Welcome to the 2013-2014 Cycle

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

I submitted all of my 12/15 and 12/16 applications a few days ago because I convinced myself that the entire internet would break if I waited until today.

 

Now that I'm done, what on Earth am I supposed to to with myself for two months? I keep opening my spreadsheet of schools, or revisiting the schools' websites to make sure (again) that the applications are complete.

 

Hope that by some intervention of a deity you find yourself with an acceptance considerably earlier?

[astreaux]

Hope that by some intervention of a deity you find yourself with an acceptance considerably earlier?

 

A couple of my programs send their first letters out before Feb 1.

 

I'm not the only one who has obsessively compiled likely results dates for all my programs, right? Right?

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

A couple of my programs send their first letters out before Feb 1.

 

I'm not the only one who has obsessively compiled likely results dates for all my programs, right? Right?

 

I haven't put them in a spreadsheet, but I've looked through the gradcafe results more than once...

[astreaux]

I haven't put them in a spreadsheet, but I've looked through the gradcafe results more than once...

 

Wisconsin puts folks out of their misery as early as January 24th. My spreadsheet tells me that the vast majority of my answers will arrive during the 8-day stretch when I will be celebrating my tenth wedding anniversary in Italy. I hope my husband finds frequent e-mail checks romantic!

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

Wisconsin puts folks out of their misery as early as January 24th. My spreadsheet tells me that the vast majority of my answers will arrive during the 8-day stretch when I will be celebrating my tenth wedding anniversary in Italy. I hope my husband finds frequent e-mail checks romantic!

 

Last year Urbana-Champaign started announcing second week of January. Don't know if I'll be applying yet.

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

when I will be celebrating my tenth wedding anniversary in Italy. I hope my husband finds frequent e-mail checks romantic!

 

By the way, congratulations on the 10th anniversary! That's great! And in Italy no less. Where will you be going?

[astreaux]

That's fast work at Urbana-Champaign! It's particularly impressive since their application deadline is Jan 1st. I didn't know any programs had deadlines that late. Do they get fewer applications?

 

Thanks for the congrats. We're headed to Rome to see "old stuff" and to do as the Romans do (long, late dinners). We went to Italy once before, but on a less-traveled itinerary through the mountains and wineries in Valle d'Aosta. We figured that if I get into one of my programs, it may be a long time before we have the opportunity to travel in February again.

[TheGnome]

That's fast work at Urbana-Champaign! It's particularly impressive since their application deadline is Jan 1st..

True, but on the other hand, I suspect nobody at those December 15th schools will look at anything before the Christmas / New Year break. So I feel like it could have all been Jan 1st

[jazzrap]

Has anyone of your letter writers received error messages while uploading letters? One of my letter writers got a couple of messages when uploading letters to a few schools. I think it is because some schools use the same online system so one needs to close the browser and restart it to jump from one school to another when uploading letters. Eventually, she/he succeeded. And it appears on his/her screen and on my screen that the letter is "received". HOWEVER, today I just realized that Wisconsin still has not received his/her letter yet. I emailed him/her directly, who later tried three times with three browsers, and it still refused to work. I am going to call Wisconsin tomorrow.

 

This is not the main thing. My worst nightmare would be: since he/she encountered errors in submitting letters and succeeded in later attempts, both he/she and I would really believe that the letter is "received", while it actually is still not received. This would be catastrophic, because we wouldn't know the letter is not received by the committee. Hopefully I am just over-thinking. 

[astreaux]

True-- maybe it gives them an extra week or so before the holiday break to make sure the applications are complete. To connect GRE scores with files, etc.

 

On another note, what are those red and green arrows beneath each post? Is it just a like/dislike feature?

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

True, but on the other hand, I suspect nobody at those December 15th schools will look at anything before the Christmas / New Year break. So I feel like it could have all been Jan 1st

 

Northwestern starts on Monday.

 

And yes, it is very fast as far as turnover goes. Although, the results page isn't comprehensive with info from them. I can only assume they receive fewer applications (they don't provide that information anywhere that I can find).

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

True-- maybe it gives them an extra week or so before the holiday break to make sure the applications are complete. To connect GRE scores with files, etc.

 

On another note, what are those red and green arrows beneath each post? Is it just a like/dislike feature?

 

Yes. If you go to my profile, for example, you'll see a reputation based on those likes/dislikes at the top right.

 

p.s. Does anyone else always get "you're posting too fast you spambot" messages from gradcafe?

Edited December 15, 2013 by TakeMyCoffeeBlack

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

Thanks for the congrats. We're headed to Rome to see "old stuff" and to do as the Romans do (long, late dinners). We went to Italy once before, but on a less-traveled itinerary through the mountains and wineries in Valle d'Aosta. We figured that if I get into one of my programs, it may be a long time before we have the opportunity to travel in February again.

