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slacktivist

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    Welcome to the 2014-15 Cycle

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted · Edited by slacktivist

    Oftentimes it isn't their job.

     

    More importantly, it's only February 5th. If it's March 15th and you need to make a decision, that's fine. Pestering coordinators just a few weeks after submitting your file merely because you're curious is unprofessional.

     

    I feel sheepish. You're right. Program administrators do a lot of thankless work and they're the glue that makes a graduate program run smoothly.

    Anyone else in my position, don't do what I did!

     

    EDITED TO ADD: This process is a little crazymaking—I can't imagine what it would be like to have no decisions at this point—but take a moment to think about the workload of the administrative staff.

    Welcome to the 2014-15 Cycle

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted · Edited by slacktivist

    How do you know which programs are top tier/2nd tier/3rd tier? Which rankings do you go by? The NRC? US News? I'm hoping to apply next year and wanted to know how I should be gauging the programs, especially for IR and Comparative. Thanks in advance!

     

    I believe that most everyone uses US News.  However, you have plenty of time to check out each department individually to see which has the best fit for your interests and to look over their placement history (I skipped anything outside the top 50 or so, but it seems like others barely look beyond the top 10 ;~}).

     

    I remember looking at this recently using the distribution of US News scores and grouping tiers by standard deviation. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I remember the top 10 (maybe the top 7-8) as being the top tier, 11-25 as 2nd tier, 25-50 as 3rd tier.

     

    EDITED TO ADD: Subfield matters and there's a lot of noise outside of the top tier. If you don't know how well a program ranks in a subfield, you may try to get an idea of how the subfield ranks within the program. I got my MA from a top-50 program, but in a subfield that lags behind the others in publications and resources.

    Welcome to the 2014-15 Cycle

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted · Edited by slacktivist

    Guys, any news on UCONN?

    and is it a good program? reputable or mediocre?

     

    It is below mediocre. I would be very hesitant to attend UConn (read: I would not attend UConn) if I had any aspiration toward obtaining a job in academia. If you do not want a job in academia, I would hesitate to recommend you to pursue a PhD in political science - instead I'd direct you to a PhD in social research methods or some sort of MPP or MA.  Of those places you are applying, I would strongly discourage spending 5-7 years of your life at UConn or Cincinnati if you want to go into academia, or even if you don't. The other schools in your list are terrific. Note that currently I am only in at Wisconsin and even for Wisconsin I am hesitant to attend - academia is just THAT competitive.

     

    UConn is ranked rather poorly among political science PhD programs. However, I would say to look at UConn's list of placements and email the program administrator to find out other outcome data (how many students finish the program, time to degree). If you are happy with these outcomes, then, by all means, apply.

     

    Their placement data suggest that international students are able to find jobs outside of the United States. This may be because these jobs are less competitive. Relatively few applicants have PhDs from the U.S., and simply having a U.S. PhD may help.

     

    You have to also consider your financial situation. I would not recommend UConn if you are relying on the stipend alone. I know graduate students in the program and their stipend is $12-13,000.

    Faculty perspectives

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    Depends on how close you are with the professors. I have two recommenders I've come to know personally, and I email them as they come up. The third couldn't be bothered to write specific letters of recommendation (I sent his through Interfolio), so I'll just let him know how things turn out in the end.

    Welcome to the 2014-15 Cycle

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    I received an email from UC-Merced today that I was recommended for admission to the Graduate School....I am hesitant to celebrate, but, as this is the first positive news I've received thus far, I am (immensely) relieved that not every ad com is immediately throwing me into the reject pile.

    :)

     

    Looking at your list of schools, I see we're applying to a lot of the same places for political psychology.

     

    Anyway, I really like the program at Merced, even though this is only their third cohort of PhD students. I think they'll end up training and placing their students well since it is a small program with a lot of resources and juniors/young associates still making a name for themselves. For your choice set, I'd only rank it behind Stony Brook, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Texas, and maybe Nebraska (if you're doing the genetics and politics research that Hibbing is doing).

