Retrenching... (or, it's never too early to start preparing for 2012)

[Perry]

... so I just heard back from USC--rejected off the wait-list. Which means I'm running 0 for 4 for this application cycle.

Anyone else in the same boat? ... misery loves company.

... and, if so, what are you up to over the next several months to present a stronger application this fall?

Me--I'm polishing and condensing my thesis to see if I can't get at least a "submitted" to put on my CV... and working things so that I've got the application completed early this time around. Also extra-cirricular things (seeking "relevant work experience" and better personal contact with some of places I'd like to attend... luckily there's two right in the area... so will go to their open-to-the-public poli-sci events and attempt to appear intelligent and sociable).

What about you guys?... let's keep those fires burning, maybe.

[balderdash]

... so I just heard back from USC--rejected off the wait-list. Which means I'm running 0 for 4 for this application cycle.

Anyone else in the same boat? ... misery loves company.

... and, if so, what are you up to over the next several months to present a stronger application this fall?

Me--I'm polishing and condensing my thesis to see if I can't get at least a "submitted" to put on my CV... and working things so that I've got the application completed early this time around. Also extra-cirricular things (seeking "relevant work experience" and better personal contact with some of places I'd like to attend... luckily there's two right in the area... so will go to their open-to-the-public poli-sci events and attempt to appear intelligent and sociable).

What about you guys?... let's keep those fires burning, maybe.

Well, today's the last day of Princeton's waitlist. So if that doesn't work out for me, I'll have been 0 for 7. Luckily, however, I got a teaching job today, so I'm good for the year in one way or another.

I'm going to focus on personal statement and letters of rec. This year, I had 1 poli sci and 0 Africanists write recommendations for me. Next year, it'll be 3 poli sci and 2 Africanists. So hopefully that will give me a bit of cred in my subfield. Also, I've submitted a book review and will be sending out my thesis in a few weeks. Combine that with (hopefully) doing well on my final exams, and I think I'll pull it up to strong enough for reapplying.

I think one thing to look at a lot more this year is making sure fit is right - I definitely didn't do enough of it last year, which is partly to blame for my predicament. So this year, I'm going to spend months finding the right professors and making sure fit is worth 2 paragraphs of my personal statement.

[slacktivist]

Well, today's the last day of Princeton's waitlist. So if that doesn't work out for me, I'll have been 0 for 7. Luckily, however, I got a teaching job today, so I'm good for the year in one way or another.

I'm going to focus on personal statement and letters of rec. This year, I had 1 poli sci and 0 Africanists write recommendations for me. Next year, it'll be 3 poli sci and 2 Africanists. So hopefully that will give me a bit of cred in my subfield. Also, I've submitted a book review and will be sending out my thesis in a few weeks. Combine that with (hopefully) doing well on my final exams, and I think I'll pull it up to strong enough for reapplying.

I think one thing to look at a lot more this year is making sure fit is right - I definitely didn't do enough of it last year, which is partly to blame for my predicament. So this year, I'm going to spend months finding the right professors and making sure fit is worth 2 paragraphs of my personal statement.

You've probably been told this, several professors at the schools I visited told me that CP was the most competitive field for admissions. It looks like you're taking affirmative steps to make your file even more competitive.

The only thing I can recommend with regard to identifying research fit would be to review your thesis and see where the most prominent scholars in your literature review teach.

[balderdash]

You've probably been told this, several professors at the schools I visited told me that CP was the most competitive field for admissions. It looks like you're taking affirmative steps to make your file even more competitive.

The only thing I can recommend with regard to identifying research fit would be to review your thesis and see where the most prominent scholars in your literature review teach.

Thanks, I actually had not heard that before. Oh dear.

[midwest513]

How are you going to tailor your letters to different programs? How many letters do they even suggest you get? Are you a graduating undergrad? I'll be working on my thesis next year as a senior (not sure if I'll apply right away to PhD programs), but just want to get my feet wet. Any idea what the norm on these things are?

[wtncffts]

How are you going to tailor your letters to different programs? How many letters do they even suggest you get? Are you a graduating undergrad? I'll be working on my thesis next year as a senior (not sure if I'll apply right away to PhD programs), but just want to get my feet wet. Any idea what the norm on these things are?

Are you referring to letters of recommendation? If so, it's really out of your hands. I think many, if not most, profs will simply write a general letter and send it to however many programs you specify. I don't think they have the time to tailor them, unless, perhaps, you make specific requests for specific schools. Depends on the person.

In terms of how many, I would say you get no more nor less than what is asked. if they ask for three, get three, not four or, obviously, two. There may be the odd situation where more than the required number happens, but in general, do what they ask.

[slacktivist]

Thanks, I actually had not heard that before. Oh dear.

As an Americanist, I'm glad that my case is considered special enough to have its own subfield. Otherwise, I'd have to compete against the rest of the world.

[wtncffts]

As an Americanist, I'm glad that my case is considered special enough to have its own subfield. Otherwise, I'd have to compete against the rest of the world.

Of course, it's only special in the US, just as Canadian politics, one of my subfields, is 'special' up here. Really, as one of my profs says, it's IR, comparative, theory, and the politics of wherever you happen to be standing at the moment. I also don't think you're quite immune to competition; I applied to US schools and would have done American and comparative politics. I'm sure many non-Americans apply to study US politics - it's certainly a lot 'sexier' than, say, Canadian politics, though of course I do find the latter greatly interesting. I know your post was light-hearted and not meant to be contentious: just thought I'd throw my two cents in.