Jump to content

2020-2021 Application Thread


Theory007

Recommended Posts

Just now, BrownSugar said:

Hahaha I do hope you get some offers, but I understand that it's good to have back-ups :) Since I've already done my master's, I'm a bit worried about not having a proper back-up plan since the labor market isn't very reliable. 

I also already have my master's (i'm graduating this June), but thankfully it was nearly fully funded, so I don't have student loans. I do worry that I'll be too old before I start the PhD (currently 27 already!), but time is a construct in academia (or is it?)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, poliscihopeful2021 said:

I also already have my master's (i'm graduating this June), but thankfully it was nearly fully funded, so I don't have student loans. I do worry that I'll be too old before I start the PhD (currently 27 already!), but time is a construct in academia (or is it?)

Too old? HAHAHAHA I'm 41 and doing it. At 27, you'll be fine. If you're wanting to be a Professor, most don't retire until their 70s, so.... 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, poliscihopeful2021 said:

I also already have my master's (i'm graduating this June), but thankfully it was nearly fully funded, so I don't have student loans. I do worry that I'll be too old before I start the PhD (currently 27 already!), but time is a construct in academia (or is it?)

I wouldn't worry about age at all. If it makes you feel better, I am 29. In the MA program I did - taking courses alongside PhD students - there were many above my age as well. Some in their 30s or 40s. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, TheLifeofBrian said:

Too old? HAHAHAHA I'm 41 and doing it. At 27, you'll be fine. If you're wanting to be a Professor, most don't retire until their 70s, so.... 

Okay you win this round! Haha. I've seen poli sci tends to get much younger cohorts than other disciplines like econ, some fresh out of undergrad, so I always figure I'm going to be one of the older members in whatever batch I end up starting in in the (seemingly distant) future. But don't mind me and my anxious rants. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, diptyque said:

I wouldn't worry about age at all. If it makes you feel better, I am 29. In the MA program I did - taking courses alongside PhD students - there were many above my age as well. Some in their 30s or 40s. 

That is reassuring - thank you! I know it's quite silly to worry about age when you are planning to commit ~6 years of your life to this one thing. Just stressing about stupid things that are out of my control, like this decision and age lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, poliscihopeful2021 said:

I also already have my master's (i'm graduating this June), but thankfully it was nearly fully funded, so I don't have student loans. I do worry that I'll be too old before I start the PhD (currently 27 already!), but time is a construct in academia (or is it?)

I definitely wouldn't worry about it. Funnily enough, I feel too young (23). But it's easier for us to find faults with ourselves I suppose. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 minutes ago, loiewo said:

was really hoping for Princeton results today! probably for the best that I can't see the results page

I'm holding out a little hope for tomorrow, but I've been steering clear of the results page this whole week haha

Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 minutes ago, BrownSugar said:

Since I've already done my master's, I'm a bit worried about not having a proper back-up plan since the labor market isn't very reliable. 

That's where I'm at right now. I'm having to flex my networking muscles in order to plan for a job as backup in case all my PhD applications end up in rejection (I don't want to think about that, but it's unfortunately a possibility). Add to that immigration constraints for work permits, and this year just gets worse.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, ExileOnMainSt said:

I feel too young as well, honestly (I’m 22), but I really can’t imagine doing anything other than teaching and researching. 

Yes, exactly the same for me! Nice to have comrades in arms. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 minutes ago, loiewo said:

was really hoping for Princeton results today! probably for the best that I can't see the results page

I would recommend not checking the results page. It is much more reliable to just check this forum and see if people claim an admit, since there was quite a bit of trolling going on in the results page.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, ExileOnMainSt said:

I feel too young as well, honestly (I’m 22), but I really can’t imagine doing anything other than teaching and researching. 

 

Just now, BrownSugar said:

Yes, exactly the same for me! Nice to have comrades in arms. 

I'm in the same boat as you both. Went into my MA right after my BA, and now finishing up my MA while applying to PhDs. I feel pretty young too. Lol. Also have major imposter syndrome...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, BrownSugar said:

Yes, exactly the same for me! Nice to have comrades in arms. 

