applying12010

Now that the application process is over, do people want to post their personal statements? It can help guide the applicants in future years, and it can be fun to read what people's research interests are! Please post your PS!









This draft is a prototype that I used for all of my schools - I personalized my statements for each school to different degrees.




When I was growing up in Shanghai, I was the strange kid who liked to watch news instead of cartoons. Elections, decisions of war and peace, economic development, and other workings of the human social systems have long fascinated me. After four and a half years of studying political science at Swarthmore College and political economy at the London School of Economics, I have maintained my passion for the subject and its many puzzles. I wish to continue my study at XXX and focus on international relations and comparative politics with a regional concentration on East Asia. I am confident that my academic training, research experiences and intellectual curiosity position me well to contribute to the community of political scientists at XXX.

At Swarthmore, my work in comparative politics focused on comparative democratization, comparative political economy, and East Asian politics. For instance, in a paper I presented at an undergraduate Asian Studies Conference at West Chester University, Pennsylvania, I developed an alternative framework to the developmental state thesis to explain post-war Japanese political economy. I conducted my first sponsored independent research on Taiwan’s democratization (under the guidance of Professor XXX, Davidson College) based on primary documents, interviews, and English and Chinese secondary sources. That research project suggests that democratization is a means to alleviate the ethnic conflicts between the Taiwanese opposition and the Mainlander elites—the Taiwanese gained access to the state apparatus while the Mainlanders were guaranteed the survival of the Chinese nation in Taiwan (Taiwan was democratized under the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of China). Building upon this research, I also embarked on a larger research project that culminated as a conference paper at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Political Science Association in Elizabethtown, 2009. That paper develops a general theory of democratization in ethnically heterogeneous countries that brings together three streams of literatures: theories of democratization, theories of ethnic politics, and systemic theories in international relations. It postulates that specific inter-ethnic dynamics may generate intra-ethnic dynamics that would encourage ethnic elites to opt for power-sharing based on case studies.

In addition to comparative politics, I concentrated on international relations in my senior year. I wrote extensive seminar papers on topics including international monetary relations, optimal American strategy toward North Korea and Iran, and the possibility and necessity to reconcile interpretivism and positivism. The research I conducted for professors supplemented my in-course work. For instance, I researched for Professor XXX (Swarthmore) on Chinese population policy, Professor XXX on recent Japanese national security policies and Professor XXX (Swarthmore) on international regime theory. Moreover, Professor XXX (Swarthmore) and I are currently collaborating on a project that examines the relationship between ideational and material forces through case studies from international relations.

This year at LSE, I am studying game-theoretic models, formal models, econometrics, and the politics of economic policy with Professors X, Y, and Z. I believe that my training in both qualitative and quantitative models will allow me to pursue multi-method research effectively. I have a keen interest in applying quantitative methods to historical material, as well as inserting qualitative analysis into issues that require formal modeling.

At XXX, I would be interested in studying ethnic politics and democratization, the theory of transnational networks, and ideas in international politics (especially its relationship with material forces) on the theoretical, empirical and methodological levels. I wish to strengthen my senior project on ethnic politics and democratization at XXX by utilizing game theory to formalize my results based on comparative historical analysis. Moreover, I hope to resolve two theoretical issues in my earlier project—how to devise a more sophisticated framework to study intra-ethnic dynamics and how the ideational and material dimensions in ethnic politics are related. Both issues are related to my interests in IR theory. Theory of networks may help me resolve the first issue while investigating how ideas and interests intertwine will assist me in responding to the second issue.

Concerning the theory of transnational networks, I want to refine the current framework by introducing the concept of density, which measures the number of interconnected points, or the “thickness”, of networks (states can therefore be conceptualized as special networks with arguably the highest density). The concept of density permits network theory to simultaneously underscore the importance of states and transnational actors. Subsequently, the international system is characterized by a distribution of densities of a gigantic network (which can be subdivided into smaller networks based on issue area, religion etc.). Additionally, the concept of velocity, which captures the volume of interaction between different networks, may also strengthen network theory. The international system is not a dormant distribution of points; instead, information, wealth, ideas, and even weapon smugglings and human trafficking connect the points in a dynamic manner, which I hope to explore.

