dpan

Thank you so much for taking time to answer to my concerns. Your reply is detailed and of great help. It is pretty spot on as well. Some Universities would not let PhD holders apply for a second PhD. Some others, though, would, provided that a clear SOP and an explanation of why the candidate would benefit from another degree would be provided. I am particularly interested in switching from qualitative to quantitative methods, take courses on international affairs and work with leading experts of the field. Otherwise, there would be no point in getting into a pol sci program. I am interested both in doctoral and post-doc positions, but for a career on academia, I think that a strong PhD is what matters most. And a PhD in History from a European university which is not top, puts me in a weak position. An MIA/MPA degree would be for sure more time effective, but would lead to high debt and a career outside academia. Still, I am clueless about the possibilities of finding a job after the degree that could enable one make a living and pay the student loans within a reasonable timeframe as well.

I was wondering if it would be feasible to and would worth doing a MIA (Master of International Affairs) after a PhD in Contemporary History. A year ago I asked advice about a second PhD in Pol Sci (Chinese FP). Since then I have made some progress studying the language (now studying B1-HSK3 level) and I plan to take two Algebra and Stats online courses at an Extension school. As a second PhD is still part of my plan, given the difficulty of being admitted at a top program and being employed by a Uni after several years of studying I would like to have some advice on doing a MIA, at Columbia or UCSD for example, specializing in Chinese foreign policy. What would the employment prospects be, mostly regarding IOs in the US or Europe? Would it be realistic to look for a second PhD at a top program (top 20) after that, if I still want to? Last question; I did some research and 3-5 years of professional experience are required in order to be admitted. I have a year-long internship at my national Ministry of Foreign Affairs and my 7 years of master's and doctoral research in several countries, funded by more than two prestigious institutions. My research has led to presentations at international conferences and publications (one of which as a chapter in a collective volume by a prestigious publisher). Would this be enough? Thank you in advance.

Great, thanks again!

Hi politolog, thanks for your answer! Yes, I intend to do language training in my country and seek for funding for some training in China. Do you think that this would make any difference? Thanks again!

Hi and thanks so much for your advice! It's not that I don't like history, I love it. It's that I want to study IR and get employed in foreign policy or academia. I want to engage with contemporary topics. Is Harvard on the same tier as U Penn? What would you think of Cornell? Thanks again!

Thanks for your time and for answering my question- I really appreciate it! Could you please explain what is 4-4's job? Teaching and research is my professional goal, so that's why I am seeking a high status program. I need to keep my chances realistic though and find a nice place to live as well, as I would spend the fourth decade of my life over there. Would you suggest any specific programs? Regarding quantitative skills, they are essential in IR from what I've understood so far. Would you recommend anything I could do to get some in order to increase the chances of admission? Thanks again!

ICPSR seems really interesting but unfortunately I now live in Europe. Would a certificate from Harvard Extension School be a proof of quantitative skills background? Thanks so much for taking the time to add info- I appreciate it!

Once more, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and write such a detailed answer- it helps me organize my thoughts and set realistic goals. Starting from the allegory, it's a great one and it's a situation I worry about myself. But having devoted my whole adult life in studies and research and given the fact that I want to become a researcher in academia, I have to get into a good program that will at least provide some opportunity for decent employment. I know that the job market is terrible at the time, but it is the only reality for people like me in humanities. You're right about my skills, I am actually pretty much aware of them and that's why I opened my other thread. Regarding game theory, "dive in" was a wrong expression. I meant to take courses on it, as it is a big part of diplomacy and plays a role in the concept of global hegemony. I wish I could study what O.A Westad does- global hegemony without modeling- but this is not possible.

Thanks for your insight! My studies are narrowed down to the history of a small region and offer me almost none employability. My university doesn't have any exceptional status either. When I spent time at Columbia O was excited with IR theory and political science in general. These things are not something I can do myself. I need to get quantitative skills and dive into game theory and get the opportunity to work in a productive environment. I am not rich, so I will also need funding.

Thank you again so much! I wish you all the best with your applications!!

Hello all, I need some advice. I am doing a PhD in Cold War History and after finishing my dissertation I intend to seek a second PhD in IR in the United States. My age is under 30 and my background is the following: -BA at a University in Southern Europe. -MA in Contemporary History at the same University (grade is 10/10). -PhD Candidate in Contemporary History at the same University. Archival research in many archives in the US, UK, Brussels and elsewhere. Visiting Researcher with full funding at top UK University. Fulbright Visiting Researcher, sponsored by a top political scientist. I have published three book chapters and I work on two papers. I speak two foreign languages. I have no quantitative skills and have not taken the GRE yet. I am interested in doing research on China's foreign policy and security and I will try to take language courses in China. I would like to apply to: Columbia, UPenn and University of Michigan. I would love to work with Iain Johnston, but I consider Harvard impossible. Could anyone give me any honest feedback and/or useful advice? Thank you in advance!

Wow, thank you so much for that! I really appreciate both your time and your kindness to share this information! I was a Visiting Scholar at Columbia under a Fulbright and I had some conversations with faculty members. One of them insisted that QS would be crucial in the admissions process even if I were applying for Political Theory. Despite the fact that he may exaggerated a bit, almost all- or the great majority of- the PhD Candidates in IR have some solid background in QS. That's why I am concerned. I took a look at the website of the University of Michigan and they seem to seek for strong QS as well for their prospective student. If I may ask, which Universities are your top options?

Hello all! I am PhD Candidate in History and I recently spent a year as a visiting scholar at an Ivy League under a Fulbright. That gave me the idea to apply for a second PhD in IR in the US. I have been in contact with Brown, UPenn and some other Universities, which stated that I would be eligible to apply for a PhD. The main problem is that I have zero quantitative skills, since my background is in humanities. Is there anything I can do for that? Auditing courses in statistics/ game theory in my home country would not be something that can be displayed officially. How important is a background in QS if you have received prestigious scholarships, you have publications and you speak two foreign languages? Thank you in advance!