[How many apps]

Dear Colleagues

I was wondering if anyone would share, how many apps is appropriate to initiate?

I have a list of 8 scholars I feel would be perfect mentors for my project.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

[Doctor of Liberal Studies, SCS Georgetown]

Greetings all

I was wondering if anyone has any information about this Programme

Doctor of Liberal Studies, from the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown University.

I am looking to PhD research Georgetown would be dream!

My background is Mlitt in Security Studies from Uni of St Andrews in Scotland and MSc in IR from UCD in Ireland.

Both comfortable 2.1 grades.

Or if you have any recommendations of other Universities who would look favorably on my background.

Specifically looking at Post Soviet region/Security

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

[Any way to avoid doing the GRE's]

Thank you very much for that

Ill look into it

There are some schools that do not require the GRE. So far, the best one I know of that does not require it is Texas A&M's IR program so long as one's GPA is above a 3.0.

[Any way to avoid doing the GRE's]

Thank you all for your reply's

I guess there's no escape. Strangely the maths are straight forward and I dont think the aw should be too bad but the Antonyms and comparisons are pretty tough and it looks tough to get over 500

[Any way to avoid doing the GRE's]

Wish I had better news but...you'll be taking the GREs. Actually the good news is that they'll probably enhance your admissions profile, since the math is pretty easy with just a little studying and because of your advanced degrees in social sciences I'd imagine that your analytical/writing skills are better than your average soon-to-be or recent college grad. Good luck!

[Georgetown, GWU or American University GRE Scores???]

I spoke with one of their reps about a Security/Comparitive PhD app a couple of weeks ago.

He said they "didnt" have a threshold but normally their entrants have an average of 650.....

Hope this is of help

[Any way to avoid doing the GRE's]

Apologies, this is in relation to a PhD application to a US university.

Specifically: Georgetown, GWU, SAIS, University of Virginia & University of Maryland

[Any way to avoid doing the GRE's]

Greetings all,

I am a mature student 33, I have 2 masters, an MA in IR and an MLitt in Security Studies, both upper 2.1 hons.

Is there any way that this will exempt me from doing the GRE's.

Much appreciated

[Stressing out: Figuring out the grad-school application process. (Oh, and battling a low undergrad GPA.)]

If it helps at all

I had the same situation

I was young and dont mind admitting immature doing undergrad - especially as I had a job offer in the middle of 3rd year.

Last year I staerted an MA in IR. Really enjoyed it

So much so that I want more, Im not sure what I wish to do as a PhD project so I thought Id look at a really good school for an Mphil or Mlitt

applied to 2 very prestigious top 50 world ranked schools (both in EU) and I have 1 offer and waiting on the other....

With my situation I believe I showed that even though I had never really proved myself academically I was mature and had career direction

Im 32 now btw

Hope this helps,

I found talking with people I was applying to really helped too

My first two years were the same as Unlikely Grad--I screwed them up too. I think I was sitting at a B- average. When I applied for my MA program, my department was mostly interested in my last two full-time years as an undergrad and even at that, they were more interested in the courses that were applicable to the program.

I know that reference letters are a big part of the application package. So, if you have good solid references who are willing to speak positively on your behalf, that will definitely help.

I had one semester where I was seriously ill and that ended up lowering my GPA pretty significantly in my third year. That ended up affecting my cumulative GPA. I was unable to comment on it in my letter of intent, so I asked one of my references to mention it in her letter instead. In some ways, I think that was more helpful, since it didn't come across as me attempting to excuse my illness (which, I think would be totally okay anyway!), but rather it was acknowledged by a faculty member who knew me and could comment on how I was able to overcome it and excel in my courses afterward.

I'm not sure if it would be appropriate for your situation, but could you ask one of your references to make a statement about your cumulative GPA and why it's at 2.4? Maybe having one of them explain that it was a different program and that your interest in Political Science is reflected in the excellent grades you achieved in your current course work will help the selection committees better understand your circumstances.

[Funding/Financing/ the extent of Stipend for living?]

Greetings all I will finish my Mphil mid 2011, looking at entry to US PhD programme thereafter.

I am a little worried regarding my ability to live and finance myself on a PhD.

I have seen figures for Stipend ranging from 16K to 30K etc

Just a couple of questions?

Is a stipend tax free

Do any PhD's include Housing

I am currently working as an RA for a lecturer at the moment, I will enter a PhD with 18 months RA experience

Would the Uni where I would hopefully take up a PhD employee me as an RA or what is the possibility for lecture hours

In essence, I am looking to budget and plan how I will survive, as I would not like to go into debt and run up credit cards etc

Much appreciated

[What software do you use/find indispensable?]

I have to recommend Dragon Naturally Speak and for the Mac, MacSpeech Dictate

I use them both - kind of prefer Dragon as I use it a bit more.

cant believe more people dont use it.

It saves me bundles of time

[learning to drive]

Totally easy

Ive done the test in Hawaii and DC, they are quite lenient in the US

first of all, go online and download the questions for the theory test for NY state, then you will have to sit the theory.

Once you pass that you could even get the driving test the same day.

for example I completed the theory and driving test in 3 hours

the only thing also s you will need a full licensed driver to bring you there,

and then to use their car

hope that helps

[F1 or J1?]

Do you know how long the F1 lasts for

I am looking at PhD entry after my Mphil finishes in Mid 2011

Much appreciated

[Irish Universities]

Could any Americans share how grads of Trinity College Dublin would be viewed by American Universities

I am looking at PhD entry in 2011

[Russian Studies]

Greetings all

I was wondering if anyone can give more information.

I have seen stipend figures of 11k, 15k and 18k

apologies if this is a stupid question but living on this

for example - I was living in DC back in 05 - 07 and rent was almost 1k a month...

What other options are there to buff this up a bit?

Much apprecated

[Color Revolutions : Post Soviet]

Double take

Many thanks for your advice

Beissinger and Tucker look very good matches

I woud expect that Beissinger probably has a line down the block queing up for him though.....

Not being american, I was wondering about appropriate etiquete for initiating contact

Is it appropraite to directly contact Professors with a proposal 2000 to 5000 words?

[Visa for Phd Research in USA]

I worked in the USA for a few years prior to 2007. I used a J1 Intern Visa and also a H1B sponsorship

I have an MA in IR and will complete my MPhil in Security Studies in May 2011.

I am looking to enter a PhD programme in Sept 2011.

Does anyone think that applying for an education F1 visa will be hindered by working in the USA before on a completed H1B and J1 intern 18 month visa?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

[Color Revolutions : Post Soviet]

I would greatly appreciate any advice on suitable US University departments who may have an interest in research into Post Soviet Color Revolutions Research.