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BruBru

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    Political Science

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  1. I went to a little-known university and will be attending a top-25 PhD program in political science this fall. Don't reject yourself before you apply, keep your head up and give it a go. You can always apply to half PhD, half Masters programs if you want to be safe.
  2. I can promise you that your GRE score is not the reason you did not get accepted. 1460 combined is a great score and would put you over the minimum that all programs are looking for. Applicants tend to think that great GPA + GRE means admission... this is false. Your statement of purpose and letters of rec are very, very important. I am guessing your statement was poor, or your letters were not good. Don't waste your time on the GRE... keep your current score and work like hell to get a great statement written.
  3. I was also a McNair Scholar. It is a wonderful, life-changing program. Like stated above, if any prospectives are browsing these boards that have the desire to attend grad school, there is no better avenue to take for underrepresented students. Find a school that offers the program, take part, and you will not be sorry.
  4. BruBru

    UIUC

    I will be attending UIUC for political science. Coming from Boise State in Idaho.
  5. Today I declined offers from Iowa, SUNY Buffalo, Cincinnati, Georgetown, and Maryland. Subfield is IR.
  6. You should contact the department, I actually received an email letting me know that I was waitlisted. It is important to note, however, that they are not funding people well this year and thus my wait list position is for an unfunded spot. If you have other offers (funded), best not to worry too much about UW this year.
  7. I have issue with this, given that there have been numerous studies over the years that have shown that socioeconomic status is a significant factor when predicting an individuals GRE score. If you happen to be a middle class, white, English speaking student whose parents are college educated you will score higher than someone from more modest circumstances. To say that the GRE "reflects your natural strengths and abilities" is inherently ignorant of these facts and makes one out to be a social Darwinist. I hope you don't believe that the rich are rich, and the educated are educated because they are the most talented and gifted in society...
  8. I wouldn't stress too much about your GRE scores. I believe (correctly I think) that the other pieces of your application will be much more important than 40-50 points on the quantitative portion of the GRE. I have been accepted into 3 PhD programs will full-funding and waitlisted at another. Two of these programs are in the top 25 in my field. My GRE score was 1140 combined (520 verbal, 620 quant, 5.5 awa). By all accounts, my score is not very competitive, yet I was able to earn a spot in top-tier programs with funding. If you do happen to get rejected by every school you applied to, I would be willing to bet that your GRE scores will not be your downfall, it will be another piece of your application.
  9. Given that we are in the midst of the admissions process, how about some relaxing instrumental rock? You should check out... 1. Explosions in the Sky: "The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place." 2. The American Dollar: "The Technicolour Sleep." 3. The Six Parts Seven: "Everywhere and Right Here." Also, if instrumental music is not your thing, you should have a listen to Andrew Bird, Pedro the Lion, and Sufjan Stevens.
  10. Indeed. An award spent on school related expenses (tuition, books, etc) is not taxable. See: http://www.cmu.edu/policies/documents/G ... tatus.html
  11. This sounds like a very tough situation. Just keep your head up, and realize that you going to graduate school will do a lot of long term good for your family. You may not be contributing immediately, but your efforts and aspirations will inspire future generations of your family. I also had to contribute to my family's income during High School, and understand (although not completely because all situations vary) much of what you are feeling. There are others like us in graduate programs (although far too few). You may want to seek out others who are going through similar situations. I truly love this thread. Keep the stories coming my fellow first-generation students.
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