andromedutch

No, you're right. It's widely accepted in polsici academia that Duke placements are incredibly poor relative to other programs in their tier.

Do you think PhD applications will increase or decrease in number next year then?

@polisci_gal I should’ve been more clear—I meant Fall 2021 applications for 2022 entry.

I've heard from a trustworthy source that UNC might not be admitting this Fall--any other thoughts, ideas, or predictions?

hello! i'm a current junior at a university well-ranked (t2) in their graduate program in my field of study. i've done research with several professors in the department, one of whom I'd like to continue working with in the future and who I know would write an excellent letter of recommendation. i've also done research over my summers at other universities, and know that my letters from those professors will be similarly strong. considering that, based on my intended subfield within my field of study, it would be a disadvantage to go elsewhere, how can i maximize my chances at remaining within my institution? is the fact that most of my research is with professors elsewhere (minimizing the whole "no other perspective" idea) a good sign? some of my professors attended my institution for undergrad, grad, and now teach here, so i guess that must also be a strong positive?

i do have a poster, and would have a thesis (~100 pages) completed if i waited until after my graduation to apply.

i'm currently trying to decide whether to apply next fall or the fall after my graduation (thus incorporating additional classes and my senior thesis). following are my stats should i apply as is: gpa: 3.85 (3.95 in major: political science/data science) gre: 168 both letters of recommendation: should be excellent, including from t10 cited-all time professor (in political science) research experience: research with six different professors; three of those will be writing letters i currently attend a t3 university in the u.s.; my gpa is comparatively low as a consequence of a full year of biology courses, which i took in order to better understand climate change. i'm looking at unc, stanford, berkeley, harvard, mit, and princeton; if i were to wait until post-graduation to apply, my gpa would be ~3.9.