JohnMason
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Posts posted by JohnMason
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Hi everyone!
I am currently a MA student at UChicago. As i am thinking about applying for PhD in political science, ( possible international relations thesis with a survey/ quantitative component; Furthermore some US political science admission committees look for quantitative background). I am wondering what quantitative course i should take to strengthen my quantitative credential (i only did microeconomics and macroeconomics in college).
*last but not least, because numbers of my elective courses are limited. I am considering taking online for credit course offered by UC Berkeley extension during the summer (e.g. http://extension.berkeley.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=6614430); I wonder if online courses would be considered legitimate substitute for in-person course on transcript (by members of the admission committee)? Moreover, how do online courses compare with alternatives, such as math camp/ quantitative training session organized by universities/ research institutes?
Many Thanks!
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On 3/14/2016 at 5:19 AM, MFP413 said:
I think it depends on what you'd like to do with that year in between, and if a think tank is the only option your interested in. If it's research you're after, UC has plenty of opportunities- as does the private sector, and perhaps non-profits as well.
What specifically in transnational security are you interested in? Even if your goal is academic focused, doing a year in the private sector in a research-based position can be helpful both strategically and financially. It gives you an opportunity to see how security research impacts life outside of NGOs and government. Plus the higher pay can help in offsetting the total cost of a PhD!
Thanks for your advice. I have been working on geopolitical issues in North Asia and the Pacific at think tanks. I am not so familiar with private sector jobs in the related area. So i would really appreciate your suggestions on what kind of position i should be looking for? at what kind of corporation. I would be great if you can give a few examples. I am definitely open to the idea of private sector jobs. Just a bit worry about whether they would accept graduates to work for a short period of time like one year?
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4 hours ago, MFP413 said:
I think it really depends on what you're looking for, and your goals afterwards. Are you looking to be an academic or a practitioner? UC or SFS are stronger programs than GW. I'm partial to being in DC, but Chicago is a great town with an equally strong program.
From your post, it seems as if you've already heard from MSFS? Would you mind sharing when you received notification- you're the first person I've seen indicate they've heard from them.
Hi, thanks for your reply. i have not heard from GU, only UChicago and GWU. I am contemplating the plan afterwards. I intend to undertake a PhD after MA. one of my concern with Chicago is that the city does not have opportunity to work and intern in the year between my MA and PhD. As far as i know, the only think tank in the area is the Chicago council on international affairs?
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Hi. First congratulations to everyone who's admitted.
I am trying to decide among UChicago CIR vs George Washington Elliott Vs Georgetown MSFS.
I like Uchicago and professor there. But it is a one year degree, feels a bit short. I also like Elliott faculty.
I would do an International Relations MA. Possibly a PhD. Afterwards focusing on traditional security issue or East Asia regional affairs.
Any advice?
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Hi everyone.
I am currently writting a Phd statement of purpose. The statement includes a section of literature review (sort of) to justify my research objective. I am wondering, it's problematic or conducive to include footnote/citation in this part (as i would refer to existing researches).
Any advice or experience?
Many Thanks
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Hi everyone
I am apply the political science PhD at Chicago. The university has a policy of 2,500 word candidate statement (Most of other schools asks for around 1000). The political science department does not provide too much specific requirement or addition word limit. So shall i write a 2000+ words statement, i feel like i would be quite long, and involve a bit much bio info, and a bit much research interest. Or, shall i just write at the length that feels right, around 1,500. I am just worried that falling too much short of the word limit might create the impression that i did not put too much effort into it.
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Thanks guys, very helpful
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Hi everyone.
I am going to apply PhD programs in political science commenced in fall 2016.
As i only have Bachelor degree. I wonder is it common for Undergraduate to get PhD admission?
(I know it is technically possible, given strong recommendations and strong statements). But i simply cannot found anyone around (from commonwealth states) to get PhD admission directly from undergraduate without doing a MA of some kind)
Any comments and case to share?
