tlgoa2

Thanks for your input. I got a similar sense about UCI. I assume you mean that UCI had a positive department culture and that you didn't get the same sense from UW?

Anyone else have any opinions? I feel like as of now research fit is better at UCI, but I think people tend to think UW is the stronger department. Talking with students and faculty went fine and both seem like nice places.

I feel you. I'm on the waitlist for USC and though it's not completely dominating other offers, I'd most likely choose it if I got off the waitlist. I really hope things start finalizing soon so I at least know. Good luck!

Thanks for the tips! I was kinda worried about housing in Seattle so I looked up some places and did see some around the prices you mentioned. I was a little unsure if a studio that close to the school could go for a price like that and almost didn't believe it. Thanks again!

Just saw that! I've got no change to the website either. Guess it'll be a mad dash around April 15th.

Thanks! I first heard back from UW around Feb 23. Sorry to hear you haven't heard back, I can imagine that's pretty rough if it's the only school you applied to. As you can tell I'm still mulling the decision over myself, and I'm sure there are others in a similar boat as well. So you still might hear back from them at some point! If I don't choose UW (or whatever school) I do want to make the decision as soon as possible for this very reason.

Yup that seems to be the case. It is perhaps too early to assume a rejection though. I do wish they'd get decisions out soon though, April 15th is coming around soon... I guess they'll wait and see how many people accept their offer, so it might be a while until we hear back.

Yeah it's odd. It's got me nervous since USC is probably my top choice right now and the only one left that I'm really anxious to hear back from (except Georgetown but I'm taking that as an IR at this point).

Does anyone know anything about the interviews for USC posted on GC? Wondering if they'll accept any candidates not invited to an interview.

No worries. I heard back from Syracuse Feb 17th. They're having a virtual visit event later this week for admitted students. I wouldn't count yourself out yet since other admitted students (and myself) might turn down the offer, especially after the event. Yeah I'd probably be torn between those two choices as well. I can't help but feel like I should choose UW, but I feel like I'd be happier at UCI. Congrats on your acceptances though!

Thanks for your response! The funding and placement are definitely the biggest two issues for me. Looks like I'll definitely have to reach out to talk to some current students.

Thanks a lot for your reply, it's very helpful. Those questions seem pretty useful to ask. I wasn't sure about pressing them too much but I suppose they should expect I could be wondering about these things. Actually, I have a virtual visit with another school coming up soon and I have no idea what to ask, so this helps a lot! Thanks again

Hi guys, so while I'm still waiting on a couple of decisions to come back, I could use some help deciding between my current options. UW and UCI are my two best options at the moment (also have a good offer from Syracuse but unless I'm very impressed with faculty meetings I'm probably going to decline). I'm interested in labor, but also macro, political economy, and economic history. I know UW is ranked higher than UCI (35 vs 47), but there are a couple of things that keep me from choosing it immediately. Funding: UCI offered me five years of guaranteed funding, whereas UW only offered me 4 years of funding. UW said they expect the 5th year could be filled with some type of fellowship, RA work, or working in some other department, but that they simply can't guarantee department funding. This seems kinda sketch to me, especially considering the stipend isn't that much for Seattle (around 22k). If I didn't get funding for the fifth year, I'd have to take out loans for tuition and probably drain my savings for living expenses. Placements: This is where I could really use some help. Looking at the placements for UW and UCI, I don't honestly see that big of a difference. I'd prefer to go Academia > Government > Industry, and it doesn't really look like UW has better placements than UCI overall (UCI almost appears to have slightly better placements). Is there a point to going to a higher ranked school if the placements don't seem that much better? Or am I off about UW not placing better than UCI? Housing: This may seem like a small one, but UCI guarantees housing for graduate students, and at very good rates actually. Their stipend is around the same as UW, but due to the low cost of their graduate housing, it comes out to more effectively. I like the idea of not having to worry much about getting housing at good rates, close to the school, and with other graduate students. I know this shouldn't matter, but I also don't want to be miserable/having to dip into my savings to get housing at UW. Location: Again, I know people say it shouldn't matter, and normally I wouldn't care too much, but part of the reason I applied to UW in the first place is because I have family nearby. I don't actually care for either location much, but aside from the proximity to family I think I'd prefer Irvine more. Anyway, considering all of this, which do you all think is better? Appreciate the help.

From my limited understanding, they've sent out emails to gauge applicants' interest in the program before making official offers. I received one myself before the bunch of rejections went up on GC. No info on cohort sizes or waitlists though.

I feel you. I was also expecting USC last week, and have been waiting for Georgetown for a while despite the probable IR. Tough cycle...