Tsunami2000

I'm thinking specifically a PhD in political science with a International Relations focus. Is 4 years possible or is that unrealistic?

Your advice is very encouraging. Thank you for it.

Well I don't want to end up in a situation where I finish my PhD and then cannot find a job because I'm too old to be hired as an assistant professor. I also don't want to be in a situation where I'm not admitted because the university believes I won't get a job when I graduate because of age. It's why I'm asking this question.

What's the oldest age of an assistant professor you've seen hired?

What about when you finish? For ex. if a 40 year old starts a PhD at Harvard or Princeton and finishes at 45, or lets say they start at 45 and finish at 50, will he/she be at a disadvantage when it comes to being hired?

If you don't mind me asking how old were you when you started?

Top programs meaning Harvard, Stanford, UM-Ann Arbor, etc. At what age does your age become a disadvantage, especially if you're coming from a completely different field? For ex. you work in one field then decide to go back to school to get your undergrad and start applying for top PhD programs?

Well but most people learn to write a good writing sample in college. That's why I'm asking in order to be competitive is it better to pursue a Bachelor's or Master's degree.

So how does one show an ability to do research in Political Science? Is it adequate to minor in government and get good grades and write a few papers? Also does it make a difference if one has a graduate degree? For ex. there are many Masters of International Relations programs out there at JHU or University of Denver for ex. Does a degree from one of these schools make you more competitive? Or is just a simple undergraduate major or minor adequate?

Say a candidate has a good GPA and GRE and has good research experience, would the fact that the candidate has served previously in the military, especially if it's an elite unit such as the Navy Seals or US Army Special Forces, help his application to graduate programs in Political Science, especially the top programs such as Harvard and Stanford?