 

That sounds great. I haven't been to Italy before. Which is kind of ridiculous, since I've lived in Germany for 7 months so far (and 7 months to go before I move back to the States (for grad school??)). I'd love to go to Rome, but I might prefer the mountains and wineries too. Maybe a week in each place could be ideal.

 

My gf and I have talked about, if/when we get married, doing our honeymoon either in the vineyards of Italy or on a castle tour of Scotland. 

Edited December 15, 2013 by TakeMyCoffeeBlack

[astreaux]

That sounds great. I haven't been to Italy before. Which is kind of ridiculous, since I've lived in Germany for 7 months so far (and 7 months to go before I move back to the States (for grad school??)). I'd love to go to Rome, but I might prefer the mountains and wineries too. Maybe a week in each place could be ideal.

 

My gf have talked about, if/when we get married, doing our honeymoon either in the vineyards of Italy or on a castle tour of Scotland. 

 

Where in Germany are you? I spent a day in Aachen once, and I've been stuck in Frankfurt a couple of times because of canceled flights, but I've never had a chance to explore the more interesting places. The Mosel is on my bucket list. Are you in a masters program there? If money were no object, I'd love to do some sort of international law program in Europe before starting a PhD program.

[astreaux]

Yes. If you go to my profile, for example, you'll see a reputation based on those likes/dislikes at the top right.

 

p.s. Does anyone else always get "you're posting too fast you spambot" messages from gradcafe?

 

Ah, thanks. I haven't seen that message, but I've only posted a few times so far. I anticipate that will change now that I have nothing to do re: application but wait.

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

Where in Germany are you? I spent a day in Aachen once, and I've been stuck in Frankfurt a couple of times because of canceled flights, but I've never had a chance to explore the more interesting places. The Mosel is on my bucket list. Are you in a masters program there? If money were no object, I'd love to do some sort of international law program in Europe before starting a PhD program.

 

What do you research??? I'm taking master's seminars, but I'm here on a Fulbright fellowship. I could have pursued a degree, but I decided that keeping myself free to pursue my own research/interests and fill in the blanks in my training would be more valuable in my long term pursuit of a Ph.D. However, given my research interests, it would be very useful for me to have done an international law program (though I'd prefer to do it in England, for the obvious reasons of language).

 

I'm south of Stuttgart right now. I previously studied in a small Bavarian city, so I've seen a bit of Bavaria. I'm picking my gf up from Frankfurt tomorrow morning.

Edited December 15, 2013 by TakeMyCoffeeBlack

[astreaux]

I'm interested in evolving norms of warfare. How about you?

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

I'm interested in evolving norms of warfare. How about you?

 

Oh wow. I'm really interested in comparative judicial politics, but more generally in European integration theory, international law, and democratization (and the role of international/supranational organizations in that process).

[astreaux]

Interesting stuff! Will your primary field be IR or comparative? I selected IR in most programs... except the few that offer law as an option.

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

Interesting stuff! Will your primary field be IR or comparative? I selected IR in most programs... except the few that offer law as an option.

 

Comparative, mostly, and law at a few (though since so many are American based, I indicated law typically as second to Comp). If I apply to Urbana-Champaign it will be in IR.

[jeudepaume]

I'm so frustrated. One of my recommenders didn't submit their letters. Deadlines passed (some of them long ago). I contacted the person multiple times, and was reassured that it would be submitted. I don't know what I else I can do at this point, but it sure does feel unfair—after all that work and money spent—to not have a chance at some places because of somebody else.

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

I'm so frustrated. One of my recommenders didn't submit their letters. Deadlines passed (some of them long ago). I contacted the person multiple times, and was reassured that it would be submitted. I don't know what I else I can do at this point, but it sure does feel unfair—after all that work and money spent—to not have a chance at some places because of somebody else.

 

Most programs will accept LORs late. I inquired with Northwestern (which was due on 13) for this reason. I'm sure you're fine!

[jeudepaume]

Thank you TMCB! Northwestern is one of those late ones too. 

[kal5]

Hey Folks,

I'm applying for IR with a focus on IPE to a bunch of places. This is my first post. I've been tracking the discussions here for quite a while and I just wanted to say thank you to all the posters. I've gotten a lot out of it but didn't have all that much to contribute. I just submitted 5 apps in the last two days and my last one isn't due for a little while. Good luck everyone! 

[veritaserum]

Most programs will accept LORs late. I inquired with Northwestern (which was due on 13) for this reason. I'm sure you're fine!

 

I'm so frustrated. One of my recommenders didn't submit their letters. Deadlines passed (some of them long ago). I contacted the person multiple times, and was reassured that it would be submitted. I don't know what I else I can do at this point, but it sure does feel unfair—after all that work and money spent—to not have a chance at some places because of somebody else.

 

Most schools are understanding of the fact that sometimes LORs get submitted late due to factors that are beyond [the applicant's] control - don't lose heart yet!  

(One of my LORs was a bit late for a couple of schools as well, and I was told that it wouldn't be the deal breaker.)