Profile Evaluation Request

[Alve714]

Hello all, 

I am working through applications and am nervous hoping to get an idea of how competitive I am for some of the more difficult schools I plan to apply to. 

So far my list is: Michigan, UC Berk, UC SD, Princeton, Cornell, Rice, UVA, Florida, Florida State. I am leaving open the possibility to apply to more high end and middle/safety schools. I am confident I can get into Florida/Florida State and some other safety schools on my list, so I am most concerned with the top schools. 

 

PROFILE:

Type of Undergrad Institution: Large R1 Top 50

Major(s)/Minor(s): Government/International Affairs, Intelligence Analysis

Undergrad GPA: 3.3 with a 3.8 major GPA

Type of Grad: M.S. Poli Sci Related Field 

Grad GPA: 4.0

GRE: Schools on my list have all eliminated requirement

Any Special Courses: Graduate research methods, independent undergrad thesis, fellowship cohort last year of undergrad.

Writing Sample: Planning to use a Qualitative piece that was published, could also use a mixed-methods study that has data analysis in it.

Letters of Recommendation: Undergrad professor very well-respected Oxford/Harvard grad top of field, 1 from an adjunct professor who I worked with in two graduate research classes, 1 from a retired professor who had me in a graduate course.

Research Experience: Quant, Qual, MM at the graduate level, one of which was published. Undergraduate thesis

Teaching Experience: Teaching at a Community College

Subfield/Research Interests: International Affairs/Conflict

Other: Work experience in Congress and at non-profits

 

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

Edited September 14, 2020 by Alve714

[PoliSciGuy00]

On 9/14/2020 at 1:13 AM, Alve714 said:

Hello all, 

I am working through applications and am nervous hoping to get an idea of how competitive I am for some of the more difficult schools I plan to apply to. 

So far my list is: Michigan, UC Berk, UC SD, Princeton, Cornell, Rice, UVA, Florida, Florida State. I am leaving open the possibility to apply to more high end and middle/safety schools. I am confident I can get into Florida/Florida State and some other safety schools on my list, so I am most concerned with the top schools. 

 

PROFILE:

Type of Undergrad Institution: Large R1 Top 50

Major(s)/Minor(s): Government/International Affairs, Intelligence Analysis

Undergrad GPA: 3.3 with a 3.8 major GPA

Type of Grad: M.S. Poli Sci Related Field 

Grad GPA: 4.0

GRE: Schools on my list have all eliminated requirement

Any Special Courses: Graduate research methods, independent undergrad thesis, fellowship cohort last year of undergrad.

Writing Sample: Planning to use a Qualitative piece that was published, could also use a mixed-methods study that has data analysis in it.

Letters of Recommendation: Undergrad professor very well-respected Oxford/Harvard grad top of field, 1 from an adjunct professor who I worked with in two graduate research classes, 1 from a retired professor who had me in a graduate course.

Research Experience: Quant, Qual, MM at the graduate level, one of which was published. Undergraduate thesis

Teaching Experience: Teaching at a Community College

Subfield/Research Interests: International Affairs/Conflict

Other: Work experience in Congress and at non-profits

 

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

Hmmm, this is a tricky question.  I think your experience/grades/recs looks solid.  That said, even though many top schools have made the GRE optional, I think you'd be in a better position if you could submit a good score.  If you can't swing that this admissions cycle, that's understandable.  But it's something I'd strongly consider.  I just can't see quant heavy programs like Michigan backing away from the GRE right now.    

[Alve714]

On 9/18/2020 at 6:34 PM, Mr_Spock2018 said:

Hmmm, this is a tricky question.  I think your experience/grades/recs looks solid.  That said, even though many top schools have made the GRE optional, I think you'd be in a better position if you could submit a good score.  If you can't swing that this admissions cycle, that's understandable.  But it's something I'd strongly consider.  I just can't see quant heavy programs like Michigan backing away from the GRE right now.    

Thanks for your response!

This application cycle is tricky which makes it difficult. I know some programs like UC Berk and a few others on my list word it as saying "we will not even look at the GRE if submitted" others say it is "optional". 

I've never been a good test taker, I think the GRE will hurt me more than help which is why I am hoping this application cycle is a winner for a top program. I think I can prove Quantitative capability with Grad and Undergrad works/grades so I'm hoping that carries my application.