2024-2025 Application Thread

[lala11]

12 hours ago, OhMy READ THIS said:

Sorry for not replying earlier to everyone's questions. Here are the sources for my information. My kid received a letter from UCSD on Friday, February 21, but the info about resciding the guarantee for funding was hidden in a footnote. On Monday, Feb 24, UCSD sent another email clearly spelling out what this means for students. My kid was disappointed because they'd planned to visit UCSD. My kid quickly accepted UC Berkeley (their first choice). My kid notified two of her advisors (recommenders) at two different universities who told her she did the right thing by accepting. Both advisors were apologetic that this is the state we are in this year. They advised her to notify UCSD that she was not going to visit and why, and she formally declined their offer. The UT-Austin information comes from a faculty member there who forwarded me the information about how they *could* rescind offers or rescind guaranteed funding for those students who had not yet accepted. They advised against rescinding funding guarantees for those students who had already accepted because that is both unethical and probably dicey leagally. Although, you may have read in the news that UPenn (a private ivy-league university) did rescind offers, though I do not know whether they rescinded anyone who had already accepted.

Indirect funding on NIH and NSF grants have been cut from ~55% to 15%. This is huge, and is reverberating throughout university budgets. Indirect costs go to the university as a whole, and this money can be spent on anything the university wants. The hiring freezes you are readling about are also a result of this. This is generally coming from the top of universities and the faculty are often unaware until they are told.

I apologize if anyone was upset by the negativity or strong wording in my first post. 

I have seen you posting about this across multiple forums, including grad cafe and Reddit, to the point that it feels like spam or trolling. I understand you are perhaps trying to help, but I gotta say, your approach is *not* helpful.

Please stop trying to pressure people to accept offers ASAP, especially when your source is from UT Austin. That program is under a number of unique pressures (primarily due to state politics and policies) that do not apply to many other universities.
 

Accepting a PhD offer is already a huge decision, and many of us are well aware of the threats the current administration poses to academia and research. None of us need more pressure in this process. Instead of trying to push people to quickly accept offers, I recommend that people discuss any concerns about funding stability with someone from the actual program(s) they’ve been admitted to. I have done this with the programs I have received offers from, and they have each walked me through why they are *not* concerned about being able to guarantee funding for admitted students and what funding options/resources their department has available.

[A Dalek]

2 hours ago, lala11 said:

I have seen you posting about this across multiple forums, including grad cafe and Reddit, to the point that it feels like spam or trolling. I understand you are perhaps trying to help, but I gotta say, your approach is *not* helpful.

Please stop trying to pressure people to accept offers ASAP, especially when your source is from UT Austin. That program is under a number of unique pressures (primarily due to state politics and policies) that do not apply to many other universities.
 

Accepting a PhD offer is already a huge decision, and many of us are well aware of the threats the current administration poses to academia and research. None of us need more pressure in this process. Instead of trying to push people to quickly accept offers, I recommend that people discuss any concerns about funding stability with someone from the actual program(s) they’ve been admitted to. I have done this with the programs I have received offers from, and they have each walked me through why they are *not* concerned about being able to guarantee funding for admitted students and what funding options/resources their department has available.

I am sad to say that 'oh my read this' is unfortunately very correct on this point. If you have a funded offer you are likely to accept, I would sign it ASAP. There are things we faculty cannot say during the recruitment stage and (some of us) feel pressured to sweep under the rug.

Let me say the quiet part out loud though: the funding situation is very bad. There were already pressures to reduce grad admissions before the recent change in federal leadership, and things are much worse now. Some universities have been more proactive than others in announcing hiring freezes/admissions reductions, but the underlying problem is systematic and (if we're lucky) won't be addressed until the current federal leadership leaves.

My own program isn't reducing admissions but I think we all privately know this will be the largest cohort we will get to admit for 4-5 years.

[pastapal]

Has anyone been admitted for CP at Harvard?

[garmit]

48 minutes ago, A Dalek said:

I am sad to say that 'oh my read this' is unfortunately very correct on this point. If you have a funded offer you are likely to accept, I would sign it ASAP. There are things we faculty cannot say during the recruitment stage and (some of us) feel pressured to sweep under the rug.

Let me say the quiet part out loud though: the funding situation is very bad. There were already pressures to reduce grad admissions before the recent change in federal leadership, and things are much worse now. Some universities have been more proactive than others in announcing hiring freezes/admissions reductions, but the underlying problem is systematic and (if we're lucky) won't be addressed until the current federal leadership leaves.

My own program isn't reducing admissions but I think we all privately know this will be the largest cohort we will get to admit for 4-5 years.

 

3 hours ago, lala11 said:

I have seen you posting about this across multiple forums, including grad cafe and Reddit, to the point that it feels like spam or trolling. I understand you are perhaps trying to help, but I gotta say, your approach is *not* helpful.