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There is a good blog by Dan Nexon (also from Georgetown) on applying . You might find parts of it useful.
http://duckofminerva.com/2012/08/applying-for-phd-in-political-science.html
Nowhere I applied go asked that I attempt to fit my grades into a GPA. You're unlikely to have to worry about that. My grades would have looked awful if converted straight into a GPA! I know fair few people from England and Wales who have started PhDs without a masters. The degrees might only be three years but that's all you need if you're focusing almost exclusively on Political Science. Unless - as has been mentioned - there is some compelling reason that means you need to do an MA beforehand you should seriously consider applying straight for PhD programs.
FYI if you apply to the Chicago PhD program you can ask to be considered for the CIR program if you are unsuccesful.
Many Thanks for the advice, i ll certainly asked to be considered for a CIR as i apply. While my recommenders have quite divided opinions, One of them believe i have a strong chance of getting PhD directly, while the other urges me to be cautious about the international difference and thinking about MA. So, i think i will bet-hedging and apply Both PhD and MA if applicable.
PS: Yup, my grade could be awful if using some methods of GPA translation.
May i asking where r you apply from? and how's it going?
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If you want a PhD in political science, why don't you focus more on applying for MAs in political science rather than professional degrees?
I have not fully understand the distinction between professional and academic MA in the States yet. But i guess i pick places like Security Policy Study at GWU because it fits my strategic/defense research profile quite well.
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My two cents is that this is poor advice and a poorer use of your money. If your grades and GRE scores are high, and you have strong letters of rec and a compelling research statement, you should be competitive right away for a place in a good PhD program. And, if not, well, a MA degree is not going to help all that much. Put differently, apply to these programs if there's an intellectual case to be made (e.g., you studied math as an undergrad but now want a poli sci background before going to the PhD), but, as much as these programs might wish you to believe otherwise, these MA degrees aren't a straightforward leap pad to a PhD program.
In addition, although i am doing very well in my home university, as the ANU does not calculate GPA, i don't really know how my scores gonna look like when translated into GPA. I asked US admission offices about it, and they more or less just tell me "don't worry about the GPA, just apply (Georgetown)".
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My two cents is that this is poor advice and a poorer use of your money. If your grades and GRE scores are high, and you have strong letters of rec and a compelling research statement, you should be competitive right away for a place in a good PhD program. And, if not, well, a MA degree is not going to help all that much. Put differently, apply to these programs if there's an intellectual case to be made (e.g., you studied math as an undergrad but now want a poli sci background before going to the PhD), but, as much as these programs might wish you to believe otherwise, these MA degrees aren't a straightforward leap pad to a PhD program.
Thanks for the advice, since i have relatively sufficient time (i ll be free from June 2015, i will probably preparing apply for PhD program at the same time as some of the MA program i really liked, such as the Chicago CIR. However, my concern is the different academic system in the Commonwealth. Australian Undergraduate degree (like those in the UK) is a 3-year program. I am thinking whether this would put me in a less than competitive position.
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Most important question: Do you have the money l to afford a MA in the US?
Assume i can pay for a MA, especially if some minor financial assistance is available.
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Good question, Commonwealth grading system in UK, Canada, Australia can be interpreted in so many ways, the same result can be 3.0 GPA or 3.7 GPA depends on the method of calculation.
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I am graduating form a international relations undergraduate degree of the Australian National University in (obviously) Australia.
Because i plan to do a PhD in the US (Political Science/ Government), meanwhile only had a undergraduate degree, i was advised by my American professors and some US universities to strengthen my future PhD application by doing a Master in the US.
Via some preliminary researching, i plan to apply the following programs (ranked by preference):
1. Harvard (MPP-IGA) (I assume this one is super competitive)
2. UChicago- CIR, MA International Relations
3. Georgetown. Master of Science in Foreign Service
4. GW Elliot MA Security Policy Study, MA International Affair
5. Duke University , MA Political science
6. Columbia, International Affair
7. University of Pennsylvania (I am not quite sure which program i should apply, the MBA/MA international study? ).
8. NYU(i have not find the program yet..)
9. UCSD, (Pacific - M International Affair)
ps: Rand Public policy school, they have PhD program, how is it?
Any comment on the listed places? especially the likelihood of admission?
Any other programs you guys would recommend?
Taking Quantitative Courses to prepare for a Phd Research.
in Political Science Forum
Posted
Thanks i will try to take quantitative course at the university.