atlas

I'd just go if I had full funding. What else are you going to do this year? Plus how do you know you'll get into a better school? If you already sent out a bunch of applications, one more year doesn't necessarily mean you'll be better off. Plus in the mean time you'll be half way through with a master's degree. That actually will make your application look better...with teaching experience, stuff like that. Most of the time you can transfer those units to another PhD program anyway...so it's not like if you stopped at the master's level you'd loose much. But I agree you do need to decide your career plans. I'm in a PhD program and I now know that my goal is a third tear school. The reason is that the higher up schools are intense. You have to publish like crazy and work, work, work, and still make what like $70-80,000 a year. The professors will tell you this. So I'd rather work at a smaller liberal arts school or lower teared school so I can have a life. It's not a given that you will want to work at the highest ranked schools in the country. That's a lifestyle decision really.

Actually the grade point average I have to maintain at my university is a B+ (every university is different but most say 3.0), so I guess if this professor didn't know that I had gotten A-'s in my other two classes, he might think I was somehow in jeopardy of something. My GPA is fine for my first semester (as far as I am concerned). My PhD class is actually quite large. There are other students I have talked to that also got B+ in other classes. And a large majority got A-s. So that's why I wasn't really focusing on the B+...There wasn't much I could do last semester because of the intensiveness of the other two courses, so I guess I just have to move on and try harder next time. I guess I came away somewhat unscathed, though. I didn't fail anything despite the serious stress I was experiencing last semester. Other students, who had the same course load last semester, also remarked on how one class seemed to get neglected because of the intensity of the other two classes, which were required to take. I tried to explain this to the professor also. Thanks for the information!

Hello, I'm in a PhD program and this is my second semester. My first semester was hell. It was really time consuming, particularly with two classes. I spent most of my time studying for the two classes. I waited until the end of the semester to turn in assignments for the less time consuming third class (which was fine), and I didn't have as much time as I would have liked for that class. Long story short, I end up getting an A- in the hard classes and a B+ in the less hard class. I was a bit disappointed, but that's life. My GPA is fine, though. Lately my prof. from the class I got a B+ tried to tell me this wasn't a very good grade. I agree I wish I'd gotten an A or an A-, but I'm not going to spend a lot of time worrying about it. I got B's sometimes in my master's degrees and this has not hindered me at all. I have never gotten a letter of rec. simply from a prof. either. I always get letters from previous thesis committee members because they know me better. Anyway, my question is, should I sit around feeling guilty and bad about a B+? It seems ridiculous. Has anybody here gotten B's in PhD programs and experienced any problems?

You don't need to submit a GRE score for the University of Hawaii. At least you didn't last year. Otherwise apply to top schools abroad, which don't ask for the GRE. Apply to top ones because I think Americans are really snobby about their degrees and don't always respect ones from abroad, unless they have heard of them i.e. Oxford, places like that.

Hi, I have been accepted into a PhD program that I want to go to. It is at a public university, so eventually, when I get in-state residence I will pay very little tuition. It is also in a small size cheap town. So I think that I am going to accept this PhD program. However, I have some doubts and I am wondering if accepting this PhD program is going to drive me deep in debt. I would like to hear stories from people who have done this. Also I am wondering if schools sometimes change their minds about funding you once you show up on campus....for example if I personally secure a TA position once I arrive. Thanks for any assistance!!

I memorized thousands of words. My GRE verbal score rose 200 points. I basically went through the Barron's GRE book and made flash cards of all the words I didn't know by heart from the whole word list (not just the high frequency GRE words). It took me about 2 months to make these flash cards. Then I spent another two months studying the flashcards. This might sound a little extreme, but it worked and gave me a great handle on the verbal section. If you've got the time...this method works.

Thanks for the feedback. I am actually okay with having around a 1100 (with the two highest scores). I don't know who these people are that are getting 1400s. I read that around 1100 is average for a PhD candidate...with that number being a bit less for master's applicants. I'm not applying to any Ivy League type schools. I'm just applying to schools where my research matches theirs. But I'm just kind of worried that I might be gambling too much with my scores. But that's true that as long as I meet the school's cutoff then I should technically be okay as long as the other stuff in my file is good. I'll ask about funding then also. Thanks!

