[Non-top 50 programs]

Just to clarify what I think the original poster meant by "royal flush" (please correct me if I'm wrong): I think it has nothing to do with things that are hard to deal with (be that a disability, being gay, being depressed, etc); I think the poster means either A) Having enough money to afford a good high school and more importantly undergraduate education or If not money, having been told that going to a good undergrad is important for getting into a good PhD, that it can be done without it, but that it is much harder to break into that circle than to remain there. Being depressed as an adult and having to come out of the closet are much different than knowing that where one goes to undergrad really matters and having the resources to do so. I think the later is what the poster means by "royal flush."

The tone of the original post will, I agree, be damaging to this conversation.

Precisely what I am saying. Some people have to chose undergrad choices due to price, not it's ranking.

[Non-top 50 programs]

Also, if "you" actually read what I wrote, I said the "vast majority," clearing indicating that not all of you are pricks. Also, I commended all of you for getting into great programs.

[Non-top 50 programs]

I hate to throw cold water on your post, poppy, but if you're talking programs that aren't even ranked on US News' top 50 (which is as far as it goes I believe on the rankings for poli sci PhD programs), you're going to have a very hard time using the PhD you do get for college-level teaching. There are definitely some strong programs towards the bottom of the top 50 that I think are do-able for people with less than stellar numbers (this would include Georgia, Florida, UC-Santa Barbara, etc.) and even some that are marginally not ranked that might allow you to have some success in academia such as SUNY-Albany and Oklahoma (these are the two non-ranked schools I applied to as safeties under the advice of a well-regarded professor in the field with whom I worked as undergraduate). That said, if you're looking to teach, the reality is that going to an unranked program will more often that not preclude you from this. I'm not saying it's fair, I'm not saying it's right, I'm not condoning it, but it's the reality. One might even say the harsh truth in what you so cynically refer to as the "real world"...hope that helps.

I'm not so sure you are correct. I've looked at the faculty of multiple institutions, and have found numerous members from non-top 50 institutions. For example, look at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Southern Mississippi, Eastern Kentucky, or SIU-Edwardsville.

Am I saying it's easy to get a job with a PhD from a non-ranked school, NO. However, to say it happens, more times than not is a bit over the top in my opinion.

[Non-top 50 programs]

I started this thread for a few reasons:

1. I'm tired of listening to all the hacks who stress over the decision to go to Harvard, Stanford, Rochester, or Princeton.

2. Not all of us hit the life lottery like yourselves, so we will be going to non-top 50 institutions. Which schools did you apply to and what is your background?

3. To give individuals not going to institutions in the top-50 an opportunity to speak up.

For anyone going to great institutions, I commend you, as it is truly remarkable accomplishment. However, outside of a few individuals on this board, the vast majority of you are pricks. Although, while I do think most of you are a bit on the egotistical side, and look down on people who haven't exactly been dealt a royal flush in their lives, I am thankful for your existence on Earth, because if it weren't for you, it wouldn't give the less fortunate (Those going to non-top 50's) the motivation to work their asses off.

I'll add more after I get back from a meeting...damn the "real" world.