orst11

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I had thought about attending grad school before but wasn't really serious about it, and then a few of my professors actually started sending me info about various programs. This was before I even was sure I would apply. Of course, like a lot of people on this forum, they suggested a few programs in the top 25 that actually are good fits and then a few more within the top 50. Even when I told them my estimated score on the GRE was lower than I expected (not the 1450+ I was hoping for, it still is good though) they simply said you can't be perfect at everything, and asked if I had decided on where I am going to apply. I have been blessed to have people who are both interested not only me as a student but me as a person and I think this has helped me so much in this process.

This is a fairly common situation and a lot of the time the Phd student will help write the LoR and get a professor to sign it, since most of these seminar type courses are somewhat monitored by a given professor. This is actually somewhat normal at large universities. Really, most PhD students know that a letter from a professor would hold a lot more weight when the letter is received by admissions committee, so I would see if you can arrange something like that.

You can do it exactly the way you said and most will actually want to talk to you about schools and give you recommendations on applying to various programs. Or you can say you have taken 2 or so courses with them, did well, and think they would be able to write an accurate recommendation. If you are having a hard time getting recommendations still, you can easily just send an email requesting a time you cold talk about getting a recommendation and applying to grad school. I remember when I first began considering graduate school as an option, I wasn't even in the same country but had arranged meetings for when I returned. Since then I think I talk to all of the people I am getting recommendations from more often, even though I have graduated. Asking face to face actually gives the professor a better idea on exactly who you are, especially if you do go to a larger school. Some may just ask you to simply email them afterwards with a CV, transcript, etc. Also office hours are your best friend, consider that.

I am like you, I love the Midwest. I have lived throughout the US and in Europe and to me it always feels like home. Now that I am looking into a PhD I am actually limited by location because of personal reasons, so some of the schools you mentioned were on my radar or are on my radar currently and I just wanted to note a few things. As far as lower ranked programs, Western Michigan has excellent placement. Typically they place 90-100% of their candidates in small colleges throughout the Midwest. The only reason for me it doesn't work is because they lack a focus in IR. As far as Northern Arizona, a professor of mine noted funding has been hit a miss there recently so advised not to apply when I mentioned it to him. Colorado-Boulder is a pretty solid program and does put you in a position typically to do some research and teach and lower ranked programs. One of my professors actually did her PhD at Colorado and said they definitely train you to both research and teach. Missouri seems to be more focused on the GRE than Purdue is when applying but both seem to place in locales you may like teaching. Purdue's program is slightly larger than Missouri's and since it is in the Committee of Institutional Cooperation (CIC) it does give you a better opportunity to do research throughout the Big 10 schools. Michigan State isn't really considered lower-ranked I would put them in with the list that includes Ill-UC, Iowa, UNL, Indiana, and Notre Dame. I am actually considering a few of these. I think UNL's ranking will improve in the coming years given its placement now in the Big 10. Maybe research expertise at other schools can rub off on them. I think at both UNL and maybe at Kansas you may be able to enroll directly into the PhD following your MPA. I know both programs have terminal masters programs as well and typically you aren't funded until you start your PhD studies. I know Iowa typically only has funding for about 6 or so candidates so it makes it hard to get an offer with funding. Indiana is really nit picky when it comes to GRE scores and likes to think they are as good as they once were. Notre Dame obviously is well known for theory. I think once you get an idea of your GRE score it would help you cut down the list some, and give you an idea on where to apply.

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I think one thing that most committees will note with your numbers is your constant improvement both with the GPA and GRE. With that said, you still will need good recommendations and a great SoP. I just say this because maybe at some schools you can get funding. Also, I would advise to look at some better programs as well because the jump on the GRE should give you more options, thus making you feel better about your chances.

Also, I thought I would note that you can get a canceled score reinstated but of course at a costs. ETS just loves taking your money. I think there is a time frame you have to decide to do this though.

It says on ETS's website that question difficulty on the paper based test will be figured into when they calculate your score. With that stated, I don't think you can just miss a bunch of questions and expect a good score. Think of it like this, if you are given roughly 20 questions per section and you miss 5 in two sections while another person taking the computerized test didn't miss any questions, do you think you scores should be the same the answer is no. On the other hand if a person misses say 8 questions on the paper based test and these are difficult questions, and another person misses say 5 on the computerized test after it has already adapted then you would receive a similar score.

First off, I will mention that I have had friends go to SIU, maybe not for poli sci but for other subjects. SIU typically is a school a lot of people in the Midwest put down as a safety. The program actually was decent in the 90s and really it seems when they lost faculty they never really hired more up and coming professors. I will note Carbondale is cheap to live in, I remember hearing people have 2-3 bedroom apartments for the price of crappy studios in Chicago. On another note, I think northstar22 is thinking practical. Obviously, if you are going to pursue a Phd, funding is important. Some of my professors have even recommended schools not in the Top 50, because they know funding is one of the most important aspects of pursuing the degree.The truth is some programs on the lower end do provide better funding than some top programs. The problem I think Southern Illinois has is exactly what RWBG states, their recent placement record is not very strong. I do think the program may be able to get you a position at a small liberal arts school position like you mention but the likelihood of a lesser known Big 10, Big 12, is unlikely. I know I saw one of their recent graduates was lecturing at UT-Knoxville and Georgia Southern if that gives you any idea. Also just by browsing the net some I have noticed some of the placements they have listed on their website are at least a few years old. I would advise if you are interested to send them an email. When you are thinking about placement always consider the likelihood that most candidates teach at places so many spots lower ranked then the institution they studied at.

