victorydance

You have to consider the logistical hurdles. For one, you have to wait a minimum of 3 weeks to retake the test. Of course, you also have to consider that you still need to book that reservation again which may not be available after taking the test once, depending on where you live, spaces can be booked through well ahead of time and especially during the heavy periods like the fall. Secondly, you have to send your scores and it takes approximately a month for them to reach your intended universities. So it is certainly possible to do it as you outlined but it depends on how busy the testing center is and if there is enough time to get the scores to your universities by their deadlines.

Moving is not a big deal to me at all. I have lived a fairly location independent lifestyle for about 6 years now. The thing that "worries" me is just wondering if I can get back to the same level I was at during my senior year of undergrad. I was killing it and knocked my honours thesis out of the park, but it also took a lot out of me. I know I'll have to do even better this time around and know how much work it's going to be. But whatever, it's just part of the process I guess.

I've been listening to a lot of funk and old school hip hop lately. Parliament, The Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Treacherous Three, Sly and the Family Stone, Mother's Finest, ect.

I am actually more nervous than excited to be honest.

I really think Bates Motel is the best show on television right now.

Haha, I am pretty sure Windows 8 + Chrome drains over 2 GB of RAM on my computer.

I think the problem lies in the assumption that they become self-conscious. That to me, is a leap. Just because someone doesn't follow up with more questions or whatever doesn't mean they are self-conscious. That would mean that because you are a masters student (which really isn't that big of deal to begin with) that they are embarrassed what you think of them (the definition of self-conscious). That seems kind of arrogant to me. I mean for example. Say you and I were having this conversation about what ''you do.'' And you said you were a grad student that studies biophysics, I don't give a crap about biophysics so I doubt I would want to talk to you about it. Does that mean I am self-conscious? No, it means I don't care about what you do. The two things are vastly different.

Chances are actually a lot greater that they really don't care.

There is a lot more to Ph.D. admissions than GPA and GRE.

The idea of someone who is employed by a university to teach and do research homeschooling their children is completely bizarre to me.

Not many. You basically have to be a up and coming rock-star to get any solely qualitative jobs these days. If you can't hack it as at least a mixed methods person, the chances of succeeding in academia in political science in the current climate is very low.

^ No offense, but there is something seriously wrong with your back if you can't carry 3 lbs around. You should seriously consider doing some weight lifting to strengthen your back and shoulders.

Cohort size has a pretty big effect. Obviously if a lower ranked school has a smaller cohort size, but the number of applicants remains similar or even less than higher ranked schools the selectivity may actually be greater at these schools. As a general rule, the higher ranked schools often have larger cohorts than lower ranked schools. What makes schools higher ranked in any given field is more to do with their resources, professors, and pedigree not necessarily their selectivity in the admissions process.

I will say this: if you want to increase your chances of getting a job in academia, you will want to go to a better university that Queens.

I read outside. If I am really into some work though I prefer to be inside with a desk.

Why not? I see cars with American and Canadian plates all the time here in Mexico.

You tell by looking at what the profs study not anything else.

That's not really true. You can teach at community colleges in Canada or the US with an MA.

QS has ranked McGill and U of T as the top 2 for a number of years, I don't think UBC has ever cracked 40, while McGill and U of T firmly sit in the top 25 every year. Macleans has ranked McGill the best university that offers doctorates in Canada for 10 years in a row. The two things McGill has going for it over UBC is prestige and it's "big three" schools that could very well be the best in the country. McGill's law school, medical school, and its business school may be arguably the three best in the country. UBC's aren't of the same caliber. Secondly, it's prestige, mainly because of its age and prominence in higher education in Canada, push it into the top 2 in Canada. Employers love McGill, arguably more so than any other university in Canada. It's prestige is also associated with having 21 nobel laureates. University of Toronto and McGill have widely been considered the two best universities in Canada for decades. That doesn't mean UBC isn't a great school but it just doesn't compare to the former two in a number of categories.

I think it's a good way to get into a Ph.D. through the backdoor. If you can do your MS there, do well, and cultivate good relationships with profs there then the chances of you getting accepted are greater.

UBC is not a better school than McGill. McGill and U of T are the defacto 1/2 of the country.

I would so prefer that. My most productive hours are 1-5.

Really the only thing I can specifically think of is neuroscience. I think we can now refer to the OP as the "McGill Troll."

Nope. MIT kicks the shit out of McGill.

I am a backpack loyalist and will never switch to any other type of bag as long as I live.