spaulding

Most programs rank their applicants like instructors grade tests. GRE scores may count for 30% of the test, GPA, 20%, writing statement 30%, and rest 20%. Your undergraduate GPA is "okay," and you have social science training (b.a. in political science), but even with the fullbright (which is a MAJOR plus) they will have serious questions as to why you didnt take a stats and methods in undergrad (some programs require applicants to have it). You can apply to an MA program in Demography, but they'll likely have the same questions and/or offer little funding. You could go to a lower ranked and/or non-american school, but moving up the ranks (which it appears you want to do) may prove very very rough. You might want to look at a top 25 master's in public policy, social policy, public affairs programs, or something social sciency. Since these programs draw students from a variety of fields, they wont expect you to have any methods or stats training and if they do, will be more flexible. While in the program, you'll likely take a graduate level statistics course (do well in it), and if you can, take it in sociology. Try to use an elective to take a methods course in sociology and/or a course taught by someone who has a background in sociology. After you complete the program (providing you do well which I'm sure you'll do), you'll be VERY attractive and fundable to top tier programs. That's my two cents....

http://www2.asanet.org/sectionchs/awards.html

Private schools offer great funding, so it's worth a try and a conversation. Dual degree programs offer the benefit of (possible) additional funding, as well as a broader experience. Now, you have to decide....do you want to apply to both programs early, or later. There are pluses and minuses for each option.

Hi sa854: Yes, that is the correct site. The pick of a graduate school is a VERY personal choice that should be based on fit and/or ranking of the program. I advise people to look at the entire program (i.e., its overall ranking, ranking of the school, ranking in discipline and subfield, what types of students it produces, if faculty publish with students...) before making a decision. People move, ideas change, funding gets cut, and personalities conflict. Most graduate students, regardless of the type of training they had prior to enrolling in Ph.D programs change topics, and its best if the student is in an environment where they can feel free to explore and develop ideas. You're lucky.....health and gender is a growing field (my minors in health) and depending on the type of health research you conduct (mental, physical, attitudes, behaviors.....) there are a number of places you can apply to (send me a personal message if you need help) especially since the major funding push a few months ago to develop more studies on health inequalities. I say all that to say be as broadly specific as possible when you speak with schools. Hope that helps. spaulding

You have a strong background in business, and with certain sectors moving to the "business model" you'll be in demand. Given your background, have you considered applying to more programs that have a joint MTS/MDIV and Public Policy degree or schools that have scholars who do work on religion and government? I know University of Chicago has a great program as well as many others. spaulding

I graduated from a top MPP program and have friends on the admissions committee. Most people I've come across are OVER qualified for this area, and you appear to be one of those students. With a background in econ, you'll likely do well on the GRE (above 1050) and with a background in ECON, you have the quantitative skills to gain admission into any of the top 15 programs (i have a friend in unc and your record is much strong than his). The only bit of advice I give to students in this area is to attend a school where you'll receive great training in and outside the classroom. So, if I were you, I'd look at schools in DC and in the state capital: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandr ... y-analysis. spaulding

Check with Mary Patillo at Northwestern, Alford A. Young Jr. & Karyn Lacy at Michigan.

I agree with the statement above, and would only add, when you email, make sure its CLEAR. Remember, those you email now, will remember you........

Letters should come from people that you have a positive relationship with and that are academics. Therefore, a letter from an academic that you havent contacted in a number of years will be questioned, as well as the letter from the non-academic UNLESS the letters are consistent across the board (you were the same hardworking person in the past as you are in the present, and will be in the future).

The National Research Council is the "gold" standard among most academics concerned with rankings. Here's the link and I will post the list at the end of this message. Programs are (unofficially) tiered. There's the top 10, top 15, top 25, top 30, and top 50. The rule of thumb is you never want to go below a school ranked 50th (lower graduation rates) and want to stay within the top 25 if possible. Rankings (in many minds) equates to training. The higher the ranking, the higher the quality of training, the higher likelihood that you'll have more opportunities once you graduate. If you attend from a lower ranked program, there will be questions about your training. Publications can answer those questions, but the road to publishing is a long one (http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_r ... rea41.html).

Sociologists tend to study America, but David Brady at Duke is one person who studies latin america http://ducis.jhfc.duke.edu/wp-content/u ... 080918.pdf

It would appears as though you're interests revolve around political and or economic sociology. Here are the rankings for that subsection: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandr ... -sociology. One can enter a PhD program in sociology without having a sociology undergraduate degree, however those that successfully enter those programs likely have the following courses on their transcript: theory, methods, and statistics (in any social science area, but sociology is likely preferred). The best advice is to identify 10-15 top programs in the top 50 that you want to apply to (http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_r ... rea41.html). After you compile a list, make phone calls to the schools you KNOW you wouldnt go to that are similarly ranked and talk to the DGS. That way, even if you ask less than insightful questions, it wont come back and bite you. spaulding