Hi, I took the GRE recently and got a 640 V 410 Q. I was fine with the verbal score, but obviously the math score is quite low. I also took the GRE two years ago and I got a 480 Q and a lower verbal score. I started contacting some schools and a few told me they will take the highest of the two test scores. So my highest scores for the two tests would be 640 V 480 Q, which is a 1120 and meets most of the (published) cut offs for schools. My questions is do you think I must re-take the test because of my low math score or is it possible that I could get into a PhD program with what I have. I am applying in Political Science and I have a 3.5 GPA. I have traveled a significant amount and I am in IR. I have teaching experience and good LORs...plus two master's degrees. I am reluctant to take the GRE again because I doubt my math score will improve much. I am not that great at math, but feel that the GRE math questions are a rare breed and it would require me to take a long course to really get the hang of it ...and I don't really have that much time. Thanks for any help!!

I decided to join this site and it has math lessons for every type of problem (geometry, alegbra, etc. ) and is very helpful.

Hi, I found this website called yourteacher.com I am considering signing up for it for math help for the GRE. Has anybody subscribed to their service before? Or does anyone know a good site that provides math help online with videos (that's possibly free). yourteacher.com charges I think $30 a month and I don't have time to sign up for an outside course at this point. Thanks!!

I'm going to apply to about 15-20 I think. Online applications, where an email link is sent to recommenders, makes things a lot easier for professors writing recommendations...in my opinion. I am trying to limit the amount of schools I apply to that need mailed letters of recommendations. This seems like more work for them (and me). I am sticking to the 3-3-3 rule and then adding a few schools to each section. I am also applying to about 4 schools out of the US. I find the process of searching for schools to apply to quite time consuming!

Parisienne, Thank you very much for the information! I forgot that there would be few classes to take at Sciences Po for the PhD, but I assume I would probably have to write my disseration in French. I basically know what I am going to write my disseration on, so I am looking for schools that match up with this as well. I am going to continue to look at Sciences Po and decide if it's do-able for me. I'm not really interested in applying to Oxford, but I might apply to LSE. There is also a program in Germany I am looking into. Plus I will apply to some schools in the US and maybe solid programs in Canada and Australia too. I want to have a variety. Thanks again!!

Parisienne, Thanks for the information. I would apply to Sciences Po for my PhD, but as I understand it classes are taught in French and English and I would have to speak French pretty fluently...is this correct? Do you know if it possible to just take classes in English only at Sciences Po at the doctorate level? I've heard good things about this school and I love that city.

Gradstudent1985 I completely agree with you. I actually finished my master's degree in IR abroad and most of my professors were from Oxford and LSE. I think some academics don't realize there are great institutions outside the US. The only problem I had with the Oxford, LSE professors, at least for the newer graduates, was that they didn't seem to have as much teaching/classroom experience because they had spent all their time researching while getting their PhD. I agree LSE, Oxford, Science Po, possibly St. Andrews are quite popular for Political Science students in Europe...and some of these students are definitely finding work in the US. They may have to do a post-doc first, but so do a lot of people. Basically I already know about the "ivy league" type schools in Europe I was just hoping a few people would write in and tell me about their great Political Science Dept. in Europe, which I might not be familiar with.

Thanks for your assistance. I am applying to some programs in the US too, but I am looking to apply to some others in Europe as well. I'll check out the school that was mentioned in Florence, Italy also.

It's possible that I might teach in the US...but I spend a lot of time out of the US, so no I don't have my heart set on teaching in the US. Basically in the past ten years I've spent about 6 of those years outside the US. I might just stay in Europe....that's why I'm looking for some good programs to apply to there. I'd actually really like to go to school in Italy or France, but the good programs I know of in France are taught mostly in French....and I'm just not that sure about Italian universities at this point.

Why would I want to get an International Relations degree outside the US? There are many reasons, but more specifically a huge part of my international relations training has been through travel and living in other countries, so why not study abroad? Thanks for any information on good IR programs in Europe....if you know of any.

