saltlakecity2012 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Does anyone have any data on the selectivity at U Mich? I can't track down any reliable info on their acceptance rate. shiner, saltlakecity2012, edost and 4 others 3 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlibird Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Does anyone know how long does it typically take a school to send their follow-up financial aid letter? (I got into Duke on Jan. 31). Also, how to evaluate whether an offer is competitive or not? I'm in the same boat with you (waiting for the funding correspondence from Duke). If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say that the reason we haven't received anything further yet is probably the same reason why Duke hasn't sent out all of its acceptances/waitlists. The funding letter (and hopefully information about accepted students weekend, etc.) is supposed to come from the department itself, whereas decisions thus far have been officially from the grad school. The department may still be making decisions--I'm almost certain that they are--and I can see them waiting to send the funding notices until they have their lineup of first choices settled. I'm also pretty sure that Duke fully funds all of its PhD students...anyone want to correct me there? As for competitive offers, obviously you should look for a tuition waver, but that should be paired with a stipend that will allow you to live comfortably (everything you need, plus maybe a little wiggle room for things you want--any other opinions on this?) in the area. Calculate cost of living. $20,000 will be a much different sum in Palo Alto, CA than in Durham, NC, and you should evaluate offers accordingly. Consider what you'll spend for transportation to and from school a few times a year if you plan on going home for holidays. And are you being offered any money for summers? Travel? Research? Is this money coming to you in fellowship form or assistantship form? If your money is dependent upon you TAing, realize that it's going to cut into the time you can spend on your work, which could affect your time to degree. However, if it's all fellowship, are there opportunities for you to teach if you want to? Because the job market being brutal like it is, you're going to need teaching experience to be competitive outside of R1 schools. There's also implicit department money when it comes to traveling to conferences, etc. that, while not part of your official funding, will affect whether or not part of your stipend goes toward you doing the things you need to do to get ahead in the market. Would definitely love to hear everyone else's thoughts on this, though. It's an important question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotspur Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Another Monday, bloody Monday! C'mon schools, let's get those results out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuldReekie Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I'll be applying next year, but I thought I'd just pop in to wish you all luck CooCooCachoo and WorldMan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schwag Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Looooong time lurker (3rd cycle, actually), first time poster. Just have to say, I can't wait for this process to be over. Got a fully-funded offer last year, looking to try to move up in the rankings a bit and get somewhere with better fit. 0/2 so far, waiting on 8 more (including Duke, which is killing me!) Congrats to those who have heard good news, though. And if all else fails, at least I still have a home dept! whirlibird 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I've been lurking a long time too (with a little posting in the 2010 cycle). Currently in an MA after not getting in during my last round of PhD apps. I'm still waiting on all my schools and am incredibly nervous, but hoping there will be some news this week. I applied to UNC, GW, NYU, Columbia, Cornell, Yale, Princeton and Stanford. I'm now kind of wishing I had applied to more. Just wanted to stop lurking around and say hi. lordvader and whirlibird 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlibird Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I'll be applying next year, but I thought I'd just pop in to wish you all luck Hey, thanks! You can enjoy our shenanigans until then, and hopefully you'll have a large dose of perspective and some levity about the whole process when it comes your turn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlibird Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Looooong time lurker (3rd cycle, actually), first time poster. Just have to say, I can't wait for this process to be over. Got a fully-funded offer last year, looking to try to move up in the rankings a bit and get somewhere with better fit. 0/2 so far, waiting on 8 more (including Duke, which is killing me!) Congrats to those who have heard good news, though. And if all else fails, at least I still have a home dept! I've been lurking a long time too (with a little posting in the 2010 cycle). Currently in an MA after not getting in during my last round of PhD apps. I'm still waiting on all my schools and am incredibly nervous, but hoping there will be some news this week. I applied to UNC, GW, NYU, Columbia, Cornell, Yale, Princeton and Stanford. I'm now kind of wishing I had applied to more. Just wanted to stop lurking around and say hi. All lurkers welcome. I was once a lurker, too. No less ridiculous back then...nowadays I'm simply ridiculous where people can see and judge me. Welcome to the party, guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuldReekie Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Hey, thanks! You can enjoy our shenanigans until then, and hopefully you'll have a large dose of perspective and some levity about the whole process when it comes your turn! Thanks. I was on track to apply this year, but decided to wait after reading last year's thread.. thinking it was the right decision to wait until I finish my degree before I apply. Good luck again.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironheel!! Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Thanks. I was on track to apply this year, but decided to wait after reading last year's thread.. thinking it was the right decision to wait until I finish my degree before I apply. Good luck again.. I think you made the correct decision. I did the same thing. I finished my MA in May 2011 and decided to take the summer to complete applications rather than finishing a thesis and applications at the same time. Its already a stressful process, best to have additional time and mental space to devote solely to applications. Good luck next cycle. I would suggest paying attention to the SOP threads. I found those most helpful and from all accounts, (depending on where you are applying) a solid SOP is what is going to separate you from the pack at the most competitive schools and will bump you into consideration if you have any red flags in your application (ie; some low grades or lower GRE). I also think having an MA will be helpful, it is impossible to really say "I have a strong SOP" but I think at least having a thesis under your belt (plus all the additional questions that inevitably arise when doing research) you will have a very focused research interest section in the SOP. Good luck in the future! AuldReekie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shibalover Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Hey guys it's my first post ever on gradcafe. just wanna wish the best of luck to all u guys. guess Duke's sending out rejection letters again....UGH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackcoffee64 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 rejected by Duke at 11:00 am, so far 0/2 out of 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CooCooCachoo Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Let's hope those Duke rejections aren't setting the tone for this week. Chin up, guys and gals. AuldReekie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwouldpreferanonymity Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Let's hope those Duke rejections aren't setting the tone for this week. Chin up, guys and gals. Agreed. Let us rather think, and hope, that the worst has passed - and that each remaining weekday will bring better news. AuldReekie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edost Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I just got a rejection letter from Duke, also. Technically, it is the first admission decision I received, but I consider the invitation to an interview I got from Indiana (Telecommunications, not PoliSci) as a kind of decision, so it ain't all bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavasana Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 So what do we think for people (me) who haven't heard anything from Duke yet? Guesses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltlakecity2012 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Bounced out of Duke. Oh well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CafeAuLait12 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Bumped from Duke too. Ah well. I expected this since my POI, Gelpi, is leaving for Ohio State. On to the next one, and hopefully better news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kolja00 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 (edited) So what do we think for people (me) who haven't heard anything from Duke yet? Guesses? Same. Waitlist I guess? What subfield are you? Edited February 6, 2012 by kolja00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavasana Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 @kolja00 I'm IR and security, although my subfield is kind of subjective. I work on the intersection of security issues and media in the Middle East, so my subfield is really at the discretion of the department. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kolja00 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 @kolja00 I'm IR and security, although my subfield is kind of subjective. I work on the intersection of security issues and media in the Middle East, so my subfield is really at the discretion of the department. Ah ok, I'm the same. Maybe the IR decisions have yet to be made? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohsnap Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 There goes Duke. While I had already assumed rejection, it's nice to actually know the decision. Received my e-mail @ 10:10. @adblanche-perhaps you are still in the running Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bauhaus Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 still nothin fom duke on my end either... my subfield is methodology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavasana Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Well, I'm either still in the running or they're using my application as a good laugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CafeAuLait12 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Ah ok, I'm the same. Maybe the IR decisions have yet to be made? I was IR and rejected, but I'm holding out hope for you guys! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now