northstar22

Why do you think it's better to avoid taking such classes before applying? I don't think it would hurt my application to come in with previous relevant coursework.

Thank you so much for the responses! I should clarify that I have taken statistics, algebra, and economics courses at the undergrad level, just not calculus, and I'm also taking (and doing quite well in) two graduate-level classes right now which involves regression analysis, etc.-- one course is pure statistics, and the other is a substantive course that heavily emphasizes statistical analysis. I definitely have the option of taking calculus courses during my master's program (I still have a few semesters left). Does anyone know of any lower-ranked methods programs? I think Stanford, Princeton, Harvard, etc. are a little (WAY!!!) out of my league, and I'd prefer to stay in the Midwest if possible. I know Nebraska, Purdue, and Missouri have methods focuses -- any insight on those programs?

I notice a few (poli. sci.) PhD programs offer primary focus areas in research methodology or related fields, like formal theory and empirical theory. Does anyone here have methodology as a primary focus area or substantive research interest? I'm pursuing my master's degree now, and as strange as it sounds, I've found that I really enjoy statistical / quantitative analysis in a poli. sci. context (yes, I'm a nerd). Does anyone know of some good programs for methods? Would getting into such a program be realistic (I didn't take any calculus courses as an undergrad)?

forum spam

I'm currently working on a master's degree, and I've been looking at several different Ph.D. programs. Kent State seems to have what I'm looking for -- it's a small program with an emphasis on both traditional political science and public administration. They're strong in quant and place an emphasis on teaching, which are definitely important to me. Plus, they fund most admits (according to their website). Does anyone have experience with this program? I know it's low on the rankings list, but funding and program fit are really the most important things to me. Looking at the average stats of their admits, I'd definitely be competitive to get into their program. Do they tend to place well? I found some information on their placement rate on Phds.org, but their most recent stats are from 2004.

spam show

ancient pottery

After posting this, I realize it would probably fit better in the admissions forum. I apologize. Mods, could you possibly move this thread over there, please?

I've seen several posts on Canadians attending graduate programs in the U.S., but none for the reverse. I'm considering applying to a few PhD programs (in political science) located north of the border, but I'm wary of going through the immigration process, getting a visa, and jumping through the bureaucratic hoops. I'm from the Upper Midwest, and I speak both English and French, so Canada wouldn't be much of a culture shock to me (certainly much less than the South/West Coast/etc. Has anyone here attended, or is anyone here currently attending grad school in Canada? I guess my main questions are: 1) Do Canadian Ph.D. programs prefer to admit local students over U.S. students? 2) As an American with a PhD from a Canadian institution, how difficult is it to get an academic job at a university in Canada? Has anyone here done this?

pottery fragment

life sentence

I guess the obvious reason to postpone starting a family is finances, which tend to be tight for most grad students.

If I end up at the University of Minnesota for my Ph.D. (unlikely) I would just do the 80-mile drive from where I live now instead of moving to Minneapolis. My three main reasons for that are the astronomical cost of living in Minneapolis, my friends / church / social life are all around here, and the fact that I just plain hate big cities. I'm in the social sciences, so it's not like I'd need to be on campus every day, and I've commuted 60 miles before as an undergrad, so I'd be more than used to it. Plus, I just love driving. However, if gas prices get back above $4 per gallon, it would make the commute cost prohibitive. I might scratch the U of Minnesota off my list for that reason (which is a shame, because it's a really good program).

Like someone else mentioned, I spend about 50/60 hours a week (on average) working on school-related things, and I try to spend the rest of my time on personal/social things. I'm single, so fortunately I don't have to worry about making time for a wife/girlfriend or family. Unlike everyone else who has posted here, I have zero (ZERO!) desire to ever have kids (and no, I will NOT change my mind)! The family thing is not for me, so I have no problem putting in the extra hours and making the sacrifices to try to make it in academia. I may or may not get married someday, but I'm definitely planning to wait until I'm done with grad school, which probably won't be for another seven years at least.

