[Welcome to the 2012-2013 cycle]

Just accepted an offer from Portland State University for their Masters program with a double-concentration in American and Comparative. 

 

Very excited!

[Portland, OR]

Bump!

 

I just got offered/accepted admission into the Masters in Political Science program at PSU. Since the last post inhere is fairly old, I figure I should ask for advice/info.

 

I'm from Ohio and have never been to Portland (applied because it was literally the only program that had exactly what I wanted) and am wondering the following:

 

-Best neighborhoods for apartments within walking distance?

-Should I invest in a bike?

-Public transport?

-Really just anything else that might be helpful.

 

Thanks in advance!!

[Welcome to the 2012-2013 cycle]

Just curious if anyone here knows much about Portland State? The application is not due until May 1st (sent mine in a few days ago). They have a great program but I cannot find their acceptance rate/competitiveness/usual timetable in terms of getting back to you anywhere. I see a lot of other majors have been accepted/declined, though.

[Anyone else losing their damn mind?]

Literally mailed my application less than a week ago and am already freaking out. 

 

Weirdest thing was how hard it was to drop the damn thing into the mailbox.

[Can't Shorten my SOP-Help!]

Didn't want to start a thread for this, so I'll ask it in here quickly: if the application says "approximately 500 words," is 600 words acceptable? I know going over that would be a mistake, but I'm not sure if I should go shorter than that?

[Too many recommendations?]

I'm gonna jump in this with a related question: my main school asked for 2 letters. I emailed both professors I chose. One did not email me back for about 3 weeks, so I asked my backup. Unfortunately, the backup said yes as finally did the original professor. Should I use all 3 letters or should I inform one of them that I do not need the letter? I feel bad doing this because he seemed genuinely excited to help but at the same time I know it might be necessary. 

[miller analogies test]

Thanks guys! It's so hard to find info on this test anywhere and no one I know has even heard of it. 

[miller analogies test]

I'm applying for the Political Science graduate program at Portland State and they allow you to replace the GRE with the MAT. As someone who struggled with GRE math, I decided to do this and ended up being in the 91st overall percentile and 92nd in my intended major.

 

Basically I'm just curious if anyone has had any experience with the MAT at all. I know broadly these are good scores but I don't know much about the MAT and the research I've done hasn't really given any results. Was taking the MAT instead a wrong choice, even if officially accepted? Does it make me look weaker than a student who took the GRE instead? Or do my solid scores make up that gap?

 

Thanks in advance!