AuldReekie

Not much going on here. Just applied for a scholarship to take some courses at the Essex summer school in social science data analysis. Essentially the closest thing the UK has to Michigan's ICSPR summer programs. Lots of the courses are taught by US faculty members so I'm hoping I get a place..

Hmm, they're reasonably high, surely high enough that it wouldn't be enough to get your app thrown out. How do you feel about your personal statement & research interests in hindsight? *Then again the more I read about how admissions works perhaps it is worth it if you have the money and time to spare.

Glad to see someone on this forum going to an alternative school . Well done!

I may be wrong but he doesn't look the ideal advisor for the OP's research interests. Seems to research in CP and teach some IR on the side?

Online service sounds very useful, Thanks. Just wondering is this it? http://www.kaptest.com/GRE/Prep-for-the-New-GRE/On-Demand/gre-quiz-bank.html

http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/concordance_information.pdf < This would seem to imply that 700V, 700Q is roughly equivalent to 166V, 155Q. My aim is simply to do well enough so that it's not likely a negative factor...

Do you have any thoughts about what you felt went wrong? Still let's hope this time you have better luck. Looks like quite a lot of people did a lot better on their second attempt last year. I'm still researching academics within my broad fields of interest and using that to narrow down my choices. Also I'm going to the British International Studies Association/ISA conference in June (luckily it's on my doorstep). The idea is to get a better idea of current research in which I can fit my own ideas.

Perhaps a little earlier than last year, but as the board is winding down I thought I might start this thread now for all those applying for Political Science programs this year . (Apologies to Balderdash for stealing the threat title, but Welcome to the cycle certainly sounds nicer I've put together a little collection of threads to help first time applicants like myself with this daunting process. 2011-12 cycle thread. (Especially Balderdash's introduction) Profiles and Results, SOPs, and Advice (Fall 2012) Advice from an actual PhD (redux 2) & Admission Committee Notes Nuno Monteiro 'Grad School Admissions' http://www.nunomonte...grad-admissions Personally I'm an international student looking at applying everywhere (apart from Harvard) with the hope of studying International Security/IR Theory Good luck to everyone.

Personally I'm currently noting down everyone I could see myself working with and I'll eventually pick the ~10 best fitting. I hope this seems sensible? (I attached an early version below)

I'm applying this year too. While I can't really help I've found Prof. Monteiro's site useful http://www.nunomonteiro.org/advice/grad-admissions

I decided to apply next cycle instead. Didn't want to write my thesis at the same time as studying for GRE and applying, so I largely lurk . Hopefully looking to apply for IR (Theory, still trying to narrow down my interests into a coherent research idea). Considering attending the ISA conference this June in Edinburgh, right on my doorstep! In the hope that it will enable me to better piece what I'd like to do in with existing scholarship.. if that makes sense? Good luck with the waitlists, fingers crossed!

Completely forgot about Pape, good scholarship though not so much my thing. That's the worry, I would love to work with Mearsheimer, but he's getting a bit older now and the as you say the dept. would largely appear to be very dependent on him.. Have you decided where you're planning on going?

I'm only just beginning to narrow down and choose schools for next year, but I was a bit shocked at how few IR people Chicago have. You'd think they'd have more people, or do they rely on the fame/infamy (depending on your persuasion ) of Mearsheimer?

I thought Toronto had a 'no PhD student will receive less that $20,000' rule?

Definitely agree. I'm currently teaching myself some basic game theory with UCLA's equivalent

It's an interesting question. I know plenty of UK students make it into US PhD programs and they won't have done any math for at least three years!

Just to add that lots of Faculty I know advised me against looking at LSE for a masters. Very much a big money spinner with large incoming classes. Undoubtedly they have some great staff but I think your access is limited and some discussions are led by PhD students. Good, but not what I'd expect for £14,000+!

Possibly applying next year. I'm drawn to IR there by Robert S. Ross who I would love to work with. My doubts? I have no idea how effective their methods training is and the IR faculty is too small for my relatively narrowinterests. Others will have more constructive comments I'm sure..

Yes, it is. I feel a little bad for using his name as a pseudonym. I am pleasantly surprised to find that many people know of him though!

I decided to take a year out to revise for the GRE and make sure I'm prepared. I'm paranoid of course that I will end up failing to be accepted anywhere and have wasted a year! Three months left of my undergrad so I'm starting to get back into researching schools etc. now. Pros.. Time to study for GRE New staff to get references from A summer to read and refine research interests. Cons. I've lost a year and may not get in!

Aberdeen University - 82nd. Higher than Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews in Scotland and places like Toronto? Oh how I wish that was true in the real world!

Thanks. I was on track to apply this year, but decided to wait after reading last year's thread.. thinking it was the right decision to wait until I finish my degree before I apply. Good luck again..

I'll be applying next year, but I thought I'd just pop in to wish you all luck