flyingwalrus

I think Emory conducts interviews, but other than that I've never heard of anything other than a paid visit once you've been accepted.

Your GRE score is good. I probably wouldn't bother mentioning your ugpa; why does it matter anymore? You've already shown what you're capable of doing in grad school, so your SOP should focus on the research you want to do. Your chances of getting into a top school depend on a number of things, not the least of which is what you define as a "top" school. Top 5? 10? 20? 40? Your SOP and letters will probably carry a lot more weight than your GRE and GPA, so spend a lot of time defining your research agenda and get letters from the biggest names in your department. Apply to all kinds of departments. It'd be great to get into a top 10, but you have to cover your bases. You don't want to be stuck with nothing because you didn't apply to any lower ranked schools.

Cut the lit review.

Writing samples are very important. Quantitative work is probably the best unless you're planning to be a political theory major.

UCSD, WUSTL, and Texas A&M (which appears to be trying to turn itself into Rochester) are heavy on methods. I believe Michigan is, as well. Duke has a lot of people who do formal modeling. Most of the top 25-ish departments offer strong methodological training with the possible exception of Northwestern.

Wow, that's horrible. I had no idea their funding package is so weak. It's worse than Texas'.

Stanford GSB: http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/phd/fields/pe/index.html

The following is US News' 2005 rankings for political science methods programs: 1. Harvard University (MA) 2. Stanford University (CA) University of Michigan

If you want to move onto a PhD program, tech up as much as possible; take as many stats and methods classes as they'll let you.

You can still get XP through Dell. I have a Vostro that I like a lot. Another option would be to buy an XP disc separately and install it on your new system from there. Heck, you could just get Ubuntu for free. I'd recommend against getting a Mac. You'll end up spending about twice as much on one as you would for a comparable PC.

Yep. I've mostly looked at places in Carrboro.

Not that I'm going to UCSD or anything, but I'd e-mail the DGS or whomever you've been corresponding with.

Did they just cut it? I could have sworn the DGS told me they did have it.

I have a number of Okie friends who believe their state to be a part of the Midwest. 8)

UNC for a PhD in political science.

I'll be there as well.

I referenced the US News and World Reports rankings. You'd have to pay for them to see the full list.

UNC is ranked 17th in methods while UGA is unranked. At UNC you'll also be able to take classes taught by Duke faculty members, so keep that in mind.

UNC for American (behavior, public opinion, campaigns/elections, and political communication) and methods.

Rank certainly matters in political science, at least when it comes to getting academic jobs. Certain departments place well for a reason.

Emory.

I accepted UNC's offer of admission.

Final funding offers: UNC: $17,000 (plus $3,000 summer funding) TAMU: $23,700 Texas: $13,000

Who did you meet with and what were your impressions of them? I was at a different school last weekend.

Easy choice: top 5. It'll open the most doors for you, fair or not.