[Need a primer on history of political thought PhD programs]

Check out the ASPECT PhD program at Virginia Tech! Seems like it would be right up your alley in terms of research interest. 

[PhD Admissions Resources]

Hey everyone! I've found this forum to be invaluable this past year as I navigated the PhD admissions process and am blessed to be heading into a great and funded program in a few weeks! As I've been organizing and filing away all of the resources I've collected over the past two years or so, I've realized I have a massive list of documents and links that may prove helpful for future applicants to have all in one place. Below is a vaguely organized-by-topic list of blogs, documents, gradcafe posts and other resources that would be great reads for all of you planning to apply this coming cycle, especially this summer as many of you are starting the process. I have to say that I don't necessarily agree with all of the advice given on these pages and some are more relevant to adjacent fields, but they at least informed my decision making and preparations for what was to come. This is by no means comprehensive and you should consult as many sources and people as possible, but I hope you find some of these links useful! Best of luck this season, and remember that admissions results are not indicative of your worthiness or potential. 

Perspectives on deciding to pursue a PhD 

• http://www.nunomonteiro.org/advice/grad-admissions 

• https://shouldigetaphd.com/shouldigetaphd.pdf

• https://duckofminerva.com/2012/08/applying-for-phd-in-political-science.html

• https://www.apsanet.org/Portals/54/files/Brochures/APSA_EarningaPhD.pdf

• https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/03/18/so-you-want-to-get-into-a-political-science-ph-d-program-episode-i/ 

• https://thepoliticalmethodologist.com/2014/01/18/student-advice-should-i-go-to-graduate-school-if-so-where-should-i-go/ 

• https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2017/06/16/provost-unconventional-background-describes-her-graduate-school-experience-essay 

• https://chrisblattman.com/2007/12/12/how-to-get-a-phd-and-save-the-world/

• https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/27981-advice-from-an-actual-phd-redux-2/

• https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/12490-policy-phd-vs-political-science-phd/

• https://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2011/08/professional-education-in-foreign-affairs

• https://www.outsidethebeltway.com/international-relations-graduate-school-pros-and-cons/

• https://theihs.org/blog/choosing-phd-program-in-political-science/

• Guidance on going directly from undergrad to PhD

  • https://www.reddit.com/r/GradSchool/comments/2p8wwh/phd_students_that_did_not_take_time_off_between/

  • https://www.princetonreview.com/grad-school-advice/should-you-go-to-grad-school-right-after-undergrad

  • https://www.findaphd.com/advice/blog/3670/skipping-a-masters-on-the-way-to-a-phd-the-road-less-travelled 

• https://people.fas.harvard.edu/~jkertzer/prospective.html 

Admissions

• https://chrisblattman.com/about/contact/gradschool/ 

• http://home.uchicago.edu/~mstaisch/Memo%20on%20PhD%20Applications.pdf

• https://forum.thegradcafe.com/blogs/entry/547-starting-your-statement-of-purpose/

• https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/45432-free-gre-resources-master-post/

• https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/48905-some-advice-on-writing-an-sop/

• https://thepoliticalmethodologist.com/2013/10/13/what-courses-do-i-need-to-prepare-for-a-phd-in-political-science/

• https://leiterreports.typepad.com/blog/2014/03/some-advice-to-prospective-graduate-students-visiting-departments.html

• https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/122272-results-profile-lessons-2020/#comments

• https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/122468-adcomm-insider/

• https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/122443-what-would-you-have-done-differently-in-the-process/

• https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/122124-good-sop-examples/

• http://www.ericachenoweth.com/teaching/grad-school 

• https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57d2eeebbe65947fb325749e/t/57db3d47f7e0abec4167cf9e/1473985869102/5+Rules+for+Statement+of+Purpose.pdf

• https://ls.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/statement_of_purpose.pdf

• https://brightlinkprep.com/gre-scoring-algorthm-deciphered/

• https://www.btaa.org/docs/default-source/diversity/gradschoolguide.pdf

• http://www.nunomonteiro.org/advice/recommendation-letters

• https://contemplativemammoth.com/2013/04/08/so-you-want-to-go-to-grad-school-nail-the-inquiry-email/

• https://cyrussamii.com/?page_id=2121

Admissions Statistics

• https://imgur.com/a/EuNTB 

• https://tableau.dsc.umich.edu/t/UM-Public/views/RackhamDoctoralProgramStatistics/ProgramStatistics?:embed=y&:showAppBanner=false&:showShareOptions=true&:display_count=no&:showVizHome=no&FOSDParameter=All+Rackham  (many if not all schools will have a page like this with data sorted by program)

• https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/122652-grad-cafe-political-science-data-stuff/

• https://fretpwner.shinyapps.io/GradCafeStatistics/

Funding Info

• http://www.phdstipends.com/ 

• https://academicpositions.com/career-advice/phd-professor-and-postdoc-salaries-in-the-united-states

