2024-2025 Application Thread

[willienelson]

Claiming Yale! Got an email from a professor I wanted to work with

[klajfjladshgl]

1 hour ago, willienelson said:

Claiming Yale! Got an email from a professor I wanted to work with

Congrats!! Which subfield?

[willienelson]

14 minutes ago, klajfjladshgl said:

Congrats!! Which subfield?

American!

[mobstinko]

Waitlisted at Yale, for those waiting check the portal!

[polisci001]

Claiming Yale acceptance for CP. No notification, checked portal. This is wild, there’s literally no one that does similar research to me lol.

Edited Wednesday at 10:04 PM by polisci001

[fishifuzzy]

For those who got a duke acceptance, when are they hosting visitation days?

[klajfjladshgl]

2 minutes ago, fishifuzzy said:

For those who got a duke acceptance, when are they hosting visitation days?

March 16-18

[Anish93]

So, I am already seeing a couple of results for Johns Hopkins, Rutgers and Georgetown. I applied for the CP subfield in these, among others. Already received a few rejections but was expecting one of these to give a positive decision. If decisions were already handed out or interviews taken should I expect rejections from them as well?

[jacksmith98798]

9 hours ago, JPYSD said:

I was accepted to Oxford last year (not going there, however, because I studied there before) and can tell you that DPIR usually takes until mid-late March to release their decisions (often in groups). And they have plenty of spots available. It is a great program, which gets better every year, and a perfect city to study at, but sadly, funding is still an issue for many. But I would be hopeful regarding it! Feel free to send me a message if you have questions 🙂

Hi. Did you observe a norm at Oxford to do the DPhils unfunded?

[PolSciComp]

Just saw one post from an applicant who has received offer from Yale Political Science Phd program; with GRE Scores 156Q, 159 V; quite low Scores as the applicant stated.

This really surprised me; really don't understand and probably would never understand how admission committees -especially in the top Phd programs - make their decisions 😕

 

 

[JPYSD]

2 hours ago, jacksmith98798 said:

Hi. Did you observe a norm at Oxford to do the DPhils unfunded?

I am not fully sure what you mean, but it is indeed true that most people don't choose to take up their DPhil offer, as it remains unfunded (like myself). DPhil students that are unfunded are usually the ones that don't have the highest academia ambitions in the first place and come from the private market or surely want to go there after graduation again, so the costs seem fine for them. In general Oxbridge PhD-circles, an unfunded place is often seen as a soft rejection if you still have the right credentials, but I would not say that is true regarding DPIR, as it is one of the more competitive departments at Oxford. I know of many students that receive funding from their home countries or re-applied to funding in their second year and were successful. There are many ways to get money, it is sadly very non-transparent und confusing, but DPIR is getting more funding every year, so it is not looking too bad. You have to be aware, however, that many funding decisions come very late and often beyond May, which is super annoying.

Being a first year at a t10 department in the US now, I can see many reasons to actually prefer the Oxford DPhil over a US one. American PoliSci always sees European programs super weak, but I think one has to look at the specific needs and profiles of the student. For more information, feel free to dm. 🙂

Also, I would say, it strongly depends on the college you are admitted to. But that is a completely different discussion.

Edited Thursday at 08:17 AM by JPYSD

[JPYSD]

2 hours ago, PolSciComp said:

Just saw one post from an applicant who has received offer from Yale Political Science Phd program; with GRE Scores 156Q, 159 V; quite low Scores as the applicant stated.

This really surprised me; really don't understand and probably would never understand how admission committees -especially in the top Phd programs - make their decisions 😕

 

 

Yes, that is strange indeed. Last year, I was rejected with the knowledge that the committee was very GRE-focused and only chose top GRE-scores (for CP, at least).

I also learnt from my program, however, that every year's PhD admission is extremely different from the years before, just because it depends so much on who sits on the (yearly changing) committee. Seeing the list of admitted students of my program this year, I can say that it matches 1on1 the research interests of the specific (!) admission committee members. Last year, it was the same issue and then, I was lucky to match these interests. This year, I would have had no chance. Usually, there are only 3-4 people on the committee for most programs, so even if you think your fit is great regarding one specific professor in the department, you still need the luck that this professor has influence over the committee or is on exactly that one.

Coming back to the GRE: Each committee has a different focus on test scores as well. While there are general trends in between the years, it might change drastically, if, for example, the CP member(s) are suddenly qual. and not quant.-focused. 

[PolSciComp]

12 minutes ago, JPYSD said:

Yes, that is strange indeed. Last year, I was rejected with the knowledge that the committee was very GRE-focused and only chose top GRE-scores (for CP, at least).