Given the computerized test only adapts by sections it shouldn't make it any more difficult than a paper based test or vice-versa, because the sole purpose of the adaption process is to gauge a more accurate score.

Your last point can be part of your SOP somehow, for instance why you are applying to given programs. There are a few posts on this in the Political Science sub-forum and it seems like the general consensus is to do what runonsentence states. You simply want to send in your best work, whether it be quantitative or qualitative. Also, it can be argued that you can simply send in a piece of work in a different subfield as long as it relates to political science. I would suggest you use something you have already written and revise it.

Yes, I was just adding to PH's point. As for as your point on Florida State, I would say you are correct from what i have read and talked to them about. While they do have scholars in the areas of IPE and conflict not involved in quantitative issues, a lot of their required courses are in the issues you mention.

Penelope is right, You also have to emphasis what aspects of security are you interested in. For instance, are you interested in technology and security, national security, energy security, etc. ? Also, is there a particular geographical area you want to research? How do you want to approach this topic? Finally, are you looking to become an academic or working a policy career?

1. There are numerous other test guides that provide interactive like versions for test prep. I don't know if any of us can say which test prep material is the best since it hasn't been even a month yet since the revised test came out. All I used was powerprep and I did well on the test while others on the forum have used other resources and done just as well,better, or worse. Really it depends on how much time you have to study and various other factors, such as how confident you are in your test taking capabilities and how well you already know various other material. 2. When I took the test it was quiet but they did have headphones if you needed them. Typically these are used for other tests that each testing center offers but you can use them. 3. As long as you are at a desktop I think you can mimic test conditions fairly well whether it be at home or at a library. 4. I had 2 essays graded graded by ETS for prep and had done different ones when I took my powerprep and I think it gave me a good idea of writing for the test. ETS does provide a list of possible essay questions on their website, I would recommend looking at those some. 5. Like I said since it has only been a month, it is a little hard to say what test prep is best. There have been a few topics about this on the forum but I also think money plays a role. Hopefully that helps some.

Interesting read, balderdash. I definitely think a lot of his advise can be used in other fields as well.

My professors actually did exactly what Penelope Higgins said when I recently gave them a list of schools, deadlines, how the recommendation process works for each school. All of my professors have actually just commented on me being so organized with the process. As far as who you get your recommendations from choose the ones that will give you the best recommendation and you would think give you the most weight.

I am considering applying there. Check out their website, they have a list of GRE and gpa averages for people accepted: http://polisci.fsu.edu/graduate/prospectives/doctoral/requirements.htm We really can't say you have a good or bad chance because a lot of us are just like you and applying to programs.

The schools that you mention have minimums of around 1100. Just look at Washington's website and you will see that. You do have an excellent gpa though and an A in a math related course may help prove you are competent in higher level statistical methods used in political science programs. One problem i think you may have is getting funding though at some of these programs. Also, I had a 100 pt range in my quantitative score but my range for my verbal was smaller, only 40 pts. Really, maybe you can apply to a few other programs outside the top 25 and may get into somewhere that's really all we can suggest.

You can only use a voucher by phone, fax, or mail so if you tried to register online it won't work. Calling ETS is the easiest option and then just write down your confirmation number they give you. You can then go on the website and link that confirmation to your account.

Since you are in the humanities, most of us here would probably say the score is okay given you do have a pretty good verbal score. You need to realize while yes a 1300 may be more competitive it doesn't necessarily mean your application will be thrown out. One thing, I think admission committees will like about your application is that your record shows almost constant improvement. You can easily show competence in these subjects both in writing and in grades on your transcript, so I wouldn't worry too much. If you still are worrying about the score on the quant. portion maybe you can apply to one or two less competitive programs as well.

With a prior degree in law it is fairly easy to switch to poli sci. UCL and LSE are two of the top programs in Europe and most top academics in the US weigh these on par to schools you are thinking about in the top 20 here in the US. I am a little confused by your question, are you wanting to know whether to do the M Phil in the UK or strictly enroll in a PhD in poli. sci, or are you asking if doing one of these programs will improve your chances at a top 20 program here in the US? Also, have you taken the GRE? Are you looking to work in Europe or the US after studying? There are a lot of questions to consider.

I have seen on Delaware's Poli Sci program they have already figured they are setting a minimum score of 153 on each of the sections, whereas on the old format it was 1100. Here is the link:http://www.udel.edu/poscir/grad/prospectiveStudentsFAQ.shtml

The one way I would suggest is if you are stuck on a question skip it and then come back to it, that is one good thing about the revised GRE. Ultimately, this way you are not missing maybe easier questions at the end of the section that take less time to answer, you then can focus more time on the harder questions.

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