• https://www.profellow.com/fellowships/17-predoctoral-fellowships-for-new-phd-candidates/

• https://apps.grad.illinois.edu/fellowship-finder/?action=main.search&grp1=12&grp2=20&grp3=22&q=

PhD Resources

• Important notes for women scholars:

  • https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2018/10/when-you-re-only-woman-challenges-female-phd-students-male-dominated-cohorts  

  • https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/03/11/should-women-get-ph-d-s-in-international-relations/ 

• https://irevolutions.org/2012/05/09/advice-to-future-phds/ 

• https://www.apsanet.org/RESOURCES/For-Students/Institutions-Granting-PhDs-in-Political-Science

• https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/gradhacker?page=14

• http://gradresources.org/

• https://www.apsanet.org/Portals/54/APSA%20Files/Data%20Reports/Employment%20Data/Graduate%20Placement%20Report%202016-2017.pdf?ver=2018-02-02-103603-070 

• https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/123896-tips-for-choosing-between-schools/

• https://sites.google.com/site/honestgraduatenumbers/ 

• https://chrisblattman.com/2012/09/09/phd-students-writing-an-nsf-application/

• https://contemplativemammoth.com/2011/11/22/how-to-get-a-faculty-job-in-20-not-so-easy-steps/

• https://theprofessorisin.com/

• https://law.vanderbilt.edu/phd/How_to_Survive_1st_Year.pdf

• https://economics.cornell.edu/grad-student-advice

• https://benjaminnoble.org/blog/

• https://predoc.org/opportunities

• https://chrisblattman.com/teaching/

• https://medium.com/the-renaissance-economist/the-economics-pre-doctoral-fellowship-what-is-it-and-should-you-apply-for-one-27965bcf7c3

Placement

• https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/118154-the-story-of-one-cohort/ 

• https://alexandreafonso.me/2019/02/11/academic-hierarchies-in-us-political-science/

[Updated US-News Rankings]

2 minutes ago, BunniesInSpace said:

fwiw nyu and rochester are more boutique than full-service departments, which will hurt them in aggregate rankings. they each do a couple of things really good (and they largely recruit students in those areas so placement is fine), but they're not great once you move outside of those strengths. like in the top 10 schools you could do nearly whatever, from political theory to APD to formal theory to political economy and turn out okay, while the same cannot be said for nyu or rochester (or wustl or sorta emory for that matter). 

What about Emory would make it more of a boutique program? Just curious what area/methodology you'd say they're oriented around, as I haven't noticed any particular direction from them like I have with WUSTL, Rochester, etc. 

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

3 hours ago, defcaffeinated said:

Hope you don't mind me asking but which schools run MA doctoral gateway progs with full-tuition?

Most of the ones I have seen are for URMs but if you search for Gateway to the Doctorate programs there are quite a few! They seem like really good opportunities and are a good signal to adcomms that you're targeting your development specifically towards the PhD. 

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

@poliscihopeful2021 Thanks so much! That's really helpful to consider. 

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

Just now, poliscihopeful2021 said:

Hyde Park (where UChicago is located) is actually pretty affordable (can get a very decent room for 500-600$) and you can probably cover your rent + living by working as an RA or TA or some administrative position for about 10-15 hours a week.

That's great to know! I haven't heard back but I'm kinda debating between a program like MAPSS (only IF I got full tuition) and a MA doctoral gateway program at a substantially lower-ranked school that gives you full tuition and stipend. Any thoughts? 

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

Just now, SanC said:

Hello, does anyone here know what kind of financial aid the UChicago CIR program provides? Do they offer stipends over and above the tuition waiver (if at all)?

MAPSS and CIR will offer partial or full tuition (I've seen 1/3, 2/3, 1/2, and full tuition packages), but do not offer stipends. Precisely my problem, as it's still extremely expensive in Chicago even without tuition. They said most students will work 5-10 hours a week and can serve as RAs, but it's up to you how you go about getting income outside of the program. 

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

Just now, jjiffy said:

Just got an acceptance to CIR! Was in an email about 45 minutes ago with other info to come. 

Congrats!! Any funding info included?

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

22 minutes ago, spotted said:

Emailed Maryland asking for when decisions will come out and they told me I was waitlisted!

If anybody here is AP and got an acceptance and not planning on going please decline!

Literally in the exact same boat but for CP- if you got accepted and have better options  please please let them know as soon as you're confident in your choice ? 

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

40 minutes ago, idonknow said:

Has anyone else yet to receive the result from Michigan State University? Did they already send all the waitlists? If I didn't get updates on my status, should I be supposed to think that I am rejected?

I believe they've sent rejections already. I'd guess that it likely means you're waitlisted, congrats! 

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

Claiming Cornell and NW rejections within 5 minutes of each other. Officially struck out this semester. Other than waiting on an official Maryland reject, at least I've got the closure I need to move on fully to the job and masters hunt!

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

7 minutes ago, jacksonearlsweatshirt said:

Question regarding older admissions news. Did anyone ever claim a UVA admit?