Hi, I am thinking of applying to PhD programs in Political Science in Europe. Certain schools I know are good for example the London School of Economics, SOAS, Oxford, etc. But I am looking a little beyond these programs to possibly Italy, France, Germany or the Netherlands. The program I attend would have to be in English. My focus is International Relations and I have a particular interest in issues relating to Western Civilization. I already have a master's degree in Political Science/International Relations. I am American so I am also wondering about funding, and if I don't get any university funding would my only option be to take out American private school loans? Can anyone recommend some solid schools to apply to in Europe and comment on payment options? I am particularly interested in hearing from an American student who has gone to Europe to do their PhD in Political Science (IR) ....And find out how this turned out for them. Thanks for any assistance!!

AVOID private lenders as much as possible!! Go with the unsubsidized loans. Only go with private loans if you are desperate.

I just got a hurtful rejection over the phone. I hadn't heard anything from one school, so I contacted the graduate advisor at the university and he told me my application was "pending." But then he explained to me that acceptance letters were already sent out last month, along with wait list letters. He told me my chances of getting into the school at this point were "very slim." He then went on to add that his university was VERY SELECTIVE with who they let in.....and some other garbage about their standards. I felt like I was being broken up with. His tone was chilling. After I hung up the phone I just muttered to myself....f*ck off. Seriously, he was that rude.

Oh pardon me....I just realized you haven't even gotten out of probation yet OP...you're still just an assistant professor. Seriously, save it with your father knows best crap. I bet you're not even 30 years old.

Dear Realist, I found your comments to be totally uncreative and unoriginal. Your whole argument is that you either go to a top 25 American school (or higher) or you shouldn't get a PhD at all in Political Science. What about the people who can't get in to such schools? Should they wash cars for a living? Wait tables? What if their dream is to get a PhD in Political Science? So you go to a lesser school and you end up utilizing your PhD as an analyst or a news commentator....or teaching at a gasp.... less than 25 school. So what? Big deal! Do professors really make such high incomes anyway? Are high school/junior college teachers not getting by okay too? Also have you not heard about some of the big changes being made to the Federal student loan program? Where lenders can't charge you for more than 15% of your income for student loans anymore starting in 2009....no matter if you have a $200,000 or a $15,000 loan. I'm sorry but your post made me quite angry. Your observations come from just one school. I didn't have any of your reported problems when I pursued two different master's degrees. My advisors were more than helpful most of the time! Plus there are thousands of universities all over the world! I'm sorry but you came off very elitist to me in your post and I can't imagine why you felt the need to write to this forum with such a pessimistic outlook. Is it time to retire?

Actually to continue from above...now I have two master's degrees with about a 3.5 GPA from both, so I am in much better shape for the PhD programs I am applying to. I think many people screw up in the first couple years of college...or barely keep their heads above water. I was never on any academic probation in college. For the first couple years I just hadn't picked a major yet and hadn't really found out what interested me. Once I did that my grades shot up. I think most schools understand this...that's why many are more concerned with your last couple of years in college.

Some years ago..when I applied to my first master's degree, I had a 2.59 GPA from my bachelor's degree, a 570 V. (if I remember correctly) and a 300 Q score (or some low number like that). I got into all the schools I applied to (except one). I didn't apply to top schools. I mostly applied to second tear schools...which were decent for my major. I did, however, have a few years of experience in the field I was applying and a recommendation from a highly respected place. At the time the man who wrote me the recommendation wasn't very well known, but now he's headline news fairly often. Anyway...I got in!! And I finished my master's degree in 1.5 years. I screwed up on the math part of the GRE because I was just tired and actually wanted to quit halfway through it, but the administor talked me out of it. But I'd lost a lot of valuable time by conversing with the administor about it and by the time I got back... time was up and I failed that part. But, like I said...I still got into the program I wanted. But I bombarded them with phone calls. That school knew I wanted desperately to get in. I just don't have the nerve to do that anymore!

That's funny!! I got a rejection email yesterday and even though I know it's a form letter (and sent to hundreds of other rejected candidates) it does feel a little personal (!!). And I have to admit for a second I was slightly tempted to hit reply with something like.... "What you think you're so great!!!!??? Actually this was my last (last) choice school and I agonized whether or not I should even throw that 100 bucks away for the application fee (of a second rate school). So thanks for making my life easier! I agree that I can do better than your school and that I couldn't possibly fit in." But instead I took a deep breath and a few hours later I totally wrote the whole thing off...It's really no big deal! It's the luck of the draw.