Zartan

Thanks, I have done research. I realize many non-Ivy AAU schools are superior in political science to some Ivy schools. As per my previous post, I was suggesting broad categories for purposes of benchmarking only, not as a literal enunciation and exhaustive ordering of how I classify every program in America. I suppose, though, grad school message boards are not unlike the ESPN forums. If you say the Pac 12 sucks at football, USC fans will start yelling about their championships. So that's on me. And, again, I apologize for everyone who was scandalized. (For those who are likely to be offended in the future when you come across this thread; please just assume that whatever your school is that I think it is the best school in the world for political science and my post was referring to everyplace except your university.)

HC, thanks a million - this is great insight; some of the best I've had offered. I really appreciate it.

Thanks so much, this is incredibly helpful advice and great direction and insight. Another question, if I could impose: I just took the GRE this afternoon, but only studied for 2 weeks and got four hours sleep last night and also have a bad cold. Nonetheless, I feel like 150 on the quant is representative of my abilities. I become extremely flustered and anxious at the first sight of numbers, and on the Kaplan practice tests never broke a 155. Assuming I retook the GRE and got another 150 on quant, where do you think that would put me in terms of the calibre of institution into which I could reasonably expect to gain entry? In reference to your advice for me to focus on what schools are good fits - this author (http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/international-relations-graduate-school-pros-and-cons/) says he regrets attending the University of Alabama because, while he likes the school, it has limited his career prospects. (That said, this is for IR and is in reference to a Ph.D. program for a person who entered academia.) What are your thoughts on that?

Hi ExponentialDecay. As per my OP: a terminal M.A. program in political science Harvard on one end, and the University of Phoenix on the other, are for purposes of benchmarking. I do not literally plan to apply to the University of Phoenix, nor do I harbor illusions that I would be a candidate for admission to Harvard. I apologize if the way I phrased my request for advise scandalized you. Thank you for your feedback.

I realize this is an intrinsically vague and impossible to answer question, however, am hoping to get some direction in terms of what "category" of graduate school I should apply to for a terminal M.A. program in political science. Assuming "Tier 1" was an Ivy League school (Penn, Harvard, etc.), "Tier 2" was a non-Ivy AAU school (Michigan, Indiana, etc.), "Tier 3" was San Jose State University, and "Tier 4" was the University of Phoenix Online, toward what tier should I be focusing my energy and money in applying? GRE VERBAL: 167 GRE QUANT: 150 GPA: 3.62 from UMass I believe my writing samples, references, and personal statement are all solid. Many thanks, in advance, for advice and direction. Also, please don't withhold or massage your opinion out of concern you might hurt my feelings ... I'm a rock! Thanks!