    Faculty perspectives

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    I obtained lower MA grades than I would have liked due to some life events and poor response to those events, but more importantly because I have bipolar disorder and did not realize or receive (some) treatment until after immediately after my MA. What do you recommend for situations where a problem that led to decreases in performance in the past has been somewhat addressed but could well affect the PhD experience, i.e. how should applicants and their letter-writers address this? My concern would be that by providing that context for the performance it might cause enormous concern by admissions over my ability to finish the program.

     

    I am also transferring from a graduate program this year and dealt with complications from depression and anxiety during my studies. I spent a lot of time thinking about this issue, just as you have. The initial instinct is to feel pressure to disclose your mental illness, but also worry about what that signals about your ability to complete the program, and, more broadly, how it means you are damaged goods in a career where intellectual output is the primary determinant of success.

     

    A few things to say:

     

    1) Mental illness is a chronic disability. You do not need to apologize for having it. This is something I often forget or am hesitant to acknowledge. No one would give a second thought if you experienced complications from a physical disability. The more unapologetic you feel about your condition, the better you will be able to advocate for yourself.

     

    2) Disclosing your mental illness is entirely up to you. Part of advocating for yourself is establishing boundaries around disclosure. It is your decision alone. You do not need to give into perceived pressures to explain yourself to professors at these graduate programs. In my materials, I simply wrote that I experienced complications from a chronic disability.

     

    3) Do not assume that, because professors are very smart people, they understand the nature of chronic mental illness and how to deal with it in a healthy way. Professors understand the episodic depression that otherwise healthy people suffer as a result of the pressures of graduate school. They may view your chronic condition through that lens and simply encourage you to be tough. While graduate school requires tenacity, this is useless advice for dealing with your disability.

     

    Similarly, professors with chronic mental illness may not be good role models for you. I had an advisor who was junior faculty and wildly successful (two highly acclaimed UP books, several top-3 journal hits within four years after the PhD, media attention on their research), yet they lived a miserable, unhealthy lifestyle. They gained 40 pounds their first year out of graduate school. You may accept that tradeoff to achieve similar levels of success, but do not assume that you have to make a tradeoff between self-care and professional success. I tried to emulate their example and suffered greatly for it.

     

    4) When it comes to the application, your best move will be to demonstrate that you have a firm understanding of what the research enterprise means. Let your SOP walk through what your broad question is, any projects you have done, different questions you might explore. Showing professors that you understand this process and have interesting ideas will go a long way to trumping any concerns they might have about grades.

     

    5) When you continue your studies, the first thing you need to do is build a support system and treatment plan. Find a therapist and psychiatrist in your new location. Register with your university's disability services center and discuss accommodations you might need for your coursework or assistanship duties. Write up a Wellness Recovery Action Plan and review it with your family, doctors, and disability services staff.

     

    If you end up choosing to disclose to an advisor or department head, the support and treatment work you've done will likely diffuse a lot of the tension you may feel about disclosing. You're showing them you're proactive. They don't have to feel like they need to function as your therapist. They're in a better position to provide the type of support that advisors do for students through the ups and downs of graduate school, though perhaps with some empathy from knowing you have this condition and you are managing it.

    Maryland

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    I've pretty much decided on Maryland. Have you made a decision yet? I"m sure you've stated this elsewhere, so sorry for the repeat questions, but what is your subfield?

    Just saw this now! I ended up accepting my offer from Brown.

    Should I go to CSU Fresno for IR???

    in Political Science Forum

    Posted

    I applied to UCSB, UCSD, and CSU Fresno for IR. I only got into CSU Fresno due to my relatively poor academic record (2.8 GPA). My question is whether it's worth it to get an MA in IR at a school like CSU Fresno since prestige matters in this field. Also, what would my job prospects be like if I graduated with an MA in IR from CSU Fresno? Thanks in advance.

    Anteaters, I'm assuming you're coming from UC Irvine? :) Also, is there a reason you're limited to Southern California programs?

    As far as graduate school goes, going for the MA at Fresno State seems like the right play. Assuming you're paying in-state tuition, the debt you'll take on for the MA is not that significant in the long run.

    For your job prospects, the MA should make you more employable for white-collar work in general, but I think you will also need some relevant work experience in public policy or a similar area to be competitive for that type of work.

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