2024-2025 Application Thread

[JPYSD]

On 12/15/2024 at 1:34 PM, angremaru said:

Goodluck to everyone on their applications! I've applied to five or six masters programs (GRE not good enough for PhDs), though I expect to take a gap year most likely to work on a better GRE score and improve my mathematics. I gave the GRE twice and got a 153Q 168V, so I'm hoping to get a 160+ Q on my third try hopefully!

 

Would it be worth my while to take calculus and/or econometrics classes during a gap year given that I wish to do a quantitative degree?

 

Also, I know that most PhD programs have a certain quota for each subfield, so are some subfields more competitive than others? I always thought Comparative was the most popular. 

Good luck on your applications.

Improving your quant GRE is definitely a good idea, but as long as you are not mostly pitching quant methods work, I would not worry too much to get a perfect score. From what I have heard, high 150s to low 160s is the sweet spot to still being considered at top programs. 🙂

It would certainly make sense to take those classes to improve your very own understanding of these things. For the application, however, they won't improve your standing too much, especially if they are not from a renowned source/university. If you have absolutely no quant experience on your CV, this would be important to show, however.

CP might be the most popular in total application numbers, but from what I have heard, most programs have quite equal numbers of spots available in between IR, CP, AP and theory. Methods and PE often depends on the trajectory the department wants to take, but the classic four subfields are usually equally distributed, as long as (!) your department has a similar spread in faculty. Some departments just really don't have anyone in AP (for example) and logically will not admit many AP students then.

[polisci119]

From result page, I saw UIUC released some offers already. It's really suprising that the process started so early, if those are not fake. Good luck to everyone and myself in the next coming weeks!

[brzher]

I was surprised by that too, as they have historically released decisions around mid-jan. I believe we'll hear from them in the next couple of weeks. Good luck!

Edited December 29, 2024 by brzher

[mwmwmw121212]

Did anyone else apply to MIT? My test scores are still now showing up on the application portal, even though I sent them months ago and applied on December 14.

[mobstinko]

54 minutes ago, mwmwmw121212 said:

Did anyone else apply to MIT? My test scores are still now showing up on the application portal, even though I sent them months ago and applied on December 14.

I did as well, and I have a similar situation. It does say not to contact them regarding that issue so I would kind of ignore it for now. Mine show as verified to every other school I applied to, so I’m assuming it’s fine.

[PolSciComp]

Hi everyone! Wish you best of luck for your PhD application results :) I am a International Political Science Master student from American University within the field of Comparative politics; voter behavior more specifically. I wonder from which institutions did you apply -top 20 universities or more diverse institutions-because I am a bit worried whether AU Master degree would make me competitive enough for my PhD applications. 

[jaliren]

Hi all! I applied to nine programs, and while I feel that I'm a competitive applicant, the low admissions rates (everywhere!) and stories I've heard from other people who applied in years past about only getting into one or two programs are definitely giving me some anxiety. I also am MUCH more excited about the possibility of attending my top few choices than the schools lower down on my list.

How is everyone coping with the torment of waiting at least another month for decisions? 

[brzher]

 

1 hour ago, jaliren said:

Hi all! I applied to nine programs, and while I feel that I'm a competitive applicant, the low admissions rates (everywhere!) and stories I've heard from other people who applied in years past about only getting into one or two programs are definitely giving me some anxiety. I also am MUCH more excited about the possibility of attending my top few choices than the schools lower down on my list.

How is everyone coping with the torment of waiting at least another month for decisions? 

Hello, I'm in a very similar situation. I applied to 8 programs, but I was sort of in a hurry for several reasons. I thought about applying to more schools but decided to focus on places where I have a strong fit and would genuinely be happy to attend. I'm international and not entirely sure about my competitiveness, so I'm concentrating my shots on the T50-T30 range.

Regarding the waiting period, I actually believe we'll start hearing back soon. Some programs have already been releasing acceptances or interview invites since last week. I’d say I underestimated how hard it'd be to wait for news, it’s been indeed tormenting. I have to submit my master’s thesis in less than two months, so I’m trying to focus on that while also preparing myself mentally for some rejections.

Anyway, I hope this cycle isn’t too brutal and that we all end up with great offers. Good luck!

[PolSciComp]

3 hours ago, brzher said:

 

Hello, I'm in a very similar situation. I applied to 8 programs, but I was sort of in a hurry for several reasons. I thought about applying to more schools but decided to focus on places where I have a strong fit and would genuinely be happy to attend. I'm international and not entirely sure about my competitiveness, so I'm concentrating my shots on the T50-T30 range.

Regarding the waiting period, I actually believe we'll start hearing back soon. Some programs have already been releasing acceptances or interview invites since last week. I’d say I underestimated how hard it'd be to wait for news, it’s been indeed tormenting. I have to submit my master’s thesis in less than two months, so I’m trying to focus on that while also preparing myself mentally for some rejections.

Anyway, I hope this cycle isn’t too brutal and that we all end up with great offers. Good luck!

Same, I also applied to 10 programs and I am wondering about how admissions committees would be deciding on my application file; as I have also been hearing lower acceptance rates.

[Various_Locations]

I'm also applying to 9 different programs. I consider myself a relatively strong candidate, but I am worried about the really high amount of applicants this year. 

Some people suggest that the bad job market is the reason for the rise. Others suggest that the GRE not being a requirement for many schools also fueled the increased number of applications.

I just want one acceptance so I can start the next chapter of my life.

[Vegmomosaurus]

anyone applied to CU Boulder? 

[polisci119]

6 hours ago, Various_Locations said:

I'm also applying to 9 different programs. I consider myself a relatively strong candidate, but I am worried about the really high amount of applicants this year. 

