Welcome to the 2011-2012 Cycle

[Doorkeeper]

Got the Chicago rejection with a 1/2 scholarship for MAPSS. Will probably turn it down to start law school and re-apply next year, but it was nice to get accepted to SOMETHING this cycle.

[jasonmonty]

Accepted into Chicago's MAPSS, 1/3 tuition. I will almost for sure be turning it down, but I echo the sentiment of Doorkeeper - nice to be accepted somewhere.

[CairoKid]

Got my official rejection from Chicago. No consolation Master's or anything. Yayyy...?

[amblingnymph]

Got a rejection letter in the mail from Boston College. It wasn't too nice..they referred to rejecting applicants who had potential, with no reference to me. I see how it is, BC. I see how it is...

[PDCU]

I got into UChicago's CIR masters! Even though it's not PhD, I am very happy! I really hope I can go!

edit: grammar

Edited March 1, 2012 by McMuffin

[edost]

I think rejection letters should come in the form of "choose your own adventure"-type stories. There would be five or six different endings, some of them with you going to school elsewhere, some with you finding a job, but none with you going to that particular program.

[saltlakecity2012]

Rejected at U Chicago PhD program, but accepted to MAPSS with full scholarship. Definitely pleasantly surprised, although I won't be taking it. Also a very nice letter.

[ohsnap]

Rejected at BC for PhD, but admitted to their MA program.

[PDCU]

Anyone who got offers from Chicago MAPSS or CIR and do not plan to attend, please reject their offers as soon as you can! Please, please, please.

[Melian]

Long time lurker, first time poster, already attending, etc.

I wanted to talk more about "fit" and the role of the statement of purpose. It is my understanding that the there are at least two components of the SOP that signal fit to the ad-com. First, the substantive focus of your research; and second, the presentation of that research focus. There has been quite a lot of information on the forums on the former but not nearly as much attention to the latter. What I mean by presentation of research focus is the way you formulate your questions, display an awareness of the significant debates in your field, and your ability to situate yourself within these debates with your questions. In addition, the specific terms you use to phrase your research is also a critical element of research presentation.

Now, why would this matter? Keep in mind that you are proposing to study a certain set of questions and ad-coms are aware that the chances of you actually carrying out that specific research is very slim. Applicants are known to exaggerate or just plain manufacture interests in certain substantive issues to just get their foot in the door. This is standard practice. In many programs with well-known specializations or specialists, a plethora of applicants will claim to be interested in the same sorts of research focus. Provided that at this stage, the applicants have comparable numbers and/or experience, how do you determine the "best fit" in these cases? It may come down to whether ad-coms judge your approach to the research focus to be interesting and situated enough. Of course, what it means to be "interesting" and "situated" is incredibly subjective. Given the eclectic composition of ad-coms, this means that the same SOP may "speak to" one member and not another, depending on how they conduct their own research inquiry. Some are averse to the "this is when I became interested in politics" anecdotes, some don't mind. Some care about how you use loaded concepts, some may give you a pass. Some care if you integrate faculty names throughout rather than just in the last paragraph, some don't. However, all pay attention to how you ask questions and what that says about your potential to do research (regardless of your actual substantive interest).

The point is not that your substantive focus does not matter. Clearly, it does. But if you are wondering why certain schools where you have a substantive match may have passed you up, I submit: this process is incredibly random and a lot has to align for one to edge out similarly qualified applicants to make the cut. One such variable is your ability to signal your fit not just with the content of your research but the contextualizing of your research.

[grantman]

Just got another rejection today from Illinois. Two rejections in one day is quite disheartening. I feel like I am becoming the Debbie-Downer of this forum page and I do apologize for ruining everyone's good time.

[Doorkeeper]

Just got another rejection today from Illinois. Two rejections in one day is quite disheartening. I feel like I am becoming the Debbie-Downer of this forum page and I do apologize for ruining everyone's good time.

It's ok! I was rejected from 4 programs last Wednesday and I'm now up to 0/11. You're in good company.

[saltlakecity2012]

Long time lurker, first time poster, already attending, etc.

I wanted to talk more about "fit" and the role of the statement of purpose. It is my understanding that the there are at least two components of the SOP that signal fit to the ad-com. First, the substantive focus of your research; and second, the presentation of that research focus. There has been quite a lot of information on the forums on the former but not nearly as much attention to the latter. What I mean by presentation of research focus is the way you formulate your questions, display an awareness of the significant debates in your field, and your ability to situate yourself within these debates with your questions. In addition, the specific terms you use to phrase your research is also a critical element of research presentation.

Now, why would this matter? Keep in mind that you are proposing to study a certain set of questions and ad-coms are aware that the chances of you actually carrying out that specific research is very slim. Applicants are known to exaggerate or just plain manufacture interests in certain substantive issues to just get their foot in the door. This is standard practice. In many programs with well-known specializations or specialists, a plethora of applicants will claim to be interested in the same sorts of research focus. Provided that at this stage, the applicants have comparable numbers and/or experience, how do you determine the "best fit" in these cases? It may come down to whether ad-coms judge your approach to the research focus to be interesting and situated enough. Of course, what it means to be "interesting" and "situated" is incredibly subjective. Given the eclectic composition of ad-coms, this means that the same SOP may "speak to" one member and not another, depending on how they conduct their own research inquiry. Some are averse to the "this is when I became interested in politics" anecdotes, some don't mind. Some care about how you use loaded concepts, some may give you a pass. Some care if you integrate faculty names throughout rather than just in the last paragraph, some don't. However, all pay attention to how you ask questions and what that says about your potential to do research (regardless of your actual substantive interest).

