correlatesoftheory

From my point of view, your profile looks good. Since you're applying to JD/PhD programs, have you taken the LSAT? And if so, are those scores competitive for Yale Law School, Stanford, Harvard, etc.? I do want to ask, why are you applying straight out of undergrad? Consider the alternative--applying after you graduate. If you choose this option, then you have a lot of advantages: honing in your research interests, potentially getting an RA position with a faculty member, finishing off your MA thesis, professional work experience you could get paid for, improving GRE/LSAT scores. Lots of things to consider, as did I when I was thinking about applying just after graduating. I think all of this should be just food for thought. Your profile is pretty good now, but I'm thinking it could be even more competitive should you decide to hold off and apply next cycle. Just my two cents.

I'm in a similar boat. I have had some experience with helping others overcome barriers to education, but I'm going to have to stretch it. I talked to one retired faculty member from the Sociology department at my university, and he said if this part of your application is unremarkable then it shouldn't hurt you; however, if you do have experiences you can talk about or came from a "rough" background, then that might help. I think other parts of the app (statement, letters, grades, GRE scores, etc.) should weigh more, but this is mere speculation.

Yes at first I started studying for both, but when I realized my verbal is quite good, I haven't been studying for it as much. So now I have about a month and a half to just drill for quantitative.

Score goals: 165 for verbal, which I'm confident I can achieve, and 160s for Quant, which I'm not as confident about. I'm applying this fall. Also, I'm aiming for a 5 on AWA.

Greetings, I began studying for the GRE about three weeks ago and registered for the actual exam on September 9th. I started off using just Magoosh and the official book and based my studying habits off of Magoosh's 90 day study plan. However, after a while, I felt it was going a bit slow, and so I just focused on the quantitative stuff versus the verbal (I feel that verbal is my strength). However, after doing one practice question after another, I just didn't feel like I was improving. So, I signed up for Kaplan's GRE tutoring. I took a diagnostic exam and got a 157V and a 144Q. This freaked me out--a lot. After one session with Kaplan's tutoring, and doing some research on their quant preparation, I realized it wouldn't be enough to step me up to the 160s, which is what I'm aiming for, and so I decided to ditch Kaplan. Now, I feel lost. I have a few simple questions: first, did you make a lot of mistakes on GRE quant problems before getting better? How should I prepare for the next month and a half? Or am I just screwed? I see that Magoosh has a one-month study plan, and will probably focus mainly on the quant stuff. Let me know your experience in studying for this thing. I'm willing to take the GRE more than once (once in September, October, and November). Thanks!

Sounds good to me. I'll get on it this week. Appreciate your feedback.

Greetings. 1) My goal is 90th percentile in both quantitative and verbal. 2) I'm planning to apply this application cycle (September-December). 3) Yes, I have a pretty good idea which schools I'll be applying to. They're all pretty competitive, but I think I have a pretty good shot at getting into them. I understand GRE scores aren't everything, but it obviously wouldn't hurt if I got high GRE scores.

Greetings. I have the opportunity to take two different GRE prep courses. One is offered through my university from a company called Campus Prep. It's only $300, and it covers all of the subjects tested on the GRE. The Campus Prep course uses the Barron's 20th edition book, but also recommends getting the Official ETS GRE Book. They meet once a week for two hours. I haven't heard anything about Campus Prep, so perhaps someone here might want to give their two cents. The second option is the Kaplan GRE prep course. It's much more expensive (something like $1200), and uses (I'm assuming) primarily the Kaplan GRE prep book. This course meets either once a week for two hours or twice a week for one hour. I've heard pretty good things about the Kaplan GRE prep class, but maybe someone here can also tell me about their experience. I intend to take the GRE in early September. The Campus Prep Class goes from late June to early August. The Kaplan course would meet from mid July to the first week of September. Money isn't an issue. I'm willing to shell out some extra money if it helps me get an even higher score. Let me know what you think.

This is the advice I've received from nearly every professor. As of now, I have to concentrate on writing a solid statement of purpose(s). I'm confident that my writing sample (honors thesis)--even in its current state, reads like a political science article. Though, I do need to go back and do some revising. I'm just getting through differential calculus and my next quarter of calculus will be integral. In one of your posts you mentioned that going part time won't hurt me as long as I have something to show for it. I should mention that the reason why I'm part-time now is because 1) I finished the coursework for my degree last quarter, 2) I wanted the research position, and part of the obligation was to be a continuing student at least through June and 3) I wanted to take calculus and the regression analysis course. I am taking three courses next quarter, one of them being math, the other a required writing class, and the other being a gardening class. Might anyone have suggestions what else I can do to be "productive" while not being overwhelmed/breaking the bank with tuition?

So you're saying take linear algebra over calculus, considering how useful it will be in the future?

