasn't even updated with the letter yet. 

[applicant45457]

Just now, HolyGinger said:

One of them claims to be a fast-track phd admit, I have no idea what that is but maybe they receive results earlier? Well my portal still says awaiting decision so fingers crossed! I was unable to apply before the priority deadline as well, hopefully that won't affect my application very much

I've been in touch with a professor from there which helped me throughout the process, and he said that the fast-track (bachelor to PhD, direct entry) would not be a good idea since it doesn't allow enough time to carry out research, properly train, and write a dissertation. 

Hopefully we will be hearing back from them soon.

 

 

[HolyGinger]

  

1 minute ago, ballofstress said:

Hi! I can claim a Georgia acceptance. Sorry I'm new and you have no reason to believe me, but DGS, Teena, called me about two weeks with my acceptance to the fast-track program. 

Hey! Thanks for the info and congrats on your admit! Do you know if there's a difference between fast-track phd and a regular one in terms of receiving results? Also did you apply before the priority deadline?

[ballofstress]

Just now, HolyGinger said:

  

Hey! Thanks for the info and congrats on your admit! Do you know if there's a difference between fast-track phd and a regular one in terms of receiving results? Also did you apply before the priority deadline?

I applied before the priority deadline, but I'm not sure if there is a difference. Also, I saw your other comment. The fast-track program is just a fancy way to say a direct admit to the PhD program from undergrad without a masters. This makes me think that decisions would be out around the same time. Also, the website it somewhat wrong it says the fast-track program allows you to do it in 4yrs but DGS said pretty much everyone does it in 5. 

[applicant45457]

3 minutes ago, ballofstress said:

Hi! I can claim a Georgia acceptance. Sorry I'm new and you have no reason to believe me, but DGS, Teena, called me about two weeks with my acceptance to the fast-track program. 

Great! Congrats!! 

I do know that the PhD program is administered jointly by two departments, however I don't know in what directions it impacts the final results. Do you know if there is a difference?

[ballofstress]

Just now, soyergabriel said:

Great! Congrats!! 

I do know that the PhD program is administered jointly by two departments, however I don't know in what directions it impacts the final results. Do you know if there is a difference?

Thank you! I do think there is a difference there. I think different people analyze the applications for the two different departments. However, this is simply me guessing. Personally, I'm American, and I believe most of the other AP applicants have been notified. They are admitting about 8 in total, 4 for each department. 

[gbheron]

Wondering what people think about this: If I got an offer from a T25 this cycle but didn't get into most other programs I applied to, is my best option going there and considering myself lucky to get an acceptance at all? Or would it possibly be better in the long term to just try again next cycle when admissions will likely be easier and there is a better shot of getting into a T20 or T10?

[jamesc6]

I don't really think next cycle will be easier.  Everyone who decided to wait this cycle out, plus a lot of people who didn't get in this year, will be applying again next year, when cohorts will probably stay small.  I also think the ongoing effects of COVID are going to be devastating to doctoral programs for years.

So congrats on your acceptance during this year's brutal cycle!

Edited February 10, 2021 by jamesc6

[afjackie]

3 minutes ago, gbheron said:

Wondering what people think about this: If I got an offer from a T25 this cycle but didn't get into most other programs I applied to, is my best option going there and considering myself lucky to get an acceptance at all? Or would it possibly be better in the long term to just try again next cycle when admissions will likely be easier and there is a better shot of getting into a T20 or T10?

Also a T25 is nothing to be embarrassed about! That's still a great program! And you won't find much difference in your career between say a T15 and T25 PhD, especially not if you are a good scholar and publish. 

[CatchingHumesGhost]

Excuse me for asking a fairly unrelated question, but with the news of the Northwestern admits (Congratulations), it seems that I won't be accepeted anywhere. So, what is there to do inbetween application cycles that will keep me from becoming too estranged from the field, assuming that I still would like to apply next cycle? 

I've been teaching English in France for the past year and there's an oppurtunity for me to stay, which seems like a somewhat attractive option. 

Do you guys have any other suggestions?

