Tupamaros

Was looking myself at Freie Berlin for the next cycle. What kind of US schools would it be of a similar standard to?

Interesting comments. I was wondering how exactly to approach math study, given the fact I haven't studied it in about 7-8 years. In an effort to cover a lot of math content for the GRE I've been taking 3 or 4 topics, going through the concepts (as they come in each Manhatten book) and then doing the corresponding 3 or 4 problem sections in the 5lb book, before moving on to the next book. I think this way isn't the most productive in the end, as even if I get through things a bit quicker I do find the concepts getting fairly blurry pretty soon after I move on.

No experience with Kaplan, so can't advise you on that. The 5lb book obviously has plenty of problems, I've just started it. What I'm doing is going through a strategy guide completely (my first took about 3 days), then doing all the corresponding problems in the 5lb book. I will repeat this until I've the guides and problems complete. Then I plan to mix it up between the 6 practice tests and mixed up problems in the 5lb book. The standard seems pretty good thus far (is it just me or are the difficult quant questions at the end of each guide basically impossible? lol). Magoosh also rated the 5lb book as excellent for quant. It can be got pretty cheap online, so is perhaps an option for you.

Do you have Manhatten's 5lb book? Combined with the strategy guides, 6 tests and the hundreds of questions on magoosh you should have enough with that?

Where are you studying IR Toni, if you don't mind saying?

Depends what type of school he is going for to be honest. I think it's generally acknowledged at this point that contacting POIs isn't a golden ticket, even if your email/phone call to them is met with enthusiasm. Also, I listened in my first cycle (just passed) to people say mixed things about the GRE, that it doesn't matter as much as fit, doesn't matter unless they are really low etc But I now think they are of the utmost importance. One reason is with regard to funding and GRE requirements for that. Also GREs can play a pretty arbritrary role in admission standards (Look at the posts in the PolSci subfield in the faculty thread). There are cutoffs at places. These can be overcome with other aspects of your application, if you're a superstar a 155 on quant won't hold you back much if your other credentials are brilliant. But I would say to the original poster, apply anyway, but also do the GRE again. Get your quant up a couple points and it could make a big difference. A top 50 should be doable with those scores I think, but best to make every aspect of your app as good as possible.

Few pages into the Algebra book in the Manhatten series. Already I prefer it to Barron's and PR. The Magoosh blog said that all other materials were a joke in comparison, which seems to be the case so far for me. I also tried to look at the ETS math review, and it's laid out so terribly in the book it began to hurt my head. Manhatten is not too formal/informal, hits the right note in developing math concepts thus far, and is laid out in an approachable way. However, I agree with the above poster that you should vary it up on the verbal side. Will let people know how it is when I'm done with the materials.

How many hours a week you gonna do?

^ It's not fun on the other side either

Cool! I'm starting my study seriously from Monday. Talk to you soon

Good luck We should check-in with our progress!

Thanks, and congrats on that, that's a serious rise in 3 and a half weeks

Thanks for that May I ask, had you much of a math background, and how long did you study for each exam?

I'm aiming at all top 20 schools basically, maybe one or two "safeties" (if there's such a thing), and some european schools which don't require the GRE. It seems the top 10 area looking for a 162+ Q score. What schools you gonna try for, and what is your quant goal?

That's very interesting, thanks for your reply Yeah, cramming can have its positives and negatives. Do you mind me asking what was your standard of math before study began, how long you studied for your first test, and for your second test? I have about 10 relatively clear weeks ahead which I can dedicate a decent portion to the GRE. So I'm thinking about aiming for 30-35 hrs a week. Congrats on the improvement, nice to know it can be done!

Thanks for that Yeah, I studied for just under 4 weeks, and allocated about 35% of my time to Verbal and learning test structure, on the back of not having done a math problem in a long time. This time out, I'll allocate about 90% of my time to math, as I just need to retain my verbal. I'll look into the 6 Practice Tests book (I also have bought Manhatten 5lb book of problems). I did find the Barron's I used better than PR, but it still leaves one unprepared on its own merits in my view. I've also read some blog posts on Magoosh (considered signing up, not sure yet!). Their book reviews were very helpful too.

Hey folks, So I've finished what has been an unsuccessful cycle, with no admits. Having received some feedback, one of the major flaws in my application is a low GRE score (in the 50s %). The top programmes in my field (Pol Sci) typically admit students with a Q score around the 85th-90th percentile. I feel like achieving this jump in a re-take is a daunting task, so would love to hear from other posters who made a big improvement in their quant scores. For my first test I bought two books: PR and Barron's. I found PR to be pretty useless for people who need to score high in quant, and only good for the very basics. Barron's was a little better. I went through Barron's Math review twice, did the questions after each section twice, and did their two model tests. I also took the Powerprep II online tests twice. This was my preparation, on the back of not having taken a math class in 6-7 years. I ended up with a 153 on test day. Has anyone (outside of former math majors etc) had a really successful second go at the quant section, is it possible to make the jump I require, and what is the best way to go about it? I have ordered Manhatten on the back of reviews I have read of the content, and purchased the ETS book for the extra 2 practice tests, and I plan to begin study now I should also mention that due to geographical location, having a GRE class/tutor isn't feasible.

Congrats to the MIT masters admit. Does anyone know if they do funding for their masters?

Yeah I see the points your making. Not sure about the xxx point, though it may be valid in this case, it seems a number of people got rejected from UCSD later than the monster first batch, which does maybe suggest that they may have been in the mix a little longer?

Question in relation to the recent MIT rejection. I was dinged in the first slaughter, and then people seem to be rejected together a bit later and in lesser numbers. Would it be safe to say that this is reflective of a 'round' system to reduce numbers, and that us dinged in the first instance didn't get very far?

Yes this is a good point. I went ahead and applied to the uni, but mentioned him 5th in my SOP, making it clear I was aware of the limited role he could play for students. This is something I plan to do second cycle, drop POIs an email to check are they taking on people.

I wouldn't let that experience poison your attitude toward the field, or to top professors generally. I contacted a very well known person in my field (who unfortunately wasn't taking on students), but despite this they wrote a long and personalised reply to me offering advice. This was all the more kind considering two of MY OWN professors during my masters completely ignored emails from me on important issues, and this guy didn't know me from Adam. So I wouldn't generalise, and although there are complete knobs out there, there are good people too. And sometimes good people give a poor response when they are snowed under with work, or are stressed. I know when I'm a Prof I'll be sure to be helpful to students, without overly indulging time-wasters.

With you bro'. Having read through last years thread, was nice to recognise quite a few names here this time; some on their second cycle and others already in grad school being generous with their time to offer some advice/support.

Out at UChicago, not even a chance to turn down their masters

Congrats Stanford peeps!