cgfren08

Program deadlines range from December 1 all the way to February. Does response have any relationship with deadline time or will most decisions not be made until spring?

For interviews, do you usually have to do them in person? Not sure I have the time to drive 20 hours to any potential school.

I would re-take that GRE. I am also applying to mid ranked schools and a lot of them have a cutoff at around 310 cumulative. You don't want the most easily improved aspect of your application to be the part that dings you IMO.

GRE math is so easy if you know how to reverse-engineer the problems. I only took basic stats in college, 7 years ago and got a 170 on the Quant section. Buy a couple of the practice tests and use the free online practice problems.

Unlike a lot of people on this site, my goal isn't some ritzy research professor position, I genuinely love teaching, so I am targeting programs more in the middle to low range where I have a better chance of acceptance given my mediocre undergraduate GPA (3.37) due to a tough major at a relatively competitive liberal arts school. I'd be totally content with a 5+5 lecturer position or a 4+4 professorship, because it is a step up in pay over my current high school gig with less government nonsense. Funding is my #1 priority at present. My big strengths are my combined GRE (170 quant, 161 verbal), the fact that I majored in economics as an undergraduate (Better background in quantitative methods), and that I hold a masters in Education with a near immaculate GPA, along with a few years of high school teaching experience. A lot of applicants have no teaching experience whatsoever, so I am hoping this helps me with funding opportunities. I have a conference presentation for my Masters Thesis, but I don't know how much Poly-Sci programs will value a masters outside of the Social Sciences. My big weaknesses are my analytical writing (4.5) and the 3.37 undergrad GPA. Trying to hammer out a good SOP is tough, but doable.

I'm also curious for a review, I am trying to get into a mid-ranked PhD political science program in the United States for fall of 2016. Funding is extremely crucial for me, but I want to aim for programs that I actually have a shot at getting into. PROFILE: Type of Undergrad Institution: Mid-Ranked Liberal Arts School in the Northeast. Higher than Hobart, lower than Bates Major(s): Economics, Canadian Studies, Government (Minor) Undergrad GPA: 3.37 Cumulative Type of Grad: Masters in Education from relatively unknown State University Grad GPA: 3.93 GRE: 170 Q, 161 V, 4.5 AW Any Special Courses: Quantitative Methods, Statistics, Intermediate Micro and Macro Economics Letters of Recommendation: One from my Masters advisor, two from Undergraduate poly-sci profs. A bit concerning since I have been out of undergrad for about 4 years. Research Experience: Just my Masters in Education Thesis, which I presented at a Conference. Teaching Experience: 2 Years High School Teacher at a boarding school, including AP and other college classes (Primarily in history) Subfield/Research Interests: Immigration, Economic Development, Public Choice Theory Right now my priority is getting in, with funding. Program rank is not a deal-breaker for me, as my goal is to be an educational professor rather than in some esteemed research position. My big concern is my undergrad GPA and AW score. I am hoping for boosts from my Q GRE score, completed grad degree (albeit in an unrelated subject) and teaching experience. Schools applying to: Oregon, Buffalo, Albany, Uconn, others TBD