lelepat

Don't want to be too simplistic but 109 is not enough for the most competitive PhD programs. I got the same score in TOEFL too and I'm planning to retake it. Just my personal opinion.

Am a political science major in Binghamton. Which part of Asia are you referring to? Professor Ekrem Karakoc is an expert in the Middle East. If you're taking about East or South Asia there's none here. For IR you may want to check Professors Benjamin Fordham (Disclaimer: he's my advisor for my honor thesis) or Katja Kleinberg. You may also want to think about the location. Binghamton is in the middle of nowhere imo.

I am a history and political science double major and I have some firsthand experience. I think that some of the political scientists are writing what the "traditional" Americanists are interested to do. In my school, history professors focus on the social and cultural aspects while polisci scholars study political and economic history. I doubt if there will be any changes in the near future.

I am currently a junior majoring in history and political science. I initially wanted to do PhD on post-WWII American foreign policy. However, all the professors I have talked with discouraged me from doing so. The jobs report exactly proves what they have said.

Check Hayes Student Living. I currently live here and it's quite good. I am a junior but I always a prefer a quiet place. My building is predominantly Korean (people call it the Korean tower) and most importantly, Greek life-free. A one-bedroom is $96xx this year. Closely to both campus and bus station. Pretty convenient and very nice management. You can probably move in in July as many tenants are moving out. I heard from some friends that Johnson City is becoming seedier. The rent is cheap but many of the houses are in decrepit condition. Better stay away from the riverside as the flooding can get very serious. Living in Binghamton is cheap but not very fun. There is only one Wegmans, two Walmarts (one in Vestal) and some small Asian supermarkets. If you need to do shopping, the always-crowded is Wegmans is perhaps the only choice. Eating out is affordable but the food is just so-so. Most people go to chain stores. This is certainly a good place to study, but not to stay. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.