The theory of transnational networks may inform some empirical issues that I wish to study at XXX, in addition to ethnic politics. The theory of transnational networks encourages us to view power from a Foucaultian perspective - how it is dispersed and decentralized in international politics. Adopting the perspective, we may challenge the anarchy precept in IR theory. If power is not symbiotic with a central sovereign, the lack of a global enforcer of rules does not logically lead to anarchy. Subsequently, we can be more optimistic when discussing issues such as global governance – the Hobbesian dichotomy of a global sovereign or governing paralysis may be a fake one. Moreover, an interconnected view of the world may refine our understanding of the roles and strategies of middle and small powers in IPE and international security, which are often overlooked. The proliferation of networks implies the multiplication of veto points. Thus seemingly weak states or second-class powers may exert disproportionately huge influence in the international arena depending on their positions in the global network.

Aside from the theory of transnational networks, I am also interested in studying ideas, identities and norms in IR. Firstly, I am interested in theorizing how ideas merge, clash and compete with each other in international politics. For instance, what are the conditions under which a dominant culture, i.e. beliefs in liberal capitalism, generates “counter culture”, i.e. right wing and Islamic extremism? Secondly, relating back to the theory of transnational networks, how do the two distributions of density and ideas constrain and nurture each other? While scholars have written on how networks may transmit and generate ideas, how would the ideational contents of a network facilitate or constrain its growth? Thirdly, I am also interested in studying how ideas and interests covariate. I think that current IR literature has a tendency to analyze the two variables either as inherently incompatible starting points for analysis, distinctly independent variables or derivatives of one another. I postulate that ideas and interests are in fact symbiotic, and I wish to specify their relationship. Subsequently, I am curious to study the interactions between the two systems in IR theory - the distribution of power and the distribution of ideas. Fourthly, I hope to utilize quantitative methodologies to study norms and ideas in international politics (e.g. automated content analysis and NOMINATE regression). I wish to investigate the “irrational” dimensions of human scientifically and adopt economic tools for interpretive studies.

My knowledge on political science has grown cumulatively in the past four years. However, the more I know, the more questions I have. I look forward to continuing my intellectual journey under the distinguished scholars at XXX, and to becoming a researcher and scholar under their tutelage.

Now that the application process is over, do people want to post their personal statements? It can help guide the applicants in future years, and it can be fun to read what people's research interests are! Please post your PS!









This draft is a prototype that I used for all of my schools - I personalized my statements for each school to different degrees.




When I was growing up in Shanghai, I was the strange kid who liked to watch news instead of cartoons. Elections, decisions of war and peace, economic development, and other workings of the human social systems have long fascinated me. After four and a half years of studying political science at Swarthmore College and political economy at the London School of Economics, I have maintained my passion for the subject and its many puzzles. I wish to continue my study at XXX and focus on international relations and comparative politics with a regional concentration on East Asia. I am confident that my academic training, research experiences and intellectual curiosity position me well to contribute to the community of political scientists at XXX.

At Swarthmore, my work in comparative politics focused on comparative democratization, comparative political economy, and East Asian politics. For instance, in a paper I presented at an undergraduate Asian Studies Conference at West Chester University, Pennsylvania, I developed an alternative framework to the developmental state thesis to explain post-war Japanese political economy. I conducted my first sponsored independent research on Taiwan’s democratization (under the guidance of Professor XXX, Davidson College) based on primary documents, interviews, and English and Chinese secondary sources. That research project suggests that democratization is a means to alleviate the ethnic conflicts between the Taiwanese opposition and the Mainlander elites—the Taiwanese gained access to the state apparatus while the Mainlanders were guaranteed the survival of the Chinese nation in Taiwan (Taiwan was democratized under the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of China). Building upon this research, I also embarked on a larger research project that culminated as a conference paper at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Political Science Association in Elizabethtown, 2009. That paper develops a general theory of democratization in ethnically heterogeneous countries that brings together three streams of literatures: theories of democratization, theories of ethnic politics, and systemic theories in international relations. It postulates that specific inter-ethnic dynamics may generate intra-ethnic dynamics that would encourage ethnic elites to opt for power-sharing based on case studies.

