silver_lining

There are very few schools in the US where IR is its own individual department and not a subfield of Political Science. Even if you were confusing US vs. European (it is more likely for IR to be its own department in Europe than in the U.S.) Ph.D programs, it is unclear as to why you would think that one would need a 2-3 year gap for any Ph.D programme.

Not at all. I am equally as delusional.

I just want my letter writers to submit already! Especially when you don't have any back up plans.

chocolate cake

I like your name. Hugo Grotius. Customary international law.

ginger tea

I will offer two suggestions due to the problem presented above and let the next poster decide which direction we will go in: fried banana large beer

I am applying very broadly, so if the question is asked on the application form, I've been listing peer institutions. In cases where the school is the lowest ranked one, I ignored the question as it is optional. Of course, I am just an applicant, so what do I know? If I were applying to UNC, I wouldn't even bother with the list because I would feel guilty about giving their secretary more work to do, since that is who you are emailing, correct? Overall, I don't think it matters. I am fairly sure adcom members, once they read your SoP and see your GRE scores, will be able to easily figure out which other schools you are applying to. I wouldn't worry about this issue at all.

10 weeks approximately.

fried fish

I told myself I wouldn't look at this site once I submit all my of applications because it is already driving me crazy, but I am not sure if I am capable of doing so.

fish tank

square watermelon see: http://www.instructables.com/id/Grow-a-square-watermelon/

Your stats are fine, but I am wondering why are you going to emphasize social choice theory? I have 4 friends doing econ Ph.D.'s, therefore, I am stuck listening to them about what fields are marketable, what math background you need, etc. Very few economists do social choice theory because it requires a very strong background in math (advisors do discourage their students from pursuing it if they do not have a math background because it is very technical) and the market for social choice theorists is terrible. HOWEVER, I do not know what the situation is in Political Science. You don't need a math background to be admitted to Political Science programs. I think you should ask your Professors if this is something you should be emphasizing in your SoP. The fact that it is frowned upon in top Econ programs is troubling...

Ph.D. admissions committees do not care about international/domestic student distinctions. Your GRE scores are competitive, but once you meet whatever requirements a school may have, they don't matter anymore. I bought the Ashton book. I didn't like it very much, but you may find it helpful depending on how far along you are with writing your SoP. There is a thread in the Political Science section with example SoPs you may want to check those out. I am applying to about 10 schools. If you cannot get into the 4 you are applying to, it does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong with your application. From what I have heard, people who have received their MA degrees from the Univ. of Chicago are recommended by the faculty to apply to close to 15.

Your list makes perfect sense depending on what your very specific interests are. Georgetown has excellent IPE faculty, so I would keep them on your list. I've heard the same about their funding, but it is worth a try. George Washington has poor/difficult funding as well... Also, you should add additional schools because 4 is far too few for Political Science.

I just submitted 2 of my apps for the same reason. Of course, I found a very minor (hopefully unnoticeable) grammatical error shortly after....

Not as helpful as the 2011-12 season.

Thanks, RWBG.

I agree with some of this, but if you are able to demonstrate "fit," wouldn't it help your application? In some of my SoPs, I can directly relate current/past projects of faculty members and some I can't, but I believe that I have a compelling research agenda (I hope so!) that relates to some Professors interests at each school. Isn't relating Professors projects to your own the best way to address the issue of "fit"? If not, what method do you suggest?

I accidentally found a few by looking at CVs of people that I want to work with (their CVs were recently updated). However, in my opinion, whether they are on the admissions committee or not is not of real value. You can't/shouldn't change your research interests based on the composition of the committee. If I am interested in IPE and person X does conflict, I will not suddenly say I want to study conflict.

1. If you are getting advice from non-US based Professors, I warn you that admissions outside of the US are not the same, so you shouldn't base your admissions strategy on their advice. One of the lovely resident Professors on this forum has stated that having a personal connection with one Professor will not help you gain admissions as you are joining a department not studying under one Professor. 2. Professors are interested in Research/Publications. I cannot see how a blog would matter that much to them, but I guess that is up for debate. 3. In other threads where people have posted their statement of purpose and advice, it is clear contacting faculty does not help.

If a writing sample is optional, should you send one in? Also, when they say "one to two pages" I won't get in trouble if I interpret that as single spaced and not double, correct?

I second this. It is a good idea to apply to a wide variety of schools regardless of your stats (research interests permitting), but especially important if you feel that some part of your application may be weak.

That must have been super awkward. I would probably turn down their offer (if I had offers of equal value) after an encounter like that.