I'm on the UVA waitlist and got the info about their virtual visit day- I could be wrong but based off of how they've been talking it seems like admits are out already, although I also never saw one posted here or on the results page either.  

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

Just now, rash_sulganni said:

 

 

Oh wow. that's interesting. I had given up because I wasn't called for interview. Perhaps there is still hope

You're CP too right? Could be wrong but I actually never saw any interviews claimed for CP so maybe they're doing things differently. One can only hope haha

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

5 minutes ago, totorophd said:

No, I was very surprised! 

Oh wow, that gives me hope! ! I'm also CP and didn't get an interview request but thought I had good odds and a great fit. Was it a personalized email?

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

4 minutes ago, nivy25 said:

Is there anyone else except me and @PolNerd who have not received a reject or acceptance from Northwestern at this point?

Same!

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

14 minutes ago, XXXXbe1 said:

There are still some interviews from Vanderbilt that will be sent next week, since this year they are behind their schedule.

That's such a relief! I haven't seen anyone claim a CP interview yet so maybe there's hope. Where did you hear this from?

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

11 minutes ago, ExileOnMainSt said:

Northwestern hasn’t sent me an acceptance but there’s no rejection letter either. I wonder what’s going on?

Ditto. 

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

Did anyone end up getting a CP interview for Vanderbilt? I assume if we didn't get one by yesterday (when they said interviews would last until), it's a rejection but just making sure. 

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

Question- if something changes about our profile that would be beneficial in admissions, do you think it's too late to let some of the late-February notification schools know and would that be a good idea? For example, if I got nominated for a big award would it be smart to tell Yale or Cornell? I'm not sure if they would take it under consideration at this point in the cycle. 

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

12 minutes ago, PolNerd said:

When should we expect Maryland to release decisions? Also do they normally conduct interviews? Any one receive an interview request for this cycle?

I'm expecting any day now or maybe early next week. I haven't heard anything about interviews. 

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

Just now, Luxlux said:

(Can't believe I'm saying this)

Claiming a Northwestern acceptance!!! Political theory. I was sooo skeptical due to the 1% acceptance rate this year. Elated is an understatement 

Congrats!! You should be immensely proud! Did it seem like a mass/personalized email and did your portal change? Same congrats and questions for the WUSTL people too haha

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

Just now, poliscihopeful2021 said:

Still haven't heard any waitlists from Michigan. Have anyone from CP claimed a Michigan admit? 

Also still waiting on Michigan CP. As far as I've seen, there haven't been any CP acceptances for Michigan or CP interviews for Vanderbilt (please correct me on this one if I'm wrong), so I'm holding out hope there as well. 

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

29 minutes ago, NeedaMormon said:

For people who aren't proficient in LaTeX, I learned how to make my CV using LaTeX and that helped me out a lot.

- LaTeX CV Tutorial (Overleaf has a great amount of tutorials for learning LaTeX. I'm not a fan of using LaTex on their website though but that's a personal preference.)

For the departments that I've talked to it appears that R is the main statistical software used now. Especially for younger professors. There are some people using Python and other software languages but those are more niche.

For R here's some resources for people who want to learn certain skills:

- Blogdown (This is R adajcent, but if you want to create a website to show off projects you worked on this is fantastic.)

- TidyTuesday (Data Visualization. They put out datasets and it gives you opportunities to try and visualize the data in fun ways.)

- swirl (Basic R tutorials within R. It's a great way to start learning the program.)

- R for Data Science (Great supplement to learn R. Focuses on a package group called "tidyverse" and skills in that are very helpful.)

There's also a number of good books about R that are more focused on social sciences. Some of those include:

- Quantitative Social Science - Kosuke Imai

- R for Political Science: A Practical Guide - Francisco Urdinez, Andres Cruz

- Political Analysis Using R (Use R!) - James E. Monogan III

I think a final note on learning R is find a niche! Think of R as the Mariana Trench. R is DEEP. And there are a crazy amount of parts within R you can explore. But pick one thing and learn it very well. Then branch out to other parts of R. Having a strong foundation in one part of R can be helpful in learning adjacent things.

@timeseries If you have anything to add about learning R/LaTeX that I am missing please add it.

Thank you SO much for this- it's exactly what I've been looking for! For those recommending the Imai and Urdinez/Cruz books, would you say they're worth the $50/$100ish price tag? And which would be better for people starting as beginners? 

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

Thank you all for sharing about Masters programs! Were any of y'all able to get funding for these programs? I am highly considering them, but really can't make it work unless it is fully funded (ideally even with a stipend, if that's even possible). 

[2020-2021 Application Thread]

Claiming an Emory rejection. It was basically my top choice school and I thought I had great fit. Grad school standard email that didn't even have my name. No clue as to why I've done nothing but strike out this cycle... This one hurts. 

 

Anyone have any input on backup plans/MA/jobs/fellowships?