flatcoat

Both my parents have masters, but didn't get why I would want a PhD. I have a great job (although the pay sucks), and they pictured me getting promoted, staying with my "company" for a long career, etc. They are both from the corporate, keep-a-job-for-30 yrs mentality. I had to explain that the average amount of time someone in my position stays is 2 years, and that there is no such thing as promotion up through the ranks in the type of organization I work for. Getting a PhD is one way to eventually obtain a senior position. Anyway, once they got it they have been as supportive as they have always been, but do not understand the stress of waiting for results. I told them to try to imagine spending a year working on a job application, visiting the job location, talking to the people you want to work with, then having the decision about whether or not you get that job made by an anonymous group of people who have (probably) never met you or talked to you, and that decision taking 3 months. They understood a bit better then.

Hi Ivyreject, I've applied to schools that are not top 10, or even top 20, based on a number of things, including location, department specialties, who I wanted to work with, etc. I "hand-picked" my schools (I've applied to 3 - actually one is a top ten but I am not applying to the polisci dept.) in the sense that I heavily researched each one, visited campuses, and talked with possible advisors. Like you, my background is unusual (actually this is sounding familiar to me; I may have replied to one of your previous posts - if I recall, you are interested in the role of religion in politics?) I think, though, that either applicants like us (who did not apply to a rash of top-tens) are a minority, or there are a lot of lurkers intimidated by the quality and ambition of so many of the posters on this forum!

There are a few people in the polisci department - it has a focus on environmental politics, among other things. Don't want to go too much into detail on a public forum, but PM me if you want. You applying there?

I was considering Colorado State but in the end decided they did not have enough of an international focus - I'm IR. With EP it's a mix between the polisci/policy programs and the environmental sciences/studies programs. I looked into both, and have applied to both. But they're ranked separately. I've seen rankings of environment programs, but none of polisci programs with an environmental focus. I chose one of my schools because there is a lot of environmental expertise in my area of interest in other disciplines, and they offer an interdisciplinary program that will allow me to take advantage of this.

Maryland (polisci), Duke (Nicholas School), and UF (polisci and NSF IGERT fellowship).

Anyone applying with a focus on environmental policy/politics? My area of interest is transboundary environmental governance and resource management.

I applied to 3, all good fits and met with/talked to professors in each. I'm definitely worried, but there weren't any other schools I really wanted to go to. If I end of 0 for 3, though, I'll definitely have regrets!

Hi Ivyreject, welcome! I applied to UF as well (for various reasons, it's actually my first-choice school). Like you, I'm returning after a 5 year hiatus in the real world, and I have an interdisciplinary and somewhat unusual background. Good luck with all your schools!

I have a lot of trouble being in one place for a set amount of hours (9-5 job). I thrive on a schedule that changes from day to day and requires me to change locations often. Also I'm most happy immersed in my own research and writing projects. So yes, I've missed school!

Thanks, Tonights! I agree. It's also fortunate when the trailing partner has a job that's relatively easy to find anywhere. Although in this economy no job is easy to find, I suppose!

I work at a think tank. No written letter of recommendation was required for my current job, but it was for another I applied for in the same organization (and didn't get). Always keep in touch with professors who can be references or write letters for you. Sometimes you need letters, sometimes not. You may need an academic reference years from now. I got my MA 5 years ago and thank goodness maintained contact with my thesis advisor. Your thesis topic will probably not determine your job. More likely it will be your skills set. Knowledge of a certain area is less important that your general skills, because jobs change and evolve with the needs of an organization. No one wants to hire someone who's an expert in one specific area with no capabilities or interest in learning or doing new things (in fact, we consistently pass up this kind of person when hiring).

My long-term SO and I are planning to move in together once I know where I'll be in the fall (we live 1000 miles apart). He's a middle school teacher, thank goodness, so will hopefully be able to find a job wherever I am. However, he definitely has his preference when it comes to location - he's from the South and I don't think he's ever even seen snow for real. Fortunately my first-choice school is in a warm location.