Mohawkmonk87

I am not against the possibility of teaching, however I am definately more interested in policy jobs / public service jobs (Think tanks, Govt orgs - State dept, NSA/Homeland, etc.), I was flirting with military service for a while but the order would be completely backwards to get a PhD then serve (rather than the other way around). I am limiting myself to NYC because as I finish up in Buffalo, my girlfriend will be completing her first degree there as well. She does Theater though, NYC is the place for that, so we agreed that is where we would go if we both got an admit in the City. I will probably spread my 1.5 year econ degree out to 2 so I can take Poli Sci classes as well. It will probably give me clarity on a research topic as well.

I found myself right on the borderline between Comparitive Theology Proper and Islamic Studies. I was actually selected to be part of Yale's first exchange group with Al-Azhar in Cairo (you can imagine how that ended up given the situation "over there"... we made it there but we didnt last long before the university pulled the plug!). But Anyways two recommendations for you as someone who has spent the last two years of my life here... I dont know what Poli Sci's rules are for classes outside the department, but take some courses with Gerhard Bowering. He is a brilliant, dual-trained Jesuit Priest and Islamic Studies scholar who studies Islam largly along historical-critical lines and teaches in the Religious Studies Department. He treats early Islam primarily but I found that this is truly VITAL to understanding the Middle East today. Also, the Al-Azhar program will most likely be attempted again next year, its through YDS but downtown PhDs can get in on it, an Al-Azhar affiliation would add outstanding credentials for any western scholar specializing in the Middle East region.

Ok things I've seen so far... Listing the CR's seems to be anathema. No problem, the reason I was feeling that out on the boards was more because of the general question of whether extracurriculars should be mentioned at all. My primary grad-app experience was for the YDS MAR program. Which if anything was more concerned with activities than grades do to their social-justice/diversity emphasis. I've heard PhDs are much a different beast, grades/GREs over extras, pointed research statement over an overly-personal statement, etc. On the issue of quantitative programs, are there any in NYC, my list has expanded to Columbia/NYU-Poli Sci/NYU-Wagner/New School/CUNY Graduate Center, I cant FIND anymore PhD granting institutions in the City (which suprises me given that NYC is basically America's second capital, and home to the UN). Any big ones I've missed, do any of these fall into that "quantitative" camp? I have two years to do any of the following: Learn languages, get published, take poli-sci classes, *open to other ideas* which of these is most vital to being a competitive applicant? Thanks for the replies thus far!

Hello all, my primary interests are International Relations, Political Economy and Development, and Religion and Politics. I will be limited to the NYC Area (Only programs I could find were extremely competitive like Columbia and NYU, anyone know of others? Public Policy schools where I could pursue these interests would be fine as well). My primary concern is not having a substantial Political Science background. Can this be overcome by a solid academic performance in other fields? I have heard that PhD level Political Science work is actually highly Quantitative, could such a background be more preferable than a Political Science undergrad? Anyways at my time of application this is what I will have: SUNY at Buffalo - B.A. Philosophy and Mathematics, 3.74/4.0, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Philosophy Thesis in Ethics, 6 credits of Poli Sci, 18 of Economics American University - Law & Justice Summer Program with Research Project, 4.0/4.0 Yale Divinity School - M.A.R Theology (GPA uncalculated) SUNY at Buffalo - M.S. International Economics (Will be in progress at time of application, GPA will most likely be above a 3.7) Work Experience: D.C. Superior Court (Internship), U.S. Census Bureau (Enumerator), No full time employment to be spoken of as I've had no gaps in my education. Extra-Curriculars (Undergraduate): Mock Trial, College Republicans, Ethics Bowl GRE: I took it few years back but would need to retest, Im pretty sure I can 750+ the Quant section, the other ones I am less sure about. What should I look to improve before I apply (I still have the entire Econ program ahead of me) should I attempt to get published, or obtain teaching experience? Would it be more valuable for me to take extra Political Science classes? Thanks in Advance! -Mohawkmonk87

I will affirm most of this however as a UB alum (BA Math) who already has alot of experience (I will be coming back for the MS this year) with this department I think it deserves another perspective. Admissions is a relatively easy process. I got in without the GRE. However math was my undergrad, and my GPA > 3.5 Its pretty rare for masters programs to be funded. I think pit bull might be a bit of an overstatement. The opportunity is there, but you must request it. For example, my math background was sufficient to be placed in the PhD 600 level macro/micro sequence. My math is rusty though so I shall see if I actually have the drive and mathematical memory to do this. What is your math background? If its good enough you can ask for upper level course work. If its not you might be better served by a mathematics program if you really want to do a PhD a top business school (or do the MS in fin. econ. but spread it out to 2 years so you can take math courses). The cross-listing thing is admittedly bad. Tests and assignments differ for grad-students, but yes I agree with Clockwork on this one. You must find ways to push yourself either by independent research or taking 600+ level work. If you were pre-econ PhD I'd tell you to look elsewhere. Pre-business though I think this program can work for you. UB will be what you make of it, its on you to pursue your academic interests and prepare yourself for a PhD. I enjoyed my UB experience, hence why I am choosing to come back, however my further-education interests fall more along the line of either an M.B.A or a Ph.D in Politics, I.R. or Security Studies. A masters where the work is above UG, even if below PhD level econ, will still be overqualifying in my case. But Business is a different beast... Best Wishes Mohawkmonk87

Simply put this program is my first choice partially due to location (SUNY-Buffalo is my alma mater and the city is my hometown) , cost, and the ability to focus on international study. I have no desire to go on for a Ph.D afterwards and would like an estimation of my admissions chances. Majors: Philosophy & Mathematics, Magna Cum Laude with [philosophy] thesis Overall GPA: 3.74/4 Math GPA: 3.44/4 (3 sems of calc, linear, diff eq, basic proofs, set theory, game theory, probability theory) Econ GPA: 4/4 (Intro macro/micro sequence, Intermediate macro/micro sequence, Econometrics) I will also have a graduate degree in religion-theology. The school does not calculate GPA. No [full-time] work experience to speak of, I went directly from undergrad to theology to this application. LORs: Honors advisor in undergrad, a seminary professor I have taken 4 courses with in my theology program, still deliberating on who to ask for the third one. GREs: they judge on a case by case basis whether they need the results, I am waiting to here back on this. Many Thanks, -Mohawkmonk87