I also learnt from my program, however, that every year's PhD admission is extremely different from the years before, just because it depends so much on who sits on the (yearly changing) committee. Seeing the list of admitted students of my program this year, I can say that it matches 1on1 the research interests of the specific (!) admission committee members. Last year, it was the same issue and then, I was lucky to match these interests. This year, I would have had no chance. Usually, there are only 3-4 people on the committee for most programs, so even if you think your fit is great regarding one specific professor in the department, you still need the luck that this professor has influence over the committee or is on exactly that one.

Coming back to the GRE: Each committee has a different focus on test scores as well. While there are general trends in between the years, it might change drastically, if, for example, the CP member(s) are suddenly qual. and not quant.-focused. 

I completely agree; the professors who are on the admission committees significantly matter.

But still can't understand how an applicant with such a low GRE Scores can be admitted. I admit that GRE Scores don't represent a good indicator but for me; it is a bit unfair towards other applicants to admit an applicant with so low GRE Scores. I took this exam twice times in order to increase my Scores, for instance. 

[JPYSD]

3 minutes ago, PolSciComp said:

I completely agree; the professors who are on the admission committees significantly matter.

But still can't understand how an applicant with such a low GRE Scores can be admitted. I admit that GRE Scores don't represent a good indicator but for me; it is a bit unfair towards other applicants to admit an applicant with so low GRE Scores. I took this exam twice times in order to increase my Scores, for instance. 

It is quite clear to me that high GRE scores (generally, only the quant score) only matter to certain subfields and then again within the subfields only for the professors (and applicants) that are quant-focused (certainly not everyone). It is such a vague test and score, it would only be correct and fair to receive less meaning to admissions in the future.

Edit: But I can see the frustration. I also took it several times and spent way too much money.

Edited Thursday at 08:34 AM by JPYSD

[PolSciComp]

11 minutes ago, JPYSD said:

It is quite clear to me that high GRE scores (generally, only the quant score) only matter to certain subfields and then again within the subfields only for the professors (and applicants) that are quant-focused (certainly not everyone). It is such a vague test and score, it would only be correct and fair to receive less meaning to admissions in the future.

Edit: But I can see the frustration. I also took it several times and spent way too much money.

Yes, especially for international students; GRE Exams are a bit expensive as there are no possibility of fee waivership.

[polisci8989]

Oxford is currently ranked first in the world for the study of politics. 

[JPYSD]

44 minutes ago, polisci8989 said:

Oxford is currently ranked first in the world for the study of politics. 

I don't want to start a discussion about rankings as they are largely irrelevant, but that refers mostly to undergrad degrees or professional degrees. US PhD programs do have an edge in training, research output, funding and placement (also in Europe), which is why they are sadly so competitive compared to most European programs, which are often reported as equally good in international rankings. Most European PhD programs, however, are thesis-writing programs and as such, not comparable. In the US, you are being "trained" to become a PoliSci-scholar. Rankings don't show this at all. Both have their place for certain people, and DPIR is certainly still toptop!

Edited Thursday at 12:53 PM by JPYSD

[polisci8989]

20 minutes ago, JPYSD said:

I don't want to start a discussion about rankings as they are largely irrelevant, but that refers mostly to undergrad degrees or professional degrees. US PhD programs do have an edge in training, research output, funding and placement (also in Europe), which is why they are sadly so competitive compared to most European programs, which are often reported as equally good in international rankings. Most European PhD programs, however, are thesis-writing programs and as such, not comparable. In the US, you are being "trained" to become a PoliSci-scholar. Rankings don't show this at all. Both have their place for certain people, and DPIR is certainly still toptop!

Im sorry but you are incorrect. I was stating in politics. As in the department and quite frankly what you have stated is a misconception. DPIR postgraduates teach undergrads frequently. In regards to USA being better. I dont believe that, I think the USA is just different. Different schools. I believe that everyone ( international students) want to study in the USA and that conflates a false status. If you look at anyone who is anyone in the field of political science or in politics worldwide, many have Oxford postgraduate degrees. Low intake of admission rates dont equate to anything besides that many people want to go to  particular schools and that that school is willing to take a certain amount ( spend a certain amount.) In Phds, its difficult to be admitted period. 