In addition to comparative politics, I concentrated on international relations in my senior year. I wrote extensive seminar papers on topics including international monetary relations, optimal American strategy toward North Korea and Iran, and the possibility and necessity to reconcile interpretivism and positivism. The research I conducted for professors supplemented my in-course work. For instance, I researched for Professor XXX (Swarthmore) on Chinese population policy, Professor XXX on recent Japanese national security policies and Professor XXX (Swarthmore) on international regime theory. Moreover, Professor XXX (Swarthmore) and I are currently collaborating on a project that examines the relationship between ideational and material forces through case studies from international relations.

This year at LSE, I am studying game-theoretic models, formal models, econometrics, and the politics of economic policy with Professors X, Y, and Z. I believe that my training in both qualitative and quantitative models will allow me to pursue multi-method research effectively. I have a keen interest in applying quantitative methods to historical material, as well as inserting qualitative analysis into issues that require formal modeling.

At XXX, I would be interested in studying ethnic politics and democratization, the theory of transnational networks, and ideas in international politics (especially its relationship with material forces) on the theoretical, empirical and methodological levels. I wish to strengthen my senior project on ethnic politics and democratization at XXX by utilizing game theory to formalize my results based on comparative historical analysis. Moreover, I hope to resolve two theoretical issues in my earlier project—how to devise a more sophisticated framework to study intra-ethnic dynamics and how the ideational and material dimensions in ethnic politics are related. Both issues are related to my interests in IR theory. Theory of networks may help me resolve the first issue while investigating how ideas and interests intertwine will assist me in responding to the second issue.

Concerning the theory of transnational networks, I want to refine the current framework by introducing the concept of density, which measures the number of interconnected points, or the “thickness”, of networks (states can therefore be conceptualized as special networks with arguably the highest density). The concept of density permits network theory to simultaneously underscore the importance of states and transnational actors. Subsequently, the international system is characterized by a distribution of densities of a gigantic network (which can be subdivided into smaller networks based on issue area, religion etc.). Additionally, the concept of velocity, which captures the volume of interaction between different networks, may also strengthen network theory. The international system is not a dormant distribution of points; instead, information, wealth, ideas, and even weapon smugglings and human trafficking connect the points in a dynamic manner, which I hope to explore.

The theory of transnational networks may inform some empirical issues that I wish to study at XXX, in addition to ethnic politics. The theory of transnational networks encourages us to view power from a Foucaultian perspective - how it is dispersed and decentralized in international politics. Adopting the perspective, we may challenge the anarchy precept in IR theory. If power is not symbiotic with a central sovereign, the lack of a global enforcer of rules does not logically lead to anarchy. Subsequently, we can be more optimistic when discussing issues such as global governance – the Hobbesian dichotomy of a global sovereign or governing paralysis may be a fake one. Moreover, an interconnected view of the world may refine our understanding of the roles and strategies of middle and small powers in IPE and international security, which are often overlooked. The proliferation of networks implies the multiplication of veto points. Thus seemingly weak states or second-class powers may exert disproportionately huge influence in the international arena depending on their positions in the global network.

Aside from the theory of transnational networks, I am also interested in studying ideas, identities and norms in IR. Firstly, I am interested in theorizing how ideas merge, clash and compete with each other in international politics. For instance, what are the conditions under which a dominant culture, i.e. beliefs in liberal capitalism, generates “counter culture”, i.e. right wing and Islamic extremism? Secondly, relating back to the theory of transnational networks, how do the two distributions of density and ideas constrain and nurture each other? While scholars have written on how networks may transmit and generate ideas, how would the ideational contents of a network facilitate or constrain its growth? Thirdly, I am also interested in studying how ideas and interests covariate. I think that current IR literature has a tendency to analyze the two variables either as inherently incompatible starting points for analysis, distinctly independent variables or derivatives of one another. I postulate that ideas and interests are in fact symbiotic, and I wish to specify their relationship. Subsequently, I am curious to study the interactions between the two systems in IR theory - the distribution of power and the distribution of ideas. Fourthly, I hope to utilize quantitative methodologies to study norms and ideas in international politics (e.g. automated content analysis and NOMINATE regression). I wish to investigate the “irrational” dimensions of human scientifically and adopt economic tools for interpretive studies.

