AuldReekie

I'm going to go against what would seem to be popular opinion and question whether it will really make a difference? From what I gather many schools use the GRE as an early cut off. Surely your writing sample and statement of purpose etc will carry more weight at the better schools, when it boils down to it will they take the person with the Q-770 over the Q-700 with a better writing sample? Retake it if you have the time but not at the expense of the other - perhaps ultimately more decisive - areas of your application.

Hello everyone, Just wondering if there are any other Internationals on here that are thinking about applying for a PhD in Pol Sci next year? I'm currently in year 3 of a 4 year undergraduate MA in International Relations at a medieval British university. I should hopefully graduate with a First Class honours degree which I'm struggling to fit into the GPA system and have spent the past three years studying IR almost exclusively. Not looking forward to the GRE.. I know that we're disadvantages at certain state schools for example the UC system and some others. Probably applying to places that I have no hope of getting into. If any current/previous applicants have any advice it would be more than welcome!

What university is it in HK? I suppose the usual caveat along the line of "If you want a good TT job in the US, go to a 'top-x' school in the US " will be uttered.

Thank you both very much, great thread.

Different place but I know British Universities are meant to greatly value final year independent research projects. We're told not to apply for PhD programs unless we get a 1st/A in the research thesis/dissertation.

The GRE is a rather American obsession. There are plenty of great schools outside the US that can deduce plenty from a SOP, writing sample and references!

Perhaps you should think back to the time where you perhaps enjoyed reading about your subject?

This is another reason why I'm looking to apply to American programs as opposed to British programs. Hypothetically I could stay in the UK and take a 1 year Research degree (something I may do anyway) and then a 3 yr PhD. I would rather try to get into a US program, have several years of coursework, teaching and research papers before progressing to the pure research component.

Thanks, that's a relief to know. Since my degree finishes with 3 years of 100% pol sci I should hopefully know by next year whether I definitely want to try and do a PhD

Does everyone apply after they're done with their BAs? I was planning on applying half way through my final year..

I'll be applying from abroad, hopefully they don't feel the same way about Undergraduate Masters which is what I'll have!

I remember looking at their website - pretty sure financial support for internationals is pretty awful!

I've had trouble with this too. Our grades will look pretty awful to Americans but people simply very rarely get 20/20. I studied abroad in the US for a semester and generally got A's and A-'s while at home I'm generally borderline 2.1:1.1. (which in a straight conversion would look more like a 3.0!)

Europe. Our scholars quite frequently mention how America is far far far more quantitatively orientated. Barring that there must be lots of Qualitative scholars you can work with in the US...

Not to mention students might like to be taught by political scientists... I don't care whether my IR professor can teach Intro to American Government for example, I would much prefer the expert in the topic to teach me.

I've heard that due to funding cuts however they'll be offering far fewer Internationals admission including any funding. Not sure if anyone can substantiate this?

For example the difference between Rochester and UVA? I remember Rochester explicitly stating they had a very quantitative program as opposed to UVa which talks of being more historically and qualitative. (Michigan may be a better example.. my knowledge of American Universities is a little thin)

Yikes I don't even know what that means anymore! The disadvantages of a British Degree maybe? Be happy in the knowledge that some of us will have done next to no maths. Math... whatever.