cy92

I don't know much about the IR literature, but depending on your math background, it may be useful to study some mathematics in preparation for your methods sequences. Linear algebra, multivariable calculus, and real analysis will all come in handy. Simon and Blume's Mathematics for Economists and Rudin's Principles of Mathematical Analysis are useful for learning or reviewing these topics (and answers to problems in these books are not hard to find online). For something a little more thorough, you might try using the MIT OpenCourseWare for these classes. I know they have an excellent Linear Algebra course, and I believe they have course materials available for multi and analysis. Do note, however, that you don't necessarily need to do a lot of prep this summer. The summer before I started grad school, many people advised me to take a break since I would be studying these things for the next six straight years. I personally chose to work on a lot of Political Science-related things because I knew that was what I would enjoy, but it wasn't a necessity. You were accepted to a program because the professors deemed you prepared for it and once you arrive, you will quickly become immersed in the literatures relevant to your interests. So, math can be helpful if you think you'll enjoy it/don't have a lot of it already, but don't sweat it.

A piece of advice I received from one of my professors when I was choosing a school: visit even if you think you're definitely going somewhere else. There's the obvious idea that you might change your mind when you see places in person (you might not get along well with the faculty at one school, and be surprised by the fit with faculty at the other when you actually visit them). He suggested, however, that the real reason to visit every school is that grad school is tough, and at some point you'll probably get discouraged and wonder if you should have gone to school X instead. When that happens, you will be able to think back to your visit weekends and remember that school X is not the perfect place you're now imagining it to be. In other words, it's easier to get rid of nagging "the grass is always greener on the other side" feelings when you've seen the other side. (of course, if the school is not covering your travel expenses, it's a different story, but I would imagine everyone in that ranking group would)