Jwnich1

Political scientists talking about.... current events in politics? ... shocking!! This entire election season has been so strange, that I'm sort of just sitting back waiting to see how it turns out.

I would say get the fundamentals down. At the least cover 2 semesters worth of calc (basic differentiation and integration, taylor series etc. Nothing too fancy there), some linear algebra, some basic stats (linear regression!) etc. Which of these is better if you only have one course? probably any of the basics you have never touched. (if you have seen calculus before, take linear algebra if you havent). My view is that you can always relearn something faster when you need to, than learn something entirely new. For the most part, you will take the more complex stuff once you get in to PhD programs. Most programs with the exception of perhaps the MOST quant - rigorous, know that poli sci training (at the BA level, and MA to some degree I'd imagine - don't know for sure) varies across schools from nearly STEM-like training to the old model of basically teaching the diplomatic history of the US. I wouldn't worry too much if you have a basic background in stats and math. Some formal methods might not hurt if you can find an undergrad course covering game theory in the econ dept (or poli sci if you're lucky) - grad courses work too, just dont know how in depth you want to go. Edited: for severe lack of coffee

Yup. Normally I say too much. Going to let silence speak for me

Hey guys, Rough evening last night: 1.) Official rejection from Chicago - sympathy CIR w/ funding 2.) On the "very short" waitlist at Syracuse 3.) rejected from Maryland I assumed the above, so this isn't a shock - I've been considering my cycle over for a week or so now, but to see it all in black and white at the same time is, nontheless, sort of sad. Given the reaction of Maryland, Syracuse and Umass - I think this makes the case for fit being important. (these were schools that I didn't do as good a job showing that my interests fit, and I was prepared to work with their faculty towards completion of those goals). How's everyone else doing?

I had one like that! Umass was literally "There has been a change in your application status. Application:DENIED" I later got a very nice note from the dept, but this was the official reply from the grad school. Short and to the point.....

Didn't think of that....maybe they've got 2 positions? I'd like one! Just saw this again, still one of my favorite lines...just so slick - maybe it'll make awful internet less painful: Mycroft: Fire her. She's got it the wrong way around. You're under stress right now and your hand is perfectly steady. You're not haunted by the war, Dr Watson. You miss it.

Haven't gotten Chicago's rejection yet....maybe this means they've forgotten to accept me !

I don't think there's a wrong way since we both did things in an opposite manner, and had sucessful cycles. In the end, that's what matters. Congrats again!

Tthe gibberish edit was me - the dangers of posting before a cup of coffee! It sounds like you've got quite a conundrum on your hands. It sounds like your idea of evaluating your attachment to your region of interest will be key. Personally, I tried to avoid any focus on (current) regional focus, because I know myself to be an academic magpie - I flit around the globe in terms of regional focus. (Today it's Iranian nuclear ambitions, last year it was N. Korea, before that it was applying rational choice models to conflict in the Middle East etc.) Perhaps we're facing similar problems? I think I *should* go to one school, but the people at the other completely in synch with my interests, and I want to go just for them. Best of luck with the choice!

I have a feeling that many top tier programs have more similarities than differences. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if we see much less variation across programs than we imagine when we actually get there. My gut feeling is that the major differences will be size, focus on methods, and location. Thoughts?

Hi Politicsgirl, Congrats on a sucessful cycle! I'm glad this strategy worked for you. I have a feeling that showing up in person may have made the difference? The advice I got was pretty universally against contacting professors, unless I had a REALLY compelling reason (beyond: "I liked you work, and I think you could be a great advisor") Both professors who really mentored me directed me (independently) to this website: http://kuznets.harva...ey/gradadv.html - which contains advice from Prof. Susan Athey, an econ professor at Harvard. Granted this is for econ, but since our fields are increasingly similar in some areas and both in the social sciences, they told me to take the advice pretty much as given. (This also contains some great advice for the rest of the cycle, and for visiting if anyone's interested)

According to my profs, it's actually frowned upon in some circles. It really depends on their personality and if you have a REALLY good reason to contact them (you want to base your work off of their previous research etc) but multiple professors told me independently that if I contacted professors beforehand there would be one of three reactions i) they would ignore me (most probable result), ii) prefunctory reply, iii) They would see me as someone who didnt understand the process (admissions comittee model). Apparently this is a newish phenomenon. What I heard was that professors used to be MUCH more open to pre-app contact, but this declined when some eager beavers started emailing everyone on a departments contact list with little to no real reason for doing so. Edited: for gibberish

On a serious note, Gary King has done a lot of work in this area too. His book "Unifying Political Methodology" has a good discussion on the dangers of "kitchen sink" variables.