[JPYSD]

1 minute ago, polisci8989 said:

Im sorry but you are incorrect. I was stating in politics. As in the department and quite frankly what you have stated is a misconception. DPIR postgraduates teach undergrads frequently. In regards to USA being better. I dont believe that, I think the USA is just different. Different schools. I believe that everyone ( international students) want to study in the USA and that conflates a false status. If you look at anyone who is anyone in the field of political science or in politics worldwide, many have Oxford postgraduate degrees. Low intake of admission rates dont equate to anything besides that many people want to go to  particular schools and that that school is willing to take a certain amount ( spend a certain amount.) In Phds, its difficult to be admitted period. 

I fully agree with you and haven't said something very different. Both are great approaches to a PhD and very different. The rankings, however, don't show that complexity. Anyways, still happy to help regarding DPIR if you have questions as mentioned above 😌

[jacksmith98798]

5 hours ago, JPYSD said:

I am not fully sure what you mean, but it is indeed true that most people don't choose to take up their DPhil offer, as it remains unfunded (like myself). DPhil students that are unfunded are usually the ones that don't have the highest academia ambitions in the first place and come from the private market or surely want to go there after graduation again, so the costs seem fine for them. In general Oxbridge PhD-circles, an unfunded place is often seen as a soft rejection if you still have the right credentials, but I would not say that is true regarding DPIR, as it is one of the more competitive departments at Oxford. I know of many students that receive funding from their home countries or re-applied to funding in their second year and were successful. There are many ways to get money, it is sadly very non-transparent und confusing, but DPIR is getting more funding every year, so it is not looking too bad. You have to be aware, however, that many funding decisions come very late and often beyond May, which is super annoying.

Being a first year at a t10 department in the US now, I can see many reasons to actually prefer the Oxford DPhil over a US one. American PoliSci always sees European programs super weak, but I think one has to look at the specific needs and profiles of the student. For more information, feel free to dm. 🙂

Also, I would say, it strongly depends on the college you are admitted to. But that is a completely different discussion.

Thank you very much for your kind and detailed reply. This is exactly what I wanted to know. 

[jaliren]

This is probably cognitive bias on my part, but does anybody else have the feeling that basically every program has released decisions EXCEPT your top choices? I've still got more than half my applications pending, including basically all the schools I'm most excited about. Meanwhile it seems like the vast majority of schools overall have released by this point. Driving me nuts!

[polisci001]

8 hours ago, jacksmith98798 said:

Hi. Did you observe a norm at Oxford to do the DPhils unfunded?

Definitely not the norm. If I recall correctly, last year DPIR enrolled 32 students in the DPhil Politics and a majority are funded either through Oxford-related money (colleges, university, DPIR, research councils) or through external scholarships (Rhodes, La Caixa, all the German and Swiss scholarships etc.). However, two things to note: (1) funding is definitely a factor in people declining their unfunded offer, with the general expectation in UK institutions being that an unfunded spot is basically a rejection; (2) it's much more difficult to secure funding for non-UK applicants due to quotas set by the national research councils. 

I'm a current DPIR student so feel free to DM if you want more info


 

Edited Thursday at 02:32 PM by polisci001

[jacksmith98798]

59 minutes ago, polisci001 said:

Definitely not the norm. If I recall correctly, last year DPIR enrolled 32 students in the DPhil Politics and a majority are funded either through Oxford-related money (colleges, university, DPIR, research councils) or through external scholarships (Rhodes, La Caixa, all the German and Swiss scholarships etc.). However, two things to note: (1) funding is definitely a factor in people declining their unfunded offer, with the general expectation in UK institutions being that an unfunded spot is basically a rejection; (2) it's much more difficult to secure funding for non-UK applicants due to quotas set by the national research councils. 

I'm a current DPIR student so feel free to DM if you want more info


 

Great. Thanks for the great insight. Best wishes for that envious doctorate!

[smoothoperator77]

9 hours ago, Anish93 said:

So, I am already seeing a couple of results for Johns Hopkins, Rutgers and Georgetown. I applied for the CP subfield in these, among others. Already received a few rejections but was expecting one of these to give a positive decision. If decisions were already handed out or interviews taken should I expect rejections from them as well?

For Rutgers, I think they have sent all offers and waitlists. I was put on the waiting list. And yesterday, somebody shared that Georgetown has already asked their admit students to rsvp for the open day, and waiting list decisions seem to be out already. Maybe Johns Hopkins has not made all the decisions yet.

[Anish93]

5 minutes ago, smoothoperator77 said:

For Rutgers, I think they have sent all offers and waitlists. I was put on the waiting list. And yesterday, somebody shared that Georgetown has already asked their admit students to rsvp for the open day, and waiting list decisions seem to be out already. Maybe Johns Hopkins has not made all the decisions yet.

Thank you for letting me know.