Please stop trying to pressure people to accept offers ASAP, especially when your source is from UT Austin. That program is under a number of unique pressures (primarily due to state politics and policies) that do not apply to many other universities.
 

Accepting a PhD offer is already a huge decision, and many of us are well aware of the threats the current administration poses to academia and research. None of us need more pressure in this process. Instead of trying to push people to quickly accept offers, I recommend that people discuss any concerns about funding stability with someone from the actual program(s) they’ve been admitted to. I have done this with the programs I have received offers from, and they have each walked me through why they are *not* concerned about being able to guarantee funding for admitted students and what funding options/resources their department has available.

The question we all have, and the one I wanted more evidence of, is are we going to lose our positions or funding if we don't accept now? That is sort of what @OhMy READ THIS was suggesting, and I have seen some evidence that this is the case for some schools, but not most of them. @A Dalek is suggesting the same thing, so I guess I am asking if that is this going to be a mad dash to fill positions, or can I afford to wait to get off a waitlist?

I feel like this is the crux of our argument, but the one thing no one is willing to say out loud, only insinuate (perhaps for a good reason, I will admit). I sincerely appreciate anyone who can help us here. A special thanks to @A Dalek for giving us some insider information.

[A Dalek]

I am limited in what I can say, but I can say this much - I would not count on getting picked off waitlists. I have been in meetings where it was made clear that, even if we weren't going to rescind offers, we should avoid sending out any new offers.

There will be exceptions. Some programs are in better financial situations, but in general there is a recognition that our priority is to secure funding for our current students.

[garmit]

4 minutes ago, A Dalek said:

I am limited in what I can say, but I can say this much - I would not count on getting picked off waitlists. I have been in meetings where it was made clear that, even if we weren't going to rescind offers, we should avoid sending out any new offers.

There will be exceptions. Some programs are in better financial situations, but in general there is a recognition that our priority is to secure funding for our current students.

Thanks for being up front

[LanaFan]

7 minutes ago, A Dalek said:

I am limited in what I can say, but I can say this much - I would not count on getting picked off waitlists. I have been in meetings where it was made clear that, even if we weren't going to rescind offers, we should avoid sending out any new offers.

There will be exceptions. Some programs are in better financial situations, but in general there is a recognition that our priority is to secure funding for our current students.

I assume that any package negotiations are generally off the table at this point? (Or rather, more so than usual?)

[01anonymous]

Claiming acceptance to the University of Connecticut!
2a/1wl/6r/1p

[A Dalek]

32 minutes ago, LanaFan said:

I assume that any package negotiations are generally off the table at this point? (Or rather, more so than usual?)

More so than usual but not entirely. This is something that varies by program and how their specific funding is organized. I would be proactive if you plan to go this route.

[PLSC25]

@A Dalek thanks so much for your posts. It's helpful to hear from an insider! I realize different universities have their unique budget situations and there is a lot of uncertainty vis-a-vis how federal courts might rule on extending the block on the NIH indirect cost cap but I just wanted to ask you if there is a precedent in the last few years for something like this (COVID? 2017?) and how departments handled offers etc. then? I have an offer from UC San Diego and, given its strength in IR, was looking forward to accepting soon after the visit days but with the revised offer dropping the guarantee of funding, am a bit unsure. It's my only acceptance so far and it's a great program so it's a tight spot to be in 😕 

[A Dalek]

Last time during covid we tried to defer admissions (some programs did) or 'make up' for it by reducing admissions the year after. Many current students were encouraged to finish even if they didn't have a job in hand. It used to not be strange to have people stay in a PhD program for 7-10 years. That just isn't possible anymore. There is a big push to get people out in 5 years. Many programs have also begun to be more proactive in mastering people out if they don't show promise during coursework.

I don't know what we can do this time around. We haven't recovered from covid yet. We never really recovered from the great recession.

I am sorry for not being able to share good news. For what it is worth, I think academia is a noble profession. I love my job, but you need to make a lot of sacrifices for it. So only choose it if you really really want it.

[Omkar Poojari]

1 hour ago, A Dalek said:

I am limited in what I can say, but I can say this much - I would not count on getting picked off waitlists. I have been in meetings where it was made clear that, even if we weren't going to rescind offers, we should avoid sending out any new offers.

There will be exceptions. Some programs are in better financial situations, but in general there is a recognition that our priority is to secure funding for our current students.

Hi! Thanks for this. On the subject of waitlists- would you say that institutions who have chosen to have a waitlist in this cycle are more likely to be in a better shape financially and hence more likely to use those waitlists- if first round offer holders decline? I would assume that even waitlists would be shorter given the situation this cycle and only programs in a position to admit off waitlists would have them? 