Some people suggest that the bad job market is the reason for the rise. Others suggest that the GRE not being a requirement for many schools also fueled the increased number of applications.

I just want one acceptance so I can start the next chapter of my life.

I can definitely relate to this. I would not say that I'm a strong applicant, perhaps for the reason of imposter syndrome, I applied to 20 programs to make myself feel better. Hopefully we all can hear some good news back in the next couple of weeks.

[polisci119]

2 hours ago, Vegmomosaurus said:

anyone applied to CU Boulder? 

I did, while I don't expect to receive the result from CU until Feb according to previous records.

[PolSciComp]

8 hours ago, Various_Locations said:

I'm also applying to 9 different programs. I consider myself a relatively strong candidate, but I am worried about the really high amount of applicants this year. 

Some people suggest that the bad job market is the reason for the rise. Others suggest that the GRE not being a requirement for many schools also fueled the increased number of applications.

I just want one acceptance so I can start the next chapter of my life.

Wish you best of luck; hope that you would get more than one admission so that you can better decide. Did you apply directly from your Undergraduate program or from a Master program in the US or abroad? I am applying from Master program at American University in Washington, DC.

[ncsp]

Hi guys. I noticed that UIUC has already released some decisions for this application cycle, even in December. However, my portal still shows "Awaiting Decision." Is anyone else in the same situation, or could this be a soft rejection?

[brzher]

1 hour ago, ncsp said:

Hi guys. I noticed that UIUC has already released some decisions for this application cycle, even in December. However, my portal still shows "Awaiting Decision." Is anyone else in the same situation, or could this be a soft rejection?

Hi, they usually release all their decisions by the end of January. It’s too early to assume rejection at this point

[polisci119]

4 hours ago, ncsp said:

Hi guys. I noticed that UIUC has already released some decisions for this application cycle, even in December. However, my portal still shows "Awaiting Decision." Is anyone else in the same situation, or could this be a soft rejection?

This is my second time applying to this one, my record last year shows that it was only changed almost one week after receiving rejection, thus I would say the status might not represent your actual application status.

[Various_Locations]

 

Thank you and good luck everyone

Edited January 9 by Various_Locations

[Various_Locations]

9 hours ago, PolSciComp said:

Wish you best of luck; hope that you would get more than one admission so that you can better decide. Did you apply directly from your Undergraduate program or from a Master program in the US or abroad? I am applying from Master program at American University in Washington, DC.

I am coming from an MA from South Korea and I attended Seoul National University.

[jaliren]

While we wait...what are the ages of people in this thread, if you don't mind me asking? I'd be 29 by a hypothetical program start date next fall, and I'm wondering whether I am much older than everyone or whether there are others in a similar range! 

[ncsp]

2 hours ago, jaliren said:

While we wait...what are the ages of people in this thread, if you don't mind me asking? I'd be 29 by a hypothetical program start date next fall, and I'm wondering whether I am much older than everyone or whether there are others in a similar range! 

I'd be 25, but I don't think 29 is uncommon at all — I know plenty of people who are pursuing or have pursued a Ph.D. at that age and after 30. I really don't think it's a big deal!

[poliscicomp84]

Hey everyone!

I just got an email yesterday from Brown about a Zoom interview (20 mins). The faculty member who reached out isn’t the one I mentioned in my SOP/personal statement. He introduced himself as a committee member for comparative politics this cycle, and the interview is meant to talk more about my research interests and give me a chance to ask questions about the program.

From what I know, interviews aren’t super common for political science PhD programs (or are they?). Just curious, has anyone else received similar interview invites from other schools? Also, any ideas on what kinds of questions usually come up in these interviews?

Thanks in advance!

[brzher]

1 hour ago, poliscicomp84 said:

Hey everyone!

I just got an email yesterday from Brown about a Zoom interview (20 mins). The faculty member who reached out isn’t the one I mentioned in my SOP/personal statement. He introduced himself as a committee member for comparative politics this cycle, and the interview is meant to talk more about my research interests and give me a chance to ask questions about the program.

From what I know, interviews aren’t super common for political science PhD programs (or are they?). Just curious, has anyone else received similar interview invites from other schools? Also, any ideas on what kinds of questions usually come up in these interviews?

Thanks in advance!

Congrats!

I think it's less common than in STEM programs, but not unheard of. I've also seen some folks on reddit mentioning invites from UCLA too.

I'm not entirely sure how these interviews typically go, but based on the experiences of a few colleagues, I'd recommend being prepared to talk about relevant projects you've worked on, why this program is a good fit for you, and your career plans. Good luck! 

[A Dalek]

A word on interviews from a faculty member. While part of the reason interviews are done is to ask more details about research interests, part of it is to evaluate English fluency (for international students) and to verify the candidate is capable of basic manners (for all). Some people look great on paper, but are hard to work with for a variety of reasons.

Edited January 11 by A Dalek

[PolSciComp]

On 1/11/2025 at 1:26 PM, poliscicomp84 said:

Hey everyone!

I just got an email yesterday from Brown about a Zoom interview (20 mins). The faculty member who reached out isn’t the one I mentioned in my SOP/personal statement. He introduced himself as a committee member for comparative politics this cycle, and the interview is meant to talk more about my research interests and give me a chance to ask questions about the program.

From what I know, interviews aren’t super common for political science PhD programs (or are they?). Just curious, has anyone else received similar interview invites from other schools? Also, any ideas on what kinds of questions usually come up in these interviews?

Thanks in advance!

Congratulations, I hope your interview would go well. They might ask why you chose to apply for that program, for instance.

Are you applying from an Undergraduate or Graduate program in the US; top program or not? Or, are you international applicant?

Their questions might change depending on these factors, that's why I wanted to ask.