I'm starting to apply to poli sci PHD programs. I still have so many questions to ask and blanks to fill, but I'm starting to compile a reasonable list of programs I want to apply to so I can be motivated while I'm studying for the GRE and writing my statements. At the moment I am eyeing NYU, Columbia, Princton, Stanford, Chicago, UCSD, etc., but I have no idea as to whether these schools are way too much of a reach for me. Any opinons are helpful! And please let me know if I'm being too vague so I an clarify:
UG Degree: International Politics with a minor in Data Science at Top 20-30 school
UG GPA: 3.7, Cum Laude, with grades improving each semester
Grad Degree: Applied Data Science at an Ivy League
- Also took 2 classes within the political science department
Graduate GPA: 4.0
GRE: Haven't taken it yet. I've been studying for a month and got 315 on a practice test a while back. Aiming for a 325 though, and won't take anything less than a 320
Teaching Experience: TA for a graduate class that I took in my graduate year
Research Experience:
- Was an RA for a semester for a professor outside of the US who focused on IPE, elections, etc.
- No publications but did write a thesis during my graduate career related to political science
Programming Experience: R, Python, Java, Stata, SQL
Job experience:
- Was an interning RA for a small think tank relating to international security
- Summer intern for one of the government departments, mostly related to qualitative research/auditing
- Currently a political data scientist at one of the largest political tech/consulting companies. Recently got promoted
LORs: A solid LOR from a professor that I did research for, one of my graduate professors that I took several classes with, and my boss at my current.
Research Interests: Currently interested in (I)PE, methods, and CP.