The Quantitative Analysis of Political Data course I took last quarter was basically intermediate regression analysis. One of my "distinguished" professors told me take 16B over linear algebra because the calculus is much more difficult to learn than the linear algebra. I've taken basic micro and macro economics, and my honors thesis is based partially around international trade. I guess it's a matter of showing how I've used my time. I'm currently enrolled in the short calculus class B and a required writing class. I could sign up for linear algebra, but I'm not sure how much this would burden me. I'll also have my research assistantship through June, and maybe through September, and the second one I'm currently involved in should last until the end of the month. One 'distinguished' professor has told me the most important part of the application is the GRE, the GPA, and the letters of rec. Statement of purpose is also important, so too is the writing sample, but he's emphasized the former three. Also, I was advised not to take anymore statistics courses because the statistics taught in grad courses will be taught in the context of the discipline. Rather, I should focus on calculus because it tends to be the type of math that students struggle most with. I met with one Stanford professor last year and I was told they look for whether 1) I know what real political science is and I know what I'm getting to and 2) I can handle the math (this can be demonstrated through taking calc courses, statistics within the writing sample, and having a high quant score on the GRE). But I take your point, and I'll be sure to ask them next time I get a chance to see them. I should also mention that I'm trying to save money on tuition, since I'm finished with my degree and am only taking math courses to bolster my quantitative skills.

Understood. Any advice on what classes I should be taking for my last quarter without bogging me down too much? Right now (as mentioned above) I'm enrolled in Calculus B (differential, integral calculus) and one other required writing class. My math professor gave me a hard time saying I should be doing more, but I've finished the coursework for my degree and can't think of what else I could do that would be worthwhile and not too time consuming.

Good call. I read plenty of journal articles and a couple books for my honors thesis, but I should be reading more as I prepare my statements of purpose later this year. Thanks!

Greetings. As stated in the post, I just want some advice on where I can improve my profile. Also, if someone is willing, address some of the (potential) weaknesses of my profile, and how I might address them. My goal, like many people here at Grad Café, is to attend a top-tier PhD program. I'll just go ahead and post some of my stats below... I'm a transfer student, so I'll breakdown my GPA like so: Currently a senior attending a top-10 public research university in California UC GPA: 3.88 Community college GPA: 3.4 Quantitative coursework: Elementary statistics Short Calculus A (currently enrolled) Short Calculus B (taking next quarter) Quantitative Analysis of Political Data Scientific Study of Politics Also, I've produced an honors thesis which contains multivariate statistical analysis/time series regressions. Research Experience: Currently a research assistant for two "Distinguished" professors. One of which I've been working for since last October, and will continue working for through June. The other I've been working for since January of this year, and will most likely be finished by the end of this month Honors thesis is currently under review for publication in the undergraduate research journal Letters: Both aforementioned professors have agreed to write me good letters of recommendation. It should also be mentioned I took one class with each of them, and excelled. One letter of recommendation from respected Associate Professor who supervised my honors thesis Other information: Studied abroad at well-known French university in Paris and achieved high marks plus became proficient in French Knowledge of STATA, Python Concerns/Potential weaknesses: Low GPA and went part time my first three semesters at community college. After that, I enrolled full-time and achieved a high GPA My last three quarters at my university I've been going part-time. The reason is because I finished all of my coursework for my degree last quarter, then was offered a research position and also wanted to take two math classes in order to bolster my quantitative skills. My fear is that an admissions committee will see this as slacking off ("Why didn't he take more classes in his final year?") Have not taken the GRE yet, but am still worried about getting mediocre scores--especially the quantitative section (advice on how to avoid this would be nice) Questions: I have one quarter left, and then I'm done. I'm currently enrolled in Short Calculus B and one other required writing class. What other coursework could I take that might improve my profile without bogging me down too much? I'd like to start studying for the GRE by next month and start working on my statements of purpose. Schools where I think are a good fit for me, given my research interests: Stanford NYU UCSD University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Duke Rochester Princeton Let me know what you think. I appreciate anyone who responds. Thanks!

Greetings. I'm currently majoring in International Relations and would like to pursue a PhD in political science. I'll try and keep this brief, but my question pertains to "which" GPA an admissions committee will consider deeply. By "which" GPA, I'm referring to cumulative/overall GPA and major GPA (for courses that pertain to ones major). I'll make this part of my post quick, but in my situation, I began at a California community college (CC). I wasn't a very good student in high school, and that transferred over for the first semester at CC. However, I quickly discovered what I wanted to do with my life, and I began receiving A's. Fast forward a bit, and I was able to get into a respected public research university. I've been able to get at least a 3.8 each quarter I've been at my university, and I've recently completed an honors thesis as well. However, my problem is this: I, like hundreds of others, would like to go to a "top-tier" university. The faculty at most (but not all) of these universities match my research interests. The issue, however, is when I read something such as this: "admitted students have typically had an overall GPA of 3.8 or above." Now, when I calculate my overall GPA (CC+university), it comes to about a 3.6. However, my "major" GPA (all courses counting toward my major) is at a 3.81, and my GPA at the "real" university is 3.86. Without considering letters of recommendation, GRE scores, the writing sample, or the statement of purpose, does my mediocre performance for part of my undergraduate career wreck my chances of getting into an extremely competitive institution? Thanks for any and all responses!

