Atypicalgirl

Maybe you should take a break and refresh yourself before trying for a Phd program. If you're finishing up masters that could be sufficient for some community colleges (I live in Tennessee and the community colleges here only require a masters) especially since you have teaching experience. I don't think you should commit to another 5-7 years of school if you're not looking forward to the experience at least a little. Just my two cents, good luck with your decision.

Thanks all. I know that it's better to leave more doors open by applying to the best schools possible but I'm really hesitant to retake the GRE considering how expensive it and grad school applications are. When I took some practice tests I was scoring 160 verbal and 154 in quantitative so I'm not sure what happened. Would retaking it and earning a 154 be worth the time and trouble or is that score only marginally better? Thanks again.

Thanks a lot Rockerika, your input is very helpful and I'll definitely look into applying for MA (incidentally, where could I find some that are fully funded? Most of the ones I have seen seem to be terminal or don't offer funding). I was hoping that my undergraduate GPA would be proof enough of ability but I understand that considering the competition a masters and research experience wouldn't hurt. Thanks again.

Yo! I've been reading this forum for a while gaining from everyone else's questions and contribution but now that I've just taken the GRE I have my own question. Would anyone have any suggestions about what kind of schools I can aim for without retaking the GRE? My stats are: GPA--3.98; GRE 148 quantitative (I know ;/) 168 verbal, the writing score is not yet available. I have some decent writing samples but nothing published and I've been working on getting to know some professors (in philosophy and political science) who can give me good recommendations. I plan to spend part of this summer as well as the fall semester working with a professor on a project about women voters. My goals are to enter a political theory program where I can study the ideas behind international systems like the EU or the UN and I'm applying to Johns Hopkins, UCRiverside, UMD College Park, and Ohio State. My goals aren't too ambitious so I don't mind applying to lower schools, mostly I want a Phd so that I can teach at community colleges. Anyways, sorry for the somewhat disorganized format and thanks in advance.