[applicant45457]

8 minutes ago, ballofstress said:

Thank you! I do think there is a difference there. I think different people analyze the applications for the two different departments. However, this is simply me guessing. Personally, I'm American, and I believe most of the other AP applicants have been notified. They are admitting about 8 in total, 4 for each department. 

Thanks for the information. In fact, due covid budget restrictions I think it will be difficult to hear good news at this point

[Richelieu]

5 minutes ago, CatchingHumesGhost said:

Excuse me for asking a fairly unrelated question, but with the news of the Northwestern admits (Congratulations), it seems that I won't be accepeted anywhere. So, what is there to do inbetween application cycles that will keep me from becoming too estranged from the field, assuming that I still would like to apply next cycle? 

I've been teaching English in France for the past year and there's an oppurtunity for me to stay, which seems like a somewhat attractive option. 

Do you guys have any other suggestions?

I would suggest you to take a look at this forum created by @icemanyeo.

 

[CatchingHumesGhost]

Thank you very much, I must have missed that. Appreciated. 

[HolyGinger]

Claiming Rochester rejection! I guess they will keep coming this week

[rash_sulganni]

Does anybody know when MIT is announcing?

[rash_sulganni]

6 minutes ago, HolyGinger said:

Claiming Rochester rejection! I guess they will keep coming this week

Hang in there. This cycle is brutal but we'll survive it

[TheLifeofBrian]

3 minutes ago, rash_sulganni said:

Does anybody know when MIT is announcing?

In 2019 they announced on Feb 08th and 09th. In 2020 they announced on Feb 21st. So I'd assume it should be soon.

In case you've missed this in previous posts: https://martindevaux.com/2020/11/political-science-phd-admission-decisions/

 

This gives you historical data based on the results feed. Cheers

Edited February 10, 2021 by TheLifeofBrian

[piggylan]

Is there any hope for UCI? I saw several admits on the results page last week but nothing then. 

[Uberfloweret]

2 hours ago, SanC said:

Because I really think TOEFL is racist and don't think it's fair of universities to ask intl applicants to pay to prove their competency in English when it's been my first language throughout school and college, having done my Masters from Singapore, and also having online think tank level publications. 

Thank your for the answer and I want to say that I support it 100%! 

[afjackie]

55 minutes ago, piggylan said:

Is there any hope for UCI? I saw several admits on the results page last week but nothing then. 

UCI has given those they have sent current offers to until Monday to let the school know if they plan to attend the virtual visit day (i.e. if they are still interested in the offer or definitely planning to turn it down). I can't be sure of this, but I would suspect they will wait at least until Monday to see if they get a lot of people turn the initial offer down before they send out rejections/waitlists/more offers. So maybe there is still some hope? 

[StarkDark1]

Onward to tomorrow...  

 

Edited February 11, 2021 by StarkDark1

[FuyuhikoSomeno]

Can anyone claim the MIT rejection?

 

[iamlia]

4 hours ago, SanC said:

Because I really think TOEFL is racist and don't think it's fair of universities to ask intl applicants to pay to prove their competency in English when it's been my first language throughout school and college, having done my Masters from Singapore, and also having online think tank level publications. 

I agree with this so much! Someone at one of the schools I applied to told me that if I'm admitted I'll have to retake the TOEFL because it's been three years since I last took it... but in those three years I've been getting my Master's in the US... And also before TOEFL I did a Master's in the UK, and took IELTS and all the Cambridge University tests, I've been basically taking these tests since I was 10. I just don't understand these weird test date policies.

Anyway, I hope that is not the reason you're not hearing back. Good luck with that application!! 

[spotted]

1 hour ago, drmantol said:

Can anyone claim the MIT rejection?

 

someone also claimed their portal wont log in on the survey page, mine is working just fine (and has no updates), is anyone else having trouble?

[FuyuhikoSomeno]

6 minutes ago, spotted said:

someone also claimed their portal wont log in on the survey page, mine is working just fine (and has no updates), is anyone else having trouble?

Mine is also working fine and has no changes