Greetings everyone. As the title suggests, I was wondering if I could get an evaluation of my academic profile in light of the schools I intend to apply to, which I will list below. I have yet to finish my degree, and I intend to get some work experience after I graduate. Also, I am studying abroad at SciencesPo for the 2014 spring semester. Prospective schools: GWU Elliott (MA in International Affairs) Georgetown Edmund Walsh School (MSFS) American Univ. School of International Service (MA in International Affairs) Columbia SIPA (MIA) MIT (S.M. in Political Science) University of Chicago CIR (MA) Yale Jackson Institute (MA in Global Affairs) Harvard Kennedy School (MPP) Princeton Woodrow Wilson School (MPP) Johns Hopkins SAIS (MA in International Affairs) Cambridge University (MPhil in International Relations) Oxford University (MPhil in International Relations) SciencesPo PSIA (MA in International Security) London School of Economics (Msc in International Relations) University: Community college then transferred to top-ten public research university (UC Davis) GPA: Comm. college--3.39; UC Davis--3.86; Major--3.81; Cumulative--3.63 Work experience: two years as a junior analyst at a small real estate firm Undergraduate institution: Community college then transferred to top-ten public research university (UC Davis) Undergraduate GPA: Comm. college--3.39; UC Davis--3.86; Major--3.81; Cumulative--3.63 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): 3.86 Undergraduate Major: International Relations (focus on Peace and Security) Languages: French (intermediate, expecting to be proficient after I return from France) Quant/Econ: Intro to macro and micro; I also intend to take precalculus and two “short-calculus” courses before I graduate. Other: Completed an honors thesis, which I received an excellent grade on. It may also get published in the undergraduate research journal. My first two semesters at community college I went part time and received lower grades because of financial difficulties. However, from my third semester on, my grades drastically improved. I think I’ll have strong letters of recommendation. My honors thesis adviser will most definitely give me a strong LOR, and I am confident the two other people I’m considering will give me strong LORs. One question I have is will my mediocre performance at community college harm my chances of getting into these schools? Most of my professors that I have talked to have said this should not be a big deal, considering how I drastically improved my grades, especially in the courses that pertain to my major. Second, how do I improve my profile? I understand that gaining work experience and some calculus courses are important. But beyond this, what can I do, considering I want to apply to such competitive institutions? Final question: given my academic profile, and the competitive nature of each school I would like to apply for, am I basically screwed out of gaining admission to any one of these?

Greetings everyone. As the title suggests, I was wondering if I could get an evaluation of my academic profile in light of the schools I intend to apply to, which I will list below. I have yet to finish my degree, and I intend to get some work experience after I graduate. Also, I am studying abroad at SciencesPo for the 2014 spring semester. Prospective schools: GWU Elliott (MA in International Affairs) Georgetown Edmund Walsh School (MSFS) American Univ. School of International Service (MA in International Affairs) Columbia SIPA (MIA) MIT (S.M. in Political Science) University of Chicago CIR (MA) Yale Jackson Institute (MA in Global Affairs) Harvard Kennedy School (MPP) Princeton Woodrow Wilson School (MPP) Johns Hopkins SAIS (MA in International Affairs) Cambridge University (MPhil in International Relations) Oxford University (MPhil in International Relations) SciencesPo PSIA (MA in International Security) London School of Economics (Msc in International Relations) University: Community college then transferred to top-ten public research university (UC Davis) GPA: Comm. college--3.39; UC Davis--3.86; Major--3.81; Cumulative--3.63 Work experience: two years as a junior analyst at a small real estate firm Undergraduate institution: Community college then transferred to top-ten public research university (UC Davis) Undergraduate GPA: Comm. college--3.39; UC Davis--3.86; Major--3.81; Cumulative--3.63 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): 3.86 Undergraduate Major: International Relations (focus on Peace and Security) Languages: French (intermediate, expecting to be proficient after I return from France) Quant/Econ: Intro to macro and micro; I also intend to take precalculus and two “short-calculus” courses before I graduate. Other: Completed an honors thesis, which I received an excellent grade on. It may also get published in the undergraduate research journal. My first two semesters at community college I went part time and received lower grades because of financial difficulties. However, from my third semester on, my grades drastically improved. I think I’ll have strong letters of recommendation. My honors thesis adviser will most definitely give me a strong LOR, and I am confident the two other people I’m considering will give me strong LORs. One question I have is will my mediocre performance at community college harm my chances of getting into these schools? Most of my professors that I have talked to have said this should not be a big deal, considering how I drastically improved my grades, especially in the courses that pertain to my major. Second, how do I improve my profile? I understand that gaining work experience and some calculus courses are important. But beyond this, what can I do, considering I want to apply to such competitive institutions? Final question: given my academic profile, and the competitive nature of each school I would like to apply for, am I basically screwed out of gaining admission to any one of these?