irishfan11

You need to look outside the top 50. Everyone who applies to top 50 programs has GRE scores like yours. Also, visit each school's website to check for stats of incoming admits. In most cases, you'll have to email the Graduate Director. In my opinion, your expectations are not realistic. Your stats are not Top 25-40 caliber, and you'll be lucky to get funded at a school below the Top 50. Get a MA first, it's the only way to set off a low UG GPA (That's what I did).

Withdrew offers from the following schools: Texas Tech Ole Miss Florida International Louisiana State Washington State Kentucky Not sure if this helps anyone, but I hope it does!

If you major or minor in methods you can do a lot, but other than that, you are looking at the federal government.

I will be attending the University of Houston (American Politics and Research Methods)

What schools are you talking about? You can PM me if you want to keep it off the record. Follow the money.

Sanssocui, If you PM me, I have some information about how Illinois-Chicago funds students, it's pretty interesting. Also, Illinois is having some big time budget troubles too.

Thanks for the info! Coming from Indy, I know what you mean about a car. hahaha

Thanks AP and Bob Cobb, I really appreciate it. I was thinking along the same lines as well.

Accepted at the University of Houston with full funding (TA) Think Houston is better than Texas Tech and Ole Miss? Opinions?

Forgot to claim the Ole Miss acceptance. My bad.

Claiming the LSU acceptance.

First, I'm going to visit a few schools no one has mentioned on here. Second, I agree with APGradApplicant, go business casual. However, from my neck of the woods, that could mean sweatpants that look like jeans (http://www.coolthings.com/pajama-jeans-look-comfy/), and a Harley Davidson collared shirt, with a flashy pair of high heeled crocs. I wouldn't lie to you guys (http://www.crocs.com/crocs-cyprus/10122,default,pd.html?cid=240). I think we have all noticed what some of our past professors have worn, and it's not exactly a runway show in Paris. Being the metrosexual I am (I have a girlfriend before you all start judging), I'm sure I'll get all kinds of ridiculous looks and people will most certainly feel I am overdressed.

Anything is better than what I do now. Any questions, watch OFFICE SPACE.

Thanks to the posters above, I'll more than likely by PMing you. Yes, I have an offer from the poly sci department.

What are your thoughts? After looking at some of the rankings, they seem border line top 50. On the rise?

I got a 3.5 and have gotten into 3 schools so far. Which weighs more...A scholarly, political science research article or a GRE writing prompt asking the test taker to act as a tourism consultant for a local city? I think I know the answer.

Precisely what I was looking for. Thanks!

I know they are somewhere in this thread, but can someone post the research articles about political science rankings. I want to say there were 2 or 3 others outside of the US News and World Report Rankings.

That's fine, but my point is this... If you can't suck up bad weather for 4-5 years, and you hate living in a certain city, I wish you the best in a "down" job market.

You know it! 3 for 4 with 1 funded offer so far. Not too bad, not too bad at all!

Honestly, I don't agree with many of your points. The decision should be based on what is best for your career, and if you want debt. Funding is extremely important, and the weather isn't.

I am only posting this because I saw the school in someone's signature... In at Washington State. No word on funding.

1. It's a state school so it's not "free." 2. I would have to take off of work, so money lost there. 3. I have to pay to drive down there, and back (About 400 miles).

Basically, I received a funding offer on Saturday from an institution (the name does not matter). Another school, to which I have been accepted to, has a campus visit day in mid-March, and has not made any financial aid decisions (The grad secretary said it could come after the visit day, or before). I am supposed to notify the school by March 5th if I want to attend the visit day in mid-March. My dilemma: Is it worth going to a visit day if the school hasn't reached a funding decision, especially since I already have an offer... I don't want to waste a day down there for nothing. My time is valuable. How would you guys approach this? Should I contact the dept and let them know my attendance at the visit day is dependent on a funding offer?

Anybody have any information about Lubbock? Where to live? What to do? Weather? The usual questions...