As long as you use White's standard errors - ain't no way that error term is homoskedastic!

On a tangential note, can I borrow this for my dissertation defense? Something like: "I therefore concluded with a 95% confidence level that this is the true model... But estimating it drove me bats***t so... I used this one instead!" Would be wicked

Every so often Baîdu does too. Best I can think of is it's the system that indexes these forums for google / search engines

I think size of program plays a role here, and interacts with city vs rural living. You may decide a small program is great for your academics, but if you're hours from the nearest population center, will this drive you nuts if you can find more people / activities? A larger program/school may alleviate any stir-crazy feelings in a similar environment. Or vice versa? I think about this like programs you see on discovery... What kind of home territory do you need?

I just sat there transfixed. Who doesn't love ducks?! Or puppies?

Well played yourself sir. Well played.

Orst, In online forums it's very hard to judge emotion and intent, so if there are any bent feelings - I suggest we start over. I've been in a long term relationship now for several years, and I've been out of college for several years. I sincerely have extremely high hopes for my relationship, but I've come to the painful conclusion that in this market, program quality matters above all else. My s.o. and I are gearing up for a painful switch to a long-term relationship. We're not happy about it. We know it has to happen, at least for a while. She has a good job in a really specialized field she likes, there wouldn't be options like that for her in either of the two towns I'm considering. I do not advocate throwing their feelings out the window. What I do advocate is taking them in to account before the endevour gets off the ground. If you feel that you are tied down geographically, then you're in a spot of trouble. I live on the east coast with many of the nations most prestigious colleges and universities not far away....but only 2 or 3 within 300 miles are great choices for my subfield - and they rejected me. I would be resentful in the long run if I went to a school close by, only to see my job prospects dry up after 5 or 6 years of education. My s.o. understands this, and we are going to give it our all to make things work, just like we did when she was in school in Vermont, and I took a job in NYC. I meant no disrepect to anyone, or to anyones thought process. Lets all start over?

Whoa - did not mean to touch a nerve here. I'm not saying be a jerk about it - just make sure you look 5 steps ahead not just one. Decisions that look harder now may be better down the road. (as I said, avoiding resentment etc). Let's be calm, and not hope for anyone to leave anyone....

Absolutely true. I think an important takeaway is that grad school needs to fit your goals in life. When I posted earlier this AM, I realize I was assuming an entire host of things. Only the individual can decide what they want to put in or take out of the experience and should plan accordingly. I think our discussion here can serve as a guide so that we can all go in to the process with our eyes open. As an aside - I apologize if my views caused any consternation. If however, they have sparked some thought, and the constructive debate aids in anyones decision, then I'm glad. @Saltlake - it certainly seems like you're taking everything in to account. The school you ultimately decide on is certainly going to benefit!

Can you give us some insight in to your thought process? Did you decide that a unitary methodological approach was not attractive after visiting? - just curious about how current students resolve questions like this.

I completely agree with you there, but on the other hand - that's something you should discuss before embarking on the road to grad school. I know I wouldn't be happy compromising my choice becuase of a geographical tie and am lucky enough to have someone in my life who understands. I also know that if she wasn't so supportive, I may have considered other directions in life. (Not definite, it just would have given me pause for thought earlier in the process) Edit: My intent isn't to argue or spar, just present a point of view on picking a school. I recognize everyone's situation is different, and if you don't agree with me thats cool. I'm simply suggesting that careful thought on this issue is nessecary. Just as they always say picking a college for a HS boyfriend or girlfriend is a mistake, give careful consideration to whether picking a grad school on the same criteria makes sense.

Department admins / secretaries are probably the most powerful people around behind the scenes. I completely second this. When I was an undergrad, I got my bailed out of fairly serious trouble by a very sweet secretary in the department.