patda

@tufnel and penelope higgins: Useful points on both fronts. Don't worry, I certainly won't be making a decision like this based just on anonymous discussion board posts. I've already scheduled meetings with NU faculty. My best insight is that Penelope is correct about this (in this situation, anyway). The professors who wrote my LORs the first time around were also really helpful in encouraging me to apply to higher ranked programs. I have no doubt they would support me in a transfer up the ladder (assuming I do well enough to warrant one).

Yes, I understand what you're saying; but wouldn't you agree that I would become a much more competitive applicant for a top 25 program with an MA under my belt, plus two years of additional academic experience as a TA. Presumably at this point I'd be able to craft an even better SOP and have stronger LORs then if I spent all of next year on it. It seems to make a lot of sense to me to invest two years in making my application a LOT better, while also gaining substantive experience and an MA, than to spend one year trying to puff up my current app with some relatively insubstantial improvements.

This is an interesting perspective. Certainly something I have thought about. Realistically, I think I can improve my GREs a bit (but not drastically, say 650 -> 700 best case), and craft a more concise SOP. However, my application is not necessarily going to be loads better: I won't have any new work or research experience to speak of by the time apps are due, and my LORs will be from the same professors. Basically, I would be broadening the net of where I apply. Plus, considering that I'm a bit flimsy in my career goals, there is the chance that if I decide to hold out for a better program, even if I do get it, I'll discover it's not for me after squandering a year! Maybe the best option is to go into the NU program and complete coursework for an MA; if I feel at that point that I have the ambition for a top program, I can make a more concerted effort in that direction, or if my goals are lining up with NU's program, I stick with it. My application after completing an MA would certainly be far and away better than at any time in the upcoming year. Personally, I have to say that I understand what atlas is saying about wanting to "have a life." I know enough professors at NU who spend every waking minute doing research and getting paper's published, and while certainly impressive, I truly question if I have that type of intensity. In my life, other things have often come before "career" on my priority list -- perhaps that's why this is such a hard decision for me! Tufnel and slacktavist, I would love to get your thoughts on this.

Thanks for all of the excellent responses. I think that the writing is on the wall considering what the best decision is here. It looks like it's now time to wait it out and start working on a better app for next year, and to start choosing some programs to target. Any suggestions on a well reputed program for political development & sub saharan africa?

Do you think a degree from Northeastern would seriously preclude me from the opportunity to eventually teach at a reputable school? I don't exactly imagine myself teaching at Harvard, but it would be nice to think that I could eventually teach somewhere ranked in the same range with Northeastern. Also, on that note, I don't definitely plan to go into teaching. It is an interest at this point, but I am also interested in the private sector, such as working with NGOs and that type of thing. My biggest concern about turning down NU is the time I would face with "nothing" to do (not many places interested in hiring for a 1 year position). Maybe I am just being ridiculously short-sighted though. Would anyone mind commenting on one possibility: go to NU next year while I reapply to other places for the following year. Would I offend the department by doing that? (That's also where all of my LORs would be from in this scenario...) I appreciate the comments and insight!

OK, so I am in a dilemma. This was my first time applying to grad school, and I admittedly started the process a bit naive. I graduated from Northeastern University, BA International Affairs (3.9 GPA), in May 2010 and decided in about November that I wanted to apply for my PhD to start the following Fall (11). Rushed to take the GRE with about two weeks of prep time, and by the time I had that done it was already mid-December, so my options were limited to where I could apply. Scores were 650V, 650Q, 5AW. I ended up only applying to three schools. Of those three, I only got into one: Northeastern! Northeastern has offered me a great package: Teaching Assistantship, health insurance, twice monthly stipend. I had a great experience as an undergrad at NEU. I took a lot of GREAT polisci classes, with most of my professors coming from the top Ivies. But, I also recognize that NEU's PhD program is not even on the map when looking at the "top schools" in this area. So this is the root of my dilemma... is it "worth it" to get a PhD in Polisci from Northeastern? Will such a degree give me opportunities? The other side of this equation is that I really DON'T want to wait another 19 months to start my PhD, which would be the case if I were to turn down the offer and reapply to more schools for Fall 12. Is transferring a realistic possibility in grad school? Even if my credit were not to transfer, might being enrolled in another PhD program while applying to other schools boost my chances of getting in? If I did not have to think about the potential career ramifications of my decision, I would definitely go to NEU next year, because I personally want to be back in school. But then again, I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by not going to the best possible school I think I would ultimately be capable of getting into. Any suggestions?