My knowledge on political science has grown cumulatively in the past four years. However, the more I know, the more questions I have. I look forward to continuing my intellectual journey under the distinguished scholars at XXX, and to becoming a researcher and scholar under their tutelage.

Lol I am actually not celebrating - I am just trying to do my seminar readings while procrastinating on gradcafe and youtube Yes now the acceptances are in, but life goes on. There's a lot more work to do in grad school!

Now that the application process is over, do people want to post their personal statements? It can help guide the applicants in future years, and it can be fun to read what people's research interests are! Please post your PS!









This draft is a prototype that I used for all of my schools - I personalized my statements for each school to different degrees.




When I was growing up in Shanghai, I was the strange kid who liked to watch news instead of cartoons. Elections, decisions of war and peace, economic development, and other workings of the human social systems have long fascinated me. After four and a half years of studying political science at Swarthmore College and political economy at the London School of Economics, I have maintained my passion for the subject and its many puzzles. I wish to continue my study at XXX and focus on international relations and comparative politics with a regional concentration on East Asia. I am confident that my academic training, research experiences and intellectual curiosity position me well to contribute to the community of political scientists at XXX.

At Swarthmore, my work in comparative politics focused on comparative democratization, comparative political economy, and East Asian politics. For instance, in a paper I presented at an undergraduate Asian Studies Conference at West Chester University, Pennsylvania, I developed an alternative framework to the developmental state thesis to explain post-war Japanese political economy. I conducted my first sponsored independent research on Taiwan’s democratization (under the guidance of Professor XXX, Davidson College) based on primary documents, interviews, and English and Chinese secondary sources. That research project suggests that democratization is a means to alleviate the ethnic conflicts between the Taiwanese opposition and the Mainlander elites—the Taiwanese gained access to the state apparatus while the Mainlanders were guaranteed the survival of the Chinese nation in Taiwan (Taiwan was democratized under the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of China). Building upon this research, I also embarked on a larger research project that culminated as a conference paper at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Political Science Association in Elizabethtown, 2009. That paper develops a general theory of democratization in ethnically heterogeneous countries that brings together three streams of literatures: theories of democratization, theories of ethnic politics, and systemic theories in international relations. It postulates that specific inter-ethnic dynamics may generate intra-ethnic dynamics that would encourage ethnic elites to opt for power-sharing based on case studies.

In addition to comparative politics, I concentrated on international relations in my senior year. I wrote extensive seminar papers on topics including international monetary relations, optimal American strategy toward North Korea and Iran, and the possibility and necessity to reconcile interpretivism and positivism. The research I conducted for professors supplemented my in-course work. For instance, I researched for Professor XXX (Swarthmore) on Chinese population policy, Professor XXX on recent Japanese national security policies and Professor XXX (Swarthmore) on international regime theory. Moreover, Professor XXX (Swarthmore) and I are currently collaborating on a project that examines the relationship between ideational and material forces through case studies from international relations.

This year at LSE, I am studying game-theoretic models, formal models, econometrics, and the politics of economic policy with Professors X, Y, and Z. I believe that my training in both qualitative and quantitative models will allow me to pursue multi-method research effectively. I have a keen interest in applying quantitative methods to historical material, as well as inserting qualitative analysis into issues that require formal modeling.

At XXX, I would be interested in studying ethnic politics and democratization, the theory of transnational networks, and ideas in international politics (especially its relationship with material forces) on the theoretical, empirical and methodological levels. I wish to strengthen my senior project on ethnic politics and democratization at XXX by utilizing game theory to formalize my results based on comparative historical analysis. Moreover, I hope to resolve two theoretical issues in my earlier project—how to devise a more sophisticated framework to study intra-ethnic dynamics and how the ideational and material dimensions in ethnic politics are related. Both issues are related to my interests in IR theory. Theory of networks may help me resolve the first issue while investigating how ideas and interests intertwine will assist me in responding to the second issue.

