[Target Programs]

The political science job market is in a dire state, and there doesn't seem to be any signs of improvement in the near future. Especially with congress intent on de-funding higher ed (and poli sci research ... damn you Coburn), combined with the current arms race between colleges trying to build the most luxurious student centers/dorms instead of investing in tenure track positions, adjuncts and VAPs will continue to be the norm. NYU is a top 15 school and last year 5/11 of their placements were post-docs. A post-doc placement from a top 15 Econ program is almost unheard of!

 

Regardless, placement should concern you - I'm sure you don't want an adjunct/VAP/post-doc position after living the past 5-6 years in poverty. Personally, a tenure-track at a R1 is the only job market placement that I would be happy with.

I would definitely prefer to have a tenure track job, but it would not completely disappoint me if I had to start out doing something else, even outside academia. 

[Target Programs]

My GPA is low because I started out as an engineering major and some chemistry classes really hurt me, and compounded by the fact that I was just a poor student. Thankfully my intro to govt. class got me interested in Political Science and my grades improved significantly. I think I'm going to retake the GRE, I know I can get a much better Q score, need to brush up on my geometry. 

 

As for career goals, placement doesn't really concern me. I will be fine anywhere as long as I get to be a Political Scientist. 

[Target Programs]

Thank you for the reply. I'm just having a hard time finding the specific information I'm looking for. As a former prospective law student, the lack of hard and fast admissions data on Political Science grad school is killing me. 

[Target Programs]

Hi everyone, 

 

This is my first post and I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice as to what my target range of programs would be. I don't have a ton of money to use on applications so I don't want to waste any. I know that the process is highly subjective and admissions committees consider fit, SOP, letters and writing sample but If you could just give me an idea of my prospects that would be tremendously helpful. 

 

GPA-3.55 (3.77 since freshman year) from crappy state school

GRE- 161 V 158 Q, don't know my writing score 

Writing sample should be good (African population growth- quant heavy) 

1 great letter, 1 good letter, and one TBD 

SOP should be good 

Worked throughout school, interned at State legislature,  speak portuguese, no publications but I've written a few 30+ page papers 

Research interests- Developing countries, US foreign policy, Terrorism, Conflict 

 

I'm not expecting Harvard or Stanford any of the top 20 for that matter. But tell me what you think. top 50, top 100, 100+, funding or no? 

Specific schools that I would love to hear about are UTexas, UVA, and UC Irvine, UGA

Tell me what you think. 

 

Thanks