I'm from Kalamazoo. The town itself is very nice, overall . . . as others have mentioned, it's not really a college town, but that atmosphere does exist around WMU and K-College's campuses. It also has decent, upper-middle-class areas on the south and west sides of the city. You'll want to avoid the Northside and Eastside neighborhoods (dangerous, crime-infested ghettoes), as well as the nearby city of Parchment, which used to be nice but has really gone downhill in recent years. Basically, stay south of M-43 and west of Portage Road, and you'll be good. Most of the undergrads live in rental housing in the Vine Neighborhood (known to locals as the "student ghetto"), the West Michigan Neighborhood (south of W. Michigan Ave and east of Kenwood Circle) and in a few west-side apartment complexes, like Drake's Pond, The Pointe, Copper Beach, The Landing, Dover Hills, and The Arboretum. Concord Place Apartments is near campus and really cheap, but it's also full of low-income Section 8 types, and crime is high. If you want a quiet place to live, try Countryside Apartments over on West KL, near 8th Street. It's a small complex a few miles from campus, but in a very quiet, peaceful residential area. The managers are very good, and they keep the place up very well. I used to live there, and I had no problems. You can also live in the nearby suburbs of Mattawan or Portage, where you'll avoid the undergrads and still be close to shopping and dining. Three Rivers is a cool small town about 20 minutes south of WMU's campus, and it has a significant population of mature students and young professionals. Rent there is significantly cheaper than it is in Kalamazoo proper. Spindler Hall and Goldsworth Apartments are on-campus places set aside just for grad students, and most grad students live in one of those buildings. The downtown area, especially the Kalamazoo Mall, has a lot of interesting bars and high-end restaurants -- I'm a big fan of The Union, SushiYa and Shakespeare's Pub. Bell's Brewery is based in Kzoo, and they have a really good brewpub downtown. The university brings in a lot of international people, and there are a lot of good ethnic restaurants like Rasa Ria (Indonesian/Malaysian food), Spice Rice (Indonesian), and Shawarma King (Middle-Eastern -- LOVE that place)! The Vine Neighborhood has a lot of interesting restaurants and cafés (Third Coast is really good), but I wouldn't recommend living there unless you like loud undergrad parties. Crossroads Mall in Portage has all of your big-box stores, like Target and Meijer (a Michigan-based better version of Wal-Mart), as well as generic chain restaurants like Applebee's and Olive Garden (but why would you want to go there when there are so many good local restaurants in town)? If you want to visit a larger city, you can take the Amtrak to Chicago for about $40 (sometimes less). Grand Rapids is a fairly large city about 40 minutes away from Kalamazoo, and Battle Creek is about 15-20 minutes away. You'll also be within driving distance of Detroit and Indianapolis. Drat, writing this post has made me really homesick .

I'm seeking a TA position next semester, and I'm planning to take some pedagogy-related electives when I start my PhD (I'm pursuing an MA now). I'm not really sure that there is much else I can do, other than be a successful TA.

flash mob

cassette tapes

Exactly. The word "professor" means one who "professes," or teaches. Doing research is important, but so is instructing and mentoring students. One of the major reasons I chose the third-tier undergrad university I went to over Michigan or Michigan State is because I wanted to attend classes taught by real professors, not just teaching assistants. I didn't want to go to a "big name" university where all the profs were holed up doing research and sitting on committees while having no contact with the undergrads. Some of my professors have made significant marks on my life, and I want to be able to do the same for others someday. I love research, but I can't imagine going into academia as a prof and not teaching students.

I'm more interested in teaching than research. I definitely want to do both, but my main goal is to be a teaching prof at a SLAC, small university, or maybe a student-centered R1 located in a small town. I'm a "people" person, and I want to be able to connect with my students, not just perform research.

I know this post was from a few months ago, but for what it's worth, Northern Illinois University's comparative program is focused mainly on Southeast Asia. I don't know if the school's location (suburban Chicago) would work for you, though.

Also, I don't see why it's necessary to make grad student friends. None of my friends are grad students, because I don't really fit the typical "grad student" mold. Why try to force a connection where there is none?

Personally, I find it unethical. The classroom is supposed to be a learning experience, and buying notes seems like the lazy way out.

complete success

Very, very true. I'm certainly not saying it's an easy choice -- it's agonizing for all parties involved, with either choice involving a huge sacrifice.