Concerning the theory of transnational networks, I want to refine the current framework by introducing the concept of density, which measures the number of interconnected points, or the “thickness”, of networks (states can therefore be conceptualized as special networks with arguably the highest density). The concept of density permits network theory to simultaneously underscore the importance of states and transnational actors. Subsequently, the international system is characterized by a distribution of densities of a gigantic network (which can be subdivided into smaller networks based on issue area, religion etc.). Additionally, the concept of velocity, which captures the volume of interaction between different networks, may also strengthen network theory. The international system is not a dormant distribution of points; instead, information, wealth, ideas, and even weapon smugglings and human trafficking connect the points in a dynamic manner, which I hope to explore.

The theory of transnational networks may inform some empirical issues that I wish to study at XXX, in addition to ethnic politics. The theory of transnational networks encourages us to view power from a Foucaultian perspective - how it is dispersed and decentralized in international politics. Adopting the perspective, we may challenge the anarchy precept in IR theory. If power is not symbiotic with a central sovereign, the lack of a global enforcer of rules does not logically lead to anarchy. Subsequently, we can be more optimistic when discussing issues such as global governance – the Hobbesian dichotomy of a global sovereign or governing paralysis may be a fake one. Moreover, an interconnected view of the world may refine our understanding of the roles and strategies of middle and small powers in IPE and international security, which are often overlooked. The proliferation of networks implies the multiplication of veto points. Thus seemingly weak states or second-class powers may exert disproportionately huge influence in the international arena depending on their positions in the global network.

Aside from the theory of transnational networks, I am also interested in studying ideas, identities and norms in IR. Firstly, I am interested in theorizing how ideas merge, clash and compete with each other in international politics. For instance, what are the conditions under which a dominant culture, i.e. beliefs in liberal capitalism, generates “counter culture”, i.e. right wing and Islamic extremism? Secondly, relating back to the theory of transnational networks, how do the two distributions of density and ideas constrain and nurture each other? While scholars have written on how networks may transmit and generate ideas, how would the ideational contents of a network facilitate or constrain its growth? Thirdly, I am also interested in studying how ideas and interests covariate. I think that current IR literature has a tendency to analyze the two variables either as inherently incompatible starting points for analysis, distinctly independent variables or derivatives of one another. I postulate that ideas and interests are in fact symbiotic, and I wish to specify their relationship. Subsequently, I am curious to study the interactions between the two systems in IR theory - the distribution of power and the distribution of ideas. Fourthly, I hope to utilize quantitative methodologies to study norms and ideas in international politics (e.g. automated content analysis and NOMINATE regression). I wish to investigate the “irrational” dimensions of human scientifically and adopt economic tools for interpretive studies.

My knowledge on political science has grown cumulatively in the past four years. However, the more I know, the more questions I have. I look forward to continuing my intellectual journey under the distinguished scholars at XXX, and to becoming a researcher and scholar under their tutelage.

I really don't think that it is a good idea to call someone a troll just because he/ she is successful with his/ her applications. I do know real people who got into every single top 10 programs that they applied to. Personally I will not defame another individual without solid evidence.

Well someoneouthere, I bookmarked this thread in the hope of revisiting it when the application process was over. Did you get into any top 5, top 6 schools with sub-700 scores?

I really don't think that it is a good idea to call someone a troll just because he/ she is successful with his/ her applications. I do know real people who got into every single top 10 programs that they applied to. Personally I will not defame another individual without solid evidence.

I really don't think that it is a good idea to call someone a troll just because he/ she is successful with his/ her applications. I do know real people who got into every single top 10 programs that they applied to. Personally I will not defame another individual without solid evidence.

I really don't think that it is a good idea to call someone a troll just because he/ she is successful with his/ her applications. I do know real people who got into every single top 10 programs that they applied to. Personally I will not defame another individual without solid evidence.

I really don't think that it is a good idea to call someone a troll just because he/ she is successful with his/ her applications. I do know real people who got into every single top 10 programs that they applied to. Personally I will not defame another individual without solid evidence.

I really don't think that it is a good idea to call someone a troll just because he/ she is successful with his/ her applications. I do know real people who got into every single top 10 programs that they applied to. Personally I will not defame another individual without solid evidence.

According to my knowledge of the admissions process (from talking to other accepted students during school visits, professors etc.), the top schools are mostly competing for the same group of students, so for someone to have multiple offers from good schools is really not that uncommon. If you get into Harvard or Columbia etc., it is pretty likely that you will be offered admissions to other top schools; the correlation is strong. What PH is talking about is quite true...

