teamind

I agree with 3221. Taking a year off is not risking much, and might help you get some research experience. I am applying this year to American Politics programs and graduated May 2011. If anything, it helped me get my research interests in order as well as some experience. I am not scared at all that it hindered my chances of getting accepted. I'm not entirely sure why you think you are screwed. Academic research is the most important political science experience you could have when applying to PhD programs. You need to demonstrate that you are qualified to do research in your intended field, and while having other "work-force" related experience might help, it doesn't necessarily. For someone that is freaking out about being accepted, November is pretty late to be taking the GRE! I would definitely take it sooner, so that you have time to take it a second time if needed. I'm planning on taking it in August. Good luck!

Although I am only applying this season, and cannot say this with any certainty, my feeling is that your freshman year grades will not matter that much, especially since your GPA improved significantly. Based on other posts I've seen like this on this site, I would not make mention of your poor grades in the application.. it seems to only draw attention to it and/or seem like an excuse. the fact that you transferred will probably imply that the poor grades were indicative of some sort of program/school mismatch, personal issue, etc. Good luck!

Thank you everyone for the great advice! I already found lists of publications and abstracts, I was wondering about full-text articles themselves; emailing advisors and asking for an article or two is a great idea. As for ordering a subscription to journals, it is super pricey, but if that ends up being the best option I'd consider it again. It's probably worth it, after all. I ended up contacting the Alumni Affairs dept at my old school and it turns out they switched the server so that's why I wasn't able to log in with my old username. I knew something was amiss. Now I can log in to my old account, but access is limited. I still will need to check out all of these other options as well. Thank you all!

I attended a SUNY.

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site, so I apologize if this has been posted somewhere else. I can't seem to find any discussion on the matter. I'm still trying to narrow down PhD programs to which I will apply come this fall. From all the wonderful advice on this forum, I've gathered that the best way to keep up with your field, figure out your research interests, and then find a program that fits those interests is to read, read, read articles by scholars in your field. Since I finished undergrad over a year ago, I no longer have access to their library or online database. I can't seem to find any resources for alumni either (?). My local library does not have any free access to databases or journals. Is the only way to gain access to articles to pay for a membership to a database, or to buy them online? This is very confusing for me; I feel like I must be missing a research pot of gold somewhere. Any insight as to how to research without having a university account or anything of the sort would be great. Thanks so much!

Thanks for the suggestion! That definitely makes sense.

Hi everybody. Here is what I am wondering: I have 3 recommenders in my mind who I want to ask for LOR but have not officially done so yet. Professor A knows I am going to ask and I'm not worried about the strength of his letter (I worked closely with him and we've spoken about it casually before), but Professor B and C I haven't asked yet. I wasn't the greatest in the classes I've had with them, in fact I was downright average, but since, we've gotten on very good terms and I think at least one of them ( B ) views my potential very highly. I have had several email exchanges with Professors B and C since I've graduated form undergrad (over a year ago now), just keeping in touch and chatting about what I am up to and whatnot, but it's been about a couple of months since I've talked to them. My question is this: If I were to send Professor B and C one of those "just saying hello" friendly-schmoozy emails now, and then ask them for LOR in the near future, would they see through my schmoozing as just a way of buttering them up and developing a good rapport with them? That's NOT the only reason I would send them emails, I honestly probably would anyway just to catch up because I do have working relationships with both of them. But since I wasn't a great student, I am admittedly also trying to make sure I am on the best terms with them as possible. It's not like I am out of the blue being like "HEY what's up buddy?!" (1 month later) "Oh hey can I have a LOR?" but I feel like that's what it might come across like since it's been a few months. Thoughts?