EDWF

The quant section is generally considered "easier." So in the social sciences (i dont know about the humanities) you will have many applicants with scores in the 700s, many very close to 800. There will be less applicants will verbal scores that high, though the top top programs will most have people with over 1400s. So I would say focus on the quant, you don't want it lower than 700...imo...which is worth very little

The application process is about a lot more than your GRE score, but the score is a bit low for a Top 20 program. If you studied and prepared well the firs time, then I wouldn't take it again, b/c you'll probably do similarly. If you think you can prepare more and study harder and increase the scores then go for it. The verbal score can be around 550-600, but you really need to get the quant score over 700 to have a chance at a top program. But then again, if the rest of your application is stellar then you never know.

Yeah, I hear you, and for each circumstance its different. The thing for me is that I'll be going to a school where not everyone goes on to the PhD and its not even automatic, after you finish your MA there is an internal application process (although to be honest I'm not sure if this exists everywhere?). I wonder if students at that point also send out external applications? And I do love my program, love the fit, and love the city, and the faculty. The prestige is only a factor b/c the funding is mediocre. Since it is a small, liberal, theory heavy department, not much money comes in. So there will be some loans I need to take out - and while this is fine for 2 years, I don't know if its sustainable for 5-7+ considering the market. But I do know many graduates do have success finding jobs either as the niche theory professor in a department or internationally.

Thanks for the advice. In the program I'll be starting only about half the people continue on to the PhD after getting the masters, so for many its a terminal masters program. My thinking currently is to approach it as a terminal masters student and let them know that. Then when I finish the degree apply to some PhD programs. But maybe this will be looked down upon.

I'll be starting at the New School in the fall, its both heavy on theory and on the east coast. And the methods requirement can be filled by historical analysis and other qualitative courses as well. And from what I've heard Brandeis is big on theory too. Hopefully that helps.

Yeah, I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you, I'm just jumping on your question. I'd be interested in hearing what people think about this too? B/c I'll be going to a PhD program that isn't top tier and only with mediocre funding. I was thinking about doing my masters then leaving instead of staying for the whole thing. Is there an etiquette to that?

I would like to throw in my advice too, for what its worth. This was my first application season and I did not realize just how competitive it really is. I'm not right out of undergrad (but only one year removed), so its essentially the same. I got a 1310 on my GRE and thought that was pretty decent (turns out its kinda mediocre). I had a strong GPA and some legit letters of recommendation (including from a former ASA President), but the biggest thing is the writing sample and research interest. If you have a strong enough writing sample and developed enough SOP then you can be competitive. But its still a crap shoot even for the most qualified applicants. I only applied to one safety school and it turned out to be the only school that accepted me, but I love the school and am excited to go there b/c its strengths and reputation fit my interest. So find some middle-tier schools that are strong in what you want to study and bank more on those. Apply to top programs, but don't be heart broken if you don't get in. The key is finding a good fit for you. A masters program will definitely help, so put me down as a vote in that column. I'll probably be pursuing my masters and then trying to get into higher tier PhD programs (though technically my acceptance was PhD track). Hope this is at least somewhat helpful.

I, like many of the others in this thread, majored in political science. I studied urban policy and political theory as an undergrad, so switching to social theory and urban sociology is not terribly different. I applied to a few schools, only got into 1, but I don't think the major had any impact on that.