Someone mentioned SP's "low" GPA - note that GPA is not just a simple number, it is interpreted in the context of the classes taken, rigor of the school etc. I have a 3.77 (with a lot of math and econ classes) and I did fine in this year's admissions cycle.

Let's just congratulate SP, and everyone else who is lucky enough to have admission offer(s) this year. This year has been exceptionally competitive.

According to my knowledge of the admissions process (from talking to other accepted students during school visits, professors etc.), the top schools are mostly competing for the same group of students, so for someone to have multiple offers from good schools is really not that uncommon. If you get into Harvard or Columbia etc., it is pretty likely that you will be offered admissions to other top schools; the correlation is strong. What PH is talking about is quite true...

Someone mentioned SP's "low" GPA - note that GPA is not just a simple number, it is interpreted in the context of the classes taken, rigor of the school etc. I have a 3.77 (with a lot of math and econ classes) and I did fine in this year's admissions cycle.

Let's just congratulate SP, and everyone else who is lucky enough to have admission offer(s) this year. This year has been exceptionally competitive.

I really don't think that it is a good idea to call someone a troll just because he/ she is successful with his/ her applications. I do know real people who got into every single top 10 programs that they applied to. Personally I will not defame another individual without solid evidence.

According to my knowledge of the admissions process (from talking to other accepted students during school visits, professors etc.), the top schools are mostly competing for the same group of students, so for someone to have multiple offers from good schools is really not that uncommon. If you get into Harvard or Columbia etc., it is pretty likely that you will be offered admissions to other top schools; the correlation is strong. What PH is talking about is quite true...

Someone mentioned SP's "low" GPA - note that GPA is not just a simple number, it is interpreted in the context of the classes taken, rigor of the school etc. I have a 3.77 (with a lot of math and econ classes) and I did fine in this year's admissions cycle.

Let's just congratulate SP, and everyone else who is lucky enough to have admission offer(s) this year. This year has been exceptionally competitive.

According to my knowledge of the admissions process (from talking to other accepted students during school visits, professors etc.), the top schools are mostly competing for the same group of students, so for someone to have multiple offers from good schools is really not that uncommon. If you get into Harvard or Columbia etc., it is pretty likely that you will be offered admissions to other top schools; the correlation is strong. What PH is talking about is quite true...

Someone mentioned SP's "low" GPA - note that GPA is not just a simple number, it is interpreted in the context of the classes taken, rigor of the school etc. I have a 3.77 (with a lot of math and econ classes) and I did fine in this year's admissions cycle.

Let's just congratulate SP, and everyone else who is lucky enough to have admission offer(s) this year. This year has been exceptionally competitive.

Your post on this thread is probably the most unnecessarily mean-spirited thus far.

Wow, you guys really are haters aren't you. I can confirm he was admitted to every school he applied to. How about instead of spending time gossiping about someone on the internet, you figure out which schools you want to go to based on your acceptance list.

SP is already doing that based on his.

People aren't suggesting he's a troll for success--they're wondering if the success are real at all. I don't think he lied about acceptances, but from what I remember of his SOP, it looked like just a template. It could have been anyone's SOP.

You decide.

I have to agree with someoneoutthere. The statistical chance of getting into all those top schools is extremely slim. And his GPA was only what, 3.7-ish? I'm just not convinced that, however solid, his SOP fit every school's agenda.

I really don't think that it is a good idea to call someone a troll just because he/ she is successful with his/ her applications. I do know real people who got into every single top 10 programs that they applied to. Personally I will not defame another individual without solid evidence.

I really don't think that it is a good idea to call someone a troll just because he/ she is successful with his/ her applications. I do know real people who got into every single top 10 programs that they applied to. Personally I will not defame another individual without solid evidence.

I really don't think that it is a good idea to call someone a troll just because he/ she is successful with his/ her applications. I do know real people who got into every single top 10 programs that they applied to. Personally I will not defame another individual without solid evidence.

I really don't think that it is a good idea to call someone a troll just because he/ she is successful with his/ her applications. I do know real people who got into every single top 10 programs that they applied to. Personally I will not defame another individual without solid evidence.