7 rejections, 1 admit, 1 waitlist - thoughts?

[Robes]

I would like to suggest you this thread, pretty relevant and with lots of interesting tips: 

 

Getting to TT from a 50-60 rank program

http://www.poliscirumors.com/topic/getting-to-tt-from-a-50-60-rank-program

Edited March 20, 2015 by Robes

[Doe comma John]

Robes,

 

Thanks! A PSJR thread that isn't worthless?! I mean, I guess given volume even they have to contribute something positive once in a while. 

[Robes]

Robes,

 

Thanks! A PSJR thread that isn't worthless?! I mean, I guess given volume even they have to contribute something positive once in a while. 

 

Totally agree with that, they are also shocked by the thread and someone is trying to understand how such a thing could be even possible!

Edited March 20, 2015 by Robes

[Doe comma John]

I have decided to go for another cycle. Thank you all for the support. I have a question that I hope some of you might be able to help with.

 

I asked a lot from my letter writers this cycle and I’m unsure of how or even if to ask them to go another round with me. I applied to 9 schools and I think that required a lot of work, or at least a lot of time from them. Do you have any thoughts? 1) I feel like I’m imposing by asking that much again 2) I feel like it could be perceived as a little arrogant because I applied to some top programs, it didn’t go well, and I’m going to apply to some of them again, regardless of the apparent evidence against my suitability. Is this just a me-issue or do you think these are legitimate concerns? And if they are legitimate, do you have any thoughts on approaching the issue.

 

I’m thinking of changing one of the letter writers because of a comment he made to me when I asked for advice on the state of my cycle (he basically said, “I would need to know you a lot better to give you advice about this”, which freaks me out because he offered to write the letter without me asking but he doesn’t think he knows me well enough to discuss my future?!), so maybe I’ll replace that one regardless.

 

Anyway, any thoughts are appreciated. 

[ZajoncSays]

I have decided to go for another cycle. Thank you all for the support. I have a question that I hope some of you might be able to help with.

 

I asked a lot from my letter writers this cycle and I’m unsure of how or even if to ask them to go another round with me. I applied to 9 schools and I think that required a lot of work, or at least a lot of time from them. Do you have any thoughts? 1) I feel like I’m imposing by asking that much again 2) I feel like it could be perceived as a little arrogant because I applied to some top programs, it didn’t go well, and I’m going to apply to some of them again, regardless of the apparent evidence against my suitability. Is this just a me-issue or do you think these are legitimate concerns? And if they are legitimate, do you have any thoughts on approaching the issue.

 

I’m thinking of changing one of the letter writers because of a comment he made to me when I asked for advice on the state of my cycle (he basically said, “I would need to know you a lot better to give you advice about this”, which freaks me out because he offered to write the letter without me asking but he doesn’t think he knows me well enough to discuss my future?!), so maybe I’ll replace that one regardless.

 

Anyway, any thoughts are appreciated. 

 

 

Regarding letter writers: use a service like Interfolio. They just write you one letter, place it on Interfolio, and then you can send it where ever you like. Occasionally some schools won't allow you to submit Interfolio through the online applications, but often times if you send a polite email to the department you can send your letters directly to someone and they will add them to your file. 

[stolper]

I know you've already decided, but here's some honest advice. Stop wasting your time with this. 

 

I'm somebody who went to a top 5 and did pretty well for myself. From reading your responses here, it's clear that a PhD program is not right for you. You're treating it as some type of credential that you need to get that federal government job. A PhD should NEVER be just a credential. It's a career, a lifestyle choice. I'm betting that the people sitting on admissions committees can see this from your personal statements and they are doing you a favor. If you're using the PhD as a stepping stone to a federal government position, you will be miserable for 5-6 years of your life. You're better off finding another path to it or even a new career altogether.

[Nobodylordofnothing]

Hey, I'm sort of in the same boat. I don't see a PhD as a credential: I really do love knowledge and academic scholarship. The environment is nice too. But at the same time, I don't want to take a middling offer and then spend the rest of my life working in middling schools. I'm 50/50 between an academic career and the policy world. If I got into a good, solid school, I would def. go to a PhD program. But right now, I'm on the waitlist for a couple and just got a funded offer for IR at AU that, while good, may not fully convince me to go, given the program's ranking. If I went, I don't think I'd have a great academic career in the future. Its unclear if it would help me with my think tank career. I already have a Masters from a top school. But I'm really hesistant about shutting the door to a PhD. A large part of me wants to get my foot in the door and then take it as it goes, or whatever. This is a really hard decision to make for me, and I have only 10 days!

From a purely practical point of view, it seems though that you shouldn't do a PhD unless you want an academic career or want to be a fellow at a top think tank.