strangepeace

Hi All, I know this question has been asked before (I have gone back and look through the previous responses), but I would appreciate any additional insight folks could give on this topic. Background: I’m about 3yrs out of undergrad (top 10 school), currently working as a federal contractor in DC (original, I know). I’m looking at grad school as a way to “get back on track” with my professional goals because I stumbled into the field I am in now (healthcare) after undergrad and it had never been a long-term interest of mine. My research interests are (very broadly) in climate change as it relates to national and global security (happy to talk by PM if you’re interested in more detail). I unfortunately went 0-7 in the F12 cycle for Political Science PhD programs. After a lot of evaluation, I know that I was unsuccessful for a variety of reasons (weak SOP being the biggest factor-lesson learned though). I will be enrolling in a MA program this fall focusing on environmental science and public policy and am planning on reapplying to PhD programs for F13 (my MA program is only 1 yr long). As an undergrad I was a Political Science major and Astronomy minor. Test Scores: 155Q, 164V, 4AW (planning on retaking the GRE this summer). GPA of 3.63 overall in undergrad and 3.89 in major. Question: As I rework my strategy and application materials for a second try at a PhD program, I have realized that my interests may be better served by a PhD in Public Policy than a PhD in Political Science. I didn’t consider Public Policy when I applied for F12 (in part, for lack of information, since I only discovered grad café as all of the decisions were being released). My question to you is this: what do you think is the main difference between Public Policy PhD’s and Political Science PhD’s? I am interested in academia and teaching; however I would also be open to federal employment or a think tank. With the (admittedly incredibly general) topic area I have provided here, what schools would you suggest I consider applying to (in either program)? Would you say that Public Policy or Political Science is more competitive? What would you consider to be the benefits/downsides of each? I’m open to any advice you might have, so please share! Thank you in advance.

Ah good to know. I will also remain cautiously optimistic, but I'll leave the polisci pick up lines to others...

Hope everyone had a nice weekend; was just looking through the results posted, congrats to everyone who got in! Quick question, is the consensus that Princeton is done with its admits?

But at least in good news, Princeton is still in the running for everyone!

I'm guessing another troll...

Ok, I'm done trolling. I had fun watching you losers have a meltdown lol. The Princeton post were mine too, so suck it, you hippy wannabe grad students :-) Face/Palm if this post is real (from the results survey).

I'm tentatively counting myself out at this point. If they really blasted out their acceptances and wait lists I don't have all that much hope... :/

I look at happy puppies.. like this guy:

I'm in the same position and totally agree. Fingers crossed for good news today...

I'm in favor of a National Results Release day... like ripping off a bandaid; I'd rather just hear from everyone all at once and get it over with.

Has anyone claimed the OSU and JHU acceptances?

Since it's the only one of my schools releasing at the moment, I offer the following: In limbo I wait Has not shared Ohio State Future Buckeye fate

lol you inspired me, here's what I came up with: Uncertain for me, Acceptance, Rejection is Worrying indeed

haha this is great... you captured how I feel exactly.

Sorry to hear... I'm still waiting get word from OSU, but at this point I'm going to call it an assumed rejection. Oh well..

Has anyone claimed the JHU acceptance? I'm surprised they're releasing so early.

Slow morning so far...

Thanks for the update! Did she give any indication as to whether all of the acceptances were released yet or if there were any pending?

So the consensus is that OSU has definitely sent out all its acceptances?

Who else hasn't heard from anyone yet? Not going to have fingernails after this, oy vey.

Does anyone know if all of the OSU acceptances have been released? I keep checking the website, but my status still stubbornly reads "Your application has been sent to the graduate program for academic review."