Also 22 year old, so I get it. I always felt weird when attending conferences that weren't geared towards undergraduates only because I felt so out of place in both age and experience.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, polisci_gal said:

 

I'm in the same boat as you both. Went into my MA right after my BA, and now finishing up my MA while applying to PhDs. I feel pretty young too. Lol. Also have major imposter syndrome...

Taking the same route as you right now! And imposter syndrome is probably one of the most common things I've encountered among academics, so you'll fit right in.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, icemanyeo said:

I would recommend not checking the results page. It is much more reliable to just check this forum and see if people claim an admit, since there was quite a bit of trolling going on in the results page.

Yeah, the trolling can be pretty bad on the results page sometimes and its something that's common each year from my understanding. There were three Emory accepts yesterday but no one here claimed them so I'm thinking those were likely trolls which helps me a bit cause I really want to get admitted to Emory. Talked to a number of the faculty there and feel like I'm a great fit. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Mad Scientist Malfrost said:

Yeah, the trolling can be pretty bad on the results page sometimes and its something that's common each year from my understanding. There were three Emory accepts yesterday but no one here claimed them so I'm thinking those were likely trolls which helps me a bit cause I really want to get admitted to Emory. Talked to a number of the faculty there and feel like I'm a great fit. 

Wishing you the best of luck with Emory!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

21 minutes ago, TheLifeofBrian said:

Too old? HAHAHAHA I'm 41 and doing it. At 27, you'll be fine. If you're wanting to be a Professor, most don't retire until their 70s, so.... 

Haha, yep, 38 here! I finished my master's when I was 29, and now looking to go back to academia after becoming disenchanted with the policy world. Glad to know I'm not the only one who won't be in their 20s! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, afjackie said:

Haha, yep, 38 here! I finished my master's when I was 29, and now looking to go back to academia after becoming disenchanted with the policy world. Glad to know I'm not the only one who won't be in their 20s! 

Absolutely. I meant to go back in my 30s but life happened. I've become disenchanted with corporate work. I've wanted to be a researcher and teacher since my early 20s, so I figured it was high time I got my stuff in order. It will be REALLY hard to lose my current salary, but the saying is true, money isn't everything. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, icemanyeo said:

Wishing you the best of luck with Emory!

Thank you! Best of luck for you everywhere as well! As a current Cornell Master's student I really hope they accept you here! It's a really good department in a lot of ways and Ithaca is beautiful. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just wondering: Does anyone know if Berkeley will be following the same timeline as previous years? I don't remember if they mentioned it in their Zoom call or not. Seems like most admissions decisions came out around Mondays so not sure if I should hold out hope for tomorrow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, poliscihopeful2021 said:

I'll just take a moment to say this forum (unlike other Gradcafe portals I've been on previously) is awesome and everyone here is obviously pretty talented. Hope things work out for everyone!

I second this. I'm also really invested in all of your journeys now and can't wait to see where everyone ends up!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, icemanyeo said:

Just wondering: Does anyone know if Berkeley will be following the same timeline as previous years? I don't remember if they mentioned it in their Zoom call or not. Seems like most admissions decisions came out around Mondays so not sure if I should hold out hope for tomorrow.

I believe someone mentioned quite a while ago that they are sticking to the timeline.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Mad Scientist Malfrost said:

Thank you! Best of luck for you everywhere as well! As a current Cornell Master's student I really hope they accept you here! It's a really good department in a lot of ways and Ithaca is beautiful. 

I almost ended up in Ithaca once (at Ithaca College) so maybe second time's the charm! Thank you ❤️ 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

55 minutes ago, comradecommissar said:

Hi! LSE and Oxford. I pulled out of applying to Cambridge right at the very end because it wasn't a good fit. Im interested very much in studying ethnicity, violence and the intersection of the two, and so fit is particularly important to me.

Oh, awesome. I've applied to both too! Fair enough re fit, I wasn't going to apply to Cambridge but my interests changed slightly recently (theory) and I found their MPhil in Political Thought and Intellectual History so decided to apply (housed in history dept though). 

I'm from London so LSE would be ideal for me money wise if I get even partial funding. I've basically accepted that I'll have to keep working at least half-time through my masters... 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use