marycsullivan

I think mentioning the lack of professional opportunities in your home country is an acceptable answer, assuming you did not use this for your SOP. However, I do think it is still important to highlight how your background will help add diversity to the programs you are applying too. For example I grew up in a very conservative southern state, but since have lived in a more liberal city. I am applying to political science schools in California (a very liberal state), so I talked about how my background has helped me understand and empathize with different points of political views etc. Because you are an international applicant you will add diversity to the program, so you get need to find a graceful way of saying this.

I am applying to Political Science PhD programs, and I have taken the GRE twice but I am unsure of which score to send. 1) Verbal 160 (85th percentile), 158 (70th percentile), 4.5 (82nd percentile) 2) Verbal 159 (82nd percentile), 158 (70th percentile), 5.0 (93 percentile) Basically do I send the scores with a higher verbal section or stronger analytical writing section?

I am currently a senior undergraduate, and I am beginning the process of applying for political science PhD programs. I have a very high GPA and relevant work experience through out my undergrad career (research, fellowships, campaigns, etc.). I am hoping to go straight into a Phd program, but I know this can be received differently, good or bad, from different programs. What do I need to know about applying to a Phd program as a undergraduate? How should I tailor my application to account for this? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.