The point is not that your substantive focus does not matter. Clearly, it does. But if you are wondering why certain schools where you have a substantive match may have passed you up, I submit: this process is incredibly random and a lot has to align for one to edge out similarly qualified applicants to make the cut. One such variable is your ability to signal your fit not just with the content of your research but the contextualizing of your research.

This is excellent.

Just got another rejection today from Illinois. Two rejections in one day is quite disheartening. I feel like I am becoming the Debbie-Downer of this forum page and I do apologize for ruining everyone's good time.

Nonsense! Rejections are always disheartening, and this forum (at least, this is what I think) is about mutual support during this extremely challenging and sometimes depressing process. I'm sorry about the news, but there's no need for you to apologize!

[amblingnymph]

For anyone who applied to Rutgers or American, I called both to see when they'd be sending out acceptances. Both said this weekend or later.

[CairoKid]

It's ok! I was rejected from 4 programs last Wednesday and I'm now up to 0/11. You're in good company.

To you and grantman, I've been rejected everywhere thus far. Definitely in good company. Particularly disheartening when your significant other gets into a bunch of programs and complains about having to decide between programs, whereas you're sitting there with no options at all. =(

[CairoKid]

Additionally, has anyone been in contact with Washington Seattle? I'm curious if they're done offers, as I mentioned earlier on this board. I've thought about calling them myself, but I don't know how I would handle hearing a rejection via phone. hah

[Helix]

It's ok! I was rejected from 4 programs last Wednesday and I'm now up to 0/11. You're in good company.

Just wanted to express my solidarity. I know how much this sucks--I struck out my first time around. And on top of the sting of getting rejected from everywhere I actually applied to, I also got a rejection letter from a school I *didn't* apply to (I had opened an account and then not turned anything in, but they felt the need to reject me anyway just in case, I guess). On the plus side, whether you strike out or just have a bum day (don't worry, even this cycle has been full of those for me too), it's a good reality check on how much you really want this and a good learning experience if you decide to apply to really anything again.

[syg5048]

For anyone who applied to Rutgers or American, I called both to see when they'd be sending out acceptances. Both said this weekend or later.

I got my offer from American today, so maybe sooner rather than later for everyone waiting for them!

[Doorkeeper]

Just wanted to express my solidarity. I know how much this sucks--I struck out my first time around. And on top of the sting of getting rejected from everywhere I actually applied to, I also got a rejection letter from a school I *didn't* apply to (I had opened an account and then not turned anything in, but they felt the need to reject me anyway just in case, I guess). On the plus side, whether you strike out or just have a bum day (don't worry, even this cycle has been full of those for me too), it's a good reality check on how much you really want this and a good learning experience if you decide to apply to really anything again.

Thanks. It does indeed suck, as all of my advisors/mentors kept telling me how strong of an applicant I was...so I was expecting something. To be positive, it points to my statement and/or writing sample needing improvement, rather than me being a fundamentally poor applicant. I'll definitely be re-applying next year, so it's just a matter of waiting it out for the next 6-8 months until apps are back up. On the plus side, I'm doing considering better in applying to law schools, so at least I have some positive letters to look at!

Edited March 2, 2012 by Doorkeeper

[amblingnymph]

I got my offer from American today, so maybe sooner rather than later for everyone waiting for them!

Congrats!!

[McCarthy]

Also rejected from Maryland. I'm not too upset, I've been accepted at one school. Plus I still have 4 bullets left.

Edited March 2, 2012 by McCarthy

[yanjun]

Is there someone has received financial assistanship from UCSB PhD program in political science Fall 2012 ?

The admission letter from Department says " Although we are unable to offer you financial assistance at this time, we shall contact you if we are able

to find some first-year money or a TAship for you in the coming months. "

My undergrad GPA 3.65 master GPA 3.92 Toefl:95 GRE: 155+160+3.5

the possibility for financial support very low? should I contact the graduate director or my advisor asking for money? UCSB seems to only have limited fund to distribute.

[CairoKid]

I would just like to let it be known that despite my unsuccessful run so far, I have received so much support and helpful information from this forum that I am aiming to get into a top 20 - perhaps even top 10 - PhD program next cycle. =P I don't know how realistic that is, but I do think I have worked tremendously hard and have had a lot of great experiences that make me an attractive candidate. I just need to boost my Verbal GRE a bit (which I'm getting help to control my anxiety and obsessive thoughts), and need to better articulate my purpose for graduate study in my SOP (which I've already made a ton of revisions to). When I get my fabulously fully funded offers to top tier programs next year, I'll be sure to thank "all the little people" (just kidding, you guys and gals are great!) for my successes. =)

[ilovezvezda]

Is there someone has received financial assistanship from UCSB PhD program in political science Fall 2012 ?

The admission letter from Department says " Although we are unable to offer you financial assistance at this time, we shall contact you if we are able

to find some first-year money or a TAship for you in the coming months. "

My undergrad GPA 3.65 master GPA 3.92 Toefl:95 GRE: 155+160+3.5

the possibility for financial support very low? should I contact the graduate director or my advisor asking for money? UCSB seems to only have limited fund to distribute.

I got a great funding package from them and I PM'd you the details. Please let me know if you have any other q's...

[tamaloo]

Hey, does anyone know anything about Syracuse?

I see one acceptance on the board, but there's no claim or anything.

Um, does this mean they're done?