SecurityStudiesguy

Where are you applying?

Is anyone thinking about applying out of the US? I was thinking of applying to ANU (Australian National Uni) or Kings War College in London. I am heavily focused in East Asian Security Studies and looking for different options. Has anyone applied to these schools? Any thoughts?

Tufts "MALD" is great as well!

Thanks Again! I was scared there could have been some age based discrimination. Your advice makes me feel much better! I would also like to quickly address schools that are better for think tank work. Are there certain school that are good at preparing a young scholar for think tank work and if that person wanted to teach one day as well? I am just concerned with the job market when I am done, as are most people I am sure. Are there any schools that would give me the option for a think tank career and the ability to teach?

Thanks Penelope, I have read many of your postings and consider it wise counsel. I have two other questions: I am in my early thirties...do committees look at age in considering candidates? I know it would be highly illegal but I am sure it does happen. Just curious your take on it. Also, does Brown have a lot of focus on Chinese security studies issues? I am not interested so much in Quantitative measures or theory. I am very much interested in the military aspects of US China relations, the South China Sea and various regional tensions.

Hi All, I am the odd ball person with a weird background so here it goes. Started college many years ago, in 1997. Quit in 2000. Basically, I started work in the telecom industry which was very high paying at the time. Quickly discovered it was not for me, I did not leave because the money was amazing. I have now left and am in school full time. Then the economic recession hit in 2008 and the money disappeared. Luckily, my wife has a good job. I never stopped loving political science and my dream before I quit was to teach security studies in some capacity. I kept up on the literature, all I read is security studies books and peer-reviewed journals. In 2008, I went back part time and finished full time from a large state university in the Northeast. I finished with a 3.56 GPA and BA's in history and political science. While that is ok, I started and stopped about three times. I am unsure if this will hurt my chances of a PhD. I am full-time enrolled in a Master's program where I have a 3.9 GPA, 1360 GRE's and good letters of recommendation from some of the top security experts in the world. I have done 4 internships, some very prestigious, and have been published in several peer-reviewed journals (with co-authors, one is a prestigious professor), as well as having a position at an international relations website. I have also edited a volume for this same publication with some very prestigious names in the volume. I have dedicated myself to this craft and intend to make it my career. When you love what you do it comes quite easily. I will be applying to some of the top schools with intent to either work in a think tank that is security studies focused (China mostly) or teach in an institution that wants a good diet of writing in peer reviewed journals. Schools I am looking at: MIT, Harvard, BC, BU, Northeastern, UCONN, Tufts (my intent is to focus on China security issues) Sadly, I can't leave the Northeast as my wife has a great job and can support me through the PhD without financial ruin. The Boston, Conn, and RI area is where I need to look. I guess my questions for the group are: 1. Do I have a chance at admission at some of the school I mentioned? 2. Are there any other schools in the Northeast I should also look at? 3. Will being in and of school in my undergrad hurt me?