[garmit]

This has been the most helpful this forum has ever been it's it's not even close

[Heffalump27]

I'de be skeptical of this information. Talk to the people at the programs you recieved offers from, ask them directly these questions we are all worried about. This is a new situation for everyone involved, and everyone is trying to figure things out along the way.....Ohmyreadthis sounds like someone trying to get off a waitlist, and dalek, what special information can't you say here--this is an anonymous forum. What information are you and your department 'sweeping under the rug' from new recruits? You also said just a few weeks ago that poly sci grad admissions this year would not be influenced by the changes to federal grants.....Just saying, be careful, this is the internet, talk to your contacts. This is a big decision. Have we had a case on here of someone having their offer rescinded? The UPENN story is concerning, but I don't think thats indicitive of a pattern. 

[1251pl]

what do you guys think are important things to check at a visit after acceptance? please share your opinions!

[garmit]

1 minute ago, 1251pl said:

what do you guys think are important things to check at a visit after acceptance? please share your opinions!

Oooo I feel like meeting with people you want to work with is the biggest, but I think from a practical sense, scoping out where you might want to live is a good idea if you have time. Scratch that, make some time to do that. 

[mobstinko]

7 minutes ago, 1251pl said:

what do you guys think are important things to check at a visit after acceptance? please share your opinions!

Yes this!! Also what types of questions have people been asking on zooms/calls with POI?

 

I know they’re technically trying to sell their school to you, but I can’t help but feel like I’m still auditioning

[garmit]

5 minutes ago, mobstinko said:

Yes this!! Also what types of questions have people been asking on zooms/calls with POI?

 

I know they’re technically trying to sell their school to you, but I can’t help but feel like I’m still auditioning

No fr I was talking to my undergrad advisors about how to impress them and they were like it's them then trying to impress you. I'm just sitting here like clearly you've never met an anxious person bc that does not matter to me. I'm gonna view this as an audition no matter what!

[A Dalek]

44 minutes ago, Heffalump27 said:

I'de be skeptical of this information. Talk to the people at the programs you recieved offers from, ask them directly these questions we are all worried about. This is a new situation for everyone involved, and everyone is trying to figure things out along the way.....Ohmyreadthis sounds like someone trying to get off a waitlist, and dalek, what special information can't you say here--this is an anonymous forum. What information are you and your department 'sweeping under the rug' from new recruits? You also said just a few weeks ago that poly sci grad admissions this year would not be influenced by the changes to federal grants.....Just saying, be careful, this is the internet, talk to your contacts. This is a big decision. Have we had a case on here of someone having their offer rescinded? The UPENN story is concerning, but I don't think thats indicitive of a pattern. 

The Internet is anonymous but academia is not. We spend a lot of time reading each other's work and it isn't hard to identify people based on writing style.

 

The current crisis is unprecedented in nature. I did not think current admissions would be impacted at first since those items are budgeted in advance. I had thought the impact would be on future admits based on how covid was dealt with. Based on recent meetings I've been in though, the budget situation is much worse than initially expected. It's not clear which programs will weather the storm best and I would not try to forecast. We simply don't know. Regardless good luck to you all.

[sandwichlover]

Hi all, first-time poster, medium-time lurker. I'd like to ask about etiquette regarding waitlists. I just found out I was waitlisted by Harvard, and I'm debating whether to accept my spot or not. Generally, would it be seen as unprofessional or distasteful if one accepts a spot on a waitlist, is extended an actual offer by the school, and then ends up turning it down anyway for another program? Harvard would certainly be one of my top choices but if I ended up opting for another school I don't want to start off my career by burning bridges or leaving a bad taste in a number of scholars' mouths.

(On my way down here I saw the warning that given the current financial and political climate, getting off a waitlist is a very big "if," so I understand there's a good chance this scenario will not come to fruition.)

[mobstinko]

12 minutes ago, sandwichlover said:

Hi all, first-time poster, medium-time lurker. I'd like to ask about etiquette regarding waitlists. I just found out I was waitlisted by Harvard, and I'm debating whether to accept my spot or not. Generally, would it be seen as unprofessional or distasteful if one accepts a spot on a waitlist, is extended an actual offer by the school, and then ends up turning it down anyway for another program? Harvard would certainly be one of my top choices but if I ended up opting for another school I don't want to start off my career by burning bridges or leaving a bad taste in a number of scholars' mouths.

(On my way down here I saw the warning that given the current financial and political climate, getting off a waitlist is a very big "if," so I understand there's a good chance this scenario will not come to fruition.)

How were you notified of waitlist, if you don’t mind me asking

[sandwichlover]

2 minutes ago, mobstinko said:

How were you notified of waitlist, if you don’t mind me asking

email from member of adcom, don't think i've received an official update on the application portal

[floatingworld]

Claiming Harvard waitlist

[pastapal]

Do you mind sharing your subfield?

[pastapal]

3 hours ago, sandwichlover said:

email from member of adcom, don't think i've received an official update on the application portal

 

2 hours ago, floatingworld said:

Claiming Harvard waitlist

Oops forgot to quote. Can you please share your subfields?